2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse was a practical choice for those who needed the utility of a minivan but preferred the styling of an SUV. It offered a range of trims starting from the base LS at $33,700, with the High Country trim reaching $53,400. The Traverse featured a modest restyle for 2022, with new headlights, taillights, and grille designs, along with updated wheel options and color choices. The RS trim, which was tested, included blacked-out trim and 20-inch wheels, giving it a sporty appearance. Inside, the Traverse RS boasted black leather upholstery with contrasting stitching, though the use of hard plastics on upper door panels was a downside. The interior layout was simple and logical, with user-friendly controls for the stereo and climate systems.

In contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport embraced a modernist and reductive design philosophy, focusing on clean and simple lines. While it lacked flashy factory options, it was expected that a performance-tuned SVR model would eventually join the lineup. The test vehicle featured Eiger Gray paint, silver 23-inch wheels, and a Black Exterior Pack, exuding understated luxury. Inside, the Range Rover Sport offered a Deep Garnet over Ebony theme with aluminum and shiny black trim. The SE Dynamic P400 test vehicle came with a host of features, including heated and ventilated front seats, a Cold Climate Pack, and a Technology Pack, bringing its MSRP to $98,420. The Range Rover Sport's design highlights included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and excellent aerodynamics.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse was powered by a single engine option, a 3.6-liter V6 producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It had a tow rating of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped and offered various driving modes, including Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road. The V6 engine provided adequate power for the Traverse's size, and it achieved an EPA fuel economy rating of 20 mpg in combined driving. The Traverse offered a firm yet compliant ride, though it was prone to scraping the front air dam over larger road anomalies. On the highway, it was a capable cruiser, albeit with noticeable road and wind noise. In mountainous terrain, the Traverse exhibited athletic handling, with limited body roll and predictable behavior.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement and driver-focused engagement. It offered a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque in the SE Dynamic model. The Range Rover Sport also had a plug-in hybrid option and a limited availability 523-hp twin-turbo V8. The test vehicle's inline-six provided ample power, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.4 seconds. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and an Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system, with a towing capacity of 7,716 pounds. The Range Rover Sport achieved an EPA rating of 21 mpg in combined driving, with real-world results slightly better. It boasted a new vehicle architecture with increased torsional stiffness and adaptive damping air suspension for improved ride comfort and handling. However, it fell short of sport-tuned rivals in dynamic driving, with noticeable body roll and steering feedback issues.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a spacious interior, though the RS, Premier, and High Country trims were limited to seven-passenger seating due to captain's chairs in the second row. The RS trim included power-adjustable and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and triple-zone climate control. The second-row Smart Slide function and long rear doors facilitated access to the third row. While the all-black cabin lacked ventilated front seats, the air conditioning system performed well. The Traverse provided generous legroom and headroom in the second row, though the captain's chairs lacked leg support. The third row accommodated adults with cooperation from second-row passengers. Storage space was abundant, with hidden compartments and a sizable cargo area. Cargo capacity ranged from 23 cubic feet behind the third row to a maximum of 98.2 cubic feet.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport retained the Range Rover Command Driving Position, offering a tall and airy feel. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit. The test vehicle featured Windsor leather upholstery, 20-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and a massage feature. The rear seat, while improved, remained tight for taller passengers, with hard front seatback panels and narrow door openings. The back seat provided excellent support but had a reclined angle. Storage space was decent, with a deep bin under the center armrest and a second bin under the cupholder tray. The cargo area offered 31.9 cubic feet of space, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. A full-size spare tire limited underfloor storage, but Land Rover provided a contraption to secure smaller items.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse featured a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, depending on the trim level. It offered Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. The RS trim included a Bose premium sound system, though it was not particularly impressive. The voice recognition system performed well, reducing confusion and frustration. Visibility was generally good, with a digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera enhancing safety.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment platform was often confusing and frustrating to use. The digital assistant struggled with basic commands, and the system's functionality was inconsistent. The Range Rover Sport featured impressive Meridian audio systems and an Active Noise Cancellation system. A wireless smartphone charging pad was included, though it was challenging to access.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional safety features were available, such as rear parking assist sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Traverse received top "Good" ratings in most IIHS collision tests, with an "Acceptable" rating in a new side-impact test. NHTSA ratings were not available at the time of writing.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was equipped with advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, and a surround-view camera system. Remote Park Assist was available, allowing the SUV to park itself via a smartphone app. The adaptive cruise control and steering assist systems were less refined, with slow response times and issues with lane centering.