When you need a vehicle that can accommodate the entire family, a three-row midsize SUV is the obvious solution. But with so many offerings currently on the market, it can be hard to puzzle out what separates one crossover from another.
Luckily, we’re here to help. We’re going to take a closer look at the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse and the 2022 Toyota Highlander to discover what makes these two midsize SUVs different from each other and which one you should buy.
Exterior
As three-row midsize crossovers, the new 2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2022 Toyota Highlander make big first impressions. Their bold exteriors turn heads with their sculpted lines and chiseled contours. On the Traverse, you’ll find Chevy’’s dual-port grille with iconic bowtie logo, while the new Highlander features a more subdued hexagonal honeycomb grille. These midsize crossovers also feature LED headlights, headed side-view mirrors, hands-free gesture liftgates, and available roof rack side rails.
However, when we take a look at each spec sheet, there’s no doubt that the new 2022 Chevrolet Traverse is larger in every category:
- Length
- Chevrolet Traverse: 205.9 inches
- Toyota Highlander: 194.9 inches
- Wheelbase
- Chevrolet Traverse: 120.93 inches
- Toyota Highlander: 112.2 inches
- Width
- Chevrolet Traverse: 78.6 inches
- Toyota Highlander: 76.0 inches
- Height
- Chevrolet Traverse: 70.7 inches
- Toyota Highlander: 68.1 inches
The new 2022 Chevrolet Traverse also offers 10 eye-catching wheel styles to choose from, while the 2022 Toyota Highlander has six roller styles. Both vehicles are available with either 18- or 20-inch wheel sizes in various finishes.
Advantage of the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse
- Larger exterior dimensions than the Toyota Highlander
- More wheel styles to choose from
Interior
Midsize crossovers are an excellent choice for growing families and the new 2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2022 Toyota Highlander are no exception with seating for up to eight people. However, it is worth noting that the new Traverse has quite a bit more third-row legroom, offering 33.84 inches versus the Highlander’s 27.7 inches of legroom.
The new 2022 Chevy Traverse comes out ahead in cargo space as well, with more space behind each row of seats than the 2022 Toyota Highlander:
- Cargo space to first row
- Chevrolet Traverse: 98.2 inches
- Toyota Highlander: 84.3 inches
- Cargo space to second row
- Chevrolet Traverse: 57.8 inches
- Toyota Highlander: 48.4 inches
- Cargo space to third row
- Chevrolet Traverse: 23.0 inches
- Toyota Highlander: 16.0 inches
If you need a spot to hide away smaller items, the new Traverse also features a lockable, hidden storage compartment behind its touchscreen.
Both of these midsize crossovers are available with heated and ventilated leather-appointed seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, and a panoramic sunroof.
Advantage of the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse
- More third-row legroom
- More available cargo space behind each row of seats
Technology
The new 2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2022 Toyota Highlander offer loads of advanced technology features to take your road trip to the next level. Both of these midsize crossovers feature smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ that lets you stream music, answer calls, and look up directions from the touchscreen. They’re also both Amazon Alexa capable, so you can enjoy all the benefits of your Amazon account while on the go.
Chevy and Toyota offer their midsize crossovers with 4G LTE Wi-Fi® (data plan required) so you can stay connected on the go. The Traverse and Highlander are also available with a rear camera mirror in place of a traditional rearview mirror that shows a wider, unobstructed view of the area behind you. Finally, these midsize crossovers offer wireless charging pads that can keep your compatible device fully juiced without the hassle of wires.
There are a few key differences between the Traverse and the Highlander’s technology. Chevy offers the Traverse with an available 10-speaker Bose® premium sound system, while the Toyota Highlander is paired with an 11-speaker JBL® audio system. The Chevy Traverse also features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which are not available wirelessly on the Highlander.
Advantage of the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse
- Offers wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility
Safety
Chevrolet and Toyota are no strangers to safety awards and the new Traverse and Highlander are no exceptions. These midsize crossovers earned NHTSA five-star overall safety ratings thanks to their advanced safety features, which includes:
- Automatic emergency braking
- Forward-collision alert
- Lane keep assist
- Lane-departure warning
- Automatic high beams
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane change alert
- Side blind-zone alert
- Rear park assist
- HD surround-view camera
- Adaptive cruise control
The new 2022 Chevrolet Traverse is also available with a safety alert seat that provides haptic vibrations to help you identify the direction of a potential collision. In the event of an accident, the new Traverse’s OnStar® Automatic Crash Response will connect you to an agent within seconds to ensure your safety and alert emergency personnel to your location if you’re unresponsive.
Advantage of the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse
- Available safety alert seat warns you of potential collisions
- OnStar® Automatic Crash Response offers added peace of mind in the event of an accident
Performance
What you decide to drive isn’t only determined by style and technology. It’s also about what kind of power each vehicle is bringing to the table.
The new 2022 Chevrolet Traverse keeps things simple with a powerful 3.6-liter V-6 engine that kicks out 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. With all that power, the new Traverse achieves a 5,000 pound towing capacity. Chevy also pairs the new Traverse with a driver mode selector that allows you to choose from five drive modes – front-wheel drive, available all-wheel drive, off-road, tow/haul, and snow – to fine-tune vehicle handling to current road conditions.
The new 2022 Toyota Highlander is available with either a 3.5-liter V-6 gas engine or a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid system, a signature of the Toyota brand. The gas engine can’t match the power of the Traverse’s V-6 though, offering only 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. The new Toyota Highlander does feature a multi-terrain select on all-wheel drive models that lets you choose from four modes – mud and sand, rock and dirt, snow, and normal –for optimized handling in a variety of conditions.
A few other key differences to note. The new 2022 Traverse is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, while the new Highlander has an eight-speed automatic. The Chevy SUV also features an electronic parking brake, MacPherson front struts, and fully independent rear suspension. Toyota offers the Highlander with three drive modes that allow you to enhance either efficiency or performance as well as a sport-tuned suspension.
Advantage of the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse
- Gas engine offers more horsepower and torque
- Driver mode selector features five drive modes
- Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission
Which Should You Buy?
You can’t go wrong with the new 2022 Chevrolet Traverse. This midsize crossover offers versatile space, advanced technology, and plenty of power under the hood. Its 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6 engine helps it haul up to 5,000 pounds, while the five-mode driver selector lets you optimize the Traverse’s handling to current road conditions. With seating for up to eight and 98.2 cubic feet of available cargo space, the new 2022 Chevy Traverse is ready for all of life’s adventures.
Wait no longer to fall in love with the new 2022 Chevrolet Traverse. Call Garber Chevrolet Linwood today at (989) 697-4444 to schedule a test drive. Or visit us in person at 75 N Huron Rd, Linwood, MI 48634.
