2022 Chevrolet Traverse Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse in many ways replaces the nearly extinct mini-van. This mid-sized SUV has three full rows of seats and can accommodate up to eight passengers. It also offers massive amounts of cargo space in the back. Unlike the mini-vans of old, the Traverse can tow and even venture off-road. This mid-size SUV has strong engines and peppy acceleration too.

Here are ten of the best reasons to check out a 2022 Chevrolet Traverse. There are also some things to be aware of before making a final decision. We will also take a look at how the Traverse stacks up against some of its stiffest competition.

What's New for 2022?

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse gets an upgraded, modern infotainment system this year. The new system finally adds in compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The driver-assist technology has moved forward as well. There's more of it this year, and previously optional features will now be standard. The headlights, taillights and front fascia all get cosmetic updates for the 2022 models.

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2022 Chevrolet Traverse – The Pros

1. Three Rows of Seats

Extra seating is one of the best reasons to select a mid-size SUV. The Chevrolet Traverse gets you three full rows of seats. It can easily seat up to seven or eight people. The second and third rows offer plenty of room to stretch out in too.

2. Power and Acceleration

The Chevrolet Traverse comes powered by a strong 3.6-liter V6 engine. The V6 produces 310 horsepower with 266 pound-feet of torque. This engine has start/stop technology and variable valve timing. Acceleration is excellent in the Traverse, and it has plenty of power even when weighed down with passengers and cargo.

3. Great Steering and Handling

Steering and handling is a strong point of the Chevrolet Traverse. The steering dynamics are downright athletic to match the power and torque of the V6 engine. The Traverse is more than just a typical family hauler. It's simply fun to drive no matter what your next destination is.

4. Plenty of Cargo Space

The Chevrolet Traverse offers one of the largest cargo areas of any vehicle in its class. When all three seat rows are occupied, you will still get 23 cubic-feet of storage space. By folding down the third row, this can be expanded up to 57.8 cubic feet. If that's still not enough, fold down both the second and third rows to get a massive 98.2 cubic-feet of cargo space.

5. A Spacious and Comfortable Cabin

The cargo area isn't the only spacious area in the Chevrolet Traverse. The passenger room is massive as well. It's easy to stretch one's legs out, even in the third row. The last row has 38.21-inches of headroom and 33.48-inches of legroom. Up front, you get a full 41-inches of legroom.

The seats are exceptionally comfortable and supportive in the Traverse. Higher trim levels offer an 8-way power driver's seat and a 6-way power passenger's seat up front. Perforated, leather-appointed upholstery is available as well.

6. Legitimate Towing Capabilities

In addition to all of the cargo space inside of the Chevrolet Traverse, this mid-size SUV can also tow. This means that one can take along a boat or trailer for road trips. When properly equipped, a Traverse can pull up to 5,000 pounds.

7. Legitimate Off-Road Capabilities

True to its SUV roots, the Chevrolet Traverse offers legitimate off-road capabilities. This is an upscale vehicle that not everyone will need to go off-road in, but if that is your thing, this mid-size SUV can certainly handle it. Most trim levels are available with all-wheel drive. The Traverse also offers StabiliTrack electronic stability control with traction control.

8. It's Fuel Efficient

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse may be a powerful SUV, but it's also fuel efficient. It fortunately won't cost too much to fill up at the gas pumps. Most trims have a fuel tank with a 19.4 gallon capacity. The High Country trim level offers a 21.7 gallon tank.

According to EPA estimates, the Traverse should get around 18 miles-per-gallon in the city and 27 miles-per-gallon on the highway. This gives the Traverse a combined fuel-economy rating of 21 miles-per-gallon. These statistics come from a Traverse with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive models will see a very small decrease in these numbers.

9. The Infotainment System

The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Plus System is one of the best in the business. This system is very intuitive to figure out and easy to use. There's an 8-inch HD, full-color touchscreen display. Higher trim levels will get a built-in navigation system. There's Bluetooth Technology for streaming music and plenty of USB ports for connecting or charging smartphones.

Voice-Command Pass-Thru allows for hands-free calls to be made through the system. Voice-Recognition Technology allows for hands-free operation of a number of the different features. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is available, and there's an available WiFi hot spot as well. A Bose Premium Audio system is available for the serious music lovers out there.

10. Great Safety Features

Chevrolet has made sure that the Traverse is a safe vehicle for the driver and all of the passengers. There's an advanced airbag system here. A safety Alert Seat gives audible and tactile warnings via specific-area vibrations to warn the driver of an impending collision. A tire-pressure monitor makes sure that those tires are safely inflated. Some of the driver-assist tech includes Lane-Keep Assist with Lane-Departure Warning and Lane-Change Alert with Side Blind-Zone Alert.

Reasons Not to Buy a 2022 Chevrolet Traverse – The Cons

1. A Few Blind Spots

The design of the Traverse causes a few blind sports towards the rear of the vehicle. This is an unfortunately design flaw that Chevrolet will hopefully correct in the future. There are driver-assist features to help somewhat with this issue. For the most part though, visibility isn't great here.

2. Cheap Interior Materials

There are a lot of cheap plastic parts and surfaces on the inside of the Traverse. This wouldn't be that big of a deal except for the fact that the competition does better at the same price point. The interior is comfortable, but it should be a little more upscale for this class of vehicle at this cost range.

3. Expensive Optional Features

A lot of the most desirable extras come at a high price for the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse. There are even expensive packages of options that one must pay extra for on the highest trim level. While the base price of the Traverse is quite manageable, this can change quickly once the buyer starts adding on features.

4. The Old AWD System

It's great that the Chevrolet Traverse features all-wheel drive. Unfortunately, it's an older, somewhat outdated system. It requires a manual tap to initiate the system. Many of this vehicle's competitors feature a more modern setup that engages the AWD electronically. These modern systems often feature a variety of modes for different driving conditions too.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2022 Kia Telluride

The Kia Telluride is a fantastic mid-size SUV that also seats eight people, just like the Chevrolet Traverse. Both have a similar starting price point, with the Traverse coming in at about $2,000 more. Both offer similar towing capacities. The Traverse offers more room on the inside, especially when comparing the third rows. The Traverse has significantly more cargo space too.

The Telluride offers great handling and a refined ride quality. The Traverse offers significantly more power. Kia offers a better warranty and better fuel efficiency. It may be the better value for those on a budget. If you have the money, however, the Chevrolet Traverse is the better vehicle.

2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2022 Hyundai Palisade

The Hyundai Palisade is the sister vehicle to the Kia Telluride. Most of the comparisons will come out the same here for that reason. The Chevrolet Traverse once again offers more power, better handling and more room for people and cargo. The Palisade is more expensive than the Telluride, yet still comes in just short of the base price of the Traverse.

The Hyundai Palisade offers a more upscale interior than the Telluride, but it's still comparable to the Chevrolet Traverse. Both vehicles offer comparable ride quality with the Hyundai perhaps edging out the Chevrolet by a small margin. Overall, the Chevrolet Traverse remains the better vehicle with its superior performance.

Conclusion

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse stands out as the king among mid-size SUVs with three rows of seats. It has plenty of space for up to eight people. This includes plenty of headroom and legroom, even in the third row. It also has nearly 100 cubic-feet of cargo space. The power and handling are excellent, and it's a safe, well-equipped vehicle. When it comes to SUVs in this class, the Chevrolet Traverse is hard to beat.