2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2021 Nissan Rogue

The 2021 Nissan Rogue sported a handsome new styling with a more technical appearance, making it look more like an SUV than a car. Dark gray plastic cladding covered the Rogue's lower perimeter, and bold, simulated skid plates and lower door protection conveyed a ruggedness that was perhaps too audacious on the SUV's back bumper. Clean LED lighting elements, a prominent V-Motion grille, and proper proportioning lent the new Rogue a modern aesthetic, with all trim levels including aluminum wheels sized up to 19 inches in diameter. Optional two-tone paint with a black roof treatment gave the SUV a custom look.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, despite being a glorified minivan, offered a light restyle for the model year, featuring new headlights and taillights, a fresh look for the front bumper, modified grille designs, redesigned aluminum wheels, and updated color choices. The RS trim, which sat above the LS and LT models but below the upscale Premier and High Country trims, made liberal use of blacked-out trim and had an attractive set of dark gray 20-inch wheels. The Traverse's crisply tailored lines, swollen fenders, and tasteful details demonstrated a level of styling restraint that was rapidly fading from the SUV landscape.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue needed more power, as its direct-injected 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produced 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. This output was adequate for typical daily-driver use, and the continuously variable transmission (CVT) did a decent job of leveraging the available torque. The Rogue's ride and handling were commendable, thanks to a new, more robust architecture composed of 35% high-strength steel, a strut front, multi-link rear suspension, and various control systems. The new steering system, with electric assist moved from the steering column to the steering rack, dramatically improved steering feel over the previous generation.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came with a single engine option: a 3.6-liter V6 making 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Traverse's tow rating was 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, and it offered Snow and Off-Road modes for different driving conditions. The V6 engine provided sufficient power for the Traverse's bulk, and the SUV returned 20.9 mpg on the evaluation loop with the AWD system in automatic mode. The Traverse's ride quality was pleasant, with a relatively firm feel for the road, though it could feel disconnected on undulating pavement. The V6 drivetrain, Active Return Assist steering, and extended-life Duralife brakes performed well in mountainous terrain, offering a flat cornering attitude.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured Zero Gravity seat designs, which aimed to replicate a neutral spine position for comfort. The improved seats in the new Rogue were more comfortable, with various upholstery options depending on the trim level. The Rogue offered standard air conditioning, with dual-zone automatic climate control in the SV trim and a triple-zone system in the SL and Platinum trims. Rear-seat headroom and legroom were generous, and the rear doors opened to a nearly 90-degree angle for easy passenger loading. The Rogue's cargo capacity was 31.6 cubic feet in the S and SV trims, and up to 36.5 cubic feet in the SL and Platinum trims, with a maximum volume of 74.1 cubic feet when the rear seat was folded down.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, in RS, Premier, or High Country trims, did not offer a second-row bench seat, reducing capacity to seven passengers. The Traverse RS had 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 made entering and exiting the third-row seat easier. The Traverse's third-row seat was not as comfortable as in some rivals, but it offered better accommodations than many competitors. Storage space was abundant, with a hidden compartment behind the infotainment screen and another under the cargo floor. Cargo space measured 23 cubic feet behind the third-row seats, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 98.2 cubic feet.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered a competitive infotainment package, with an 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto in the S trim. Higher trims added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, and integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The SL Premium Package and Platinum trim included a larger 9-inch touchscreen display, door-to-door navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Bose premium audio system. The Platinum trim also featured wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse equipped the LS and LT Cloth models with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while other versions got an 8-inch high-definition display. The Premier and High Country trims featured an 8-inch digital instrumentation panel. Both infotainment systems offered Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and access to connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. The 8-inch touchscreen system was available with integrated navigation, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and expanded connected services. The RS trim included a Bose premium sound system with seven speakers, though it was not particularly impressive. The Traverse's voice recognition system responded quickly and accurately, and the available digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera were useful features.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue came equipped with a comprehensive collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) under the Nissan Safety Shield 360 umbrella. This included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. The Rogue also featured ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder system. The SV trim and higher included ProPilot Assist with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. The SL Premium Package and Platinum trim offered an upgraded ProPilot Assist with Navi-link technology, which used navigation map data and GPS coordinates to adjust speed for curves and freeway junctions.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse featured Chevy Safety Assist as standard equipment on all trim levels, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a following-distance indicator. The Traverse LS had an optional Safety Package that added rear parking assist sensors, blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. The RS, Premier, and High Country trims included adaptive cruise control, high-speed automatic emergency braking, and a rear pedestrian alert system. The Traverse Premier and High Country trims also featured Chevy’s vibrating Safety Alert Seat. The Traverse received top "Good" ratings in most IIHS collision-related tests, except for an "Acceptable" rating in a new side-impact test.