Once upon a time, you had to rely on boring old minivans if you needed a vehicle that could fit the entire family and their things. Not anymore. It’s a new age and the midsize crossover is the king of family driving.
Midsize crossovers have stepped up their game in a big way, offering impeccable styling, advanced technology, and loads of power under the hood. With so many options to choose from, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed while trying to find the SUV that’s best for your family.
We’re here to help make that decision simple. We’re going to take a look at two of the most popular midsize crossovers on the road right now, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2022 Kia Telluride, and breakdown all the differences between the two.
Exterior
Both the new 2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2022 Kia Telluride make a bold first impression. The new Traverse cuts an athletic figure with its sculpted lines, wide stance, and dual-port grille adorned with the signature Chevy bowtie. The Telluride meanwhile offers chiseled lines and a more squared-off look with a rectangular grille and rectangular headlights.
Part of what helps these midsize SUVs make a lasting impression is their imposing size. When we take a look at each vehicle’s spec sheets though, we find that the new Chevy Traverse comes out ahead in every category:
- Length
- Chevrolet Traverse: 205.9 inches
- Kia Telluride: 196.9 inches
- Wheelbase
- Chevrolet Traverse: 120.9 inches
- Kia Telluride: 114.2 inches
- Width
- Chevrolet Traverse: 78.6 inches
- Kia Telluride: 78.3 inches
- Height
- Chevrolet Traverse: 70.7 inches
- Kia Telluride: 68.9 inches
The new 2022 Chevy Traverse also offers 10 wheel styles to choose from – the new Kia Telluride only has five wheel styles. The Traverse is also available with a hands-free gesture liftgate that opens when you wave your foot below the rear bumper. On the Kia Telluride, you only find a power tailgate that opens with the key fob.
On both the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2022 Kia Telluride, you’ll find LED headlights, roof rails, and heated side-view mirrors. Both of these midsize crossovers offer a contemporary color palette with eight shades to choose from.
Advantage of the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse
- Larger exterior dimensions than Telluride
- More wheel style to choose from
- Available hands-free gesture liftgate
Interior
Moving inside, we’ll find that the new 2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2022 Kia Telluride both offer seating for up to eight passengers. The midsize SUVs are available with sliding second-row seats that provide easy access to the third row. It is worth noting that the new Chevy Traverse offers more third-row legroom, boasting 33.8 inches of space versus the Telluride’s 31.4 inches.
As three-row SUVs, the new Traverse and Telluride both appeal to families who are always on the go. When you need to accommodate your kids’ sports equipment or fit the entire family’s luggage on road trips, cargo space is crucial. Another quick look at the specs sheets show the Traverse coming out ahead once again in this category:
- Cargo Space to 1st Row
- Chevrolet Traverse: 98.2 cubic feet
- Kia Telluride: 87 cubic feet
- Cargo Space to 2nd Row
- Chevrolet Traverse: 57.8 cubic feet
- Kia Telluride: 46 cubic feet
- Cargo Space to 3rd Row
- Chevrolet Traverse: 23 cubic feet
- Kia Telluride: 21 cubic feet
The new 2022 Chevy Traverse also features a hidden, lockable storage space behind its touchscreen that’s perfect for stashing smaller items.
Beyond storage capacity, both the Chevrolet Traverse and Kia Telluride come equipped with plenty of features you’d expect from a 2022 midsize crossover. Both vehicles are available with heated and ventilated seats and feature tri-zone automatic climate control to ensure everyone rides in comfort. There’s also the Traverse’s panoramic sunroof and the Telluride’s dual sunroofs that open the cabin to the world around you.
Advantage of the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse
- More third-row legroom
- Larger cargo capacity behind each row of seats
- Hidden storage space behind touchscreen
Technology
The new 2022 Chevrolet Traverse makes boring road trips a thing of the past with its Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system. This feature provides wireless smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, so you can stream music, answer calls, look up directions, and more from the Traverse’s 8-inch touchscreen. Chevy pairs its infotainment system with an available 10-speaker Bose® premium sound system that surrounds you in concert-quality audio.
Over on the Telluride’s side of things, you’ll find the Kia Connect system with a 10.25-inch touchscreen. This infotainment system offers smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but unlike the Traverse, this feature isn’t wireless. The new Telluride also features a 10-speaker sound system, though this one is from Harman Kardon® rather than Bose.
There are a number of features you’ll find on both the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse and the Kia Telluride. Both midsize crossovers offer a 4G LTE Wi-Fi® hotspot (data plan required) so you can stay connected on long drives. There’s also a three-month trial subscription to SiriusXM® Satellite Radio and a wireless charging pad that ensures your compatible smartphone never runs out of juice.
Advantage of the new 2022 Chevrolet Traverse
- Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ offer wireless functionality
- Available with a Bose® 10-speaker audio system
Safety
The new 2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2022 Kia Telluride were both named IIHS Top Safety Picks and it’s easy to see why. Both of these midsize SUVs are packed with the latest in advanced safety technology, including:
- Automatic emergency braking
- Forward-collision alert
- Lane keep assist
- Lane departure warning
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane-change alert
- Side blind-zone alert
- Rear park assist
- HD surround-view camera
- Adaptive cruise control
Chevy also offers the Traverse with an available safety alert seat that provides haptic feedback to warn you of a potential collision. It also features OnStar® Automatic Crash Response that will connect you with a representative in the event of an accident to ensure your safety. If you’re unresponsive, OnStar will alert emergency personnel to your location.
Advantage of the new 2022 Chevrolet Traverse
- Available safety alert seat provides heightened awareness of potential dangers
- OnStar® Automatic Crash Response provides extra peace of mind in the event of a collision
Performance
The new 2022 Chevrolet Traverse holds nothing back when it comes to power and performance. This midsize SUV is paired with a 3.6-liter V-6 engine that delivers 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. With all that power, the new Traverse offers a 5,000 pound maximum towing capacity and up to 27 mpg highway. Chevy also equips the new Traverse with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Under the hood of the new Kia Telluride, you’ll find a 3.8-liter V-6 engine that delivers less power than the Traverse, only achieving 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Like the Traverse, the new Telluride offers a 5,000-pound towing capacity and falls just shy of the Chevy crossover’s fuel rating at 26 mpg highway. The Telluride’s V-6 engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Both the new 2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2022 Kia Telluride feature a driver mode selector that lets you customize how each vehicle drives. They are also both available with all-wheel drive that makes navigating tough terrain easier and an electronic parking brake that helps prevent the vehicles from rolling away.
Advantage of the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse
- Offers more horsepower and torque than the Telluride
- Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission
- Slightly higher fuel economy
Which Should You Buy?
We think the answer is pretty obvious. The new 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offers everything that a growing family needs. This midsize crossover provides seating for up to eight and boasts 98.2 cubic feet of cargo space when the rear seats are lowered. The Chevy Traverse’s 3.6-liter V-6 engine provides plenty of power, while the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system provides smartphone integration via wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. All that wrapped in a stylish package that ensures all eyes stay fixed on you.
Wait no longer to fall in love with the new 2022 Chevrolet Traverse. Schedule a test drive at Garber Automall today by giving us a call at (904) 264-2442. Or stop in to see us at 3360 U.S. 17, 3360 Shedd Rd, Green Cove Springs, FL.
