Shopping for a mid-sized SUV crossover to fit your family’s needs can often be overwhelming, but if your choices include the 2022 Mazda CX-9 and the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, you’re making good choices. Let’s take a look at the differences and similarities between the crossover models CX-9 and Traverse, mid-sized SUVs to narrow the field and find the one that best suits your family.
What the 2022 Mazda CX-9 has to offer SUV buyers
The 2022 Mazda CX-9, with a starting price of $35,630, is about $2,000 more than the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse when comparing base equipment packages. However, Mazda has four-wheel drive (AWD) as standard on every trim level of the CX-9, and adding AWD to the Traverse adds $2,000 to the price.
The latest CX-9 model has a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. In addition, the CX-9 received an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. With only four cylinders compared to the Traverse’s V6, the CX-9’s engine produces slightly less horsepower, but more torque and better fuel economy when comparing AWD models.
The 2022 Mazda CX-9 received a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the highest Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)† More Kelly Blue Book (KBB) reports that the 2022 Mazda CX-9 includes safety features such as “Automatic Emergency Braking System with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning and Automatic High Beam.”
The new Mazda CX-9 is on the small end of the crossover spectrum of mid-sized SUVs. While still offering three rows of seats, the CX-9 has a maximum capacity of seven and only six seats when configured with captain’s seats in the second row.
Here’s How the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse Stacks Up
The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse starts at $33,700 for the base front-wheel drive (FWD) version. As mentioned, this is about $2,000 less than the base CX-9, and if AWD isn’t important to you, the Traverse might be a good choice for your family.
Powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, the Traverse delivers 310 horsepower with 266 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy for the FWD Traverse is estimated at 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, but the AWD rating is slightly lower, with 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.
Like the 2022 Mazda CX-9, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse received a five-star rating from the NHTSA, but only received a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS† The lower IIHS classification includes:
- An “acceptable” side-impact assessment
- A “Marginal” rating for “Structure and Safety Cage”
- A ‘poor’ rating for seat belt reminders
Interior space is the best category of the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse and offers a clear advantage over the CX-9. A review from KBB notes that “all three rows are spacious and comfortable,” and it can accommodate up to eight adults and 23 cubic feet of cargo space compared to the CX-9’s 14.3 cubic feet.
Which mid-sized SUV crossover fits best?
If your family needs more interior space and eight seats, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse is the way to go, but if your family’s needs are less spacious, consider the 2022 Mazda CX-9. The CX-9 features sporty handling and styling with an AWD drivetrain that delivers superior fuel economy.
RELATED: Consumer Reports Best mid-sized SUV is also the cheapest
