PROS PHEV drivetrain enables limited electric running at speeds up to 135km/h Excellent blend of everyday comfort, refinement and performance 3500kg towing capacity It shares its drivetrain with the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid
CONS PHEV drivetrain adds handsomely to the weight Li-ion battery robs 70L of boot space Lacks the traditional hardened performance focus for which Volkswagen R models are renowned
“A curious mix of speed and efficiency with a big dollop of comfort. It's just not especially fun ”
PROS Comfy, plush, quick and a company car bargain
CONS Not as nimble as a Cayenne
The VW Touareg R is comfortable, well-equipped and effortless to drive, but not sharp or engaging enough to be considered a true sports SUV. That leaves it in somewhat of a no man’s land. Put simply, those looking for a fast yet relatively frugal sports SUV would be better served by the similarly priced Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid, while those wanting a luxurious and well-rounded plug-in hybrid luxury SUV would be better off with the BMW X5 xDrive45e.
PROS Well-equipped Spacious inside for up to five people Very quiet in electric mode
CONS Cheap-feeling interior Fussy infotainment system Not very exciting to drive
The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse is a big family mover with a sharper look and better safety features.
PROS Sharp looks Standard active safety features Comfortable ride Spacious interior Wireless smartphone software
CONS Outdated AWD system Middling fuel economy Just one engine available
Chevrolet has given its three-row Traverse a light refresh for the 2021 model year that includes revised exterior styling and a host of new standard driver-assistance features. Among them are automated emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlamps. An 8.0-inch display inside the gauge cluster is now an available tech option, and new upholstery designs dress up the interior.
PROS Spacious cabin, peppy acceleration, fuel efficient powertrain.
CONS Big blind spots toward the rear, plasticky interior parts, most appealing options cost extra.
The 2021 Traverse has no significant changes. Part of the second Traverse generation introduced for 2018.
PROS Passenger room is generous in all three rows Loads of space for any combination of passengers and cargo Feature-rich infotainment system comes with standard Wi-Fi hotspot
CONS Some safety features are only available on top trims Quality of some interior panels and controls seems low-rent for this class
