Sizing Up the 2024 Chevy Traverse vs 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
Even if you break up the expansive SUV market by size, you’ll still have a lot of choices on your hands. The three-row SUV segment makes up one of the largest chunks, which means drivers have options and more options, so oftentimes, they aren’t even sure where to start. That’s where comparing two of the top brands can come in handy.
Consider the 2024 Chevy Traverse vs 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander. These are both names familiar to suburban families and urbanites alike, and they might even score a spot at the top of your wishlist. The two models are ideal examples of comfort meets performance, offering drivers a lot of value for their money. But even narrowing down your choices to two great picks might feel like a headache. So what to do?
Doing Your Homework
In this case, we’re doing some of the homework for you. The Traverse is a Chevy top seller and received a refreshing modern makeover this year, enhancing its athletic appearance and gearing it more toward truck enthusiasts who need a capable SUV for hauling their expanding family. Whether you prefer a refined urban appeal or a rugged adventure companion, the 2024 Traverse offers several trim options to give drivers the perfect opportunity to get behind the wheel of an SUV that is tailored to their lifestyle.
While the Traverse is starting its third generation, the Toyota Grand Highlander is debuting this year, so there are no previous models to compare it to. The Grand Highlander is an extension of the Toyota Highlander, a practical and capable three-row SUV. The new Grand Highlander offers additional space compared to the Highlander, not to mention more width, so you get an airy cabin and more cargo room than you would with the original Highlander.
The Grand Highlander has an equally sporty appeal compared to the Traverse, but since it’s a newcomer and hasn’t had time to build a name for itself, it has to rely on Toyota’s reputation. Customers might be willing to take the chance, but they might also prefer a vehicle that has seen some miles and has been tweaked and updated over the course of more than a decade to accommodate the modern driver and their families.
Are you as interested as we are in seeing where this showdown will go? Check out what we found out below before you visit our dealership so that you can drive with confidence in an SUV that checks all the right boxes on your wishlist.
Price Points
Purchasing a new vehicle is a large investment for drivers, so pricing is where many tend to start. Where do the Traverse and Grand Highlander stand as far as MSRP? If you’re familiar with the Chevy name, you’ll probably guess. Part of Chevy’s reputation includes great vehicles at great prices, and the Traverse is no different.
The 2024 Chevy Traverse starts at $37,600 and offers a lot for the money.[a] We’re talking about a brand new 328 hp 2.5L turbocharged engine for efficiency and power. Plus, there is a slew of standard best-in-class features like a 17.7-inch touchscreen and best-in-class cargo volume with 97.6 cu.ft. of space. The Traverse is roomy enough to seat up to eight passengers, depending on your seating choices.
The 2024 Grand Highlander begins at $43,320. It features a standard 265 hp 2.4L engine and has the potential to seat up to eight. Cargo space is a little less, and like the Chevy Traverse, the Grand Highlander has front-wheel drive with the option to upgrade to all-wheel drive. None of its standard features really help it stand out from the Traverse, making it simply a more expensive ride without any noteworthy bells or whistles.
Trim Options
The 2024 Traverse has four trim options. If your budget has a little wiggle room, you can upgrade to the midlevel LT, which is still below the initial cost of the entry-level Toyota Grand Highlander. The LT gives you upgrades like wireless charging and second-row Smart Slide seating, making it a great ride for drivers seeking additional convenience at a great price.
The 2024 Grand Highlander has seven trim options. However, only three of them are available with a traditional gas engine. If you want to go up even one trim level to the Limited to get a few extra creature comforts, it will push your spending up to $48,110. That’s a lot of dollars.
But let’s say, for instance, your budget is around $50k. What can the Traverse give you for that much? We’re so glad you asked! Chevy has added a new trim to the Traverse this year, the off-road-ready Z71, which comes in under the Grand Highlander Limited’s price tag at $46,400.[a] With the Z71, you get additional ground clearance, an advanced twin-clutch AWD system, standard Super Cruise, and much, much more.
For the budget-minded driver, we would suggest a closer look at the Chevy Traverse if you’re hoping to get a lot of bang for your buck. For those searching for a capable all-terrain vehicle, the high-level Z71 delivers a lot for less than the price of the lower to mid-level Grand Highlander Limited.
Road-Ready for Life’s Adventure
When drivers opt for a three-row SUV, they often do so because of the model’s flexibility. This means versatile seating for family outings, comfort and cargo space for road trips or commuting, and performance for when adventure calls or Mother Nature decides to unleash a winter storm upon us. So where do these two SUV titans come in? Which offers drivers more flexibility?
When it comes to power, drivers have one choice with the 2024 Traverse, and that’s all they need. The previously standard V6 engine has been upgraded to a 328 hp 2.5L turbocharged engine that is paired with an eight-speed transmission and standard front-wheel drive. This means more horsepower and torque than previous generations without compromising fuel economy. You can combine the turbocharged powerhouse with available all-wheel drive, and if you opt for the Z71, you will enjoy an exclusive twin-clutch all-wheel drive system that allows drivers to jump in and go when the mountains call. When all decked out, the Traverse can tow upwards of 5,000 lbs. That’s more than enough power for a small trailer, your bikes, or camping gear.
In comparison, the Toyota Grand Highlander also offers a single traditional gasoline engine choice: a 265 hp 2.4L turbocharged engine paired with standard front-wheel drive. Drivers can upgrade to available all-wheel drive for more traction. Despite its lower horsepower, the Grand Highlander is still capable of towing an even 5,000 lbs with its gas engine option, although it won’t be as confident doing so as the Traverse.
Space and Amenities
We know how much these models can tow, but how much can they fit? This is an important question if you have a growing family, a few too many close friends, or in-laws who like to drop in without notice.
The Traverse is more than able to accommodate any of the above, with available seating for up to eight passengers across three rows plus a best-in-class cargo space of 97.6 cu.ft. By comparison, the Grand Highlander can also seat eight passengers but has a little less cargo space. It might not seem like a big difference, but when you have an oversized item like a bike, skis, or large piece of luggage, that extra wiggle room can make all the difference.
The Traverse comes standard with an advanced AutoSense power liftgate. This innovative piece of convenience technology will sense your presence and open, hands-free! Drivers can add additional convenience to the interior with the One-Touch Fold second-row seats and power-folding third-row seating when they upgrade to the high-end RS trim. Bench seating can be swapped out for captain’s chairs, which means a more cushy ride for second-row passengers. When you opt for captain’s chairs, you get access to Smart Slide, a sleek system that makes access to the third row simple, even when a child’s seat is installed.
As for convenience and comfort for your next trip, the Grand Highlander does its best to try to keep up with an available Hands-Free Power Liftgate. While it doesn’t have the sensing technology that the Chevy Traverse does, you can still easily open the gate with a kicking motion under the rear bumper. On the inside, as we noted, it has slightly less cargo space than the Traverse but still has the ability to seat up to eight passengers and offers split 60/40 rear seating.
Drive Smart, Drive Safe
Tech is often a defining feature for drivers. You want user-friendly technology that makes driving fun and easy but also tech that has your back and keeps everyone on board safe. The 2024 Traverse impresses us right away, offering an enlarged and updated 17.7-inch touchscreen that is connected to OnStar. This allows for easy streaming access to your favorite apps. A Surround Vision camera gives you clear and easy access to multiple viewpoints, so you always know what’s going on all around you.
You can seamlessly connect with either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for a personalized driving experience that caters to your tastes. For a familiar face, Traverse drivers can upgrade with Google Built-In to go hands-free and access Google Assistant, Google Maps, Google Play, and more to make every drive your own.
If hands-free is your thing, then Chevy is your brand. For 2024, the Traverse is now available with Chevy’s cutting-edge Super Cruise hands-free driving technology. With Super Cruise, you can sit back and let Chevy take the wheel on more than 400,000 miles of roads across the US and Canada. This tech includes Automatic Lane Change plus trailering capabilities to help you stay relaxed but in control.
The Toyota Grand Highlander no doubt has a comfy interior, but we’re a little less impressed when it comes to its tech. It comes standard with a smaller 12.3-inch touchscreen. And while it does have a typical voice recognition system, it can’t be paired with more advanced tech like Google Built-In. It might not offer the most updated or exciting system, but it’s still competent and fairly straightforward.
The Grand Highlander does offer adaptive cruise control, but the tech falls behind compared to Chevy’s available Super Cruise hands-free system. The Grand Highlander promises big things with its price and family-friendly style, but its technology is in need of a serious boost if it wants to keep up with the big boys like the Chevy Traverse.
All in all, the Traverse impresses us the most when it comes to technology inside and out. From the available advanced Super Cruise technology to its slew of features, including the noteworthy Teen Driver Technology, the Traverse surpasses the competition, including the Grand Highlander. And while Toyota’s standard safety technology isn’t bad, once again, Toyota doesn’t do anything to help the Grand Highlander stand out from the crowd.
We Have to Pick Chevy
After looking over some of the key areas of concern for drivers, including price, convenience, performance, and technology, the Traverse comes out at the top of our must-have list. Not only does it start at a lower price point, but it offers more, including advanced safety and modern technology. Its varying trim options make it easy to pick an SUV that matches your budget and your lifestyle. We like the all-new Z71 all-terrain option for nature lovers, as well as the refined RS for urbanites. From the basics to the upgrades, the Traverse pulls ahead of the Grand Highlander.
Frankly, we want more from the Toyota Grand Highlander, considering its hefty price tag. After all, it’s a brand new model, an offshoot of the smaller Toyota Highlander. It seemed to promise more, but with its high price tag, we feel let down. Its technology is basic, its cargo space less, and even its gas engine delivers less horsepower. While we appreciate its comfortable interior, you have to upgrade and spend more if you want any extra features. If your budget is already tight, the Grand Highlander will push it past its limits. For the money, drivers get more with the Traverse, and if you have wiggle room in your budget, any trim upgrades give you even more, often for less than the price of a base-level Grand Highlander.
If you’re looking to upgrade the way you drive this year, a three-row SUV is the way to do it. But in the large market that is growing with new additions every year, be aware of your options. While the Grand Highlander is new, sometimes it’s best to stick with what you know. The 2024 Chevy Traverse has the reputation, rugged styling, and modern updates that promise to give drivers more than their money’s worth.
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