2020 Chevy Traverse vs 2020 Honda Pilot – Albany, NY

• 2020 Chevy Traverse

  

  Starting at

  $29,800

  2020 Honda Pilot

  

  Starting at

  $31,650

  310	Horsepower (HP)	280
  266	Torque (lb-ft)	262
  5,000	Towing Capacity (lbs)	5,000

  Having a strong competition is beneficial for manufacturers and customers alike. Without competition, we’d likely see far less innovation as there would be less of a focus on outperforming contemporaries in the industry. Both Chevy and Honda are highly regarded automotive manufacturers, and each year, many of their beloved lineups get a refresh with a strong emphasis on modernism. No matter what kind of vehicle you’re looking for, whether it’s a sedan, truck, van, or SUV, rest assured the competition is fierce. Two popular SUVs in direct competition with each other are the 2020 Chevy Traverse vs 2020 Honda Pilot. Both of these vehicles are prime examples of what to look for when shopping for a mid-size SUV. For those looking to invest in a brand new SUV in 2020, they’ll likely be drawn to these two options as they’re rather comparable in a few interesting ways.

  The Honda Pilot starts at $31,650 for the base LX trim and has five other trims to select from. The five remaining trims are the EX, EX-L, Touring, Elite, and the Black Edition, with the latter starting at an MSRP of $49,720. The 2020 Chevy Traverse has a starting MSRP of $29,800 for the base L trim and has six more trims you may opt for. These trims are the LS, LT Cloth, LT Leather, RS, Premier, and the High Country, which has a starting price of $50,900. Both of these vehicles may look similar on paper, but in actuality, there are far more differences than meets the eye.

• Performance

  

  The 2020 Chevy Traverse

  When it comes to powertrains, both the Traverse and the Pilot feature their own V6 engines, each pushing out different performance metrics. The engine inside of the 2020 Traverse is a 3.6L V6 that produces 310 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque and is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. You’ll find this engine on each trim so you won’t have to worry about paying extra. In terms of towing capabilities, this engine can help with that too if properly equipped as it has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. EPA fuel efficiency ratings are ample as well with 18 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway when driving a front-wheel drive (FWD) Traverse. Should you purchase an all-wheel drive (AWD) model, the fuel efficiency numbers do take a slight reduction to 17 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway.

  The 2020 Honda Pilot

  The 2020 Pilot also gets a singular engine amongst each of its trims. The engine in the Pilot is a 3.5L V6 that comes standard with a six-speed automatic transmission. For those interested in a 9-speed automatic transmission like the one that comes standard in the Traverse, you’ll be paying extra. This V6 produces 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, so power output is generally lower than the Traverse, but it does retain slightly higher EPA fuel-efficiency ratings with 19 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway on the FWD model. Opting for the 9-speed transmission sees the fuel economy bumped up from 19 to 20 MPG in the city. The AWD Pilot achieves lower fuel ratings, much like the AWD Traverse, and sees a deduction to 18 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway, with the 9-speed transmission upgrade bumping the city rating to 19 MPG. Although fuel efficiency is better on the Pilot, the minimal increase does not seem to outweigh the overall more powerful and slightly cheaper nature of the Traverse.

• Entertainment

  

  Something that has become increasingly popular over the years is the inclusion of various entertainment/multimedia features. No longer are passengers subjected to the accompanying boredom associated with long road trips and can now utilize a host of exciting and fun features that your vehicle may come equipped with. Even with the base configuration, the 2020 Chevy Traverse contains an extensive list of entertainment features, many of which come standard. Honda offers a similar feature set for the Pilot, albeit through upgrades that will cost you extra.

  Infotainment Systems

  No matter which trim you purchase for your Traverse, you can expect the inclusion of an Infotainment 3 system supplied by Chevy, which displays on a 7-inch screen with touch controls. For comparison, the 2020 Honda Pilot comes standard with a 5-inch screen that lacks touch controls. A lot of devices utilize a USB connection for data and charging these days, many times, these devices come along for the ride such as smartphones and other wireless devices. Because of this, many vehicles contain an assortment of USB ports, usually more means better. The Traverse comes standard with six ports, three times the amount of USB ports as the Pilot, which has two. Both the Traverse and the Pilot have built-in Bluetooth, so you can seamlessly connect your wireless devices to the infotainment center and play music from your favorite playlists.

  Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

  Phone connectivity certainly doesn’t end there as both vehicles have support for the likes of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Both of these software suites come standard on the Traverse, whereas they’re considered an available upgrade choice for your Pilot. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have become very popular since they released in 2014 and 2015, respectively, and have become key features that shoppers look for. This puts the base Pilot at a massive disadvantage towards shoppers as Chevy was able to put both features into the base Traverse, all while retaining a less expensive MSRP.

  Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have gained popularity for a few reasons, namely, the compatibility with devices many drivers already own, such as iPhones and Android phones. These pieces of software allow you to connect your device and access a wealth of features such as hands-free calling and messaging, media playback, maps with navigational support, and access to Siri and Google Assistant. Additionally, both include app stores where you may download even more apps that are tailored to your wants and needs.

• Interior

  

  Great efforts have been put in both of the interiors and make for comfortable rides. Both the Traverse and the Pilot can seat eight passengers, although the capacity is brought down to seven should you opt for captain chairs in your second row. Regardless of the configuration, you can be sure that you and your passengers will be treated to a generous amount of space. Both vehicles allow for a few newer tech-centric features such as wireless phone charging as available upgrades. Both Chevy and Honda also offer premium audio systems that fill your cabin with ten high-quality speakers for the utmost immersion to your music.

  Cargo Capacity

  Those shopping for a mid-size SUV are more than likely looking for a respectable amount of cargo space. Behind the last row of seats, you’ll be finding 16.5 cu.ft of cargo space in the 2020 Honda Pilot, which is rather capacious but is promptly outmatched by the 23 cu.ft seen in the Traverse, approximately 28% more. When you need extra space for your luggage, you may fold-down both rear rows for even more room. With both rows folded down, you’ll be seeing 98.2 cu.ft of space, which is roughly 14% more than the 83.9 cu.ft seen in the 2020 Pilot. Shoppers looking for the most space in their next mid-size SUV will most likely be more intrigued by the cargo space in the Traverse.

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