2021 Chevy Traverse vs 2021 Honda Pilot

• 2021 Chevy Traverse

  

  Starting at

  $29,800^*

  2021 Honda Pilot

  

  Starting at

  $32,550^*

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

  The automobile industry is constantly adapting to the needs of consumers as they change. Car brands are smart in providing families many options for vehicles that can handle the demands of family responsibilities. Long ago, there were just minivans or full-size SUVs, but now the midsize third-row SUVs are the popular option for families. Two of the top midsize family SUVs in the segment are the Chevy Traverse and Honda Pilot. When comparing the 2021 Chevy Traverse vs 2021 Honda Pilot head-to-head, there’s a lot to consider.

  The 2021 Chevy Traverse is an 8 passenger midsize SUV that gives you the powerful capability when you need it and the incredibly versatile interior that adapts to anything. Backed with Chevy’s foundation of excellence, the 2021 Traverse lives up to the hype. The 2021 Honda Pilot has been a solid performer in this segment, providing flexibility, performance, and technology. How do these two SUVs measure up in performance, interior features, and technology? While both of these SUVs are great, only one midsize third-row SUV reigns supreme!

• Performance

  

  These days, we need an SUV that can hold the entire family and perform under the toughest circumstances without feeling like a full-size pickup truck. Both the 2021 Chevy Traverse and the 2021 Honda Pilot provide the necessary performance and capability to keep you moving when it matters most. From towing, to horsepower, to drive modes, these SUVs can do it.

  Traverse Performance

  The 2021 Chevy Traverse has a standard 3.6L V6 engine that provides 310 horsepower with 266 lb-ft of torque. Its 9-speed automatic transmission gives you the power and control you need without sacrificing fuel economy. The 2021 Traverse features an estimated 18 MPG city and 27 city MPG highway, giving you more freedom on the road. With that freedom comes the flexibility to tow your extra gear. In the 2021 Chevy Traverse, you can tow a maximum of 5,000 lbs.

  The available drive mode selector in the 2021 Chevy Traverse can adapt to whatever driving need you have. If you’re looking for maximum fuel efficiency, then just select the front-wheel drive mode option. All-wheel drive mode gives you extra control and stability when road conditions are less than ideal. If you’re heading out on a true adventure, select the off-road mode. Finally, for those family trips that have extra cargo, select the tow/haul mode. These modes are important because Chevy makes it possible for the 2021 Traverse to get you where you need to go with the best performance possible.

  Pilot Performance

  The 2021 Honda Pilot also features a standard V6 engine, but with only a maximum 280 horsepower. The 2021 Pilot has a standard 9-speed automatic transmission which is especially useful in a variety of road conditions. You also have the option of intelligent traction management that provides three different driving modes, snow, sand, and mud. While these are useful in tough road conditions, the 2021 Chevy Traverse provides the tow/haul option. If this is important to your lifestyle, the 2021 Traverse makes it easy to transition to towing.

  Both of these midsize family SUVs offer impressive specifications when it comes to performance and capability. Each can do a lot within the mid-level size of the vehicle. The 2021 Chevy Traverse provides more flexibility with drive modes and more horsepower. For those families looking for a performance-driven midsize third-row SUV, the 2021 Traverse edges out the 2021 Pilot.

• Interior

  

  The interior is where you’re spending all your time in the vehicle, so it must be versatile, premium, and convenient. Both the 2021 Chevy Traverse and the 2021 Honda Pilot up their game in the 2021 model year to provide more available and standard features. In addition to features, comfort is equally important while carrying a large family. How do these two midsize SUVs shape up in the interior cabin?

  Inside the Traverse

  The 2021 Chevy Traverse features a spacious and comfortable interior cabin. It has more third-row legroom than the 2021 Honda Pilot, meaning passengers can ride in the back with maximum comfort all the time. You can easily access the third row with the available Smart Slide seating. This makes it simple to slide the second row and access the third row. When you’re light on passengers, you can go heavy on cargo.

  The 2021 Traverse has a maximum of 98.2 cu.ft. of cargo volume. Even with all three rows in use with passengers, you get an impressive 23 cu.ft. of cargo volume behind the third row. This is larger than the 2021 Pilot’s 18.5 cu.ft. of cargo volume. When you’re trying to load up quickly, you can use the available hands-free power liftgate, making your transition simple.

  Inside the Pilot

  In the 2021 Honda Pilot, you also get three rows with 8 passenger capacity. To access the third row, it’s a simple one-touch on the second-row seats. For when you need to load up your kids or passengers quickly, this is especially useful. Both the 2021 Honda Pilot and 2021 Chevy Traverse have an available second-row captain’s chair option, which gives more space in the interior to move around. The different seating configurations allow you to achieve whatever seating configuration works best for you while keeping all of your passengers comfortable.

  Loading up cargo is also easy in the 2021 Pilot with the available hands-free power tailgate. The 2021 Pilot has the capacity for 109 cu.ft. of cargo volume, but that includes the space between the front seats and pushing the front seats forward. Cargo volume strictly behind the first row is 83.9 cu.ft., making it smaller than the Traverse’s 98.2 cu.ft. of storage. This extra storage in the 2021 Traverse, along with more room in the third row, makes it the ideal midsize family SUV for maximum flexibility and comfort.

• Safety

  

  When you’re carrying your most precious cargo, vehicle safety is of the highest importance. The great news is that both the 2021 Chevy Traverse and the 2021 Honda Pilot have been deemed exceptionally safe. The engineering and safety technology features are crafted with the highest safety standard in mind. Let’s see how each of these midsize family SUVs go head-to-head in their standard and available safety features.

  Safety in the Traverse

  The 2021 Chevy Traverse already has a remarkable safety record. It received a 5-star overall safety score from the NHTSA. In all of the 2021 Traverse models, the rearview camera is standard. All models also come with Chevy's Teen Driver Technology as a standard feature. The other features are optional for the base trims and become standards on the higher trim levels.

  The Chevy safety features you’ll find in the 2021 Traverse include Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Adaptive Cruise Control. This series of alerts and aids will act as a second layer of defense to your attention while driving. Having these features standard in most models of the 2021 Chevy Traverse should give you peace of mind that every drive will give you more confidence.

  Safety in the Pilot

  The 2021 Honda Pilot also won a 5-star overall safety score from the NHTSA, meaning it is built with a strong safety foundation. Honda has its own safety technology suite known as Honda Sensing. Honda Sensing includes the Lane Keeping Assist System, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, and the Road Departure Mitigation System. Just like with the Traverse, these don’t replace your driving attention and skills, but enhance them when you especially need it.

  Many of the standard safety suite features are similar in both of the SUVs. The 2021 Traverse has the ability for even more advanced features like Rear Park Assist and HD Surround Vision. These extra driver assist features can make all the difference when navigating difficult driving situations. While both vehicles are incredibly safe, the increased amount of available features in the 2021 Chevy Traverse make it a winner in this category.

Find Your 2021 Chevy Traverse at DePaula Chevrolet