2023 Chevy Traverse vs 2023 Toyota Highlander

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  • 2023 Chevy Traverse

    A silver 2023 Chevy Traverse Premier is angled left.

    Starting at

    $34,520[a]

    2023 Toyota Highlander

    A silver 2023 Toyota Highlander L is angled right.

    Starting at

    $36,620

    310Horsepower (hp)243-265
    98.2Cargo Space (cu.ft.)84.3
    33.5Third Row Legroom (in)28

    Chevy and Toyota are two of the most popular brands in the country, and it's no surprise that they offer two of the most capable three-row SUVs on the market. But when you compare the 2023 Chevy Traverse vs 2023 Toyota Highlander, which model comes out on top? Both have their fair share of fans and provide plenty of features to satisfy modern drivers. However, there are several differences between them; one of the most obvious is that the Highlander is offered with an available powertrain that promises exceptional fuel economy for such a large model.

    But Chevy is more than ready to compete, countering with a standard V6 engine that provides the power you need in a large SUV. The Traverse also pulls ahead when it comes to passenger comfort and cargo space, offering a much more spacious cabin that will keep even large families happy on long road trips and busy days. While you can't go wrong with either of these popular models, Chevy has crafted a more compelling option that provides more of the features you need while coming in at a more affordable price point.

  • Dimensions

    A white 2023 Chevy Traverse is shown from the side while driving on a city street during a 2023 Chevy Traverse vs 2023 Toyota Highlander comparison.

    Room for Passengers and Cargo

    The 2023 Chevy Traverse and 2023 Toyota Highlander are both on the larger side for three-row SUVs, offering seating for up to eight passengers with three-spot bench seats for their second and third rows. If you want more room for your second-row passengers, you can also choose to equip both vehicles with second-row captain chairs, reducing the total seating capacity to seven. However, when it comes to having room to stretch out and relax, the Chevy Traverse is the clear winner, as it boasts a much more spacious interior with significantly more headroom and legroom across all three rows. It also provides far more cargo space, which makes it a more versatile option for drivers with busy lives.

    If you line these two models up side by side, it is immediately obvious that the Traverse has a substantial size advantage. Measuring over 205 inches in length, the Chevy is nearly a foot longer than the Toyota Highlander. Needless to say, that extra space creates a far more comfortable interior. While the Highlander is reasonably roomy up front, with a good amount of headroom and legroom, it suffers from a cramped third row, which is typical of many SUVs. With only 28 inches of legroom and 36 inches of headroom in the very back, the Highlander's third row is really only useful for younger children. When it comes to the Traverse, Chevy defies trends with a remarkably spacious third row that offers 33.48 inches of legroom and 38.21 inches of headroom. That extra 5.5 inches of legroom and 2.1 inches of headroom means that even adults can relax in the back seats.

    Not only does the Toyota Highlander have far less room for passengers, it also provides much less space for their belongings. With all three seats in place, it only offers 16 cu.ft. of cargo volume in the trunk, which means your passengers will probably find themselves holding their bags on their laps. In contrast, the Chevy Traverse provides a much more reasonable 23 cu.ft behind the rear seats. When you aren't hauling around a full car of passengers but instead need to bring home some furniture or load up with bags and gear for a family vacation, the Traverse again comes out ahead. With 57.8 cu.ft. when the third row is folded down and an extraordinary 98.2 cu.ft. when both rows of rear seats are out of the way, there isn't much that you can't fit in this large SUV.

  • Features

    The black interior of a 2023 Chevy Traverse is shown from the drivers seat.

    Providing More for Less

    When shopping for a three-row SUV for your family, you want to ensure it is well-equipped with comfort, convenience, and safety features that improve your time on the road. Fortunately, both the 2023 Chevy Traverse and the 2023 Toyota Highlander are filled with features designed to appeal to modern drivers. For instance, both models come standard with tri-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, push-button start, and robust touch-screen infotainment systems. However, there are a few places where the Traverse pulls ahead of the Highlander. Although there are very few features that both models do not share, Chevy does a better job of making high-end options available on the more affordable trims of its three-row SUV.

    For instance, both the Traverse and the Highlander offer large sunroofs stretching across the front two rows of seats. However, Toyota only makes its panoramic sunroof available on the top-of-the-line Platinum trim, equipping the lower trims with a much smaller single-panel sunroof that only lets in light for the front row. In contrast, the Chevy Dual SkyScrape two-panel sunroof is available on three of the Traverse's six trims. It's a similar story for the premium sound systems offered on the two vehicles; although Toyota manages to squeeze in one more speaker with its 11-speaker JBL sound system, you can only enjoy it on the top three trims of the 2023 Highlander. Meanwhile, Chevy offers its ten-speaker Bose sound system on all but the two base trims of the 2023 Traverse.

    This trend of offering more equipment on lower trims is particularly evident regarding driver-assist technology. Since three-row SUVs are often used by families, Toyota's decision to withhold technology that can help you stay safe on the road is questionable, to say the least. Meanwhile, Chevy makes advanced features like Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Rear Park Assist available on even the base trim of the 2023 Chevy Traverse; comparable features are not available on the 2023 Highlander unless you opt for a higher trim. However, Chevy doesn't stop there; it ups the ante with its trademark Teen Driver mode, which helps you keep an eye on any new drivers in your family and instill in them safe habits behind the wheel.

  • Performance

    A red 2023 Chevy Traverse RS is shown from the front at an angle.

    Power, Traction, and Towing

    Large vehicles like the 2023 Chevy Traverse and 2023 Toyota Highlander need powerful engines to provide the confident handling and acceleration you expect. After all, nothing is worse than feeling like you're driving a school bus that can't get out of its own way. The good news is that Chevy equipped its three-row SUV with a capable V6 engine. The bad news is that Toyota decided to stick with a more economical four-cylinder that is significantly less capable. While there is also an available hybrid powertrain for the Highlander, that option means paying significantly more upfront to enjoy an engine that would be better suited for a compact sedan than a three-row SUV.

    Under the hood of the 2023 Chevy Traverse is a standard 3.6L V6 that provides a remarkable 310 hp. This reliable engine is paired with a modern nine-speed automatic transmission, so you always have passing power on tap. While front-wheel drive is standard, all-wheel drive is an available option that will help you survive the harsh New York winters.

    Chevy also offers up to four selectable drive modes to further enhance the all-weather performance of the Traverse. Front-wheel drive models have a Snow Mode, while the all-wheel drive version has All-Wheel Drive Mode and Off-Road Mode. The final option is Tow Mode, which will let you haul up to 5,000 lbs with ease.

    In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Highlander comes standard with a 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing only 265 hp. That 45 hp deficit means the Highlander already starts on the back foot, and this is compounded by a less-advanced eight-speed transmission. If you opt for the available hybrid powertrain, this three-row Toyota SUV provides a mere 243 hp paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission; this reduced power means that the Highlander Hybrid can only tow 3,500 lbs. While the standard Highlander is rated to tow the same 5,000 lbs as the Traverse, it is far less confidence-inspiring with a trailer in tow, and it lacks helpful trailering features like Chevy's Hitch Guidance with Hitch View.

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