Chevrolet totally redesigned the Traverse last year, featuring a sharp new exterior, more onboard tech, and added driving aids like the hands-free Super Cruise system. It’s an impressive update, but there’s still a lot of tough competition in this segment.
One of the Chevy’s main rivals is the Toyota Highlander. Known for its balance of value, comfort, and dependability, the Highlander also has an excellent record for resale value and strong safety scores.
Curious about how they compare to each other? Let’s take a closer look at the highlights of the new Chevrolet Traverse and the stalwart Toyota Highlander.
2025 Chevrolet Traverse
The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse is powered by a 328-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard; all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional.
The entry-level LS trim has been eliminated for 2025, but Chevy added the High Country trim, which is wedged between the Z71 and top-of-the-line RS packages. The Traverse can accommodate up to eight people, although the upper trims seat seven, thanks to their second-row captain’s chairs. Pricing starts at $41,995, including delivery charge. A top-of-the-line RS opens at $56,795.
Chevrolet Traverse Highlights
Super Cruise: Once solely offered on luxury models from Cadillac, Super Cruise is a refined hands-free highway driving aid that can operate on more than 400,000 miles of predetermined highways throughout North America. This assist is a user-friendly feature that helps reduce the stress and fatigue of highway driving.
Outdoor-themed Z71 model: Borrowing a page from Chevy’s full-size trucks and SUVs, a Z71 trim is now offered on the Traverse. It has all-wheel drive, a stouter suspension, tow hooks, off-road tires, and underbody skid plates.
Digital instrument display, Google-based infotainment: If you like screens, then you’ll absolutely love the new Chevrolet Traverse. That’s because a 17.7-inch screen that runs via Google built-in software is perched next to an 11-inch digital instrument cluster. One nice perk is that Google Maps navigation is available at your fingertips.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Traverse models near you.
2025 Toyota Highlander
The 2025 Toyota Highlander can be had in one of five trims: LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum. For the new year, the XSE comes standard with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Under the hood of them all is a 265-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that’s coupled to an 8-speed automatic.
In our many miles of road tests, we’ve appreciated the acceleration and economy provided by this powertrain. Pricing starts at $40,970, including a factory-to-dealer destination fee. A Platinum model commands $53,375 to start. Let’s not forget there are also the Highlander Hybrid and Grand Highlander, though we review them separately.
Toyota Highlander Highlights
Fuel economy: The Highlander gets an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 25 mpg in a mix of city and highway driving. Even with AWD, the Highlander’s efficiency is still an impressive 24 mpg combined. These are very good numbers for a midsize SUV.
Dual screen layout: A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch touchscreen are optional on the XLE and standard on the XSE, Limited, and Platinum models. This user-friendly system comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and multiple USB ports.
Power tailgate for all: Every Highlander comes with a handy power-operated tailgate. This feature is perfect when you need to load up luggage or bulky cargo but don’t want the extra workout of hoisting a hefty tailgate.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Highlander models near you.
Similarities
This a seesaw contest between those two highly capable midsize SUVs. They both offer room for seven to eight people, depending on whether you choose a second-row bench seat or dual captain’s chairs. They can also transport a ton of cargo when the third-row and second-row seats are folded. And to top it all off, they have identical warranties, too.
Pricing
New 2025 Chevrolet Traverse Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (49120)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$42,095 |
$39,577 |
|||
$49,195 |
$46,336 |
|||
$55,195 |
$51,916 |
|||
$55,495 |
$52,931 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles and New 2025 Toyota Highlander vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
| 2025 Chevrolet Traverse | 2025 Toyota Highlander | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | Turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | Turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 328 hp @ 5,500 rpm | 265 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 326 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm | 310 lb-ft @ 1,700 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy MPG | 20 city/27 highway/23 combined | 22 city/29 highway/25 combined |
| Also Available | AWD | AWD, Hybrid |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 8 | 8 |
| Wheelbase | 121.0 inches | 112.2 inches |
| Overall Length | 204.5 inches | 194.9 inches |
| Width | 79.6 inches | 76.0 inches |
| Height | 70.9 inches | 68.1 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 39.0 feet | 37.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 42.6 inches | 41.2 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 40.0 inches | 39.4 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd Row | 38.3 inches | 36.1 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 44.3 inches | 42.0 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 41.5 inches | 38.7 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd Row | 32.1 inches | 28.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 62.3 inches | 59.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 62.1 inches | 58.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | 57.7 inches | 55.0 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 22.9/56.6/97.6 cubic feet | 16.0/48.4/84.3 cubic feet |
Conclusion
The Toyota Highlander routinely scores strong marks in our ranking of the Best Midsize SUVs. Toyota’s outstanding reliability and the fact it holds onto its value so well could seal the deal for many SUV shoppers.
However, Chevrolet has taken a big step forward with its new Traverse. It looks handsome but not faddish, has more space than the Toyota, and its Google built-in infotainment system will surely please tech lovers out there. Its killer app is the available Super Cruise hands-free driving system. We think test drives of the Toyota Highlander and Chevrolet Traverse are in order, and we’ll be the first to grab those keys to do precisely that.
