2025 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
Comparison Overview
The redesigned 2025 Chevrolet Traverse enters the ring with a turbocharged punch, boasting 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque, a clear advantage over the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander's 265 hp. The Traverse, though slightly longer at 204.5 inches, offers a higher peak cargo capacity of 22.9 cu ft compared to the Grand Highlander's 20.6 cu ft. However, the Toyota counters with slightly superior fuel economy, achieving a 24 combined MPG versus the Traverse's 23 combined MPG. With an MSRP starting at $40,700, the Traverse undercuts the Toyota's $41,360 price point, offering more raw power for less upfront cost. While both utilize 8-speed automatics, the significant 63 hp gap defines the Traverse as the more aggressively powered option, aiming squarely at drivers who crave acceleration in their large family hauler.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander wins for daily commuting due to its slightly better 24 combined MPG efficiency.
2025 Chevrolet Traverse
The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse offers superior space with a maximum cargo capacity of 22.9 cubic feet, ideal for family gear.
2025 Chevrolet Traverse
The Traverse is the clear winner for driving enthusiasm, offering a substantial 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque.
2025 Chevrolet Traverse
The Chevrolet Traverse delivers significantly more horsepower (328 hp vs 265 hp) for a lower starting MSRP of $40,700.
Choose the Chevrolet Traverse if...
- You prioritize straight-line performance, benefiting from the 328 hp turbocharged engine.
- You need maximum utility, as the Traverse provides 22.9 cu ft of cargo space.
- You seek the best power-per-dollar ratio, with a $40,700 starting price beating the competition's power output.
Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander if...
- Your priority is squeezing out extra miles, thanks to its slightly better 28 Highway MPG.
- You prefer a slightly more compact footprint, measuring 201.4 inches in length versus the Traverse's 204.5 inches.
- You prefer the established reliability and driving feel associated with Toyota's powertrain tuning.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Chevrolet Traverse | Toyota Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 204.5" | 201.4" |
| Width | 79.6" | 78.3" |
| Height | 69.6" | 70.1" |
| Wheelbase | 121.0" | 116.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Chevrolet | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | — |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | — |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | — |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 2 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Chevrolet | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 2.4 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 328 hp @ 5500 rpm | 265 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 326 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm | 310 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Chevrolet | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Chevrolet | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 20/27 MPG | 21/28 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 23 MPG | 24 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 388.0/523.8 mi. | 373.8/498.4 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 19.4 gal. | 17.8 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Chevrolet | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Wireless Charging Pad | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | — |
| Leatherette Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Heated Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Three Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sun Sensor | ✓ | — |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Chevrolet | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 17.7 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | ✓ | — |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
Power Feature
| Feature | Chevrolet | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Chevrolet | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 42.6 in. | 41.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 44.3 in. | 41.7 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 62.3 in. | 60.2 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 58.7 in. | 56.5 in. |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 4-way |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Chevrolet | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.0 in. | 40.2 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 41.5 in. | 39.5 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 62.2 in. | 58.8 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 58.6 in. | 57.0 in. |
| Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | ✓ |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Chevrolet | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 255/65R18 | 255/65R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Material | — | Alloy |
| Wheel Size | — | 18 x 7.5 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Chevrolet | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Chevrolet | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 6 yr./ 100000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 1 yr./ unlimited mi. | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse and 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander.
Which crossover is faster between the 2025 Traverse and the 2026 Grand Highlander?
The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse is noticeably faster, delivering 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque from its new engine. This provides a significant performance edge over the Grand Highlander, which is rated at 265 horsepower.
Is there a noticeable difference in fuel economy for city driving?
Yes, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander has a slight advantage with 21 City MPG compared to the Traverse’s 20 City MPG. This difference translates to marginally lower fuel costs over daily city commutes.
Which vehicle offers more room for hauling gear behind the third row?
The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse offers more practical hauling capability, boasting 22.9 cubic feet of standard cargo capacity. The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander provides 20.6 cubic feet in the same configuration.
How much more does the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander cost initially?
The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander carries a higher starting MSRP of $41,360. The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse is positioned slightly more competitively at the entry level, starting at $40,700.
Are the transmissions functionally different despite both using 8 speeds?
Mechanically, the Traverse uses an 8-speed shiftable automatic, suggesting more driver control over gear selection. The Grand Highlander uses a standard 8-speed automatic, which typically focuses on seamless, efficient shifting for everyday use.
Which model is physically larger on the road?
The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse is physically larger, measuring 204.5 inches in length and 79.6 inches in width. The 2026 Grand Highlander is marginally shorter in length at 201.4 inches, though it is slightly taller at 70.1 inches.
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