2025 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2026 Toyota Highlander

$40,700 · Crossover

$45,270 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The battle for family crossover supremacy pits the brawny 2025 Chevrolet Traverse against the slightly more polished 2026 Toyota Highlander. The Traverse grabs attention immediately with its substantial 328 hp output, significantly outgunning the Highlander's 265 hp, translating to thrilling acceleration potential. While the Traverse is physically larger, measuring 204.5 inches long, the Highlander champions efficiency, boasting a superior combined 24 MPG versus the Chevy's 23 MPG, despite being an AWD model. The price gulf is significant; the Traverse starts at a compelling $40,700, undercutting the Highlander's $45,270 entry point by $4,570. However, the Highlander offers standard All-Wheel Drive, which is a crucial advantage over the Traverse's standard FWD setup. When evaluating the raw power figures, the 63 hp difference highlights the Traverse's energetic nature, making it the driver's choice for spirited driving.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Toyota Highlander

The Highlander wins for daily commuting due to its superior 28 MPG highway rating and standard All-Wheel Drive stability.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Chevrolet Traverse

The Traverse offers greater utility due to its larger 204.5-inch overall length and superior maximum cargo capacity.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Chevrolet Traverse

The Traverse clearly satisfies driving enthusiasts with its dominant 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque figures.

💰 Best Value

2025 Chevrolet Traverse

The Traverse offers substantially more power for $4,570 less than the comparable Highlander.

Choose the Chevrolet Traverse if...

You prioritize raw acceleration, benefiting from the 328 hp engine.
Your budget is tighter, as the $40,700 MSRP significantly undercuts the competitor.
You require maximum physical space, leveraging the Traverse's larger dimensions and cargo area.

Choose the Toyota Highlander if...

All-Wheel Drive capability is a non-negotiable necessity for your driving conditions.
You aim for the highest fuel economy, achieving 28 MPG on the highway.
You prefer a slightly more compact footprint at 194.9 inches in length for easier city maneuvering.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Chevrolet Traverse	Toyota Highlander
Length	204.5"	194.9"
Width	79.6"	76.0"
Height	69.6"	68.1"
Wheelbase	121.0"	112.2"

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	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓

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 shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

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.	375.9/501.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	19.4 gal.	17.9 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	—	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Chevrolet	Toyota
Infotainment Display	17.7 in	8.0 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	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass

Frontseats

Feature	Chevrolet	Toyota
Front Head Room	42.6 in.	39.6 in.
Front Leg Room	44.3 in.	42.0 in.
Front Shoulder Room	62.3 in.	59.0 in.
Front Hip Room	58.7 in.	57.2 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	Power
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Chevrolet	Toyota
Rear Head Room	40.0 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	41.5 in.	38.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	62.2 in.	58.4 in.
Rear Hip Room	58.6 in.	57.0 in.
Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Chevrolet	Toyota
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Diameter	18 in	18 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	255/65R18	P235/65R V
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Underbody Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Alloy

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 Highlander.

Which crossover offers better performance based on horsepower?

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse is the undisputed performance leader, boasting 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque. This output significantly surpasses the 2026 Toyota Highlander's 265 hp, giving the Traverse a clear advantage in acceleration capability.

How significant is the price difference between the two models?

The Traverse presents a compelling value proposition, starting at $40,700, which is $4,570 less than the Highlander's starting MSRP of $45,270. This savings can be substantial for budget-conscious buyers.

Does the Highlander offer AWD standard, unlike the Traverse?

Yes, the provided specifications indicate the 2026 Toyota Highlander comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, while the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse is listed with a Front Wheel Drive base setup. This makes the Highlander inherently better equipped for adverse weather.

Which vehicle has more usable interior space for cargo?

The Traverse offers a larger overall footprint, resulting in more dedicated space, specifically listing 22.9 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Highlander's 16 cu ft behind the third row.

Is the fuel economy vastly different between the two crossovers?

The efficiency gap is narrow, with the Highlander slightly edging out the Traverse by 1 MPG in both city (21 vs 20) and highway (28 vs 27) ratings, leading to a 24 combined MPG versus the Traverse's 23 combined MPG.

Are the driving dynamics likely to feel different due to the engine setup?

Absolutely, the Traverse's higher torque (326 lb-ft vs 310 lb-ft) and superior horsepower will translate to more immediate throttle response. Conversely, the Highlander's AWD system may offer more consistent traction and stability when cornering or accelerating lightly.