2025 Honda Pilot vs 2026 Chevrolet Traverse
Comparison Overview
Deciding between the redesigned 2026 Chevrolet Traverse and the established 2025 Honda Pilot often boils down to balancing raw power versus proven efficiency for daily driving. If you are looking for a modern edge, the Traverse pulls ahead significantly with 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque, easily topping the Pilot’s 285 hp and 262 lb-ft. However, the Pilot’s slightly smaller footprint (199.9 inches long vs. the Traverse’s 204.5 inches) might appeal to city dwellers. Fuel economy is nearly a wash, with both achieving 27 MPG highway, though the Traverse nets a slightly better combined 23 MPG versus the Pilot’s 22 MPG. For pure utility, the Traverse offers a substantial advantage, boasting 22.9 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Pilot's 18.6 cu ft behind the third row. While the MSRP difference is small—$40,200 for the Pilot versus $40,800 for the Traverse—the choice rests on whether that extra 43 horsepower is worth the slight premium and larger dimensions.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Honda Pilot
The 2025 Honda Pilot is the slight winner for commuters due to its marginally better fuel economy figures (19/27 MPG city/highway) and smaller exterior size.
2026 Chevrolet Traverse
The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse clearly wins for families because it provides significantly more utility with 22.9 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Pilot's 18.6 cu ft.
2026 Chevrolet Traverse
Enthusiasts will favor the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse due to its substantial power advantage, delivering 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque.
2025 Honda Pilot
The 2025 Honda Pilot offers better immediate value, starting at a lower MSRP of $40,200 compared to the Traverse's $40,800.
Choose the Honda Pilot if...
- You prioritize a slightly lower initial cost, with an MSRP of $40,200.
- You prefer handling a vehicle that is nearly 5 inches shorter in length (199.9 inches) for easier parking.
- You value the established reliability of Honda's powertrain, even if it offers 285 hp instead of the competition's higher output.
Choose the Chevrolet Traverse if...
- You need maximum storage, as the Traverse offers an impressive 22.9 cu ft of cargo space.
- You want significantly more power on tap, boasting 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque.
- You appreciate the slightly better efficiency, achieving 23 combined MPG versus the Pilot's 22.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Honda Pilot | Chevrolet Traverse |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 199.9" | 204.5" |
| Width | 78.5" | 79.6" |
| Height | 71.0" | 69.6" |
| Wheelbase | 113.8" | 121.0" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Honda | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention 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 Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 2 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | — |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cross Traffic Alert | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Honda | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 3.5 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | V6 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 285 hp @ 6100 rpm | 328 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm | 326 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 24 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cylinder Deactivation | ✓ | — |
Drive Train
| Feature | Honda | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 10-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Honda | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 19/27 MPG | 20/27 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 22 MPG | 23 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 351.5/499.5 mi. | 388.0/523.8 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 19.4 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Honda | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Rear Seat Easy Entry | ✓ | — |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Vanity Mirror | ✓ | — |
| Tilt Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | — | ✓ |
| Leatherette Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Heated Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
| Sun Sensor | — | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Honda | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 7.0 in | 17.7 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stereo Power | 240W | — |
| Speaker System | 7 | 6 |
| Subwoofer Count | 1 | — |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | — | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Honda | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Honda | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.5 in. | 42.6 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.0 in. | 44.3 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 61.9 in. | 62.3 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 58.4 in. | 58.7 in. |
| Seat Material: 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 Power Adjustments | 4-way | — |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 4-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Honda | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.2 in. | 40.0 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 40.8 in. | 41.5 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 61.7 in. | 62.2 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 57.4 in. | 58.6 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Honda | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 20 x 8.0 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 255/50R | 255/65R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 18 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Honda | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Honda | Chevrolet |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 6 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 24000 mi. | 1 yr./ unlimited mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda Pilot and 2026 Chevrolet Traverse.
How much more powerful is the 2026 Traverse than the 2025 Pilot?
The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse is significantly punchier, producing 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. This is a notable gain of 43 horsepower over the 2025 Honda Pilot, which is rated at 285 hp and 262 lb-ft.
Which crossover is better for hauling gear behind the third row?
The 2026 Traverse is the clear winner for utility in this metric. It provides 22.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity, which is considerably more than the 2025 Pilot’s 18.6 cubic feet of space.
Are there significant differences in fuel consumption between the two models?
The fuel economy ratings are very close, as both use regular unleaded gasoline and achieve 27 MPG on the highway. However, the Traverse edges out the Pilot slightly with a combined 23 MPG rating versus the Pilot's 22 MPG combined.
Which vehicle is easier to maneuver in tight city streets?
The 2025 Honda Pilot is marginally easier to manage in tight spots, measuring 199.9 inches long and 78.5 inches wide. The 2026 Traverse is the larger vehicle, extending to 204.5 inches in length and 79.6 inches in width.
If budget is the main concern, which crossover saves money upfront?
The 2025 Honda Pilot is the more budget-friendly option right off the lot, starting at an MSRP of $40,200. The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse has a slightly higher starting price of $40,800.
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