2025 Chevrolet Traverse: A Deep Dive into Power, Space, and Safety

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse emerges as a strong contender in the three-row SUV segment, boasting a robust truck-inspired design and a potent 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 328 horsepower. Designed with family life in mind, the Traverse offers a spacious interior and is packed with standard safety features like automatic emergency braking. For those seeking advanced technology, optional Super Cruise hands-free driving is also available. Chevrolet aims for dominance in a highly competitive market with this compelling offering.

2024 Chevrolet Traverse Front Angle View

When considering a three-row SUV like the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse, power, space, and safety are paramount factors. Let’s examine how the Traverse stacks up in these critical areas. Performance figures are readily available, and interior dimensions are detailed below for your convenience. Safety will be addressed later, as it’s a crucial aspect requiring thorough consideration.

To truly understand its position, we’ll compare the 2025 Chevy Traverse against key rivals: the Kia Telluride, Ford Explorer, Mazda CX-90, Nissan Pathfinder, and Toyota Grand Highlander. This head-to-head comparison will reveal the strengths and weaknesses of the Traverse and help determine its standing in the competitive three-row SUV landscape. Let’s delve into the specifications and identify the leaders in this class.

2025 Chevrolet Traverse vs. Kia Telluride: Power and Space Showdown

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse confidently outperforms the Kia Telluride in terms of power. Its 328-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine leaves the Kia Telluride’s 291-hp V6 behind. Torque figures also favor the Chevy, with 326 lb-ft overpowering the Telluride’s 262 lb-ft. This translates to more responsive acceleration and a more engaging driving experience. Both SUVs utilize an 8-speed automatic transmission, but the Traverse’s power advantage makes it the more exciting option for drivers who prioritize performance.

Inside, the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse offers superior front legroom, measuring 44.3 inches compared to the Telluride’s 41.4 inches. The Telluride counters with slightly more second-row legroom at 42.4 inches versus the Traverse’s 41.5 inches. However, the Traverse excels in cargo space, boasting 98 cubic feet compared to the Telluride’s 87 cubic feet – a significant advantage for families needing to haul luggage, groceries, or sports equipment. Third-row comfort also slightly favors the Chevy, with 32.1 inches of legroom exceeding the Kia’s 31.4 inches. When it comes to overall passenger and cargo room, the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse emerges as the more spacious choice.

2025 Chevrolet Traverse vs. Ford Explorer: Engine Options and Passenger Space

The Ford Explorer presents a competitive base engine with 300 horsepower, slightly less than the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse. Torque is also closely matched, with the Explorer offering 310 lb-ft versus the Traverse’s 326 lb-ft. While the Traverse holds a slight edge in base engine performance, the Explorer offers a more potent optional engine. The available 3.0-liter V6 in the Explorer delivers significantly higher horsepower and torque figures, making it the performance leader if you opt for the upgrade. However, the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse comes standard with a powerful engine that rivals the Explorer’s base offering.

In terms of cargo capacity, the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse again demonstrates its advantage, offering significantly more space than the Explorer. This makes the Traverse a more practical choice for those prioritizing cargo room. Passenger space comparison reveals a more nuanced picture. Front passengers in the Traverse enjoy more headroom and legroom. However, the Explorer offers slightly more headroom in the second and third rows. A key difference lies in third-row seating capacity: the Explorer accommodates only two passengers in the third row, while the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse comfortably seats three. For larger families, the Traverse’s eight-passenger capacity is a clear advantage.

2025 Chevrolet Traverse vs. Mazda CX-90: Performance and Interior Refinement

The base engine in the Mazda CX-90 offers slightly less horsepower than the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse, but it compensates with slightly higher torque. However, the horsepower difference is significant enough to make the Traverse feel more spirited in standard configuration. Choosing the high-output version of the CX-90’s engine changes the dynamic, surpassing the Traverse in both horsepower and torque. The Mazda also offers a plug-in hybrid engine option, closely matching the Traverse’s horsepower while delivering significantly more torque and providing an estimated 25 miles of all-electric range. This PHEV option gives the CX-90 an edge in fuel efficiency and eco-friendliness, something not currently offered in the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse lineup.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse clearly dominates in interior space compared to the CX-90. With 98 cubic feet of cargo space, it significantly outpaces the CX-90’s 75.2 cubic feet. The Traverse also offers more headroom and legroom in all three rows. While the Mazda CX-90 boasts a more upscale and refined interior, the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse prioritizes practical space, making it a better choice for larger families and those who frequently haul cargo.

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2025 Chevrolet Traverse vs. Nissan Pathfinder: Performance and Interior Volume

The Nissan Pathfinder is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces up to 295 horsepower in its Rock Creek trim. However, even in its most powerful configuration, it falls short of the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse‘s 328 horsepower. The torque comparison also favors the Traverse, with 326 lb-ft versus the Pathfinder’s maximum of 270 lb-ft. In terms of performance, the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse is the clear winner, offering more power and torque than the Nissan Pathfinder.

Once again, the Pathfinder lags behind the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse in interior dimensions. The Traverse offers more headroom in all three rows. Legroom is also superior in the Traverse for the second and third rows, although the first-row legroom is identical in both SUVs. Cargo space further solidifies the Traverse’s advantage, providing significantly more room than the Pathfinder. For families needing ample passenger and cargo volume, the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse is the more practical choice.

2025 Chevrolet Traverse vs. Toyota Grand Highlander: Powertrain Options and Interior Space

Comparing the base gas and standard hybrid engines of the Grand Highlander to the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse, the Chevy comes out ahead in terms of power with its single engine offering. However, Toyota’s Hybrid Max engine option claims the top spot for both horsepower and torque in this comparison group. The Grand Highlander leverages a key weakness of the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse: the lack of diverse powertrain options. The Grand Highlander boasts a wide range of powertrains, including hybrid choices, which are currently unavailable for the Traverse. If fuel efficiency and hybrid technology are priorities, the Grand Highlander offers compelling alternatives.

Cargo space is incredibly close between the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse and the Grand Highlander, with the Traverse slightly edging out the Toyota at 97.8 cubic feet versus 97.5 cubic feet. The differences in passenger space are more noticeable. The Traverse offers more headroom in the first and third rows, and more legroom in the first and second rows. While the Grand Highlander provides slightly more third-row legroom and second-row headroom, the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse presents a stronger overall package in terms of interior roominess.

Safety Considerations for the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse and its Rivals

Safety is a paramount consideration for family SUVs. While all SUVs in this comparison have achieved decent safety ratings, the official verdict for the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse is still pending from the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) has awarded the Traverse a 5-star overall safety rating. However, many safety-conscious buyers prioritize IIHS ratings due to their evolving and increasingly stringent testing standards.

Among the SUVs compared here, the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer, and Toyota Grand Highlander have not yet received a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS. In contrast, the Kia Telluride, Mazda CX-90, and Nissan Pathfinder have all earned the esteemed Top Safety Pick+ designation, a significant achievement in current safety evaluations.

For family-oriented buyers, safety ratings are a critical factor in the decision-making process. While the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse boasts impressive size and power, potential buyers should await the IIHS safety evaluation to have a complete picture. If the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse can combine its strengths in space and performance with top-tier safety ratings, it will undoubtedly be a leading choice in the three-row SUV segment.