The Chevrolet Traverse vs Toyota Highlander
If this were a boxing match, it would be for the heavy-weight champion's belt as both cars are massive in almost every aspect. Designed with the American consumer in mind these SUVs are anything but apologetic when it comes to their overall commanding presence and space they take up to be offered to their passengers. It's Goliath Vs Goliath, and the race will have a photo-finish.
The price tags are comparable for standard models, so it comes down to choosing between more space, more power and user-friendly tech from the Chevy Vs Toyota's impressive safety features and above-price looking interior. It's a matter of your own needs, but if you draw the line, we think the Traverse edges out the Highlander by a small margin.
Starting things off is the Toyota Highlander. We somehow feel sad that this could have been the perfect car, but misses the mark on account of two things. Let's focus on the positive first because they are many. First, it's the interior look and feel that's way more high-end than the car's price tag. Making this model stand out are also the numerous safety features that come as standard, like the forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departing warning, lane-keep assist, a rearview camera and adaptive cruise control.
Toyota is well known for being an industry leader in terms of advanced safety options delivered as standard, and we see that on full display in the Highlander. Another huge plus is the powerful V6 engine, but this is where we start to expose the negatives, as you'll only get this engine with an upgrade. The 4 cylinder that equips the standard model isn't anywhere near sufficient for the massive SUV, and it's felt while driving. A perfect ride, but only at an additional cost. The second sub-par characteristic of the Toyota is the space for the third row. It's definitely not adult friendly, and if you're going to look for plenty of space from your SUV, this model won't deliver.
The Chevrolet Traverse, on the other hand, boosts three Best In Class features when it comes to the space it provides for its passengers and those are Best In Class Overall Passenger Volume, Best In Class Third-Row Leg Room and Best In Class Maximum Cargo Space. It is American made after all… It also has one of the best and most user-friendly infotainment systems, with features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The base model also feels much better on the road compared to the standard 4-cylinder from Toyota, even as it gives comparable figures at miles per gallon it will allow. The Traverse also makes for a comfortable and quiet ride as the cabin will keep out most of the wind and road noises produced while driving.
