Compare the2025 Chevrolet TraverseVS 2025 Honda Pilot

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Chevrolet Traverse achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Honda Pilot has not been tested.

To deliver safety and visibility under dusty conditions the Chevrolet Traverse’s backup monitor has a standard rear washer to keep the view clear. A camera washer system is only offered on some models of the Honda Pilot.

Both the Traverse and Pilot have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Traverse has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Pilot’s Cross Traffic Monitor doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Traverse and the Pilot have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Chevrolet Traverse is safer than the Honda Pilot:

	Traverse	Pilot
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	165	382
Neck Injury Risk	20.1%	28.9%
Neck Stress	178 lbs.	350 lbs.
Neck Compression	2 lbs.	101 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	32/13 lbs.	178/233 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	234	440
Neck Stress	159 lbs.	232 lbs.
Neck Compression	48 lbs.	98 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	160/266 lbs.	396/388 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Chevrolet Traverse is safer than the Honda Pilot:

	Traverse	Pilot
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	518 lbs.	540 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The Traverse’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Pilot’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are almost 3 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Honda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Traverse’s warranty.

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Traverse’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Pilot’s camshafts. If the Pilot’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Traverse first among midsize suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The Pilot isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 10th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 32 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 18th.

Engine

The Traverse’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 43 more horsepower (328 vs. 285) and 64 lbs.-ft. more torque (326 vs. 262) than the Pilot’s 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Chevrolet Traverse is faster than the Honda Pilot:

	Traverse	Pilot
Zero to 60 MPH	7.3 sec	7.7 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.7 sec	5 sec
Quarter Mile	15.6 sec	16.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94 MPH	90 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Traverse gets better mileage than the Pilot:

			MPG
Traverse
	FWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/27 hwy
	AWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/24 hwy
Pilot
	FWD	3.5 DOHC V6	19 city/27 hwy
	AWD	TrailSport 3.5 DOHC V6	18 city/23 hwy

The Traverse FWD’s standard fuel tank has almost a gallon more fuel capacity than the Pilot (19.4 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Traverse AWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Pilot (21.7 vs. 18.5 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

The Traverse’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Pilot are solid, not vented.

The Traverse stops much shorter than the Pilot:

	Traverse	Pilot
70 to 0 MPH	178 feet	189 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	114 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Traverse’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Pilot (275/45R22 vs. 265/60R18).

The Traverse’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Pilot Sport/Touring/Elite/Black Edition’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Traverse offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Pilot’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The Chevrolet Traverse’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Honda Pilot only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Traverse’s wheelbase is 7.2 inches longer than on the Pilot (121 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

The Traverse High Country AWD handles at .80 G’s, while the Pilot Elite pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

Passenger Space

The Traverse has 2.1 inches more front headroom, 3.3 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more front hip room, .4 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear legroom, 1.2 inches more rear hip room, .5 inches more rear shoulder room and 4 inches more third row hip room than the Pilot.

Cargo Capacity

The Traverse’s cargo area provides more volume than the Pilot.

	Traverse	Pilot
Behind Third Seat	22.9 cubic feet	21.8 cubic feet

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Traverse easier. The Traverse’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.7 inches, while the Pilot’s liftover is 33.2 inches.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Traverse RS/High Country’s second row seats and pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Pilot doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Servicing Ease

The Traverse uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Pilot uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

The Traverse’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Pilot does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Traverse’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push Button Start and Smart Entry standard on the Pilot doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door. Push Button Start and Smart Entry is not available on the Pilot Touring/Elite/Black Edition.

The Traverse’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Honda only offers heated mirrors on the Pilot EX-L/TrailSport/Touring/Elite/Black Edition.

The Traverse has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Pilot TrailSport/Elite/Black Edition.

Compared to traditional radio, the Chevrolet Traverse’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the Pilot EX-L/TrailSport/Touring/Elite/Black Edition.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Chevrolet Traverse has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Pilot EX-L/TrailSport/Touring/Elite/Black Edition offers wireless charging.

The Traverse’s optional Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Pilot doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Chevrolet Traverse and the Honda Pilot, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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