Compare the2025 Chevrolet TraverseVS 2025 Mazda CX-90

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 Mazda CX-90 has not been tested.

The Chevrolet Traverse’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Mazda CX-90 does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Traverse has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Rear Cross Traffic Braking, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the CX-90 Premium Plus/Turbo S offers Rear Cross Traffic Braking.

Both the Traverse and the CX-90 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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 Mazda CX-90:

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 post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Chevrolet Traverse is safer than the Mazda CX-90:

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

The Traverse’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the CX-90’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 5 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Traverse’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Traverse’s reliability 23 points higher than the Mazda CX-90 and 37 points higher than the Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Traverse first among midsize suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The CX-90 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 Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 72 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 29th, below the industry average.

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 Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 11 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 7th.

The Traverse’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 48 more horsepower (328 vs. 280) than the CX-90’s standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The Traverse’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 5 more horsepower (328 vs. 323) than the CX-90 PHEV’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Traverse uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CX-90 PHEV requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Traverse FWD’s standard fuel tank has almost a gallon more fuel capacity than the CX-90’s standard fuel tank (19.4 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Traverse AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-90 Turbo S’ standard fuel tank (21.7 vs. 19.6 gallons).

The Traverse has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The CX-90 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Traverse stops much shorter than the CX-90:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Traverse offers optional 22-inch wheels. The CX-90’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The Chevrolet Traverse’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Mazda CX-90 only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Traverse High Country AWD handles at .80 G’s, while the CX-90 Premium Plus pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Chevrolet Traverse may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 450 pounds less than the Mazda CX-90.

The front grille of the Traverse uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-90 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Traverse uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The CX-90 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Traverse has 15.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-90 (157 vs. 141.6).

The Traverse has 2.9 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front legroom, 3.1 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 2.1 inches more rear legroom, 4.1 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.4 inches more third row headroom, 1.7 inches more third row legroom and 4.4 inches more third row shoulder room than the CX-90.

The Traverse’s cargo area provides more volume than the CX-90.

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 CX-90 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

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 CX-90 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. Advanced Keyless Entry and Start standard on the CX-90 doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The Traverse’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The CX-90’s power window (except driver window) switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 CX-90 Premium Plus/Turbo S.

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 CX-90 Premium.

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 CX-90 Preferred/Premium 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 CX-90 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Traverse is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The CX-90 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

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

The Chevrolet Traverse outsold the Mazda CX-90 by almost two to one during 2024.