Compare the2023 Chevrolet TraverseVS 2023 Toyota 4Runner

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the Chevrolet Traverse’s middle seat shoulder belts have child comfort guides to move the belt to properly fit children. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages children to buckle up. The Toyota 4Runner doesn’t offer comfort guides on its middle seat belts.

The Traverse has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The 4Runner doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Traverse uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The 4Runner uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Traverse and the 4Runner have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

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 Toyota 4Runner:

	Traverse	4Runner
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	216	267
Neck Injury Risk	15.6%	47%
Neck Stress	198 lbs.	438 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	53/40 lbs.	488/468 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	333	367
Neck Injury Risk	35.2%	57%
Neck Stress	128 lbs.	271 lbs.
Neck Compression	51 lbs.	58 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	258/133 lbs.	453/353 lbs.

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

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Chevrolet Traverse is safer than the 4Runner:

	Traverse	4Runner
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Head injury index	61	142
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Steering Column Movement Rearward	3 cm	12 cm
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Max Chest Compression	18 cm	18 cm
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Femur Force R/L	.5/0 kN	3.9/2.4 kN
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	1%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Tibia index R/L	.74/.35	.95/.85
Tibia forces R/L	1.4/0 kN	5/2.9 kN

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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Chevrolet Traverse is safer than the Toyota 4Runner:

	Traverse	4Runner
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	161 lbs.	179 lbs.
Hip Force	204 lbs.	233 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	20 inches
HIC	251	507
Spine Acceleration	34 G’s	43 G’s
Hip Force	554 lbs.	895 lbs.

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Traverse, with its four-star roll-over rating, is 7.7% to 9.6% less likely to roll over than the 4Runner, which received a three-star rating.

Warranty

The Traverse’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the 4Runner’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 2 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Toyota dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Traverse’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 25 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 14th.

Engine

The Traverse’s 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 40 more horsepower (310 vs. 270) than the 4Runner’s 4.0 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Chevrolet Traverse is faster than the Toyota 4Runner:

	Traverse	4Runner
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	7.8 sec
Quarter Mile	14.8 sec	15.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94.9 MPH	87.3 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Traverse gets better mileage than the 4Runner:

			MPG
Traverse
	FWD	3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/27 hwy
	AWD	3.6 DOHC V6	17 city/25 hwy
4Runner
	RWD	4.0 DOHC V6	16 city/19 hwy
	AWD	4.0 DOHC V6	16 city/19 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Traverse’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The 4Runner doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

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 4Runner doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Chevrolet Traverse higher (6 out of 10) than the Toyota 4Runner (5). This means the Traverse produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 4Runner every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Chevrolet Traverse, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a five-speed automatic is available for the 4Runner.

Brakes and Stopping

The Traverse stops much shorter than the 4Runner:

	Traverse	4Runner
70 to 0 MPH	174 feet	201 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	116 feet	138 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	136 feet	145 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Traverse has larger tires than the 4Runner (255/65R18 vs. 245/60R20).

The Traverse’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 65 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 4Runner’s standard 70 series tires. The Traverse’s optional tires have a lower 55 series profile than the 4Runner Limited/TRD Sport’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Traverse has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the 4Runner.

The Traverse has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The 4Runner doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Chevrolet Traverse has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Toyota 4Runner has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Traverse’s wheelbase is 11.1 inches longer than on the 4Runner (120.9 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Traverse is 3.6 inches wider in the front and 3.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the 4Runner.

The Traverse RS handles at .84 G’s, while the 4Runner TRD Off-Road pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Traverse RS AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.5 seconds quicker than the 4Runner TRD Off-Road (27 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 29.5 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

Chassis

Unibody construction lowers the Traverse’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The 4Runner uses body-on-frame design instead.

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 4Runner 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 4Runner doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Traverse High Country AWD is quieter than the 4Runner TRD Off-Road:

	Traverse	4Runner
At idle	41 dB	43 dB
Full-Throttle	76 dB	76 dB
70 MPH Cruising	67 dB	69 dB

Passenger Space

The Traverse has standard seating for 8 passengers; the 4Runner can only carry up to 7.

The Traverse has 3.5 inches more front headroom, 1.6 inches more front hip room, 4.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, 5.5 inches more rear legroom, 1.2 inches more rear hip room, 4.4 inches more rear shoulder room, 3.9 inches more third row headroom, 4.2 inches more third row legroom and 5.2 inches more third row hip room than the 4Runner.

Cargo Capacity

The Traverse’s cargo area provides more volume than the 4Runner.

	Traverse	4Runner
Behind Third Seat	23 cubic feet	9 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	57.8 cubic feet	46.3 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	98.2 cubic feet	89.7 cubic feet

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the Traverse High Country’s third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The 4Runner doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Traverse (except LS) offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the Traverse Premier/High Country, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The Traverse can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Traverse can be unhitched and driven around locally. The 4Runner can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Servicing Ease

The Traverse has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The 4Runner doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

An Oil Life Monitor is standard on the Traverse to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Toyota doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the 4Runner.

Ergonomics

The Traverse (except LS) offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The engine computer on the Traverse automatically engages the starter until the car starts with one twist of the key and disables the starter while the engine is running. The 4Runner’s starter can be accidentally engaged while the engine is running, making a grinding noise and possibly damaging the starter and ring gear.

The Traverse Premier/High Country’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The 4Runner doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Traverse’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The 4Runner’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The power windows standard on both the Traverse and the 4Runner have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Traverse is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The 4Runner prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Traverse’s available exterior PIN entry system. The 4Runner doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

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 4Runner’s power mirror and cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Traverse has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the 4Runner only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Traverse’s available headlights were rated “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the 4Runner’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

The Traverse has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The 4Runner has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the Limited/TRD Pro.

The Traverse’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The 4Runner’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

When the Traverse Premier/High Country is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The 4Runner’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Traverse’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The 4Runner offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Traverse and the 4Runner offer available heated front seats. The Traverse Premier/High Country also has standard heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the 4Runner.

On extremely cold winter days, the Traverse’s optional (except LS) heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Traverse has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the 4Runner Limited/TRD Pro.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Chevrolet Traverse LT/RS/Premier/High Country has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The 4Runner doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Traverse is less expensive to operate than the 4Runner because typical repairs cost much less on the Traverse than the 4Runner, including $46 less for a water pump, $23 less for a muffler, $193 less for a starter, $21 less for a fuel pump and $444 less for a timing belt/chain.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Chevrolet Traverse, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Toyota 4Runner isn't recommended.