Compare the2023 Chevrolet TraverseVS 2023 Lexus GX

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 GX 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 GX uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Traverse and the GX 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.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Traverse the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 233 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The GX has not been tested, yet.

There are almost 12 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Traverse’s warranty.

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 GX’s camshafts. If the GX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Traverse has a standard 170-amp alternator. The GX’s 130-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

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 Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is ranked 6th.

The Traverse’s 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 9 more horsepower (310 vs. 301) than the GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the Chevrolet Traverse is faster than the Lexus GX:

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

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 GX doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Traverse uses regular unleaded gasoline. The GX requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

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 GX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Chevrolet Traverse higher (6 out of 10) than the Lexus GX (3). This means the Traverse produces up to 23.4 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the GX every 15,000 miles.

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

The Traverse stops much shorter than the GX:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Traverse offers optional 20-inch wheels. The GX’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

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 GX doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

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 Lexus GX 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 GX (120.9 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Traverse is 4.9 inches wider in the front and 4.6 inches wider in the rear than on the GX.

The Traverse RS handles at .84 G’s, while the GX pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Traverse RS AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the GX (27 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Traverse’s turning circle is 2.1 feet tighter than the GX’s (39 feet vs. 41.1 feet).

The Chevrolet Traverse may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 800 pounds less than the Lexus GX.

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 GX 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 GX 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 GX doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Traverse High Country AWD is quieter than the GX (41 vs. 43 dB).

The Traverse has standard seating for 8 passengers; the GX can only carry 7.

The Traverse has 4.8 inches more front headroom, 1.6 inches more front hip room, 6.5 inches more front shoulder room, 4.3 inches more rear legroom, 1.7 inches more rear hip room, 4.9 inches more rear shoulder room, 3 inches more third row headroom, 4.2 inches more third row legroom, 5.4 inches more third row hip room and 3 inches more third row shoulder room than the GX.

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

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Traverse easier. The Traverse’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.6 inches, while the GX’s liftover is 33.8 inches.

The Traverse’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The GX’s swing out door blocks loading from the passenger’s side.

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 GX doesn’t offer a power cargo door.

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 GX can’t be towed flat on the ground.

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

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 GX 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 GX’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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

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 GX doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Traverse is less expensive to operate than the GX because typical repairs cost much less on the Traverse than the GX, including $235 less for a muffler, $395 less for a starter, $11 less for a fuel pump, $17 less for a timing belt/chain and $628 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Traverse will be $15036 to $22427 less than for the Lexus GX.

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

The Chevrolet Traverse outsold the Lexus GX by over three to one during 2022.