Compare the2023 Chevrolet TraverseVS 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

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 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer comfort guides on its middle seat belts.

Both the Traverse and the Outlander PHEV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, front seat center airbag, 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 Outlander PHEV has not been tested, yet.

There are almost 9 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Traverse’s warranty.

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 Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 79 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is ranked 28th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mitsubishi is rated lower.

The Traverse’s 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 62 more horsepower (310 vs. 248) than the Outlander PHEV’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

The Traverse FWD’s standard fuel tank has 4.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander PHEV (19.4 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Traverse AWD’s standard fuel tank has 6.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander PHEV (21.7 vs. 14.8 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 Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better traction, the Traverse has larger tires than the Outlander PHEV (255/65R18 vs. 235/60R18).

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

The Traverse has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Outlander PHEV; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Traverse’s wheelbase is 14.4 inches longer than on the Outlander PHEV (120.9 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Traverse is 4.6 inches wider in the front and 4 inches wider in the rear than on the Outlander PHEV.

The Chevrolet Traverse may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 300 pounds less than the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Traverse has standard flush composite headlights. The Outlander PHEV has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

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

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

The Traverse has 2.2 inches more front headroom, 4.2 inches more front hip room, 4 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, .3 inches more rear legroom, 3.6 inches more rear hip room, 6.3 inches more rear shoulder room, 5.1 inches more third row headroom, 14.4 inches more third row legroom, 6.4 inches more third row hip room and 6.3 inches more third row shoulder room than the Outlander PHEV.

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

Maximum trailer towing in the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is limited to 1500 pounds. The Traverse offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

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 Outlander PHEV can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Traverse uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Outlander PHEV 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.

The power windows standard on both the Traverse and the Outlander PHEV 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 Outlander PHEV prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Traverse’s front power windows lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Outlander PHEV’s standard power windows’ passenger windows don’t open automatically.

On a hot day the Traverse’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Outlander PHEV can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Mitsubishi Connect can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

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 Outlander PHEV’s power window, power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Traverse’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mitsubishi only offers heated mirrors on the Outlander PHEV SE/SEL.

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 Outlander PHEV offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Traverse Premier/High Country keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

A built-in pollen filter removes pollen, exhaust fumes and other pollutants from the Traverse’s passenger compartment. This helps prevent lung and/or sinus irritation which can trigger allergies or asthma. The Outlander PHEV’s air conditioner doesn’t offer a filtration system.

The Traverse is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Outlander PHEV 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 Mitsubishi Outlander by over two to one during 2022.