Compare the2024 Chevrolet TraverseVS 2024 Volkswagen Atlas

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Chevrolet Traverse have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Volkswagen Atlas doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The Traverse (except LS)’s optional driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Atlas doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Traverse and the Atlas have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and front parking sensors.

Chevrolet’s powertrain warranty covers the Traverse 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the Atlas. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Atlas ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 4 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Volkswagen dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Traverse’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in initial quality. With 83 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is rated below 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 Volkswagen 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, Volkswagen is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Chevrolet 7 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

The Traverse’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 59 more horsepower (328 vs. 269) and 53 lbs.-ft. more torque (326 vs. 273) than the Atlas’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

For better traction, the Traverse has larger standard tires than the Atlas (255/65R18 vs. 245/60R18). The Traverse’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Atlas (275/45R22 vs. 265/45R21).

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Traverse’s wheelbase is 3.7 inches longer than on the Atlas (121 inches vs. 117.3 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Traverse has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Atlas (6.8 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the Traverse to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Traverse Z71’s minimum ground clearance is 1.5 inches higher than on the Atlas (7.8 vs. 6.3 inches).

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

The Traverse offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Atlas can only carry 7.

The Traverse has 1.3 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more front hip room, .8 inches more front shoulder room, 3.9 inches more rear legroom, 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room, 3.5 inches more third row hip room and 2.8 inches more third row shoulder room than the Atlas.

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

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

The Traverse RS’ 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 Atlas doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Traverse RS’ standard 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 Atlas has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Traverse (except LS)’s optional Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The Chevrolet Traverse outsold the Volkswagen Atlas by 29% during 2023.