Compare the2024 Chevrolet TraverseVS 2024 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 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, front parking sensors and driver alert monitors.

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.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Traverse first among midsize suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The GX 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 Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is ranked 8th.

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 (5). This means the Traverse produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the GX every 15,000 miles.

For better traction, the Traverse’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GX (275/45R22 vs. 265/55R20).

The Traverse LS/LT’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 GX Overtrail’s standard 70 series tires. The Traverse’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the GX’s optional 50 series tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Traverse’s wheelbase is 8.8 inches longer than on the GX (121 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Traverse is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the GX.

The Chevrolet Traverse may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 900 to 1100 pounds less than the Lexus GX.

The Traverse is 7.8 inches shorter in height than the GX, making the Traverse much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

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 doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

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.

The Traverse offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the GX can only carry up to 7.

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

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

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

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 costs extra on the GX.

The Traverse (except LS)’s optional Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, stopping and changing direction automatically. The GX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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

The Chevrolet Traverse outsold the Lexus GX by almost four to one during 2023.