Compare the2025 Mazda CX-90VS 2024 Chevrolet Traverse

The Mazda CX-90 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Traverse doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The CX-90 Premium has a standard Secondary Collision Reduction System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Traverse doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-90. But it costs extra on the Traverse.

Both the CX-90 and the Traverse 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 and available around view monitors.

The Mazda CX-90 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Traverse has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

The CX-90’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Traverse’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 13 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

The CX-90’s standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 6 lbs.-ft. more torque (332 vs. 326) than the Traverse’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The CX-90 PHEV’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 43 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 326) than the Traverse’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The CX-90 Turbo S’ standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 12 more horsepower (340 vs. 328) and 43 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 326) than the Traverse’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the CX-90 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Traverse:

The CX-90 PHEV can travel with zero emissions for 26 miles. The Traverse can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the CX-90’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Traverse doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The CX-90 has a standard locking fuel door and a locking charge port which lock and unlock with the power locks. The Traverse doesn’t offer a locking fuel filler door. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

For better stopping power the CX-90’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Traverse:

The CX-90’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Traverse are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the CX-90 has larger standard tires than the Traverse (265/55R19 vs. 255/65R18).

The CX-90’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Traverse LS/LT’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-90 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Traverse LS/LT.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-90’s wheelbase is 1.8 inches longer than on the Traverse (122.8 inches vs. 121 inches).

For better maneuverability, the CX-90’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the Traverse’s (38.1 feet vs. 39 feet). The CX-90’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the Traverse with optional 22-inch wheels’ (38.1 feet vs. 40.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-90 has a 1.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Traverse (8 vs. 6.8 inches), allowing the CX-90 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The CX-90 PHEV Premium/Turbo S’ minimum ground clearance is .3 inch higher than on the Traverse Z71 (8.1 vs. 7.8 inches).

The CX-90 is 3.7 inches shorter than the Traverse, making the CX-90 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The CX-90’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Traverse’s (3500 vs. 1499 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Chevrolet Traverse is only 4997 pounds. The CX-90 offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The engine in the CX-90 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Traverse. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The CX-90 Premium has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Traverse doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The CX-90’s front and rear power windows all open or close 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 Traverse’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. The Traverse LT/Z71/RS’ passenger windows don’t close automatically.

The CX-90’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Traverse’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-90 Turbo S has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Traverse doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the CX-90 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Traverse doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The CX-90 Premium Plus/Turbo S has standard front air conditioned seats and the CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Traverse doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.