Compare the2025 Mazda CX-90VS 2024 Chevrolet Traverse Limited

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Mazda CX-90 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 Chevrolet Traverse Limited doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mazda CX-90 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Chevrolet Traverse Limited doesn’t offer height-adjustable front seat belts.

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 Limited 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 Limited 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The CX-90 Premium Plus/Turbo S has standard Rear Smart City Brake Support that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Traverse Limited doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

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 Limited.

The CX-90 has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Traverse Limited’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the CX-90 has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Braking on the Premium Plus/Turbo S automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Chevrolet charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Traverse Limited and the Traverse Limited’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

The CX-90’s 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 Traverse Limited doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the CX-90 and the Traverse Limited have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mazda CX-90 is safer than the Traverse Limited:

	CX-90	Traverse Limited
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	104	141
Neck Tension	45 lbs.	446 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.28 in	1.3 in
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	312 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.22 in	1.5 in
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	513 lbs.	1116 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	18	189
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	134 lbs.
Neck Compression	67 lbs.	201 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.39 in	1.02 in
Shoulder Force	156 lbs.	290 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.75 in	1.22 in
Torso Deflection Rate	7 MPH	10 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	825 lbs.	848 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

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 Limited is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Warranty

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

Reliability

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.

Engine

The CX-90’s standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 66 lbs.-ft. more torque (332 vs. 266) than the Traverse Limited’s 3.6 DOHC V6. The CX-90 PHEV’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 13 more horsepower (323 vs. 310) and 103 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 266) than the Traverse Limited’s 3.6 DOHC V6. The CX-90 Turbo S’ standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 30 more horsepower (340 vs. 310) and 103 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 266) than the Traverse Limited’s 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the CX-90 PHEV 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Chevrolet Traverse Limited:

	CX-90	Traverse Limited
Zero to 60 MPH	5.9 sec	6.8 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	15.4 sec	17.5 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.3 sec	7 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	2.7 sec	3.4 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.4 sec	4.7 sec
Quarter Mile	14.5 sec	15.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97 MPH	94 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
CX-90
	AWD	3.3 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	24 city/28 hwy
		Turbo S 3.3 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	23 city/28 hwy
Traverse Limited
	FWD	3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/26 hwy
	AWD	3.6 DOHC V6	17 city/25 hwy

The CX-90 PHEV can travel with zero emissions for 26 miles. The Traverse Limited 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 Limited 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 Limited 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.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	CX-90	CX-90 Turbo S/PHEV	Traverse Limited
Front Rotors	12.9 inches	13.7 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	13.8 inches	12.4 inches

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 Limited are solid, not vented.

The CX-90 stops much shorter than the Traverse Limited:

	CX-90	Traverse Limited
70 to 0 MPH	166 feet	183 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	114 feet	135 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the CX-90 has larger standard tires than the Traverse Limited (265/55R19 vs. 255/65R18). The CX-90 Premium/Turbo S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Traverse Limited (275/45R21 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 Limited’s standard 65 series tires. The CX-90 Premium/Turbo S’ tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Traverse Limited’s optional 55 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 Limited. The CX-90 Premium/Turbo S’ 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Traverse Limited.

Suspension and Handling

The CX-90 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Traverse Limited’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-90’s wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the Traverse Limited (122.8 inches vs. 120.9 inches).

The CX-90’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.7% to 48.3%) than the Traverse Limited’s (56.6% to 43.4%). This gives the CX-90 more stable handling and braking.

The CX-90 Premium Plus handles at .85 G’s, while the Traverse Limited RS AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CX-90 Premium Plus executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Traverse Limited Premier AWD (27.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-90’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the Traverse Limited’s (38.1 feet vs. 39 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-90 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Traverse Limited (8 vs. 7.5 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 .6 inch higher than on the Traverse Limited (8.1 vs. 7.5 inches).

Chassis

The CX-90 is 5.1 inches shorter than the Traverse Limited, making the CX-90 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The CX-90 has .7 inches more front legroom and 1 inch more rear legroom than the Traverse Limited.

Towing

The CX-90’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Traverse Limited’s (3500 vs. 1500 pounds).

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the CX-90 uses the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Traverse Limited doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the CX-90 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Traverse Limited. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

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 Limited doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The CX-90’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Traverse Limited’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully. Only its driver’s window closes 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 Limited’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The CX-90’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Traverse Limited’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

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 Limited 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 Limited 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 Limited doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The CX-90 has a standard center folding armrest for the middle row passengers. A center armrest helps make middle row passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Traverse Limited doesn’t offer a middle row seat center armrest.

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