Compare the2025 Chevrolet TraverseVS 2025 Honda Odyssey

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Traverse has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Odyssey doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Traverse offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Odyssey doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Traverse offers an optional HD Surround Vision to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Odyssey only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Traverse and Odyssey have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Traverse has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Odyssey’s Cross Traffic Monitor doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Traverse and the Odyssey have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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 driver alert monitors.

The Traverse’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Odyssey’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are almost 3 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Honda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Traverse’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Traverse has a standard 220-amp alternator. The Odyssey’s 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Traverse first among midsize suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The Odyssey 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 Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 10th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 32 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 18th.

The Traverse’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 48 more horsepower (328 vs. 280) and 64 lbs.-ft. more torque (326 vs. 262) than the Odyssey’s 3.5 SOHC V6.

The Traverse AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Odyssey (21.7 vs. 19.5 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Chevrolet Traverse higher (5 out of 10) than the Honda Odyssey (4). This means the Traverse produces up to 5.2 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Odyssey every 15,000 miles.

For better traction, the Traverse has larger standard tires than the Odyssey (255/65R18 vs. 235/60R18). The Traverse’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Odyssey (275/45R22 vs. 235/60R18).

The Traverse’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Odyssey Sport-L/Touring/Elite’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Traverse offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Odyssey’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Traverse’s wheelbase is 2.9 inches longer than on the Odyssey (121 inches vs. 118.1 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Traverse’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Odyssey’s (39 feet vs. 39.6 feet).

The Traverse has 3.9 inches more front headroom, 3.4 inches more front legroom, .1 inches more front hip room, .8 inches more rear headroom, .6 inches more rear legroom, .6 inches more rear shoulder room and .2 inches more third row hip room than the Odyssey.

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

Maximum trailer towing in the Honda Odyssey is limited to 3500 pounds. The Traverse offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Traverse uses the StabiliTrak® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Odyssey doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Traverse uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Odyssey 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 Traverse’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Odyssey has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

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

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Traverse has standard extendable sun visors. The Odyssey doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Both the Traverse and the Odyssey have standard heated front seats. The Traverse RS/High Country also has standard heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the Odyssey.

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 is only available on the Odyssey Elite.

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

The Chevrolet Traverse outsold the Honda Odyssey by 65% during 2023.