Compare the2025 Chevrolet TraverseVS 2025 Honda Pilot

Both the Traverse and Pilot 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 Pilot’s Cross Traffic Monitor doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Traverse and the Pilot have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, available all wheel drive, around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The Traverse’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Pilot’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.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Traverse’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Pilot’s camshafts. If the Pilot’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Traverse first among midsize suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The Pilot 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 43 more horsepower (328 vs. 285) and 64 lbs.-ft. more torque (326 vs. 262) than the Pilot’s 3.5 DOHC V6.

On the EPA test cycle the Traverse gets better mileage than the Pilot:

The Traverse FWD’s standard fuel tank has almost a gallon more fuel capacity than the Pilot (19.4 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Traverse AWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Pilot (21.7 vs. 18.5 gallons).

For better traction, the Traverse’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Pilot (275/45R22 vs. 265/60R18).

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 Pilot Sport/Touring/Elite/Black Edition’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Traverse offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Pilot’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Traverse’s wheelbase is 7.2 inches longer than on the Pilot (121 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

The Traverse has 2.1 inches more front headroom, 3.3 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more front hip room, .4 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear legroom, 1.2 inches more rear hip room, .5 inches more rear shoulder room and 4 inches more third row hip room than the Pilot.

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

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Traverse easier. The Traverse’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.7 inches, while the Pilot’s liftover is 33.2 inches.

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 Pilot doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Traverse uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Pilot 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 Pilot does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Traverse’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push Button Start and Smart Entry standard on the Pilot doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door. Push Button Start and Smart Entry is not available on the Pilot Touring/Elite/Black Edition.

The Traverse’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Honda only offers heated mirrors on the Pilot EX-L/TrailSport/Touring/Elite/Black Edition.

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 Pilot TrailSport/Elite/Black Edition.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Chevrolet Traverse has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Pilot EX-L/TrailSport/Touring/Elite/Black Edition offers wireless charging.

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 Pilot doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Chevrolet Traverse outsold the Honda Pilot by 12% during 2023.