Compare the2026 Mitsubishi OutlanderVS 2026 Chevrolet Traverse

The Mitsubishi Outlander has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help 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 Outlander 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 Traverse doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

With its standard Forward Collision Mitigation with Pedestrian Detection, the Mitsubishi Outlander is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Chevrolet Traverse, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

Both the Outlander and the Traverse have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The Outlander comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Traverse’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Mitsubishi’s powertrain warranty covers the Outlander 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Chevrolet covers the Traverse. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Traverse ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Outlander’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Traverse’s (7/100,000 vs. 6/100,000).

Mitsubishi pays for scheduled maintenance on the Outlander for 2 years and 30,000 miles. Mitsubishi will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance (up to 3 visits). Chevrolet only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Traverse.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Outlander’s reliability 18 points higher than the Traverse.

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

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

The Outlander has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Traverse. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

The Outlander has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Traverse doesn’t offer a CVT.

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

The Outlander ES/Trail’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Traverse LT’s standard 65 series tires.

The Outlander has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Traverse doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For better maneuverability, the Outlander’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the Traverse’s (36.7 feet vs. 39 feet). The Outlander’s turning circle is 4 feet tighter than the Traverse with 22-inch wheels’ (36.7 feet vs. 40.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Outlander ES/Trail has a 1.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Traverse (8.3 vs. 6.8 inches), allowing the Outlander to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Outlander SE/SEL’s minimum ground clearance is .6 inch higher than on the Traverse Z71 (8.4 vs. 7.8 inches).

The Mitsubishi Outlander may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 750 to 800 pounds less than the Chevrolet Traverse.

The Outlander is 1 foot, 6.7 inches shorter than the Traverse, making the Outlander easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Outlander is 5.1 inches narrower on average than the Traverse, making the Outlander easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The Outlander SEL offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, navigation instruction, infotainment and driver assistance information 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 Outlander SE/SEL/Trail’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches. The Traverse’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

The Outlander ES’ standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Traverse’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Outlander S-AWC has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Traverse doesn’t offer headlight washers.

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

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander retains 48.85% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 48.14% resale value of the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse after five years, which can save the Mitsubishi’s owner up to $5944 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mitsubishi Outlander and the Chevrolet Traverse, based on reliability, safety and performance.