2025 Chevrolet Traverse vs. GMC Acadia

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse and 2025 GMC Acadia were both fully redesigned last year. These three-row SUVs are thoroughly modern options that are ready to compete in a segment where space, capability, and comfort are priorities. As General Motors products, they share a foundation but carve out distinct identities within the crowded family-hauler market. We’ve had the chance to drive these two corporate cousins back-to-back recently, so if you’re wondering which one is better, read on.

• 

  GMC

  Founded

  1911

  Founder

  William C Durant

  Headquarters

  Detroit, Michigan

  Owned By

  General Motors

  Current CEO

  Mary Barra

• 

  Chevrolet

  Founded

  November 3, 1911

  Founder

  Louis Chevrolet, Arthur Chevrolet, William C. Durant

  Headquarters

  Detroit, Michigan, United States of America

  Owned By

  General Motors

  Current CEO

  Mary Barra

The Traverse targets buyers seeking a practical, rugged three-row solution with a nod to Chevrolet’s truck heritage, while the Acadia positions itself as a more upscale option, blending refinement with a touch of off-road prowess. With seating for up to eight, modern technology, and fresh styling, both aim to meet the diverse needs of today’s families—but they approach the task differently. This comparison will dissect their strengths and differences to determine which three-row SUV emerges as the better choice.

Design: Bold Exterior Statements

The Traverse and Acadia have striking exterior designs that reflect their respective brand philosophies. The Traverse draws inspiration from Chevrolet’s pickups with a wide, assertive grille, squared-off proportions, and a strong stance that emphasizes utility. Its Z71 trim enhances this ruggedness with skid plates, all-terrain tires, and a slightly raised suspension, appealing to buyers who have plans for light off-road adventures or towing. The overall effect is purposeful and unapologetic, prioritizing function over flash.

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Chevrolet Traverse Interior and Exterior Photo Gallery

2024 Chevrolet Traverse Interior and Exterior Images

In contrast, the Acadia takes a more refined approach, with a sculpted hood, sharper lines, and a grille that balances boldness with sophistication. The AT4 trim adds off-road flair with similar skid plates and tires, while the Denali variant elevates the look with chrome accents and a polished finish for a touch of luxury. This design strikes a middle ground between rugged capability and premium appeal, targeting buyers who want a three-row SUV that looks as good in a suburban driveway as it does on a mountain trail. The Acadia’s sleeker profile and attention to detail give it a slight edge in visual refinement, though the Traverse’s tougher aesthetic may resonate more with practicality-focused shoppers.

Engine: Turbocharged Performance

Both the Traverse and Acadia are powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain delivers strong performance with front-wheel-drive standard and all-wheel drive available (standard on Z71 and AT4 trims). Towing capacity maxes out at 5,000 pounds for both, making them capable of handling small trailers or boats.

Although the engines are the same, the driving experiences are slightly different. The Acadia offers smooth, composed power delivery with the AT4 trim offering confident handling on varied terrain, thanks to its specially-tuned suspension and standard all-wheel drive. The Traverse, while equally powerful, leans toward a straightforward, no-nonsense feel with a bit more engine noise making its way into the cabin. The Traverse Z71 off-road trim isn’t quite as well-mannered as the Acadia AT4.

Both SUVs benefit from the turbo engine’s low-end torque, ensuring responsive acceleration whether merging onto highways or climbing gentle grades. The Traverse plays the dependable workhorse, while the Acadia aims for a more polished execution of the same capability.

Fuel Economy

This is not how you’re going to decide which of these two SUVs to buy, as they have the exact same engine and, surprise, the exact same EPA-estimated fuel economy.

• FWD 20/27/23 mpg city/highway.combined
• AWD 19/24/21 mpg city/highway/combined

Off-Road Capability

The Traverse Z71 and Acadia AT4 trims cater to buyers wanting more than just pavement prowess. Both feature standard all-wheel drive, skid plates, and all-terrain tires, equipping them for light off-road use like gravel paths or muddy campsites. The Traverse Z71 offers 7.76 inches of ground clearance, bolstered by a rugged suspension tune and hill descent control, making it a solid choice for occasional trail duty.

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GMC Acadia Interior and Exterior Photo Gallery

View images of the 2024 GMC Acadia’s modern interior and muscular exterior.

The Acadia AT4 has 7.75 inches of clearance, a more refined off-road suspension, and enhanced traction modes, suggesting a slight advantage on uneven terrain. It’s a pretty even match overall between the two. Neither is a hardcore off-road vehicle, but both are up for mild off-road adventures. A rough dirt trail to a weekend getaway should be no problem, but they’re not going to be doing any rock crawling.

Interior and Tech: Functional Comfort

Inside, the Traverse and Acadia deliver spacious, tech-laden cabins tailored to family life, though their execution differs. The Traverse features durable materials with cloth as standard and leather optional, along with a massive 17.7-inch touchscreen dominating the dashboard. With 97.8 cubic feet of maximum cargo space and a third row that comfortably seats adults, it’s a practical choice for large families or frequent haulers. It has a straightforward, functional layout, though the materials feel more utilitarian than luxurious, aligning with its more mainstream vibe.

The Acadia has nearly identical dimensions but with a smaller 15-inch touchscreen. Where it does better is on interior materials with more soft touch surfaces and higher-quality finishes, especially in the Denali trim. The interior is simply more premium including delivering a quieter and more upscale ride than the Traverse.

Both SUVs include advanced tech, including Super Cruise hands-free driving, Google Built-In, and wireless charging. The Acadia’s execution feels more polished, with a driving experience that emphasizes refinement over the Traverse’s sturdier, less plush ride. For families prioritizing space and luxury, the Acadia stands out.

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Cargo and Towing: Spacious And Powerful

Cargo capacity and towing ability are critical for three-row SUVs, and the Traverse and Acadia deliver impressive figures tailored to family needs. The Traverse offers 97.8 cubic feet of cargo space with both rear rows folded, 56.6cubic feet behind the second row, and 22.9 cubic feet behind the third row—ample room for strollers, sports gear, or luggage. Its towing capacity reaches 5,000 pounds with the proper equipment, ideal for small trailers or boats. This versatility makes the Traverse a standout for buyers prioritizing maximum storage and hauling capability in a three-row package.

The Acadia counters with 97.5 cubic feet of total cargo space, 57.3 cubic feet behind the second row, and 23.0 cubic feet behind the third row—slightly edging out the Traverse in third-row usability. Like its sibling, it tows up to 5,000 pounds, matching the Traverse’s strength for weekend adventures. Both SUVs excel at balancing passenger and cargo needs, but the Acadia’s design lends it a slight edge in refinement.

Safety: Advanced Protection

Safety is a top priority for family-oriented three-row SUVs, and the Traverse and Acadia come equipped with comprehensive suites of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). The Traverse includes Chevy Safety Assist as standard, featuring automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims add blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera, enhancing visibility and awareness. Super Cruise, GM’s hands-free driving system, is available, offering semi-autonomous highway driving with lane-changing capability.

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The Acadia mirrors this commitment with GMC Pro Safety Plus, standard across all trims, which includes similar features: automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, and pedestrian detection. It also offers blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera as standard or optional depending on trim, alongside adaptive cruise control and available Super Cruise.

Price and Winner: Features vs. Value

The Traverse starts at $40,700 for the LT with front-wheel drive and maxes out with the all-wheel drive RS at $56,100. The Acadia starts at $44,295 for the front-wheel drive Elevation with the all-wheel drive Denali sitting at the top of the lineup for $57,295.

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The Traverse is clearly the more affordable option, and it offers four trims versus only three for the Acadia. Even the off-road Traverse Z71 comes in below $50K while only the base Elevation is under that mark. This is perhaps the biggest differentiator between these two SUVs. Those who are on a tighter budget and not as focused on creature comforts will find the Traverse the best choice. Those who put a priority on premium will find the Acadia a more appealing SUV. As a family hauler that’s ready to manage messy kids and cargo while helping you stick to your budget, the Traverse is our pick.

Sources: Chevrolet, GMC