Automakers have been rushing to meet the needs of busy families with more and more 3-row offerings. Two well-established rivals in the midsize 3-row SUV class are the Honda Pilot and Chevrolet Traverse.
These spacious SUVs give buyers plenty of space while managing to look good inside and out. They also offer plenty of technology that all members of the family want, especially the driver.
Let’s compare the Honda Pilot and Chevrolet Traverse and find the right family hauler for you.
2025 Honda Pilot
2024 model shown
After its makeover two years ago, the Pilot proved it could look rough and ready while still being a great family vehicle. When families want to go off the beaten path, Honda’s got a trim for that: the TrailSport edition. It features steel skid plates, an extra inch of ground clearance, the TrailWatch Camera System to better navigate rocks and trees around the vehicle, and special software designed to help it traverse more challenging terrain than its predecessor.
Whether you’re looking to get away from it all for a few days or need a roomy, comfortable place to be while getting around town, the Pilot is ready. Honda upgraded the Pilot’s on-road componentry, such as its suspension and steering. The changes made it stiffer, giving it more agility for moments when being nimble is critical. The LX model was dropped for 2025, leaving the Sport edition as the new entry point. At the other end of the spectrum, Honda added the Black Edition featuring 20-inch alloy wheels and other elements finished in gloss black. Pricing for the Honda Pilot starts at $41,595, including destination fee.
Honda Pilot Highlights
Off-road ready: The Pilot TrailSport, with its 285-horsepower V6 engine, can tow 5,000 pounds. Honda claims that equates to a 24-foot camper or a 22-foot boat.
Traffic Jam Assist: Under the right conditions, the Honda Pilot can pretty well drive itself through slower-moving highway traffic. Just keep a hand on the steering wheel to let it know you’re paying attention, and it’ll go, stop, and steer for miles at a time. It works very well, and it’s standard across the lineup.
Easy access: The Touring and Elite models offer a removable center seat in the second row, making access to the third row easier. The seat can then fit under the cargo space floor in readiness for when the Honda Pilot needs to be an 8-seater again.
Read our Honda Pilot Expert Review or see 2025 Honda Pilot models for sale near you.
2025 Chevrolet Traverse
The Chevrolet Traverse got a complete makeover two years ago. Known as a great people hauler, the third-generation model retained that capability. The SUV offers a spacious cabin with seating for up to eight people, courtesy of an accommodating third-row bench.
Not only did the Traverse get a new square-shouldered, commanding exterior, but also a new powerplant under the hood. No longer powered by a V6, it gets a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder producing 328 hp. This engine is more powerful than its predecessor. The Traverse comes in four trim levels — LS, LT, Z71, and RS — with pricing on the LS starting at $41,995, including destination fee.
Chevrolet Traverse Highlights
Super Cruise: Described by many as the best hands-free driving technology on the road today, it’s available on the new Traverse. It combines adaptive cruise control and steering assistance, allowing drivers to keep their hands off the wheel and their feet off the pedals on more than 400,000 miles of mapped roads in the U.S. and Canada. The driver must remain alert and keep their eyes on the road. The Honda Pilot doesn’t offer hands-free driving.
Big screen: If you harbor concerns about being able to see a touchscreen clearly, worry no more, as the new Traverse comes with a 17.7-inch infotainment screen, which the Honda Pilot doesn’t come close to matching.
Off-roader: For the first time in the Traverse lineup, a Z71 version is available. With AWD standard, the Z71 also fits a dedicated suspension, all-terrain tires, tow hooks, and a skid plate. Ground clearance is higher than on the other Traverse trims, and the AWD system has switchable terrain modes.
Read our Chevrolet Traverse Expert Review or see 2025 Chevrolet Traverse models for sale near you.
Similarities
Honda and Chevy are known for their simple but attractive exteriors and spacious interiors. These characteristics haven’t changed with the new versions of the Pilot and Traverse. These SUVs also feature a slew of helpful safety and convenience technologies.
Conclusion
Since these were redesigned recently, picking a clear winner here is tough. The Chevy Traverse boasts more cargo room, a stronger engine, and the available Super Cruise hands-free driving system. The Honda Pilot is slightly more affordable and comes with the reliability and resale value that Honda is famous for. It also borrows some DNA from the Odyssey minivan, strengthening its credentials as a family vehicle. These are both so good that the right one for you largely comes down to personal taste.
New 2025 Honda Pilot Prices
New 2025 Chevrolet Traverse Prices
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors.
The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for vehicles and vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership.
These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
| 2025 Honda Pilot | 2025 Chevrolet Traverse | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 3.5-liter 6-cylinder | 2.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 285 hp @ 6,100 rpm | 328 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm | 326 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | 19 city/27 highway/22 combined mpg | 20 city/27 highway/23 combined mpg |
| Also Available | AWD | AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | Not rated |
| Max Seating Capacity | 8 | 8 |
| Wheelbase | 113.8 inches | 120.9 inches |
| Overall Length | 199.9 inches | 204.5 inches |
| Width | 78.5 inches | 79.6 inches |
| Height | 71.0 inches | 70.0 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 37.8 feet | 39.0 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.5 inches | 42.6 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 40.2 inches | 40.0 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd Row | 39.3 inches | 38.3 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.0 inches | 44.3 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 40.8 inches | 41.5 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd Row | 32.5 inches | 32.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 61.9 inches | 62.3 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 61.7 inches | 62.2 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | 59.5 inches | 57.7 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 18.6/48.5/87.0 cubic feet | 22.9/56.6/97.6 cubic feet |