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If it’s a midsize SUV that you seek—specifically, one that’s big enough to haul your family and friends without sacrificing power and technology—the 2022 Chevy Traverse and Honda Pilot may both seem like great choices. However, Wexford, Pittsburgh, and Cranberry Township, PA, drivers will soon learn that one may be a better fit than the other.
Check out this Chevy Traverse vs. Honda Pilot comparison created by our team at Baierl Chevrolet to learn which one is right for you!
Bigger vehicles such as these don’t only mean more interior space; they also mean more muscle under the hood.
For both the Honda Pilot and Chevy Traverse, a V6 engine is offered standard in the base trims. Those extra cylinders equate to more power. Specifically, the Pilot churns out 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Meanwhile, the Traverse outpaces this with 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque.
Of course, performance prowess does not start and end with the engine. SUVs drivers craving big adventures on- and off-road need to look carefully at drivetrain options as well.
You’ll find that both SUVs offer a capable all-wheel drive (AWD) system to help improve traction when you’re driving over rocky or slippery roads. The big difference is that the Traverse provides an available Driver Mode Selector to switch between four modes:
Why switch between front- and all-wheel drive, you ask? It’s a good question, and the answer is about efficiency. AWD tends to burn a bit more fuel than FWD, so the ability to toggle between the two when you’re on the highway or stable terrain makes it easier to drive efficiently.
The available Intelligent Traction Management system in the Pilot offers similar capabilities. However, with just Sand, Snow, and Mud modes, it lacks the extra off-road and tow/haul support of the competitor.
Speaking of that Tow/Haul mode, there’s a good chance you might want to do a bit of towing with your new ride. Whether you want to take your boat to the lake on warm spring weekends or haul your snowmobiles out to the family cabin during the winter months, you need a tough hauler by your side.
Both SUVs offer an impressive maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. That is more than enough muscle for your boat or camper! To give an idea of how much power you have access to, here are some examples of what you could tow with these models:
However, you might find that the Traverse offers more features specifically designed for towing convenience.
With the Chevy SUV, you can equip an available package of trailering equipment, which includes four great features:
Hitch Guidance with Hitch View ensures you can safely maneuver your vehicle, even when the attached load makes it hard to see. Meanwhile, your heavy-duty cooling system will protect the engine from overheating!
Unfortunately, Pilot drivers won’t find a similar trailering package, something they may miss over the course of the long haul.
Despite those impressive hauling capabilities, not all cargo can be hitched to the rear of your vehicle. For luggage and other small personal items, you need ample cargo room behind the third row too.
Behind its third row, the Honda Pilot offers 18.5 cubic feet. While fairly spacious, it falls short of the 23 cubic feet found behind the third row of the Chevy Traverse. You can squeeze in some extra pieces of luggage here during your next big road trip.
In addition to this added space, the Traverse comes standard with a secret compartment. Its storage tray can be found under the rear floor, meaning you can stash some of your smaller, more precious items out of sight.
If you’re in need of even more cargo solutions, check out the Traverse and its available exterior cargo management accessories. Add the Roof-Mounted Dock Glide Kayak Carrier so you can bring along a kayak on your next adventure or the Roof Rack Cross Rail Package to securely transport your Christmas tree.
There’s the classic bike carrier so you can keep riding long after you park and the Roof-Mounted Force XT L Cargo Box for overhead storage that is made to fit those last few pieces of equipment or luggage.
To make every aspect as personalized as possible, both the Honda Pilot and Chevy Traverse have their share of interior and exterior customization options.
The Honda Pilot tends to lean towards more muted and neutral exterior colors to choose from, including Crystal Black Pearl and Lunar Silver Metallic.
When building your 2022 Chevy Traverse, you’ll have color combinations that suit just about any driver’s aesthetic. Depending on which trim you choose, here are a few available exterior colors:
Choose which color will complement your driveway. Are you feeling daring? Make a statement at every turn with one of the beautiful colors the Traverse has to offer.
This is only the beginning! Upgrade your cabin with these available interior colors:
The Honda Pilot trims usually only have two interior colors to choose from: black or gray.
Awareness is the real key to staying safe out on the open road. Even so, while you may be an extremely conscientious driver, having an extra set of eyes out there can only make things safer. Thus, both SUVs offer available driver-assistive safety features that can help predict when a collision might occur and act autonomously to stop it.
A good example is the standard Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, which can be found in both vehicles. If you begin to drift out of your lane, this feature can apply mild steering corrections to get you back inside the lines.
While driver-assistive systems are present in each vehicle, only the Traverse offers a comprehensive solution for post-collision aid. In the event that you do end up in an accident, Chevy provides standard OnStar® & Chevrolet Connected Services for emergency post-accident support. This feature will help you get in touch with road-side services and draw first responders to your location right away.
The Traverse also adds plenty of available safety features, including Rear Cross Traffic Alert, which alerts the driver when another vehicle is crossing their path while backing up. This is perfect for backing out of tight garages or parking spots.
Next, we have the available Rear Pedestrian Alert. Using this same technology, the system monitors your rear area and notifies when a moving pedestrian is in your path. Then, finally, we have the optional HD Surround Vision. This system allows you to toggle from your front to rear camera so you can get the full view before pulling in or pulling out of an area.
These available driver-assistive systems make an appearance within the Chevy Traverse, while the Honda Pilot only offers a Blind Spot Information System (BSI) with Cross Traffic Monitor and Auto High-Beam Headlights.
Every year, SUVs like these seem to add more and more gadgets to their standard repertoire. The Chevy Traverse, for instance, makes 4G LTE Wi-Fi® hotspot capability standard. This feature will ensure that you always have a steady internet connection. While it’s available in the Pilot as well, you can only get it as an upgrade.
The Traverse’s interior also offers some unique features that won’t be found at all in the competitor. Standard Teen Driver technology, for instance, is a Chevy exclusive. If your child is taking yours for a spin, you can set performance limitations on the car with this feature. Those restrictions, mixed with regular driving report cards, can help teens develop healthy driving habits.
Unfortunately, advanced technologies of the same caliber as those in the Traverse are a lot harder to come by in the Honda Pilot.
Against the Chevy Traverse, the 2022 Honda Pilot manages to put up a good fight. However, when it comes to sheer power and convenient technologies, it simply ends up falling short.
Wexford, Pittsburgh, and Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, drivers who want a superior SUV can check out the 2022 Traverse.
Contact the Baierl Chevrolet team to schedule your test drive today!