Suv showdown: suburban vs. traverse – who’s the king of the road?

What To Know

  • Both the Suburban and the Traverse offer a range of engine options, but the Suburban has a more powerful lineup.
  • Both the Suburban and the Traverse offer a wide range of features and technology, but the Suburban has a slight edge in this area.
  • The Suburban is the better choice for buyers who need a full-size SUV with maximum seating and cargo capacity, while the Traverse is the better choice for buyers who want a mid-size SUV with good fuel economy and a lower price point.

When it comes to full-size SUVs, two of the most popular options on the market are the Chevrolet Suburban and the Chevrolet Traverse. Both vehicles offer spacious interiors, powerful engines, and a range of features designed to meet the needs of families and outdoor enthusiasts alike. However, there are also some key differences between the two SUVs that potential buyers should be aware of before making a decision. In this blog post, we will take a detailed look at the Chevrolet Suburban vs. Traverse, comparing their key features, performance, and overall value.

Size and Dimensions

One of the most noticeable differences between the Suburban and the Traverse is their size. The Suburban is a full-size SUV that is significantly larger than the Traverse, which is classified as a mid-size SUV. The Suburban is over 20 feet long and weighs over 5,000 pounds, while the Traverse is just under 19 feet long and weighs around 4,000 pounds. This difference in size is reflected in the interior space of the two SUVs. The Suburban offers seating for up to nine passengers, while the Traverse can accommodate up to eight. The Suburban also has a larger cargo capacity than the Traverse, with 121.7 cubic feet of space behind the first row of seats compared to 98.2 cubic feet in the Traverse.

Engine and Performance

Both the Suburban and the Traverse offer a range of engine options, but the Suburban has a more powerful lineup. The base engine in the Suburban is a 5.3-liter V8 that produces 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. The Traverse, on the other hand, comes standard with a 3.6-liter V6 that produces 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. Both SUVs are available with optional V8 engines, but the Suburban’s 6.2-liter V8 produces 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, while the Traverse’s 5.3-liter V8 produces 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque.

In terms of performance, the Suburban has the edge over the Traverse. The Suburban’s more powerful engines allow it to accelerate faster and tow more weight. The Suburban can tow up to 8,300 pounds, while the Traverse can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Fuel Economy

Given their size and power, neither the Suburban nor the Traverse is particularly fuel-efficient. The Suburban gets an EPA-estimated 15 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway with the 5.3-liter V8 engine. The Traverse gets slightly better fuel economy, with an EPA-estimated 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway with the 3.6-liter V6 engine. However, both SUVs see a significant drop in fuel economy when equipped with the optional V8 engines.

Features and Technology

Both the Suburban and the Traverse offer a wide range of features and technology, but the Suburban has a slight edge in this area. The Suburban comes standard with features such as a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a Bose audio system. The Traverse also offers many of these features, but some of them are only available on higher trim levels.

Safety

Both the Suburban and the Traverse have received high safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Suburban received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, while the Traverse received a four-star overall safety rating. The IIHS named the Suburban a Top Safety Pick+ and the Traverse a Top Safety Pick.

Price

The Chevrolet Suburban has a higher starting price than the Chevrolet Traverse. The base Suburban starts at $52,900, while the base Traverse starts at $34,095. However, the Suburban offers more standard features than the Traverse, so the price difference may not be as significant as it seems at first glance.

Which SUV is Right for You?

The Chevrolet Suburban and the Chevrolet Traverse are both excellent SUVs that offer a lot of value for the money. The Suburban is the better choice for buyers who need a full-size SUV with maximum seating and cargo capacity, while the Traverse is the better choice for buyers who want a mid-size SUV with good fuel economy and a lower price point.

Final Thoughts

The Chevrolet Suburban and the Chevrolet Traverse are two of the most popular SUVs on the market for a reason. They offer a lot of value for the money, and they can meet the needs of a wide range of buyers. If you are looking for a full-size SUV with maximum seating and cargo capacity, the Suburban is the better choice. If you are looking for a mid-size SUV with good fuel economy and a lower price point, the Traverse is the better choice.

Questions You May Have

1. Which SUV is bigger, the Suburban or the Traverse?

The Suburban is bigger than the Traverse. The Suburban is a full-size SUV, while the Traverse is a mid-size SUV.

2. Which SUV has more powerful engines?

The Suburban has more powerful engines than the Traverse. The Suburban’s base engine is a 5.3-liter V8 that produces 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, while the Traverse’s base engine is a 3.6-liter V6 that produces 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque.

3. Which SUV has better fuel economy?

The Traverse has better fuel economy than the Suburban. The Traverse gets an EPA-estimated 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway with the 3.6-liter V6 engine, while the Suburban gets an EPA-estimated 15 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway with the 5.3-liter V8 engine.

4. Which SUV has more features?

The Suburban has more features than the Traverse. The Suburban comes standard with features such as a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a Bose audio system. The Traverse also offers many of these features, but some of them are only available on higher trim levels.

5. Which SUV is safer?

Both the Suburban and the Traverse have received high safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Suburban received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, while the Traverse received a four-star overall safety rating. The IIHS named the Suburban a Top Safety Pick+ and the Traverse a Top Safety Pick.