Chevy Traverse vs. GMC Acadia: Which Is Better?

Alexandra Maloney
· 3 min read
The Chevy Traverse and the GMC Acadia are two excellent SUV options. They’re both family friendly, great for
road trips
, and a moderate size without sacrificing storage. 
While there are many similarities in
these two cars
, assessing their differences is where you can determine which car is better suited for your driving wants and needs. So let’s take a look at the Chevy Traverse vs. GMC Acadia.
The Traverse wins out in comfort and storage, but the Acadia has better fuel economy.

Similarities: Chevy Traverse vs. GMC Acadia

First things first, let’s talk about the similarities between the Chevy Traverse and the GMC Acadia.
Consumer Reports
did a breakdown comparison of these two cars, and most of their category rankings are similar.
In terms of pricing, their ranges are comparable. The Chevy Traverse starts a bit lower at $32,250 compared to the GMC Acadia at $30,525. But, the Traverse goes up to a higher price—$58,300, compared to the Acadia’s maximum price of $52,900. This means, depending on your price range and the trim you want, you’ll be able to find a Traverse or Acadia that fits your needs.
Consumer Reports gave both cars a 4 out of 5 in acceleration, routine handling, and transmission categories. The Chevy takes a little longer to go from 0 to 30 mph—3 seconds compared to the Acadia’s 2.6 seconds—but the difference isn’t one that would be noticeable behind the wheel. Both cars get a maximum quarter mile of 93 mph.
The Chevy Traverse and GMC Acadia both earned 5 out of 5 on their brakes. In terms of comfort, the overall ride, noise level and front seats were all rated a 4 out of 5 on both cars. Rear seat comfort and climate controls in both were 5 out of 5. 
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Differences: Chevy Traverse vs. GMC Acadia

Now, it’s time to discuss the differences between the Chevy Traverse and GMC Acadia. Understanding the differences between these two will help you decide which is the right car for you.
MotorTrend
selected the Acadia over the Traverse for fuel economy because the Acadia returns 19/27 mpg with four-wheel drive (FWD) and 19/26 mpg with AWD all-wheel drive (AWD). As MotorTrend writes, “That’s better than the Traverse, which is certified by the EPA at 18/27 mpg with FWD and 17/25 mpg with AWD.” 
But keep in mind, the Acadia costs more per year to fuel than the Traverse—$1,510 compared to $1,440. 
Additionally, the Acadia is smaller and therefore easier to park than the Traverse. Both cars have five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for safety ratings, but the Acadia rated better for frontal crash testing. From the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), both cars got the highest “good” rating for safety, although the Traverse got a low score in one headlight category. 
The third seat comfort level was rated better in the Traverse by both MotorTrend and Consumer Reports, and both reflected the Traverse had better cargo and storage area. This makes sense, since the Traverse is a larger car. 

The final verdict 

Choosing between the Chevy Traverse vs. GMC Acadia depends on what you look for in a car. If you value fuel economy, safety ratings, and easy parking, the GMC Acadia is the car for you. But, if you value comfort and storage, the Chevy Traverse makes the most sense.
And don’t forget, no matter which car you decide on, use
Jerry
to help you find the lowest rates on car insurance possible.

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