2023 Land Rover Defender vs 2024 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was a standout in the Land Rover lineup, outselling the Discovery by a significant margin. Its boxy design, reminiscent of the old LR4, appealed to customers who preferred a classic Land Rover look over the Discovery's more Ford-like appearance. The Defender's design was characterized by its square-jawed face, rectangular hood and doors, and a sharply chopped tail, all of which contributed to its classic truck aesthetic. Tasteful nods to the original 1980s Defender, such as the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the roof, and the body-color square separating the side glass, added to its charm. The Defender was available in three body styles: the short two-door 90, the medium-length four-door 110, and the extended-length four-door 130, offering a range of options for buyers.

Inside, the Defender prioritized function and durability over luxury, with an interior coated in rubbers and plastics designed to resist moisture and stains. Despite its high price, the interior was basic and barren, with exposed screws and plain-looking air vents. However, the build quality and fit were excellent, maintaining the Defender's hardcore character. While the Defender's price could reach as high as $120,000 for the 110 V8 Carpathian Edition, it remained a popular choice among buyers, with around 20,000 units sold annually.

The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse, on the other hand, offered a more modern and versatile design. Available in four main trims—LS, LT, Z71, and RS—the Traverse catered to a wide range of buyers, including those interested in moderate off-roading with the new Z71 trim. While not designed for extreme off-road adventures, the Z71 was capable of handling reasonably rugged terrain. The Traverse's pricing was competitive, with the LS starting at $38,995 and the top-of-the-line RS model priced at $55,595. The Z71 model, which we tested, featured gloss black-painted 18-inch alloy wheels and an Iridescent Pearl Tricoat paint, adding a touch of elegance to its rugged appeal.

Inside, the Traverse offered a comfortable and spacious cabin, with the Z71 model featuring a Jet Black interior with "Torch Red" accents. The standard cloth seats provided good comfort and breathability, while synthetic leather seating was available as an option. The Traverse's interior was designed with practicality in mind, offering ample storage space and user-friendly features. Overall, the Traverse provided a well-rounded package for families and adventure-seekers alike.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was a formidable off-road vehicle, boasting impressive grip, wheel articulation, and clearance. Its air suspension allowed it to tackle challenging trails with ease, although most owners were unlikely to push it to its limits. On-road performance, however, was less impressive, with excessive body roll, slow steering, and noticeable wind noise. The Defender's engine options included a turbocharged inline-six and a supercharged V8, with the latter delivering 518 horsepower and 461 lb-ft of torque. The V8 provided exhilarating acceleration, but its fuel economy was poor, rated at 14 mpg city, 19 mpg highway, and 16 mpg combined. The six-cylinder engine, part of a 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain, offered 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, with better fuel efficiency at 18/23/20 mpg.

The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse, meanwhile, replaced its previous 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. This new engine offered more power and torque than the discontinued V6, providing strong acceleration and passing power. The Traverse's all-wheel-drive system, particularly in the Z71 trim, featured a dual-clutch arrangement for improved traction in slippery conditions. The ride quality was excellent, even with the Z71's all-terrain tires and extra ground clearance. The Traverse's fuel economy was competitive, with estimates ranging from 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined for the Limited with FWD, to 17/25/20 for the Limited with AWD.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled in versatility, offering unmatched seating configurations. The Defender 90 could seat six with an optional jump seat, while the 110 offered an optional third row for seven passengers. The 130 model came standard with a wider third row, accommodating up to eight passengers. The Defender's cargo space varied by model, with the 130 offering 77 cubic feet with the third row and second row folded. The Defender also featured large glass areas for excellent visibility and a range of practical features, such as a console refrigerator, heated windshield, and power-deployable side steps.

The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse provided a spacious and practical interior, with the base LS model offering seating for eight. The LT model introduced second-row captain's chairs, while the Z71 and RS trims were strictly seven-seaters. The Traverse's Smart Slide second-row seats made accessing the third row easy, and the power-folding third row added convenience. Cargo volume was generous, with 22.9 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 96 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The Traverse also featured numerous storage compartments, including a hidden storage area under the center console and an underfloor storage bin in the cargo bay.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender offered two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro software. The standard 10-inch screen was integrated into the dashboard, while the optional 11.4-inch screen provided greater legibility. Both screens were quick and easy to use, with features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice assistant, and navigation. The Defender's higher trims added features like a Meridian stereo, adaptive cruise control, and a head-up display.

The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse featured a massive 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen, standard on all models. The system was responsive and easy to navigate, complemented by an 11-inch digital instrument display. The Traverse's infotainment ran on Google-based software, offering intuitive voice commands and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The wireless charging pad in the Z71 model was a practical addition, and the Traverse retained physical controls for volume and HVAC functions. The Traverse also introduced Super Cruise, a hands-free driving aid, expanding its functionality to single-lane roadways.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. safety organizations, but it received a five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash testing. It came equipped with six airbags, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included a digital instrument panel, head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse had not yet been tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but it offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features. These included automatic emergency braking with cyclist and pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view parking camera. The Traverse's safety systems provided peace of mind during our test drive.