2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2024 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 was offered in six trim levels, ranging from the budget-friendly RAV4 LE to the luxurious RAV4 Limited, featuring ventilated seats. Among these trims, the Adventure and TRD Off-Road stood out with their distinct two-part front design. The Adventure trim, which we tested, boasted a more aggressive grille with a repositioned Toyota badge, blacked-out wheels, and a faux skid plate, which conveyed a rugged appearance without the corresponding capabilities. The interior of the Adventure trim was brightened by orange accents and contrast stitching that added a bit of flair to an otherwise basic center console. A frameless rearview mirror offered a premium touch amidst mid-tier elements.

Meanwhile, the 2024 Chevrolet Traverse came in four main trims: LS, LT, Z71, and RS, with the Z71 trim being the newest addition aimed at moderate off-road enthusiasts. However, it fell short of being a true mud-plugger like the Jeep Wrangler. During our drive west of Atlanta, the Z71 revealed its capability on rugged terrains, albeit with limits. Offering a competitive starting price of $38,995 for the LS trim and going up to $55,595 for the top-tier RS, the Traverse catered to a wider budget range. The Z71 model, at $47,795, featured glossy black 18-inch alloy wheels and an Iridescent Pearl Tricoat paint, accentuated by Torch Red interiors, which could benefit from more color choices. Optional synthetic leather seating cost an additional $1,000, although the standard cloth seats were satisfactory in both comfort and appearance.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came equipped with a standard front-wheel-drive system, but the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims defaulted to all-wheel drive. All trims could be upgraded to AWD, adding a Snow Mode. The gas-powered RAV4 featured a singular engine choice: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup offered unobjectionable acceleration but wasn't particularly exciting, and the engine produced noticeable noise. The Adventure trim had 19-inch all-season tires, whereas the TRD Off-Road had 18-inch wheels with Falken All-Terrain tires and a TRD-tuned suspension for enhanced off-road handling.

For the 2024 Chevrolet Traverse, Chevrolet retired the previous 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 in favor of a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder, delivering 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. The new engine outperformed its predecessor, especially in torque. AWD was an option across all trims, with the Z71 featuring a more advanced system designed for better traction. On our mixed driving route, the Traverse demonstrated strong acceleration and satisfactory steering, although its 204.5-inch length made tight maneuvers challenging. The ride quality was impressive, and the Z71’s all-terrain tires contributed minimal noise. The brakes offered a progressive feel, and the start-stop feature operated seamlessly. Fuel economy estimates ranged from 17 to 26 mpg, depending on specifications.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 could comfortably seat five, offering 37.7 inches of headroom in the front and 39.5 inches in the rear (with a moonroof installed), comparing well to competitors. It provided 41 inches of front legroom and 37.8 inches in the second row. The front row included ample storage, such as a full-length shelf above the glove compartment and spacious door pockets, while the center console had side-by-side cupholders. The cargo space was moderate, offering 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row, expandable to 69.8 cubic feet with seats down, making it competitive though not class-leading.

Conversely, the 2024 Chevrolet Traverse’s LS model had standard seating for eight, while higher trims like the Z71 and RS featured seven seats with dual captain’s chairs in the second row. The Smart Slide second-row seats eased access to the third row, which was usable for average-sized adults. The available power-folding third row in lower trims enhanced cargo flexibility, aided by a standard Autosense power liftgate. Behind the third row, cargo space was 22.9 cubic feet, expanding to about 96 cubic feet with seats folded, ranking among the best in class. Notable storage options included a hidden center console storage area and an underfloor bin in the cargo bay. However, rear visibility was somewhat impaired by the sporty fender design.

Toyota equipped the 2023 RAV4 with a new infotainment system, featuring an 8.0-inch touchscreen as standard, or a 10.5-inch upgrade for higher trims. The latest software supported OTA updates, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity came standard. Our Adventure trim tester included an $3,490 multimedia upgrade with an 11-speaker JBL audio system. A 7-inch driver-information display was standard, while a 12.3-inch display was available for the Limited trim.

The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse made a significant leap with an enormous 17.7-inch standard infotainment touchscreen, running on Google-based software with responsive menus and intuitive voice commands. This was paired with an 11-inch configurable digital instrument display, useful for navigation and other crucial data. The Traverse included wireless AppleCarPlay and Android Auto, along with a practical wireless charging pad. Physical controls for volume and HVAC functions were retained, although the design choice for headlight controls being buried in the infotainment system was questionable. The Traverse also offered the advanced Super Cruise hands-free driving aid as an option, enhancing its tech appeal.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 included extensive standard safety features like lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard starting with the XLE trim. The RAV4's TSS 2.5 suite included dynamic radar cruise control operating below 20 mph. It scored the 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS.

In contrast, the 2024 Chevrolet Traverse had not yet been tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of our review. However, it offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver aids, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic-sign recognition, and a surround-view camera. The presence of these features provided peace of mind, even without official test results.