2024 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2024 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Land Rover Defender presented a unique blend of classic and modern design elements. Its boxy profile and angular headlights paid homage to its rugged heritage while aligning with contemporary Land Rover aesthetics. Inside, the Defender's cabin diverged from the typical Land Rover luxury, offering a more robust and adventure-ready feel akin to a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, yet with superior soft-touch materials. The Defender was available in three body styles: the two-door 90, the four-door 110, and the extended-wheelbase four-door 130, each with various trims like S, X-Dynamic SE, X, Carpathian Edition, and Outbound. Our test drive of the Defender 110 S, featuring the County visual package, highlighted its retro appeal with white wheels and vintage graphics, while standard features included 19-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, and a panoramic glass roof.

In contrast, the 2024 Chevrolet Traverse offered a more conventional SUV design with a focus on practicality and comfort. Available in four trims—LS, LT, Z71, and RS—the Traverse catered to a range of needs, with the Z71 trim specifically designed for moderate off-roading. During our test drive near Atlanta, the Z71 impressed with its capability on rugged terrain, though it wasn't intended for extreme off-road adventures. The Traverse's pricing was competitive, starting at $38,995 for the LS and reaching $55,595 for the RS. Our Z71 test model, priced at $47,795, featured gloss black-painted 18-inch alloy wheels and an Iridescent Pearl Tricoat paint, complemented by a Jet Black interior with "Torch Red" accents. The Traverse's interior offered comfort and practicality, with optional synthetic leather seating and a spacious cabin.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the P300, producing 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Our P400 test model featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. For those seeking more power, the Defender offered two supercharged 5.0-liter V8 options: the P500 with 493 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque, and the P525 with 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time active four-wheel drive. The Defender's towing capacity varied, with the six-cylinder and eight-cylinder models capable of towing up to 7,716 pounds, while the four-cylinder could tow up to 5,500 pounds. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2 system enhancing its performance on challenging terrains.

The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse 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 an 18-horsepower advantage over the V6, with a significant increase in torque. All-wheel drive was optional on every trim, with the Z71 featuring a more advanced dual-clutch system for improved traction. During our test drive, the Traverse demonstrated impressive acceleration and passing power, with a pleasant exhaust note. The steering was responsive, and the ride quality was commendable, even with the Z71's all-terrain tires and extra ground clearance. The Traverse's fuel economy ranged from 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined for the FWD Limited, to 17/25/20 for the AWD Limited.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a luxurious yet functional interior, with soft-touch materials, grip handles, and rubberized floors. Seating capacity varied from five to eight passengers, depending on the configuration. The Defender 110 had an optional third row, best suited for children, while the Defender 130 offered three seats in the third row, increasing capacity to eight. Cargo capacity varied, with the Defender 130 providing 15.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 76.1 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Defender 110 offered 34 cubic feet behind the second row in the two-row version and 69 cubic feet with all rows folded in the three-row configuration. The two-door Defender 90 provided 15.6 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 58.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse offered a spacious and versatile interior, with the base LS model providing seating for eight. The LT model introduced second-row captain's chairs, while the Z71 and RS trims were strictly seven-seaters. The Smart Slide second-row seats were easy to use, and the power-folding third row was a convenient feature. Cargo volume behind the third row was 22.9 cubic feet, expanding to approximately 96 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The Traverse featured numerous storage compartments, including a hidden storage area under the center console and an underfloor storage bin in the cargo bay. Outward visibility was generally good, though the third row had limited views due to the rear fender design.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender featured a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen. While the touchscreen seemed small compared to competitors, it was simple and aligned with the Defender's utilitarian nature. Standard features included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo system. The straightforward setup and home buttons made the infotainment system user-friendly.

The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse boasted a significant upgrade with a 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen, standard on all models. The system was responsive, with simple menus and Google-based software. An 11-inch digital instrument display provided customizable information, enhancing navigation. The infotainment unit included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a wireless charging pad in the center console. Physical controls for volume and HVAC functions were retained, though the driving mode button was less prominently placed. The Traverse also offered Super Cruise, a hands-free driving aid, expanding its functionality to single-lane roadways.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional safety tech included traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a 360-degree parking camera system. The lane-departure and lane-keeping assist systems were noted to be overly sensitive, but they could be deactivated if needed. As of the review, the Defender had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA.

The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse also offered a wide range of standard driver aids, such as automatic emergency braking with cyclist and pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, side-exit assist, rear pedestrian alert, and a surround-view parking camera. While the Traverse had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, the extensive safety features provided peace of mind during our test drive.