2025 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2024 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Land Rover Defender presented a unique blend of classic and contemporary design elements. Its exterior maintained a traditional boxy silhouette, complemented by modern touches like angular headlights that linked it visually to other Land Rover models. Inside, the Defender diverged from its siblings, offering a rugged and adventure-ready cabin reminiscent of a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, yet with more refined 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. 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 2025 Chevrolet Traverse showcased Chevrolet's knack for stylish SUV design, both inside and out. The Traverse's interior boasted digital instrumentation and a Google-based infotainment system, though it fell short in material quality, with hard plastics and unconvincing artificial leather. The Traverse was offered in trims like LT, Z71, High Country, and RS, with base prices ranging from $41,095 to $55,495. Our Z71 test model, priced at $55,900, featured off-road enhancements such as a panoramic sunroof and a Driver Confidence Package. Despite its stylish appearance, the Traverse's interior materials did not match its price point, detracting from its overall appeal.

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 pound-feet 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 excelled in towing, 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's off-road prowess was evident, especially in models like the Defender X, which featured an adaptive air suspension system and Terrain Response 2 system.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse, on the other hand, was powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 328 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 326 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. While the engine provided ample power, its exhaust note was less than pleasing. The Traverse's Z71 trim, designed for off-road adventures, featured an off-road suspension, unique 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, and a Twin Clutch AWD system. The Z71's off-road capabilities were tested on trails with fresh ruts and divots, where it performed admirably. However, the Traverse's on-road performance was less impressive, with a lack of road feel through the steering wheel and touchy brakes. The Traverse Z71 was EPA-rated at 21 mpg in combined driving, and our test vehicle averaged 21.5 mpg.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender struck a balance between luxury and functionality, with soft-touch materials, grip handles, and rubberized floors. It offered seating for five to eight passengers, depending on the configuration. The Defender 110 had an optional third row, while the Defender 130 provided three seats in the third row, though space was limited. Cargo capacity varied by model, with the Defender 130 offering up to 76.1 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The Defender 110 provided 78.8 cubic feet in the two-row version, while the two-door Defender 90 offered up to 58.3 cubic feet.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse boasted a spacious interior, particularly in terms of width. It offered eight-passenger seating with a second-row bench seat, or individual captain's chairs for added comfort. The third row, while comfortable, lacked a view due to the rear window design and did not offer USB charging ports. The Traverse provided 22.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 97.6 cubic feet with the second row folded. However, folding the third row required adjusting the second-row seats, which was less convenient.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen, which, while smaller than some competitors, suited its utilitarian nature. The system included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo system. The straightforward setup and home buttons made it user-friendly.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse impressed with its standard 17.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Google Built-in, Google Maps navigation, Google Assistant, and Google Play Store access. It also offered Alexa compatibility, OnStar connected services, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The Traverse's technology was user-friendly, with a simple interface and effective voice recognition. However, it lacked a tuning knob, which could be inconvenient for some users.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came equipped with a comprehensive list 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. However, the lane-departure and lane-keeping assist features were overly sensitive.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse offered an extensive array of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, active blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, intersection braking, and rear automatic braking. The Traverse also featured automatic high-beam headlights, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and a Safety Alert Seat. The test vehicle's Driver Confidence Package added a high-definition surround-view camera system, traffic sign recognition, and rear pedestrian alert. The Enhanced Driving Package included Super Cruise, a hands-free driving assist system, and remote-parking technology. The Traverse received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS.