2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2025 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner was a nostalgic nod to the past, with its design largely unchanged since its 2010 redesign. While it had undergone minor updates, the midsize SUV retained a boxy shape that was both classic and somewhat outdated. Its rugged exterior, characterized by flared fenders and a wide stance, was well-suited for off-road adventures. The TRD Pro model further emphasized this ruggedness with features like underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires. Inside, the 4Runner showed its age with old-school styling and outdated technology, including an analog instrument panel and a small eight-inch infotainment touchscreen. Despite its nostalgic appeal, the interior materials, such as hard plastics and vinyl-like upholstery, left much to be desired.

In contrast, the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse boasted a more modern and stylish exterior, consistent with Chevrolet's recent SUV designs. The interior design was equally appealing, featuring digital instrumentation and a Google-based infotainment system. However, the quality of materials, particularly the hard, glossy plastics and Evotex artificial leather, detracted from the overall impression. The Traverse offered a range of trims, with the Z71 spec being the off-road version. It came equipped with features like a panoramic sunroof, Driver Confidence Package, and Enhanced Driving Package. Despite its stylish appearance, the Traverse's interior materials fell short of expectations for a vehicle in its price range.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. While these figures were competitive with rivals like the Bronco and Wrangler, the 4Runner's five-speed automatic transmission held it back in terms of acceleration and fuel economy. The TRD Pro model featured standard four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case, making it well-suited for off-road adventures. However, on pavement, the 4Runner felt sluggish, requiring aggressive acceleration to merge onto highways. The soft suspension, while beneficial for off-roading, resulted in noticeable body roll and a bouncy ride on uneven surfaces. The engine's loud exhaust note further detracted from the driving experience.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse, on the other hand, featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided ample power, allowing the Traverse to accelerate rapidly, especially with all-wheel drive engaged. The Z71 trim, designed for off-road use, offered features like increased ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and a Twin Clutch AWD system. While the Traverse handled off-road trails with ease, its suspension and tires also provided a comfortable ride on poorly maintained roads. The Traverse's driving modes, including Tow/Haul, Normal, and Sport, offered versatility, though the vehicle's size made it feel cumbersome on narrow roads. Despite its size, the Traverse's all-terrain tires provided good grip and minimal road noise.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior, though outdated, offered a practical layout with easy-to-use controls. The spacious front seats provided ample room for larger passengers, though taller drivers might find the steering wheel's limited telescoping range a drawback. The second-row seats offered generous legroom, but headroom was limited for taller passengers due to the elevated bench height. The 4Runner's cargo space was impressive, with up to 89.7 cubic feet available when the rear seats were stowed. However, folding the seats required manual effort, and there were no remote seat releases. The 4Runner's sliding glass rear window and party speakers added unique functionality, while its 5,000-pound towing capacity made it suitable for small campers.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse excelled in interior space, offering a roomy cabin with a wide feel. The front seats were comfortable, with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated features. The Traverse's second-row captain's chairs provided good support, though the lack of side window shades was a drawback for families. The third-row seats, while comfortable, lacked a view due to the rear window design and lacked USB charging ports. The Traverse offered 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 could be inconvenient.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but its small eight-inch touchscreen was challenging to use while driving. The TRD Pro model featured a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system, though road noise often obscured the sound quality. Additional terrain controls were located in the headliner console, with features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select for off-roading. However, the system's pictogram labels required consulting the owner's manual for full understanding.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse impressed with its standard 17.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Google Built-in, Google Maps navigation, and Google Assistant voice recognition. The system also offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The large touchscreen provided a user-friendly interface, though the lack of a tuning knob was a minor drawback. The Traverse's 11-inch digital instrumentation panel offered customizable views, and the test vehicle included options like a camera-based digital rearview mirror and a high-definition surround-view camera system.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with four out of five stars from NHTSA for overall and frontal crash protection, and five stars for side impacts. However, it received three stars in rollover evaluations. IIHS ratings were similarly mixed, with "Good" scores for moderate frontal overlap and side protection tests, but "Marginal" and "Poor" results in the small overlap frontal test. The 4Runner came equipped with a full suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-departure warning. However, some alerts were overly sensitive, requiring adjustment.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The test vehicle's Driver Confidence Package added features like a high-definition surround-view camera system and traffic sign recognition. The Enhanced Driving Package included Super Cruise, a hands-free driving assist system, and remote-parking technology. Super Cruise provided clear communication of its status and worked on a wide range of roads, though it occasionally experienced brief interruptions. The Traverse received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" award from IIHS.