2025 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2025 Land Rover Defender

The 2025 Land Rover Defender presented a rugged and customizable design, with the Defender 110 four-door model striking a balance between the stubby 90 and the visually heavy 130. Despite its unconventional appearance, the Defender's appeal lay in its robust aesthetic and the extensive customization options available to buyers. The base price for the Defender ranged from $58,525 to $120,525, with the new Defender OCTA priced at $153,625. Our test vehicle, a Defender 130 in X trim, featured the Extended Black Exterior Pack and upgraded interior materials, bringing the MSRP to $106,092. The test model, painted in Gondwana Stone, lacked the new matte paint protection film, and its color clashed with the orange brake calipers and delicate twin-spoke wheels. Inside, the Defender X boasted premium Windsor hides and Kvadrat fabric, with options for Ebony, Caraway, or Light Cloud upholstery. The interior maintained an industrial theme, prioritizing quality materials and a purposeful design over traditional luxury.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse showcased a commendable exterior design, consistent with Chevrolet's recent SUV lineup. The interior design followed suit, featuring digital instrumentation and a Google-based infotainment system. However, the quality of materials, such as hard, glossy plastics and Evotex artificial leather, detracted from the overall impression. The Traverse offered trims including LT, Z71, High Country, and RS, with base prices ranging from $41,095 to $55,495. Our test vehicle, a Z71 off-road version, included Radiant Red paint, a panoramic sunroof, and additional packages, bringing the MSRP to $55,900. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Traverse's interior materials and lack of refinement in certain areas were noticeable, especially given its price point.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender's test vehicle featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, one of four powertrain options, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Coupled with a mild-hybrid system and an eight-speed automatic transmission, it provided robust acceleration and a maximum tow rating of 8,200 pounds. The Defender 130 X accelerated to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. Standard features included an adaptive air suspension, hill descent control, and Terrain Response 2 driving modes. The Defender excelled off-road, with 11.4 inches of ground clearance and a maximum wading depth of 35.4 inches. However, on-road performance was less impressive, with a heavy curb weight and slow steering. The test vehicle's fuel economy was 16.2 mpg, below the expected 19 mpg.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse Z71 was powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. The engine's exhaust note was less than pleasing, but it provided ample power for rapid acceleration. The Z71 trim offered 7.7 inches of ground clearance, unique 18-inch wheels, and a Twin Clutch AWD system. Off-road, the Traverse handled trails with ease, and its suspension absorbed rough terrain effectively. On-road, the Traverse felt large and less sporty, with touchy brakes and a lack of road feel. The test vehicle achieved 21.5 mpg, slightly better than the EPA estimate of 21 mpg.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 offered three rows of spacious seating, with 12-way power-adjustable front seats featuring heating and ventilation. The interior provided excellent visibility, though the square side mirrors seemed undersized. A panoramic sunroof and large windows created an open atmosphere. The Defender's cargo space was limited, with 15.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 89 cubic feet with all seats folded. The side-hinged cargo door was heavy and awkward, but a button allowed for lowering the air suspension to ease loading.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse boasted significant interior volume, with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats. The Z71 trim featured Evotex artificial leather, providing comfort despite its synthetic nature. The Traverse accommodated up to eight passengers, with individual second-row captain's chairs offering good support. However, the third row lacked a view and USB charging ports. The Traverse provided 22.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 97.6 cubic feet with all seats folded. Folding the third row required adjusting the second-row seats, which could be inconvenient.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system with an 11.4-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The system's response to voice commands was accurate, though slightly slow. The user experience was more intuitive than previous iterations, and the Meridian premium sound system impressed. Additional features included a head-up display, ClearSight digital rearview mirror, and a surround-view camera system. The Towing Pack added a hands-free trailer reverse-steering system.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse came equipped with a 17.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Google Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The system's user interface was simple and effective, with Google Assistant providing accurate voice command responses. The lack of a tuning knob was a minor drawback, but steering wheel controls offered easy access to radio stations and volume adjustments. The test vehicle included a digital rearview mirror and a high-definition surround-view camera system, enhancing maneuverability.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender included several driver aids, such as automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist. The lane-keep assist was decisive, though it occasionally attempted to steer the vehicle into a turnout area. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist. The Driver Confidence Package added a surround-view camera system and traffic sign recognition. The Enhanced Driving Package included Super Cruise, a hands-free driving aid, 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.