Dodge Durango vs Chevrolet Traverse

The oldest new vehicle on sale in 2026 is the Dodge Durango. While a 15-year age statement is a positive attribute for Scotch whisky, on a car it is a repellant. Save for minor alterations, the Durango has been sold exactly as it is since 2010, and its Mercedes ML-Class chassis is older still. Yet this three-row SUV has all the power, most of the technology, and a lot of the practicality that buyers expect in a modern midsize SUV for not a lot of money.

Verdict: For buyers who like V8s and analog controls, the Durango is the next and only stop.

Redesigned in 2024, the 2025 Traverse gets a few additional changes. The base LS trim level disappears and the upscale High Country trim level is new. Chevrolet also makes the formerly optional Trailering Package standard equipment—so it’s easier to take advantage of the Traverse’s 5,000-pound towing capacity—and a new Sun and Wheel Package is available. Those updates broaden this Chevy’s appeal but do not address perceived quality issues related to the powertrain and interior materials.

Verdict: Chevy gets a lot of things right with the 2025 Traverse. However, there are head-scratchers related to quality and usability. From the unpleasant engine note and cheap interior plastics to the fussy wiper controls and aggravating third-row folding process, the Traverse regularly draws unfavorable attention to itself.