Chevrolet Traverse
The 2025 Traverse uses a 328-horsepower turbo four-cylinder and offers family, off-road-oriented and premium branches with different seating and drivetrain configurations.
Three-row SUV rivals
2025 Chevrolet Traverse, 2025 Toyota Highlander, 2027 Volkswagen Atlas: Full Comparison
The Toyota Highlander fields the widest trim range at 9 trims. The Chevrolet Traverse tows the most of the group at 5,000 lb. None of these is a flat upgrade over the others — the right pick depends on which of those axes matters for the job. This comparison weighs Chevrolet Traverse, Toyota Highlander, Volkswagen Atlas using each vehicle's own verified manufacturer and EPA-sourced facts instead of a single averaged rating: together they cover 17 trims across 9 linked sources, so any one of them can be checked against its own primary record instead of taken on this page's summary alone. Configuration, not badge name, decides which one actually fits a specific job. Check the exact trim and powertrain before treating any single vehicle's specification as settled, and open each full record below for the complete sourced trail.
Verified Aug. 28, 2026Verified Aug. 28, 2026Verified Aug. 28, 2026
Lineup overview
What each one actually offers.
Toyota Highlander
The 2025 Highlander range separates gas and hybrid powertrains, with different output and towing ceilings. Seating also changes with second-row bench or captain’s-chair configuration.
Volkswagen Atlas
The 2027 Atlas is a full second-generation redesign: new exterior sheet metal, a reimagined cabin and an updated 282-hp EA888 evo5 2.0L turbo engine (up from 269 hp). SE and SE with Technology offer standard FWD or available 4MOTION AWD; SEL R-Line and SEL Premium R-Line come standard with 4MOTION AWD. The base gets a 12.9-inch touchscreen, with all other trims moving up to a 15-inch display.
Side-by-side matrix
Powertrain, drivetrain and capability.
Every figure below is the published family range across all trims — open each full record before applying a number to one specific vehicle.
| Decision field | Chevrolet Traverse | Toyota Highlander | Volkswagen Atlas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine options | 2.5L turbo four-cylinder | 2.4L turbo gas or 2.5L hybrid | 2.0L turbo four-cylinder (EA888 evo5) |
| Horsepower range | 328 hp | 243 / 265 hp | 282 hp |
| Drivetrain | FWD / AWD | FWD / AWD | FWD / 4MOTION AWD |
| Seating | 7 or 8 | 7 or 8 | 6 or 7 |
| Maximum towing | 5,000 lb | 3,500 / 5,000 lb | Up to 5,000 lb |
| Trim count | 4 trims | 9 trims | 4 trims |
Starting MSRP by trim is not yet independently verified across every vehicle in this record — pricing changes often enough mid-model-year that this page cites manufacturer configurators rather than publish a number that could go stale. Every other field above is sourced and dated per vehicle.
Trim ladders
Every published trim, in order.
Chevrolet Traverse
LT → Z71 → High Country → RS
Toyota Highlander
LE → XLE → XSE → Limited → Platinum → Hybrid XLE → Hybrid XLE Nightshade → Hybrid Limited → Hybrid Platinum
Volkswagen Atlas
SE → SE with Technology → SEL R-Line → SEL Premium R-Line
Where each one wins
Real differences, not a forced verdict.
Ranked directly from the sourced figures above — nothing here is an opinion.
Highest max towing: Chevrolet Traverse
5,000 lb, ahead of the Toyota Highlander's 3,500 / 5,000 lb, the Volkswagen Atlas's Up to 5,000 lb. Maximums require the specific powertrain and equipment noted in each full record.
Widest trim choice: Toyota Highlander
9 trims against the Chevrolet Traverse's 4, the Volkswagen Atlas's 4. More trims means finer-grained equipment choices, not necessarily better equipment at any one price.
Technology and what changed
3 answers, one per truck's tech and latest model-year change.
Q01What changed for the 2025 Traverse?
Ownership
High Country joins the redesigned-generation lineup for 2025. Z71 capability hardware should not be assumed on other trims.
Source: Chevrolet model-year information
Q02What changed for the 2025 Highlander?
Ownership
Gas and hybrid trim ladders overlap but are not interchangeable; towing and output must remain attached to powertrain.
Source: Toyota model-year information
Q03What changed for the 2027 Atlas?
Ownership
This is a full second-generation redesign, not a refresh, so the previous generation's 269-hp output and trim names do not apply. The Peak Edition and plain SEL trims from the outgoing generation are gone, replaced by SEL R-Line as a distinct trim from SEL Premium R-Line.
Source: Volkswagen model-year information
Open the evidence
Review each complete record.
Nearby comparisons
Other pairings covering these same trucks.
Toyota Tacoma vs. Chevrolet Colorado vs. Ford RangerToyota Camry vs. Honda Accord vs. Nissan AltimaFord F-150 vs. Ram 1500 vs. Chevrolet Silverado 1500Ford F-150 vs. Ford F-250 Super Duty vs. Ford F-350 Super DutyHonda CR-V vs. Toyota RAV4 vs. Chevrolet EquinoxKia Telluride vs. Hyundai Palisade vs. Honda Pilot
Sources
Every fact traces back.
Chevrolet Traverse
Chevrolet Traverse official model page · FuelEconomy.gov vehicle data · NHTSA vehicle data and recalls
Toyota Highlander
Toyota Highlander official model page · FuelEconomy.gov vehicle data · NHTSA vehicle data and recalls
Volkswagen Atlas
Volkswagen Atlas official model page · FuelEconomy.gov vehicle data · NHTSA vehicle data and recalls