2021 Toyota Highlander vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was a nod to the past, with Chevy using styling details to give each trim level its own identity. The exterior was a typical SUV design with a tall roof, chunky wheel arches, and a big grille, which many buyers found appealing. The Traverse's restrained styling highlighted the cosmetic elements of different trims, such as blacked-out trim on the RS model and chrome on the High Country. The interior mirrored the exterior's simplicity, with an optional Dual SkyScape two-panel sunroof as a standout feature. Materials in the higher-level RS model were decent but not quite up to the $50,000 MSRP.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander, on the other hand, stood out with its bold design. It featured wide headlights, a long hood, and an assertive trapezoidal grille. The side profile had a character line reminiscent of the Supra sports car, and the taillights borrowed from Lexus models. The Highlander looked longer and lower than its predecessor without sacrificing size. The new XSE trim added a sportier look with a restyled front end and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Limited trim shone with near-flawless fit and finish, tan leather seats, and wood details, making it feel luxurious.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Despite the impressive specs, the Traverse didn't feel particularly powerful off the line but had enough grunt for highway merging. The nine-speed automatic performed well, though it occasionally had rough shifts. The Traverse excelled in highway road manners, offering a quiet cabin and comfortable suspension. However, it lacked agility on twisty roads, partly due to its AWD system, which required manual activation and didn't fully utilize its torque vectoring capabilities. The Traverse had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, average for the segment.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered smooth and predictable operation, making it reliable for family use. The Highlander measured up well against competitors, with similar horsepower and torque figures. The XSE trim added sportier suspension tuning, but the Highlander still lumbered through corners due to its soft suspension. The Highlander Hybrid was also available, offering an alternative for those seeking better fuel efficiency.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse offered seating for seven or eight, with above-average headroom and legroom in all three rows. Heated front seats were standard on the RS trim, with ventilated front seats and heated rear seats available on higher trims. The Traverse excelled in cargo space, offering 23.0 cubic feet with all seats up, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. A power liftgate was optional on the LT Cloth trim and standard on higher trims, with a gesture-activated liftgate on the Premier and High Country models. However, interior storage options were limited.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander focused on comfort and convenience. It featured large shelves ahead of the front seats for storage, with a wireless charging pad standard on trims above the LE. Second-row passengers enjoyed ample legroom, with seats that moved forward and backward. The third row could accommodate adults if the second row was adjusted. However, rear-seat climate control vents were only on the ceiling. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the third row, 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.3 cubic feet with both rows down.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. The 8-inch screen was user-friendly, with large icons and analog controls for volume and climate. The Traverse also featured a rearview camera mirror and an optional HD surround-view camera system. Each row had two USB ports, but wireless phone charging was only standard on the Premier and High Country models.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander offered an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen available on the Limited trim and standard on the Platinum trim. Both systems were easy to use, but navigation struggled with points of interest. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard across the lineup. The 12.3-inch screen was bright and crisp, though it only displayed certain apps in full width. The JBL audio system was good but not exceptional. The Highlander also featured a volume knob and a tuning knob.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse received top "Good" scores in all IIHS crash tests and a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention. However, it had "Acceptable" and "Poor" headlight ratings and an "Acceptable" rating for LATCH ease of use. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall safety rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests and five stars in side-impact tests. Chevy offered less standard driver-assist tech than competitors, with features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist only available on higher trims.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support. It also featured road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. The NHTSA awarded it five out of five stars, and the IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick+.