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2012 Chevrolet Traverse vs. Its Competition

2012 Chevrolet Traverse
Martin Padgett Martin Padgett Editorial Director

If the Chevy Traverse is on your shopping list, you're probably most concerned with safety and with space to carry people and cargo.

So while you're looking at the Chevrolet crossover, you'll also want to take a look at the Ford Flex and Explorer.

Both seat seven, but the Flex's lower ride height and funky styling are an urban twist on the same mechanicals that underpin the more SUV-like Explorer.

The new Dodge Durango is an excellent vehicle that shares some DNA with the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, and its tight construction and supple ride quality are dead giveaways, though styling is a bit bland.

The Toyota Highlander rides very smoothly and comes in hybrid form, but its handling is wallowy and compared to prior versions, it's quite large.

The Honda Pilot used to be one of our favorite crossovers, but the 2010 redesign left it riddled with cheap plastic, which Honda says it's worked on for the 2012 model year.

2012 Chevrolet Traverse2012 Chevrolet Traverse
Browse Used Listings		2012 Dodge Durango2012 Dodge Durango
Browse Used Listings		2012 Ford Explorer2012 Ford Explorer
Browse Used Listings		2012 Ford Flex 4-door SEL FWD Side Exterior View2012 Ford Flex
Browse Used Listings		2012 Honda Pilot 2WD 4-door EX-L Angular Front Exterior View2012 Honda Pilot
Browse Used Listings		2012 Toyota Highlander FWD 4-door V6 (SE) Angular Front Exterior View2012 Toyota Highlander
Browse Used Listings
Quick Specs
8.0
One of the best big crossovers for families needing seven-passenger capability, the 2012 Chevy Traverse is spacious and safe, though unexciting.
8.4
Call it the anti-crossover: the Dodge Durango does SUV dirty work, but carries itself like a civilized family wagon.
8.6
It's a rifle shot at the heart of the crossover market: the 2012 Ford Explorer gives any SUV loyalist a reason to leap off their very high horse.
9.2
One of our top-rated vehicles, the 2012 Ford Flex has real distinction, along with top-shelf turbo power, great seats and great features.
7.6
Don't let the macho-boxy look intimidate you; the Honda Pilot makes a lot of sense for large families—especially with improved mileage and a most tasteful front-end design for 2012.
7.8
The 2012 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid to roomy, three-row family crossover wagons what the Camry is to mid-size sedans: comfortable, safe, and full-featured—but more than a little bland.
MSRP From     
$29,660$28,995$28,280$29,465$28,620$28,240
Gas Mileage     
16 MPG City / 24 MPG Hwy13 MPG City / 23 MPG Hwy17 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy16 MPG City / 24 MPG Hwy17 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy17 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy
Engine     
Gas V6Gas/Ethanol V6Gas V6Gas V6Gas V6Gas I4
EPA Class     
2WD Sport Utility Vehicle2WD Sport Utility VehicleSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD2WD Sport Utility Vehicle2WD Sport Utility VehicleSport Utility Vehicle
Style Name     
FWD 4-Door LS2WD 4-Door SXTFWD 4-Door Base4-Door SE FWD2WD 4-Door LXFWD 4-Door I4 (GS)
Drivetrain     
Front Wheel DriveRear Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity     
877787
Passenger Doors     
N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Body Style     
4 DoorSport Utility VehicleSport Utility Vehicle4 Door4 Door Sport Utility4 Door
Transmission     
AutomaticAutomaticAutomatic w/manual shiftAutomaticAutomatic w/ODAutomatic
Detailed Spec Comparison
 2012 Chevrolet Traverse vs. 2012 Dodge Durango2012 Chevrolet Traverse vs. 2012 Ford Explorer2012 Chevrolet Traverse vs. 2012 Ford Flex2012 Chevrolet Traverse vs. 2012 Honda Pilot2012 Chevrolet Traverse vs. 2012 Toyota Highlander