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.
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 2012 Chevrolet TraverseBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Dodge DurangoBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Ford ExplorerBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Ford FlexBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Honda PilotBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Toyota HighlanderBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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One of the best big crossovers for families needing seven-passenger capability, the 2012 Chevy Traverse is spacious and safe, though unexciting. |
Call it the anti-crossover: the Dodge Durango does SUV dirty work, but carries itself like a civilized family wagon. |
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. |
One of our top-rated vehicles, the 2012 Ford Flex has real distinction, along with top-shelf turbo power, great seats and great features. |
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. |
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 Hwy | 13 MPG City / 23 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy | 16 MPG City / 24 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Gas V6 | Gas/Ethanol V6 | Gas V6 | Gas V6 | Gas V6 | Gas I4 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| 2WD Sport Utility Vehicle | 2WD Sport Utility Vehicle | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 2WD Sport Utility Vehicle | 2WD Sport Utility Vehicle | Sport Utility Vehicle |
| Style Name | |||||
| FWD 4-Door LS | 2WD 4-Door SXT | FWD 4-Door Base | 4-Door SE FWD | 2WD 4-Door LX | FWD 4-Door I4 (GS) |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| 4 Door | Sport Utility Vehicle | Sport Utility Vehicle | 4 Door | 4 Door Sport Utility | 4 Door |
| Transmission | |||||
| Automatic | Automatic | Automatic w/manual shift | Automatic | Automatic w/OD | Automatic |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2012 Chevrolet Traverse vs. 2012 Dodge Durango | 2012 Chevrolet Traverse vs. 2012 Ford Explorer | 2012 Chevrolet Traverse vs. 2012 Ford Flex | 2012 Chevrolet Traverse vs. 2012 Honda Pilot | 2012 Chevrolet Traverse vs. 2012 Toyota Highlander | |
