Compare the2026 Chevrolet TraverseVS 2026 Toyota 4Runner

To deliver safety and visibility under dusty conditions the Chevrolet Traverse’s backup monitor has a standard rear washer to keep the view clear. A camera washer system costs extra on the Toyota 4Runner.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Traverse has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Rear Cross Traffic Braking, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the 4Runner Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro offers Parking Support Brake.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Traverse uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The 4Runner uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Traverse and the 4Runner have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Traverse is safer than the 4Runner:

The Chevrolet Traverse achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The 4Runner is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

The Traverse’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the 4Runner’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 2 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Toyota dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Traverse’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in initial quality. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated below average.

The Traverse’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 50 more horsepower (328 vs. 278) and 9 lbs.-ft. more torque (326 vs. 317) than the 4Runner’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder. The Traverse’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 5 more horsepower (328 vs. 323) than the 4Runner Trailhunter’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Traverse’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 2 more horsepower (328 vs. 326) than the 4Runner’s optional 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Chevrolet Traverse is faster than the Toyota 4Runner turbo 4 cyl.:

On the EPA test cycle the Traverse FWD gets better fuel mileage than the 4Runner Limited RWD (20 city/26 hwy vs. 20 city/24 hwy).

The Traverse AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the 4Runner (21.7 vs. 19 gallons).

The Traverse has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Traverse stops much shorter than the 4Runner:

For better traction, the Traverse has larger standard tires than the 4Runner (255/65R18 vs. 245/70R17). The Traverse’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 4Runner (275/45R22 vs. 265/55R20).

The Traverse LT’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 65 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 4Runner SR5’s standard 70 series tires. The Traverse’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the 4Runner TRD Sport/Limited/Platinum’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Traverse has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the 4Runner SR5. The Traverse’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the 4Runner TRD Sport/Limited/Platinum.

For superior ride and handling, the Chevrolet Traverse has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Toyota 4Runner has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Traverse’s wheelbase is 8.8 inches longer than on the 4Runner (121 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

The Traverse RS AWD handles at .81 G’s, while the 4Runner Trailhunter pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Traverse High Country AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the 4Runner Trailhunter (27.7 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 29.1 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

Unibody construction lowers the Traverse’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The 4Runner doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

The front grille of the Traverse uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The 4Runner doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Traverse uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The 4Runner doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Traverse offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the 4Runner can only carry up to 7.

The Traverse has 21 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 4Runner (157 vs. 136).

The Traverse has 2.9 inches more front headroom, 2.5 inches more front legroom, 3.5 inches more front hip room, 4.3 inches more front shoulder room, 2.2 inches more rear headroom, 6.7 inches more rear legroom, 2.5 inches more rear hip room, 4.4 inches more rear shoulder room, 3 inches more third row headroom and .3 inches more third row legroom than the 4Runner.

The Traverse’s cargo area provides more volume than the 4Runner.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Traverse easier. The Traverse’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.7 inches, while the 4Runner’s liftover is 32.7 inches.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Traverse RS/High Country’s second row seats and pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The 4Runner doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Traverse has a much higher standard payload capacity than the 4Runner (1601 vs. 1390 lbs.).

The Traverse has a higher maximum payload capacity than the 4Runner (1669 vs. 1550 lbs.).

The Traverse uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The 4Runner uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The Traverse has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Traverse’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key standard on the 4Runner doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Traverse’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the 4Runner’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Poor.”

The Traverse RS/High Country’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The 4Runner offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Traverse has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the 4Runner Premium/Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro.

The Traverse has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the 4Runner Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Chevrolet Traverse has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the 4Runner TRD/Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter offers wireless charging.

The Traverse’s optional Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The 4Runner doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Traverse third among midsize suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The 4Runner isn’t in the top three.

The Chevrolet Traverse outsold the Toyota 4Runner by 50% during 2025.