Compare the2025 Chevrolet TraverseVS 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Chevrolet Traverse achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Mitsubishi Outlander which scored “Poor” - the lowest rating - in these critical safety features.

The Chevrolet Traverse’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Mitsubishi Outlander does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Traverse and Outlander have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Traverse has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Outlander’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

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

The Chevrolet Traverse weighs 601 to 1112 pounds more than the Mitsubishi Outlander. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 Outlander has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

There are over 9 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Traverse’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Traverse has a standard 220-amp alternator. The Outlander’s 120-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Traverse first among midsize suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The Outlander isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 31 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is ranked 16th.

The Traverse’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 147 more horsepower (328 vs. 181) and 145 lbs.-ft. more torque (326 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Chevrolet Traverse is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander:

	Traverse	Outlander
Zero to 30 MPH	3 sec	3.7 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.3 sec	9.9 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.7 sec	5.5 sec
Quarter Mile	15.6 sec	17.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94 MPH	83 MPH

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Traverse’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Outlander doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Traverse FWD’s standard fuel tank has 4.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander (19.4 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Traverse AWD’s standard fuel tank has 7.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander (21.7 vs. 14.5 gallons).

The Traverse stops shorter than the Outlander:

	Traverse	Outlander
60 to 0 MPH	114 feet	117 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the Traverse has larger standard tires than the Outlander (255/65R18 vs. 235/60R18). The Traverse’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Outlander (275/45R22 vs. 255/45R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Traverse offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Outlander’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The Chevrolet Traverse’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Mitsubishi Outlander only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Traverse has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Outlander; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Traverse’s wheelbase is 14.5 inches longer than on the Outlander (121 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Traverse is 4.8 inches wider in the front and 4.2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Outlander.

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

The Traverse offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Outlander can only carry 7.

The Traverse has 31.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Outlander (157 vs. 125.5).

The Traverse has 2 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front legroom, 4.7 inches more front hip room, 4.4 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 1.6 inches more rear legroom, 5.3 inches more rear hip room, 6.3 inches more rear shoulder room, 3.8 inches more third row headroom, 13.4 inches more third row legroom, 6.5 inches more third row hip room and 6.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the Outlander.

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

	Traverse	Outlander
Behind Third Seat	22.9 cubic feet	10.9 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	56.6 cubic feet	30.6 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	97.6 cubic feet	64.3 cubic feet

Both the Traverse and the Outlander offer second row automatic folding seats. The Traverse RS/High Country’s third row seats also fold up or down at the press of a switch. The Outlander doesn’t offer automatic folding third row seats.

Maximum trailer towing in the Mitsubishi Outlander is limited to 2000 pounds. The Traverse offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Traverse uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Outlander 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’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Outlander does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows standard on both the Traverse and the Outlander have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Traverse is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Outlander prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Traverse’s front and rear power windows all lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Outlander’s standard power windows’ passenger windows don’t open automatically.

On a hot day the Traverse’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Outlander can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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. Pushbutton Start standard on the Outlander only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Pushbutton Start is not available on the Outlander SE/SEL/Platinum.

The Traverse’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Outlander’s power window, power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Traverse’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mitsubishi only offers heated mirrors on the Outlander SE/SEL/Platinum.

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 Outlander has 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 Outlander SEL/Platinum.

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 Outlander SE/SEL/Platinum offers wireless charging.

The Traverse offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Outlander doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

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 Outlander doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Chevrolet Traverse and the Mitsubishi Outlander, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Chevrolet Traverse outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by 88% during 2024.