The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse is fresh and all-new, thanks to a complete redesign for this model year. It has a handsome, more truck-like exterior, upgraded onboard tech, and an outdoorsy Z71 trim. This midsize 3-row SUV is going to face plenty of competition, however, and one of its most family-friendly rivals is the Volkswagen Atlas.
Similarly modernized with a mid-cycle makeover, the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas also benefits from design updates inside and out, plus a number of newly standard comfort and safety features. Want wireless smartphone connectivity, heated and ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel for no extra charge? You’ll get them all on the base Atlas.
To see how these two SUVs square off, let’s explore the highlights of each one.
2024 Chevrolet Traverse
The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse is motivated by a new 328-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional – although AWD is standard on the Z71.
There is room for eight with the LS trim, while higher models offer seven seats because they’re fitted with second-row captain’s chairs. Four trims are available to meet a variety of shoppers and budgets – LS, LT, Z71, RS – and pricing starts at $39,495, including delivery fees.
Chevrolet Traverse Highlights
Rugged Z71 model: An off-road-themed Z71 trim has long been offered on Chevrolet’s full-size trucks and SUVs. Now it’s available on the Chevrolet Traverse. You get standard all-wheel drive, a stronger suspension, off-road tires, tow hooks, and underbody skid plates.
Google-based infotainment: Inside the Chevrolet Traverse you’ll find an expansive and standard 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen mounted alongside an 11-inch digital instrument display. This slick unit runs via Google-based software. This means two nice benefits are intuitive voice commands and available Google Maps-based navigation.
Super Cruise: This is one of our favorite hands-free driving systems. Super Cruise can be activated on more than 400,000 miles of pre-mapped highways throughout North America. A camera monitor faces the driver to make sure they’re facing forward and paying attention, should human intervention be needed.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Traverse models near you.
2024 Volkswagen Atlas
The redone 2024 Volkswagen Atlas is available in six trims: SE, SE with Technology, SE with Technology Peak Edition, SEL, SEL Peak Edition, and SEL Premium R-Line. The Atlas benefits from a redesigned front grill, new wheel designs, a thorough amount of interior changes, and taillights that span the width of the rear.
VW has added more standard items, including a 12-inch touchscreen, heated and ventilated front seats, tri-zone climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, wireless device charging, and a heated steering wheel. Pricing starts at $39,420, including destination fee.
Volkswagen Atlas Highlights
New turbo 4-cylinder: Serving as the replacement for the previous base turbo 4-cylinder and optional V6 is a 269-hp turbo 4-cylinder paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. We like the fact that this engine has similar performance to the previous V6 yet returns improved fuel economy. It’s more efficient than the turbo engine in the Chevrolet Traverse.
Peak Edition: This is mostly an appearance package that consists of trim-specific front and rear-end styling, 18-inch black alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, black exterior trim, and body cladding. Inside you’ll find orange accent stitching and a Peak Edition badge on the steering wheel.
Safety equipment: VW’s IQ.Drive is a suite of safety-minded equipment, such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane centering, adaptive headlights, lane centering, and rear cross-traffic warning. It’s now standard equipment.
Digital instrument panel: Called Digital Cockpit Pro, this 10.25-inch configurable instrument panel is great at putting vehicle information directly in the driver’s forward vision. Less time spent glancing at a central touchscreen makes for smarter, safer driving.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Atlas models near you.
Similarities
They’re priced similarly, and both the Chevrolet Traverse and Volkswagen Atlas have more swagger thanks to their modernized exteriors and attractive cabins. You won’t have trouble loading up with luggage either; these two have plenty of room behind their third-row seating. Better still, those rear-most seats are usable by adults and not just small kids.
Conclusion
This competition was timed to perfection, considering the Chevrolet Traverse has been completely recast, while the VW Atlas also gets a significant reboot for the 2024 model year. We like the Chevy’s extra power, not to mention its slightly better go-anywhere driving chops with the Z71 model. It can also seat up to eight, while the Atlas maxes out at seven.
To its credit, the Atlas is remarkably agile given its size, plus its upright shape provides an airy interior with excellent outward visibility. Both of these look like winners in this matchup. We suggest you take the time to visit a dealership and take both for a test drive to see which one wins you over.
| 2024 Chevrolet Traverse | 2024 Volkswagen Atlas | |
| Starting Price | $39,495 | $39,420 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | Turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | Turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 315 hp @ 5,500 rpm | 269 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 317 lb-ft @ | 273 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy MPG | 18 city/26 highway/21 combined | 20 city/27 highway/23 combined |
| Also Available | AWD | AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | NO | 5 ray |
| Max Seating Capacity | 8 | 7 |
| Wheelbase | 121.0 inches | 117.3 inches |
| Overall Length | 204.9 inches | 195.5 inches |
| Width | 79.0 inches | 78.3 inches |
| Height | 69.9 inches | 67.8 inches |
| Turning Diameter | NO | 40.5 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 42.6 inches | 41.3 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 39.9 inches | 40.4 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd Row | 38.2 inches | 38.3 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 44.2 inches | 41.7 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 41.4 inches | 40.4 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd Row | 32.1 inches | 33.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 62.2 inches | 61.5 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 62.1 inches | 60.6 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | 57.7 inches | 54.9 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 22.9/56.6/97.6 cubic feet | 20.6/55.5/96.8 cubic feet |
