Chevrolet Traverse vs Honda Pilot: Three-Row SUV Comparison in Cherry Hill, NJ

SUMMARY

• The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse delivers 328 horsepower, a 17.7‑inch touchscreen, and best‑in‑class cargo volume, outperforming the Honda Pilot across the board.
• Super Cruise hands‑free driving technology gives the Traverse a major advantage the Pilot cannot match, plus over 20 standard safety features.
• Visit Hessert Chevrolet of Cherry Hill in Cherry Hill, NJ to test drive or buy the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse! 

Also Read: Which 2026 Chevrolet Blazer EV Trim Is Best Equipped for NJ Commuters?

Shopping for a 3-row SUV in South Jersey? You have probably looked at the Chevrolet Traverse and the Honda Pilot, and we get it. Both names come up a lot in conversations about family haulers. At Hessert Chevrolet of Cherry Hill, we have walked hundreds of families through this exact decision, and the numbers tell a clear story. Let us break down the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse vs Honda Pilot matchup so you can see exactly why one of these SUVs pulls ahead in every category that matters.

More Horsepower, More Confidence on the Road

Under the hood is where the Chevrolet Traverse makes its first big impression. The 2026 Traverse runs on a turbocharged 2.5L four‑cylinder engine that cranks out 328 horsepower and 326 lb.‑ft. of torque, paired with a smooth eight‑speed automatic transmission. That is a serious amount of muscle packed into a family‑friendly package.

The Honda Pilot uses a 3.5L V‑6 engine rated at 285 horsepower and pairs it with a ten‑speed automatic transmission. The Traverse delivers 43 more horsepower than the Pilot, giving you noticeably stronger acceleration when merging onto the New Jersey Turnpike or passing on Route 70. When you need that extra push, the Chevrolet Traverse delivers it without hesitation.

Fuel economy tells an interesting story too, especially with gas hovering above $4.00 per gallon (as of this writing) across South Jersey. The Traverse earns an EPA‑estimated 20 city and 26 highway mpg on front‑wheel drive, giving you solid efficiency from a turbocharged engine that replaced the previous generation’s V‑6. The Pilot comes in at 19 city and 27 highway mpg. That one extra mile per gallon on the city side might sound small on paper, but think about how you actually drive. School drop‑offs, grocery store runs, sitting in traffic on Route 38, crawling through the Haddonfield Road corridor. Most of your weekly miles happen in stop‑and‑go conditions, not on the open highway. When every gallon costs north of four dollars, that advantage in city fuel economy means fewer fill‑ups over the course of a year. The Traverse stretches each tank just a little further on the routes Cherry Hill families drive the most, and at today’s pump prices, that efficiency adds up in a real and noticeable way.

A Massive Touchscreen That Changes Everything

Technology can make or break the daily driving experience, especially when your passengers range from toddlers to teenagers. The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse comes standard with a 17.7‑inch diagonal color touchscreen display. That is not a typo. It is one of the largest screens available in any 3-row SUV on the market today, and it comes on every single trim level. Alongside that screen sits an 11‑inch diagonal Driver Information Center, keeping essential driving data right in your line of sight.

The Honda Pilot features a 12.3‑inch color touchscreen and a 10.2‑inch digital instrument cluster. Those are reasonable numbers, but when you sit inside both vehicles and compare the displays, the difference is immediately obvious. The Traverse gives you over five additional inches of screen real estate, making everything from navigation maps to Google built‑in apps feel bigger and easier to interact with.

Both vehicles include Google built‑in compatibility, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless Android Auto. The Traverse also comes standard with an AutoSense Power Liftgate that recognizes your presence and opens automatically. No fumbling with keys, no hunting for a sensor. Just walk up and the liftgate opens for you.

Super Cruise: Hands‑Free Driving That the Pilot Simply Does Not Have

Here is where the Chevrolet Traverse vs Honda Pilot conversation takes a dramatic turn. The Traverse offers available Super Cruise, GM’s hands‑free driver assistance technology that works on more than 585,000 miles of compatible roads across the United States and Canada. On long highway stretches between Cherry Hill and the Shore, or during those holiday trips up the Parkway, Super Cruise lets you take your hands off the wheel and relax while the system manages speed, steering, and following distance.

The Honda Pilot does not have an equivalent hands‑free driving feature. Honda Sensing includes adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist, which are helpful, but these systems still require your hands on the wheel at all times. Super Cruise is a genuine game changer in the 3-row SUV segment, and it is exclusive to the Chevrolet Traverse in this comparison.

When you select the Enhanced Driving Package (which comes standard on the High Country and RS trims), you also get three years of Super Cruise plus Digital Services from OnStar, including an in‑vehicle Wi‑Fi Hotspot and in‑vehicle apps.

Interior Space and Flexibility Built Around Real Families

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse accommodates up to eight passengers when equipped with the available second‑row bench seat. The LT trim gives you the choice of a bench seat or captain’s chairs, so you can pick the layout that matches your family’s needs. Smart Slide Seats make getting in and out of the third row effortless, and on RS and High Country trims, One‑Touch Fold second‑row seats and power‑folding second and third‑row seating come standard.

The Honda Pilot also seats up to eight with its available stowable second‑row center seat. The TrailSport trim drops to seven passengers with captain’s chairs in the second row.

Cargo space is where the Chevrolet Traverse really flexes. It delivers a best‑in‑class maximum cargo volume of 98 cubic feet. Behind the second row you get 56.6 cubic feet, and behind the third row there are 22.9 cubic feet of usable space. That is enough room for hockey gear, strollers, grocery runs, and everything else that Cherry Hill families throw at their SUVs.

The way the Traverse folds, flexes, and configures its interior makes it one of the most versatile vehicles in this class. The 60/40 split third‑row bench adds another layer of flexibility, letting you carry both passengers and cargo at the same time without compromise.

Over 20 Standard Safety and Driver Assistance Features

Safety is non‑negotiable when your family is on board. This SUV comes loaded with Chevy Safety Assist and more than 20 standard safety and driver assistance features. That list includes Front Pedestrian and Bicycle Braking, Blind Zone Steering Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Braking, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking, and a Safety Alert Seat that uses vibrations in the seat cushion to grab your attention.

Additional standard features include Forward Collision Alert, a Following Distance Indicator, IntelliBeam automatic high beams, Rear Park Assist, an HD Rear Vision Camera, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Reverse Automatic Braking, and the Teen Driver system. Available HD Surround Vision gives you a bird’s eye view of the area around the vehicle, making parking at the Cherry Hill Mall feel effortless.

The Honda Pilot includes Honda Sensing with Collision Mitigation Braking, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low‑Speed Follow, and a Lane Keeping Assist System. Blind Spot Information with Cross Traffic Monitor is also included. These are standard across all trims.

The Traverse packs a deeper roster of standard safety technology, including several features like Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking and the Safety Alert Seat that you will not find on the Pilot’s standard equipment sheet.

Off‑Road Ready with the Traverse Z71

When the pavement ends, the Traverse Z71 is built to keep going. This trim comes equipped with an Advanced Twin‑Clutch AWD System, Terrain Mode, Hill Descent Control, off‑road suspension, a skid plate, and 18‑inch high‑gloss Black machined‑face wheels wrapped in all‑terrain tires. It is a genuine off‑road package on a family SUV, and it looks the part too.

The Honda Pilot TrailSport offers its own off‑road focused package with all‑terrain tires, off‑road tuned suspension, steel skid plates, and the i‑VTM4 AWD system with Trail Torque Logic. It includes up to seven drive modes.

The Traverse Z71 pairs its off‑road hardware with frequency‑based suspension dampers that smooth out rough terrain, keeping the ride comfortable even when the road gets unpredictable. Combine that with 328 horsepower under your right foot and you have an off‑road capable 3-row SUV that does not ask you to sacrifice anything on pavement.

Four Distinct Trims to Match Your Style

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse lineup gives you four well‑defined trims. The LT is the family‑focused foundation loaded with impressive standard features. The Z71 is the adventure‑ready off‑road trim. The High Country wraps everything in premium touches, 22‑inch wheels, chrome accents, and all‑around luxury. The RS brings sporty blackout styling with a flat‑bottom steering wheel and bold Red décor accents. On top of that, the LT offers Midnight and Sport Special Editions for even more personalization.

The Honda Pilot spreads its lineup across seven trims: Sport, EX‑L, TrailSport, Touring, Touring Blackout, Elite, and Black Edition. Having more trims does not automatically mean more value. The Chevrolet Traverse packs its higher‑end features into fewer, more focused packages, making the decision simpler and ensuring that every trim level feels complete.

Come See the Difference at Hessert Chevrolet of Cherry Hill

Numbers on a screen can only tell you so much. The real magic happens when you slide behind that 17.7‑inch touchscreen, feel the turbocharged engine respond to your foot, and watch Super Cruise take over on the highway. The Chevrolet Traverse vs Honda Pilot comparison looks good on paper, and it feels even better from the driver’s seat.

At Hessert Chevrolet of Cherry Hill, our team knows every detail of the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse inside and out. We are ready to help you find the right trim, the right color, and the right configuration for your family. Browse our new vehicle inventory to see every vehicle we have on the lot right now. If you want a great deal on a recent model, explore our pre‑owned inventory for well‑maintained options that still deliver everything you love about the Traverse. Stop in, take a test drive, and experience the SUV that wins this matchup across the board. Your next 3-row SUV is waiting for you right here in Cherry Hill.

Where Can I Buy the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse in Cherry Hill, NJ?

You can buy the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse right here at Hessert Chevrolet of Cherry Hill, your local Chevy dealership in the heart of South Jersey. The Traverse is a powerhouse 3-row SUV with 328 turbocharged horsepower, a massive 17.7‑inch touchscreen, available Super Cruise hands‑free driving technology, and best‑in‑class cargo volume of 98 cubic feet. Our team is ready to walk you through every trim, from the family‑focused LT all the way to the premium High Country and the sporty RS. Stop in for a test drive and see why the Traverse is the SUV Cherry Hill families are choosing.

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