2025 Chevrolet Traverse vs. 2025 Nissan Pathfinder Comparison

If you’re in the market for a midsize SUV, you likely have a list of must-haves, such as a powerful engine and room for seven passengers. A long list of potential vehicles, including the Chevrolet Traverse and Nissan Pathfinder, will fit that shortlist.

Chevy debuted the all-new Traverse for the 2024 model year, while Nissan gave the Pathfinder a makeover three years ago. These two vehicles not only meet the minimum requirements but there’s plenty more to like about these two SUVs.

Let’s check them both out.

2025 Chevrolet Traverse

The Chevrolet Traverse has long been one of Chevy’s biggest people-and-things carriers. With the recent redesign, it remains a spacious people-hauler. It retains its roomy cabin with seating for up to eight people, courtesy of a third-row bench. It is among the roomiest vehicles in its class.

For 2024, the Traverse got a new square-shouldered, commanding exterior look and a new powerplant under the hood. No longer powered by a V6, it gets a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder producing 328 horsepower, which is more ponies than its predecessor. The Traverse comes in four trim levels: LT, Z71, High Country, and RS, with pricing on the LT starting at $41,995, including destination charge.

Chevrolet Traverse Highlights

Super Cruise: Described by many as the best hands-free driving technology on the road today, it’s available on the Chevrolet Traverse. It combines adaptive cruise control and steering assistance, allowing drivers to keep their hands off the wheel and their feet off the pedals on more than 400,000 miles of mapped roads in the U.S. and Canada. The driver must remain alert and keep their eyes on the road.

Off-roader: With AWD standard, the Z71 also fits a dedicated suspension, all-terrain tires, tow hooks, and a skid plate. Ground clearance is higher than on the regular Traverse, and the AWD system has switchable terrain modes.

Big screen: If you harbor concerns about being able to see a touchscreen clearly, worry no more. The Chevrolet Traverse comes with a 17.7-inch infotainment screen, which the Pathfinder doesn’t come close to matching.

Read our Chevrolet Traverse Expert Review or see 2025 Chevrolet Traverse models for sale near you.

2025 Nissan Pathfinder

2024 model shown

Nissan’s 2022 renewal of the Pathfinder can best be described using its mantra: a return to rugged. It got a much more masculine look and an upgrade to its capabilities. Powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that puts out 284 hp, Pathfinder can carry seven passengers and tow as much as 6,000 pounds (more than the Chevrolet Traverse can tow). That combination makes it a go-anywhere, do-lots-of-things SUV.

The Nissan Pathfinder comes in five trims: S, SV, Rock Creek, SL, and Platinum. The Rock Creek edition’s engine gets a tweak that increases its power output to 295 hp when using 93-octane gasoline. Pricing starts at $38,460, including destination charge.

Nissan Pathfinder Highlights

Go anywhere: Nissan’s 9-speed transmission helps with fuel economy, but it also pairs nicely with its 4WD package that is controlled with the turn of a dial. There are seven selectable drive modes: Standard, Sport, Eco, Snow, Mud/Rut, and Tow. The packages optimize vehicle settings for what’s needed at the moment.

Sounds good: Optional in the SL and standard in the top-end Platinum grade, the Bose 13-speaker audio system includes a subwoofer and provides concert hall-quality sound.

Safety tech: Standard on the Pathfinder is Nissan Safety Shield 360 with driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and more.

Read our Nissan Pathfinder Expert Review or see 2025 Nissan Pathfinder models for sale near you.

Similarities

The Chevrolet Traverse and Nissan Pathfinder offer room for at least seven passengers, plus they’re powered by robust drivetrains and offer top-flight technology — there’s plenty to like about these two 3-row SUVs.

Pricing

The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles and New 2025 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.

Specifications

	2025 Chevrolet Traverse	2025 Nissan Pathfinder
Popular Powertrains
Engine	2.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder	3.5-liter 6-cylinder
Horsepower	328 hp @ 5,500 rpm	284 hp @ 6,400 rpm
Torque	326 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm	259 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm
Transmission	8-speed automatic	9-speed automatic
Fuel Economy	21 city/28 highway/23 combined mpg	20 city/27 highway/23 combined mpg
Also Available	AWD	AWD
Specs
Basic Warranty	3 years/36,000 miles	3 years/36,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty	5 years/60,000 miles	5 years/60,000 miles
NHTSA Overall Safety	Not rated	5 stars
Max Seating Capacity	8	7
Wheelbase	121.0 inches	114.2 inches
Overall Length	204.5 inches	197.7 inches
Width	79.6 inches	77.9 inches
Height	69.9 inches	70.9 inches
Turning Diameter	39.0 feet	38.7 feet
Headroom, Front	42.6 inches	42.3 inches
Headroom, 2nd Row	40.0 inches	39.6 inches
Headroom, 3rd Row	38.2 inches	37.8 inches
Legroom, Front	44.3 inches	44.3 inches
Legroom, 2nd Row	41.5 inches	35.5 inches
Legroom, 3rd Row	32.1 inches	28 inches
Shoulder Room, Front	62.3 inches	60.8 inches
Shoulder Room, 2nd Row	62.2 inches	59.6 inches
Shoulder Room, 3rd Row	57.7 inches	58.4 inches
Cargo Volume	22.9/56.6/97.6 cubic feet	16.6/45/80.5 cubic feet

Conclusion

If you need space, power, and even off-road capability for under $50,000, you cannot go wrong with either of these two vehicles. The Chevrolet Traverse enjoys a 44-hp power advantage and can carry eight people versus the Nissan Pathfinder’s seven-passenger limit. It’s a tough choice.