New School vs Old School: 2026 Chevy Traverse vs 2026 Honda Pilot

It takes a special SUV to move the needle in today’s three-row segment, and the 2026 Chevy Traverse is that SUV. Chevy’s largest midsize model has steadily climbed the charts to become one of the most popular options in the hotly contested segment. 2025 marked a banner year for the three-row crossover, which set a new record with nearly 150,000 sales. The Traverse returns relatively unchanged for the 2026 model year, but that doesn’t mean the SUV has lost its edge. The Traverse leads the three-row segment in the areas buyers value most, offering the most powerful base engine, the best cargo capacity, and a feature-packed cabin distinguished by its 17.7-inch touchscreen infotainment display.

There’s never been a better time to scope out a Chevy Traverse for sale in Columbia if you’ve been searching for a versatile three-row model, but a little research goes a long way when it comes to ensuring long-term satisfaction. While the Traverse might be the segment’s favorite, the Honda Pilot has also won praise for its dependable design and sensible style. In an effort to help Columbia buyers make an informed decision, we’ve compiled a quick guide comparing the two SUVs in a few key areas. From performance and fuel economy to interior tech, passenger comfort, and cargo space, let’s see if the Traverse lives up to the considerable hype.

Performance and Efficiency

Chevy and Honda have each taken very different approaches to the goods you’ll find under the hood, and it could make all the difference for those who put a premium on performance and efficiency. The Traverse provides drivers with the most powerful base engine in the three-row segment. The SUV’s 2.5L turbocharged I-4 provides all the ponies you’ll need to motivate the midsize model with 328 hp to its name. The crossover routes that power through an eight-speed automatic transmission, and allows Columbia drivers to choose between FWD and AWD. It’s an impressive package, and one that neither the Pilot nor any other three-row offerings can really match.

While the Traverse does face some stiff competition from its fellow GM models in the 328-hp GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave, the rest of the class falls woefully behind. In fact, outside of the Ford Explorer, no other three-row model breaks the 300-hp mark. Power isn’t the be-all, end-all when you’re searching for a new, family-friendly SUV, but it can go a long way toward improving a driver’s sense of confidence and safety on the road. The Traverse can also tow more than the average model, with even the base trim offering 5,000 lbs of pulling power when properly equipped.

The Honda Pilot can also tow 5,000 lbs, but otherwise, the three-row SUV largely fails to live up to the high bar set by the Traverse. Turbocharged I-4 engines have become the norm across much of the segment, especially in entry-level trims, but Honda has decided to stick with a naturally aspirated 3.5L V6 that’s a bit underwhelming in both output and efficiency. With 285 hp, the Pilot’s bound to feel a bit sluggish when you put the pedal to the metal. The Honda SUV also lags behind its Chevy rival by a considerable margin in terms of torque, posting just 262 lb-ft to the Traverse’s 326 lb-ft. The Pilot’s relative lack of power would be a little easier to justify if the SUV were the more efficient option, but that’s simply not the case. Despite the gulf in performance, the 2026 Traverse and Pilot achieve identical fuel-economy ratings: 22 MPG combined in FWD guise and 21 MPG combined with AWD.

Technology

A well-rounded package of standard comfort, convenience, and safety tech gives the 2026 Traverse a serious advantage over its competitors. While many three-row models reserve their best features for higher trims and optional packages, Chevy takes a more generous approach with the entry-level Traverse LT. Take the SUV’s touchscreen infotainment system, for instance. Measuring in at 17.7 inches, the massive screen easily puts the Traverse towards the top of its class. The Buick Enclave takes the title with its expansive 30-inch display, but outside of its GM cousin, no other model even comes close to matching the Chevy’s generous dimensions. In addition to its size, the infotainment system comes standard with full Google built-in capability, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration with wireless connectivity. The value-packed LT trim also includes one feature you won’t find on most base models, an 11.0-inch digital gauge cluster. This customizable display allows drivers to create a bespoke dashboard tailored to their unique driving style, displaying the information they deem most important without ever feeling cluttered.

Then there are those premium features that really give the Traverse an edge in the competitive segment. Features like a hands-free power liftgate, a triple-zone climate control system, and a wireless smartphone charging pad are typically treated as pricey add-ons, but Chevy lets drivers get more for their money, even when opting for the base trim. The Traverse LT is also ready for cold weather in Columbia, thanks to its heated front seats and heated steering wheel, but it’s the standard Trailering package that really warrants a closer look. Every trim, from the LT all the way up to the range-topping RS, comes packed with all the gear you’ll need to take the frustration out of the towing process, including a trailer hitch, upgraded engine cooling system, and touchscreen-based guidance.

The Pilot holds its own in terms of tech, but falls noticeably short in a few key areas. The SUV’s base Sport trim matches the Traverse’s wireless smartphone integration, Google built-in system, and tri-zone climate controls, and even includes a power liftgate, but that’s not what buyers are likely to notice when they step behind the wheel. Measuring in at 12.3 inches, the Honda Pilot’s touchscreen infotainment display is nothing to write home about. While a few models are saddled with smaller options, the Pilot’s 12.3-inch screen is generously described as average at best. The three-row model does make up some ground with its standard 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, and the nine-speaker audio system is a nice touch, but Honda and Chevy clearly have a different idea of what drivers are looking for in a modern midsize SUV.

Cargo and Interior

Interior space is a major selling point in the three-down category, and the Chevy Traverse certainly doesn’t disappoint. The 2026 Traverse ranks as the most spacious model on the market, offering drivers up to 97.6 cu.ft. of cargo space and enough room for up to eight passengers when selecting the second-row bench seats. Once again, the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave are right in the mix at 97.5 cu.ft., but Chevy’s SUV does nab the crown by a narrow margin.

Best of all, accessing all that space is as simple as pushing a button when you opt for the Traverse’s High Country trim. This model includes a power-folding third-row seat that allows the SUV to quickly transform from a spacious, seven-seat SUV into a five-seat cargo-hauling machine that’s ready to accommodate a wide range of payloads. The Traverse even has the edge when all three rows are occupied, with Chevy’s midsize marvel offering 22.9 cu.ft. of storage. That’s just slightly smaller than the class-leading GMC Acadia, and it puts the relatively cozy Pilot at a serious disadvantage.

Honda’s crossover doesn’t offer the smallest rear cargo area in the segment at 18.6 cu.ft, but it just can’t match the Traverse’s adaptable appeal. Even when both the second and third rows are folded away, the Pilot is limited to 87 cu.ft. of cargo space, 10 cu.ft. less than the Chevy. This could lead to tough decisions when trying to accommodate large, bulky cargo around Columbia, and the same goes for passenger space.

Just because an SUV claims it can seat eight passengers doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be the most comfortable ride for everyone. One might think that most three-row models would hew relatively close to one another in terms of passenger space, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The Pilot’s first row trails behind the Traverse in every relevant metric, especially legroom. While Chevy’s entry provides first-row riders with 44.3 inches of legroom, the Pilot is a less comfortable option at 41.0 inches. Things don’t change as you move through the cabin, with the Traverse also gaining the edge in second-row leg, shoulder, and hip room.

The Pilot does pick up a few points in the third row, at least when it comes to head and legroom. Hip room is a different story altogether. The Traverse can easily accommodate adult riders in the third row with up to 48.6 inches of hip room, but the Pilot could prove a little cramped on longer rides with 44.6 inches.

Three Rows, No Worries at Hendrick Chevrolet

The 2026 Chevy Traverse and Honda Pilot almost seem to represent different automotive eras. The Pilot sticks to a tried-and-true formula that reflects Honda’s reputation for reliability. While longevity is certainly a big selling point, the brand just doesn’t seem interested in pushing the envelope in any meaningful way. It’s an understandable strategy in a traditionally risk-averse industry, but it also puts the Pilot at risk of becoming irrelevant in a quickly changing market. Between its non-turbocharged engine, middling infotainment display, and relatively cramped cabin, it seems like Honda has lost sight of what drivers are looking for in a modern three-row SUV.

Chevy is the polar opposite, taking risks and reaping the rewards with a compelling crossover that’s got a finger on the pulse of current automotive trends. The tech-forward SUV dominates the Pilot in the digital realm while also outpacing the Honda in sheer performance. If you want a model that shows where the three-row segment is going, not where it’s already been, then it’s time to experience the Traverse at Hendrick Chevrolet.