GMC’s Acadia Denali vs. Chevy’s Traverse – TRAVERSING THE MOUNTAINTOP

GMC’s Acadia Denali vs. Chevy’s Traverse

TRAVERSING THE MOUNTAINTOP

(Or Mounting McKinley…)

We often get the opportunity to test drive vehicles that share identical or, at least, very similar platforms and drivetrains.  When that occurs, it can be difficult to distinguish the perceived differences in those vehicles when writing reviews.  However, that was not the case with the two General Motors’ crossovers that were delivered to us just a few weeks apart.  While I favored the more affordable one, my wife, Monique, clearly saw the value in the one that came with a significantly higher price tag.  This was a clear indicator of how corporate marketers know their customers and can deliver distinct products even though the underpinnings may be identical and deliver a product targeted to a different consumer.

The two GM crossovers we were able (and willing!) to test drive were a 2025 Chevrolet Traverse and a 2025 GMC Acadia.  These 3^rd-generation vehicles were introduced last model year and are built on GM’s new VSS-S platform.  Although they are crossovers, they rival in size their slightly larger body-on-frame corporate cousins, Chevy’s Tahoe and the GMC Yukon.  However, the Traverse and the Acadia boast more affordable price tags and better fuel economy.  

We first had a week-long opportunity to test drive a Lakeshore Blue 2025 Chevrolet Traverse High Country FWD that came with a price tag of $54,995.  A few weeks later, a Downpour Metallic (think sparkly thunder cloud blue) 2025 GMC Acadia AWD arrived at our doorstep with a somewhat higher MSRP price tag of 64,410.  A base Acadia will set you back $42,900, about $5,000 more than a base Traverse.

The Traverse and the Acadia share a 328 hp, 2.5 liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.  EPA-estimated fuel economy numbers are 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway for the FWD Traverse and 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway for the AWD Acadia.  Both powertrains are remarkably responsive for such large crossovers.  

The exterior designs and the interior layouts are distinct. The Acadia definitely delivers that Denali luxury touch; it’s no wonder GMC Denali buyers are very loyal to the brand.  The Traverse High Country design is more utilitarian, missing a ‘wow’ factor.  Both are roomy 7-passenger vehicles with plenty of cargo room.  And both are certainly vehicles we would choose for a long cross-country road trip.  GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving technology is seamless when taking over on the highway, removing so much of the stress associated with a long-distance drive.  

Both the Traverse and the Acadia are beautiful vehicles that Monique and I loved driving.  And yet we both had our favorite, and not surprisingly, we each chose a different model. 

STEVE: 

Maybe it’s the Dad in me, but I favored the more affordable Chevrolet Traverse over the GMC Acadia.  With the same powertrain, I found the Traverse delivered in all the right places without adding to the vehicle’s bottom line.  The High Country interior is leather bound and the dashboard is highlighted by a 17.7 diagonal color touch-screen that delivers all the infotainment along with built-in Google capability.  It’s matched by a customizable instrument panel that I couldn’t help changing when the mood hit me.  If I had to choose a different Traverse model, I’d opt for the Z71 trim that starts with an MSRP of $47,700.  It has cloth seats and no power 3^rd-row folding seats, but the powertrain is identical and the color accents give it a somewhat muscular appearance.  And, yes, to all the Dads out there, it is more affordable.

MONIQUE:

I’m not wanting to correct my husband…but I enjoyed both vehicles; it just depends on what you need. I enjoyed the Traverse because it felt like driving a junior Suburban. It had all the comforts of a full-size SUV but with all the benefits of a crossover.  And the 

Traverse would be my pick if driving to an office and back home were the sum total of my hours spent in the car. However, as most Moms/Daughters/Friends know, we spend so much more time in our cars then simply the round trip to the office each day. With that, the richness of the Denali trim out on the Acadia wins hands down. From the perforated leather seats to the 15-inch diagonal screen on the infotainment system, the details just feel richer. And not to bring finances into it, but it’s my understanding that the Denali package keeps its resale value better than those more affordable packages GMC makes available. So, it might all depend on how long you plan to keep your crossover. Are you looking at the long game, Dad…or the short?