2019 Chevy Traverse vs 2019 Dodge Durango

• 2019 Chevy Traverse

  

  Starting at

  $29,930

  2019 Dodge Durango

  

  Starting at

  $29,995

  98.2 cu.ft.	Max Cargo Space	85.1 cu.ft.
  Included	Teen Driver Technology	Not Available
  Available	Hands Free Liftgate	Not Available

  In the field of midsize SUVs, the Chevy Traverse and Dodge Durango are two of the best on the market. When looking at the 2019 Chevy Traverse vs 2019 Dodge Durango, it is important to compare similar models at comparable price points in order to be fair about what they each have to offer. While horsepower and torque are important with a big SUV, it is important to consider the big picture and look at the engines available at different trim levels and price points.

  Interior storage and passenger room are essential to choosing a great midsize SUV, and the 2019 Chevy Traverse has both of these categories locked down. You also get excellent fuel economy with the Traverse and it starts off at a lower price than the 2019 Dodge Durango. The interior and technology features of the 2019 Chevy Traverse are also at the top of the field, especially when you look at the higher trim levels that are available. While the Dodge Durango is very nice, there are certain areas in which it simply cannot compete.

  Engine power and interior space are meaningless if you and your loved ones are not safe while you are driving across town or across the country. These are both very safe vehicles, but the 2019 Chevy Traverse has some of the best safety features available on any midsize SUV. It is also worth noting that the Traverse has more seating in it than the Durango, so it’s a better choice for large families or big groups of friends for a night out.

• Engines and Power

  

  From a purely numerical standpoint, the 2019 Dodge Durango is more powerful than the 2019 Chevy Traverse. In order to get this power, however, you have to be willing to double the price of the vehicle. When compared at the same price point, these two SUVs tell a very different story.

  The 2019 Chevy Traverse has a single engine available: a 3.6L V6 that offers up to 310 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. On the other hand, the 2019 Dodge Durango has three different engines, but they are restricted based on the trim levels, so you cannot pick and choose the one you want. To get the two more powerful engines, you have to choose a much more expensive trim.

  There is a 3.6L Pentastar with up to 295 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, a 5.7L HEMI V8 with 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, and a 6.4L HEMI V8 that offers up to 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. Those are certainly impressive numbers, but the 3.6L Pentastar engine is standard in almost every trim level – you have to spend more than $45,000 before the more powerful engines even become available options. That 6.4L HEMI with such impressive power is only included in the 2019 Dodge Durango SRT, which starts at nearly $63,000.

  That’s a pretty huge price tag just for a more powerful engine. So even though there are some options for the Durango with more power, unless you are looking to add 50% to the cost, or double it, then really the engines are quite comparable. Since the Traverse offers 310 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, while the Durango’s 3.6L engine provides up to 295 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque it looks like the 2019 Chevy Traverse actually comes out on top.

• Seating and Cargo

  

  Choosing an SUV over a sedan or a pickup truck can be due to different reasons, but seating and interior cargo capacities are usually pretty high among them. While a lot of people like an SUV simply due to its larger size and command of the road, the ability to comfortably load up more than half a dozen people is often at the forefront for midsize SUV shoppers. This is one area where the 2019 Chevy Traverse comes out the clear winner in every way, regardless of the price point you look at.

  It is interesting to note that seating in both of these vehicles actually changes based on trim level, with higher trim levels that include or offer more features having less room for passengers. With that in mind, the 2019 Chevy Traverse starts off with room enough for eight people: the driver and seven passengers thanks to bench seating in the second and third rows. At the highest trim level, that goes down to room for only seven people: the driver and six passengers, due to the loss of a bench.

  On the other hand, the 2019 Dodge Durango starts off with seating for only seven people: the driver and six passengers. From there, it quickly gets worse. Depending on the trim level, including the SRT, which is more than double the price of the starting 2019 Chevy Traverse, the Durango only has seating for up to five people: the driver and four passengers. That is a pretty big sacrifice to make for an SUV.

  In terms of interior cargo capacity, the numbers remain consistent from one trim level to another, but the 2019 Chevy Traverse still comes out on top. The Traverse has more than 98 cu.ft. of storage space behind the front seats when properly configured. By comparison, the Durango has only 85 cu.ft. of cargo space behind the front seat. The numbers are clear: the Traverse gives you more interior space for passengers and cargo.

• Features and Technology

  

  When looking at the features and technology of different vehicles, it is important to compare similarly priced trim levels. This keeps things fair and shows you what you can get for your money if you really want to revel in luxury. With that in mind, here are some features available on the 2019 Chevy Traverse Premier, which starts at $46,695, and the 2019 Dodge Durango Citadel Anodized Platinum, which starts at $46,270.

  The Chevy Traverse Premier includes an 8-inch color touchscreen with Navigation, a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system, and wireless charging area. It has an 8-way power adjustable driver seat with a memory feature, and 6-way power adjustable front passenger seat, both of which are heated. There is a 4-inch driver information center, keyless open and remote start, and includes a hands-free gesture liftgate that can open based on foot motion.

  By comparison, the 2019 Dodge Durango Citadel Anodized Platinum includes an 8-inch touchscreen display with Navigation, a 9-speaker Alpine sound system, and outlets for charging but no wireless charging pad. It has an 8-way power adjustable driver seat with memory, and a 4-way power adjustable front passenger seat, both of which give you less customization than the seats in the Chevy Traverse. The Durango has keyless open and remote start, and while it has a power liftgate, it does not include hands-free functionality.

• Safety

  

  Both of these SUVs have excellent safety features, but the 2019 Chevy Traverse includes a few things that push it ahead. Safety options vary depending on what trim level you look at. So this will include information for the Traverse Premier and the 2019 Dodge Durango Citadel Anodized Platinum, which are of comparable starting prices.

  The Chevy Traverse Premier includes StabiliTrak with electronic stability and traction control, along with LED daytime running lamps and multiple airbags. It includes rear park assist, lane change alert with side blind zone alert, and rear cross traffic alert when backing up. It also has surround vision to give the driver a virtual bird’s eye view around the vehicle while parking or driving at low speed. There is a teen driver system that enables and disables certain features when an indicated teenage driver is behind the wheel, which helps teach and encourage safe driving habits.

  By comparison, the 2019 Dodge Durango Citadel Anodized Platinum includes traction control, numerous airbags, and electronic stability control. It includes front and rear park assist, though a lane departure warning system is an available option, not included. There is no surround vision feature included with the Durango, nor does it have a teen driver system.

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