2017 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2017 Nissan Pathfinder

Safety

Safety is an important consideration for all families and both the Traverse and the Pathfinder have addressed those needs. The 2017 Chevrolet Traverse is equipped with an array of available safety technologies to help its drivers detect, prevent, and protect passengers from dangerous situations on the road. Its standard safety features include parking sensors and a rearview camera. The 2017 model is also equipped with an industry-first front center air bag, as well as side blind zone alert, rear cross traffic alert, forward collision alert, and lane departure warning.

The 2017 Nissan Pathfinder is also designed with innovative safety features. These include six airbags, with the side-curtain airbags offering a rollover sensor and covering outboard positions in all three rows. Unique to Nissan is its Easy Fill Tire Alert, which lets the driver know if the tires are not inflated to recommended pressure by sounding the horn. Nissan engineers have also equipped the vehicle with a rearview camera and rear parking sensors. Depending on the trim, the Pathfinder features rear park assist, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alerts, Nissan's Around View Monitor for a 360-degree view of the car's surroundings, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision warning with emergency braking.

While both the 2017 Chevy Traverse and the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder have capabilities that will cater to on-the-go families with cargo, we believe the 2017 Chevy Traverse rises above its competitor. Our eight-passenger SUV with its slew of important amenities and a suite of advanced safety features is a vehicle that can efficiently take you to work and around town or on a lengthier vacation.

Performance

In this category, both the Traverse and Pathfinder are similar in their performance capabilities. The Traverse is equipped with a 3.6-liter V-6 engine posting 288 horsepower. Both front- and all-wheel-drive are available; an AWD model can tow up to 5,200 pounds.

Likewise, the Nissan Pathfinder pairs a 3.5-liter V-6 engine with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The 2017 model, however, has received direct injection rather than port injection that boosts power and fuel economy. It also received a new air intake system, electronic variable valve timing, and a mirror bore coating process for the cylinder walls. All of these new features boost the Pathfinder's maximum towing rating from 5,000 to 6,000 pounds.

Design

Interior Design

If the main goal of your Chevrolet Traverse is to efficiently haul people and cargo, it has the interior design to complete that task. It offers a seating capacity for eight, greater than its Nissan Pathfinder competitor. Those passengers might require extra cargo room and the Traverse has been designed for that task as well. A sliding armrest provides extra storage space. Plus the Traverse can haul more equipment or luggage than the Pathfinder. If parents need to reach children in the third row, Chevy designers have included the ingenious Smart Slide®second-row seating that permits easy access to the third row.

You and your passengers will be pleased with the Chevrolet MyLink system. It provides a 6.5-inch touchscreen, enabling smartphone integration, as well as streaming of Pandora and Stitcher internet-based radio via a 4G LTE data subscription and an in-car wi-fi hotspot, giving your passengers a strong signal for up to seven devices. This unique connectivity provides easy access to apps, the ability to stream music or work on the go, and all with a signal that’s more powerful than your smartphone.

As befitting a family vehicle, Nissan engineers have created an interior design with family-friendly perks. No matter what your family brings on board, the Pathfinder has space for it. There are various bins, book and map pockets for second row passengers, large trays in the center console, three bottle holders, and an array of cupholders.

Parents and children alike will enjoy the flexible seating arrangements in the Pathfinder. The second row easily slides forward and aft 5.5 inches, allowing parents to gain third-row access even with a "Latch and Glide" child seat installed in the center row.

Style

Since its original introduction in 2009, Chevy designers of the Traverse have stuck to the mantra, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Three trim levels of the 2017 Traverse are offered: LS, LT, and Premier. The Traverse has a very functional interior cabin decorated with wood and silver accents, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting. Of course, the Traverse received a minor facelift in 2013; in 2017, the Traverse received a new Graphite trim package. This impressive new version offers a black Chevrolet bowtie, 20-inch dark charcoal wheels, and dual exhaust.

In the fourth year of its current generation, the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder received a more truck-like styling update with squared off edges and a boxier grille, rather than the stylish flowing design of past models. Its base model is equipped with basic equipment, such as cloth upholstery, tri-zone automatic climate control, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, a six-way manually adjustable driver's seat, a four-way manually adjustable front passenger seat, cruise control, a six-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with an 8.0-inch center touchscreen, HD radio, satellite radio with SiriusXM Travel Link, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, a USB port, a rearview camera, an Advanced Driver Assist 4.0-inch instrument panel display, remote keyless entry, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, roof rails, and 18-inch alloy wheels. At the SL level, you’ll find more luxurious components, such as leather upholstery, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a surround-view camera system, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alerts, a motion-activated liftgate with position memory, and stainless steel kickplates. For 2017, Nissan engineers moved it up a notch by adding a new Midnight Edition package featuring black wheels and special black exterior accents.