Compare the2026 Chevrolet TraverseVS 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Chevrolet Traverse achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Mitsubishi Outlander has not been tested.

The Chevrolet Traverse’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Mitsubishi Outlander does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Traverse and Outlander have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Traverse has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Outlander’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Traverse and the Outlander have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The Chevrolet Traverse weighs 513 to 1023 pounds more than the Mitsubishi Outlander. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Traverse is safer than the Outlander:

	Traverse	Outlander
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD

The Chevrolet Traverse achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Outlander is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

There are almost 10 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Traverse’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Traverse has a standard 220-amp alternator. The Outlander’s 120-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in initial quality. With 44 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mitsubishi is rated below average.

Engine

The Traverse’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 154 more horsepower (328 vs. 174) and 120 lbs.-ft. more torque (326 vs. 206) than the Outlander’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

The Traverse FWD’s standard fuel tank has 4.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander (19.4 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Traverse AWD’s standard fuel tank has 7.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander (21.7 vs. 14.5 gallons).

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Traverse has larger standard tires than the Outlander (255/65R18 vs. 235/60R18). The Traverse’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Outlander (275/45R22 vs. 255/45R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Traverse offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Outlander’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The Chevrolet Traverse’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Mitsubishi Outlander only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Traverse has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Outlander; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Traverse’s wheelbase is 14.5 inches longer than on the Outlander (121 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Traverse is 4.8 inches wider in the front and 4.2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Outlander.

Chassis

The Traverse uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Outlander doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Traverse offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Outlander can only carry 7.

The Traverse has 31.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Outlander (157 vs. 125.5).

The Traverse has 2 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front legroom, 4.7 inches more front hip room, 4.4 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 1.6 inches more rear legroom, 5.3 inches more rear hip room, 6.3 inches more rear shoulder room, 3.8 inches more third row headroom, 13.4 inches more third row legroom, 6.5 inches more third row hip room and 6.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the Outlander.

Cargo Capacity

The Traverse’s cargo area provides more volume than the Outlander.

	Traverse	Outlander
Behind Third Seat	22.9 cubic feet	10.9 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	56.6 cubic feet	30.6 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	97.6 cubic feet	64.3 cubic feet

Both the Traverse and the Outlander offer second row automatic folding seats. The Traverse RS/High Country’s third row seats also fold up or down at the press of a switch. The Outlander doesn’t offer automatic folding third row seats.

Towing

The Traverse’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Outlander’s (5000 vs. 2000 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The Traverse uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Outlander uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

The Traverse’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Outlander does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows standard on both the Traverse and the Outlander have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Traverse is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Outlander prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Traverse’s front and rear power windows all lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Outlander’s standard power windows’ passenger windows don’t open automatically.

On a hot day the Traverse’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Outlander can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Traverse’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the Outlander only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Pushbutton Start is not available on the Outlander SE/SEL/Trail.

The Traverse’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Outlander’s power window, power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Traverse’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mitsubishi only offers heated mirrors on the Outlander SE/SEL/Trail.

The Traverse RS/High Country’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Outlander has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Traverse has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Outlander SE/SEL/Trail.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Chevrolet Traverse has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Outlander SE/SEL/Trail offers wireless charging.

The Traverse offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Outlander doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Traverse’s optional Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Outlander doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

The Chevrolet Traverse outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by almost four to one during 2025.

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