A silver 2019 Chevy Traverse is parked on a gravel driveway facing hills.

2019 Chevy Traverse vs 2019 Dodge Durango: Who Wins?

 

Searching for an SUV that can meet all the criteria on your list can be time-consuming. Most likely you’ve done your research and have narrowed down your choices and when you diligently research your options, you can decrease the stress involved in the vehicle buying process. During your research, you may have come down to the analysis between the 2019 Chevy Traverse vs 2019 Dodge Durango. Both the Traverse and Durango have great qualities and features.

There are some differences between the 2019 Chevy Traverse vs 2019 Dodge Durango that are analyzed in this article. If you’ve been wondering which of these two SUVs is better suited for you, consider the following factors.

Starting Price

The list price for the vehicle is a big consideration for most people looking to buy. You want to buy a vehicle that has a great price while offering the best value in regard to features and all that you’re looking for. The 2019 Chevy Traverse has a starting price of $29,930. The 2019 Dodge Durango MSRP is $29,995. If you’re strictly considering the lowest MSRP, then the Chevy Traverse is winning the debate so far.

Important Safety Features

When driving by yourself or with passengers, you want to keep everyone in the vehicle safe. Knowing the various safety features and those that are available as options with higher trim levels can be vital toward your decision-making process for which SUV to buy.

Both the 2019 Chevy Traverse and 2019 Dodge Durango have similar safety features as shown in the following list:

  • Front Airbags for Driver and Passenger
  • Side Impact Head Airbags
  • Front Side Impact Airbags
  • Electronic Stability Systems
  • Traction Control
  • 4 Wheel Antilock Brakes
  • Front Seatbelt Pretensioners
  • Rearview Cameras

The Traverse and Durango also have the same available safety options such as:

  • All-Wheel Drive
  • Blind Spot Warning Systems
  • Rear Cross Path Warning
  • Lane Departure Warning Systems
  • Crash Mitigating Brakes

There are some safety features that the Traverse has that the Durango doesn’t. For example, the middle seat shoulder belts in the Chevy Traverse include child comfort guides for enhanced safety and a better fit for the belt. When the belt fits better, this can prevent more injuries and encourage the child to want to buckle up since there is a more comfortable fit. This comfort guide is not offered on the belts in the middle seat of the Dodge Durango.

Another innovative safety feature included in the Chevy Traverse is the back seat reminder so the driver is alerted to check the back seat for passengers when leaving the vehicle. The driver will be alerted if they had opened the rear door prior to starting the drive. This back seat reminder is not included in the Durango.

There is a front seat center airbag that comes standard with the Chevy Traverse. This is beneficial for preventing the driver and passenger from hitting each other during a collision. This safety feature is not offered in the Dodge Durango. So, in this analysis between the 2019 Chevy Traverse vs 2019 Dodge Durango, the Traverse is definitely winning with safety features.

Performance Stats and Features

Engine performance, acceleration, transmission, braking and stopping are important features that most vehicle buyers are interested in. Our analysis between the 2019 Chevy Traverse vs 2019 Dodge Durango continues with the following assessment.

During testing by Car and Driver, they found that the Chevy Traverse V6 accelerated much more quickly than the Dodge Durango Dual Exhaust 3.6 DOHC V6, 0-60 MPH  in 2.5 and 2.6 seconds respectively.

A red 2019 Chevy Traverse with black trim is driving at night with blurry buildings behind it. Look at the V6 model perfomance when comparing the 2019 Chevy Traverse vs 2019 Dodge Durango.

Braking Capacity

In various Car and Driver and Consumer Reports studies, they ascertained the following information regarding braking and stopping capacity. They found that the Chevy Traverse stopped much shorter than the Dodge Durango did, 60-0 MPH in 130 feet and 144 feet respectively.

Transmission

The Chevy Traverse comes standard with a nine-speed automatic transmission and the Dodge Durango has an eight-speed automatic transmission. With the higher speed transmission in the Traverse, you’ll benefit from superior acceleration and a lowered engine speed for optimal highway driving.

With regard to the analysis of the 2019 Chevy Traverse vs 2019 Dodge Durango, the Traverse is still winning. It delivers better with regard to engine performance, acceleration, braking capacity, and transmission.

Mechanical Considerations

Tires, wheels, suspension, and handling are other features that you should consider when weighing the factors for a vehicle purchase. The 2019 Chevy Traverse has 6 lugs on the wheels as compared to only 5 lugs on wheels on the Dodge Durango. With six lugs per wheel, that can decrease the chance of the rotors warping and the wheel bearing life is increased.

When you need to inflate the tires, it’s nice to have a tire fill system with pressure sensors that alert you when the tires have enough pressure. The Chevy Traverse comes standard with this easy-tire-fill system. However, it’s not available in the Durango.

Stability when cornering is another factor you should consider. Front and rear stabilizer bars come standard on the Chevy Traverse, so you’ll benefit from more control when cornering in this SUV. The suspension in the Dodge Durango does not include a rear stabilizer bar, so the cornering ability is not as good. The track width between the wheels is another factor in enhancing the handling and stability. The Traverse has a front wheel track that is 3.4 inches wider than the Durango. The rear track of the Traverse is 2.9 inches wider than the one in the Durango.

Room for Passengers and Cargo

If the number of seating is important to you, then you may want to consider the Chevy Traverse which has seating for up to 8 as compared to the Dodge Durango which can seat up to 7. There is also slightly more room for the front passengers and room in the second and third rows in the Chevy Traverse than in the Dodge Durango.

You can fit more items into the cargo area in the Traverse than in the Durango. The space behind the third seat in the Traverse is 23 cubic feet and there is 17.2 cubic feet in the Durango. When the third seat and second seat is folded, you will have more room in the Traverse as well.

Overall Winner

Both of these SUVs are great options for you. After our extensive review of the features, stats, and benefits of these SUVs, it is clear that the Chevy Traverse comes out as the clear winner in this debate between the 2019 Chevy Traverse vs 2019 Dodge Durango. Enjoy your journey toward finding the right SUV for you and have fun taking those test drives!