Two sides of the same crossover-SUV coin

The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse and 2024 GMC Acadia are much the same again, like they were when they debuted for the 2007 model year. At that time, they were both large midsize three-row SUVs that shared a platform and engines. Then, for the 2017 model year, the Acadia went its own way. It was still a three-row crossover, but it lost 7.2 inches of length, 3.4 inches of width, and about 700 pounds.

GM redesigned both the Traverse and Acadia for 2024, and the GMC is back on the bigger platform, offering the same engine as the Chevy. They’re also packaged much the same, and both take a step forward in technology. It’s pretty close to badge engineering again, but they have some notable differences. Let’s take a deeper look to see how they differ.

GMC Acadia vs. Chevy Traverse: Styling

Both models get a more masculine, upright look inspired by the full-size pickups and SUVs in their families. Don’t let that fool you, though. These are still unibody crossovers rather than body-on-frame beasts. The main differences are borne out by the design language of each brand. Their squared-off jaws are fronted by large grilles. While the Traverse has squinting eye LED headlights, the Acadia’s LEDs take on a C-shape. Both have different grille textures depending on the model.

Along the sides, they share similar body sculpting. But the Traverse sports a floating rear pillar look that starts just behind the second row, while the Acadia extends its greenhouse all the way to the third seating row to provide better outward vision to those seated there as well as the driver.

GMC Acadia vs. Chevy Traverse: Interior technology and seating

Chevy and GMC use the latest version of GM’s infotainment system with Google built-in, but they have a different form factor. The Traverse gets a 17.7-inch horizontally oriented center touchscreen, while the Acadia has a 15.0-inch portrait-style touchscreen. Both also have a standard 11.0-inch digital instrument cluster. The systems are easy to use and they still get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto even though GM is moving toward eliminating smartphone integration.

For 2024, GMC only offers the Acadia with seven-passenger seating that includes second-row captain’s chairs and a third-row bench seat. The Traverse comes standard with three-row benches in the second and third rows, and offers second-row captain’s chairs as standard on the Z71 and RS trims. The Chevy also offers cloth upholstery in lower-end models, while every GMC has synthetic leather or leather. Power-folding second and third rows are standard for the Acadia Denali, and the Traverse has only a power-folding third row, and only in the RS model.

GMC Acadia vs. Chevrolet Traverse: Prices and features

GMC prices the Acadia higher than the Traverse, but also adds more standard equipment. It’s offered in Elevation, AT4, and Denali trims, while the Traverse comes in LS, LT, Z71, and RS trims.

The Acadia Elevation starts at $43,995, including $1,395 for destination, and all-wheel drive adds another $2,000. Standard equipment includes synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats with 8-way power adjustments, a heated steering wheel, an 11.0-inch digital gauge cluster, a 15.0-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, a satellite radio trial, remote start, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, a power tailgate, and 20-inch alloy wheels.

The Traverse starts at $38,995 for a front-wheel-drive LS model. It has seating for eight rather than seven, cloth upholstery instead of synthetic leather, a 6-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, and 18-inch alloy wheels instead of 20s. It also lacks the standard phone charger, but gets the rest of the base Acadia’s features.

The Acadia AT4 and Traverse Z71 are the off-road models, and they share much of the same equipment and engineering, including all-wheel drive with a twin-clutch rear differential, a trailering package, additional off-road drive modes, an extra 1.2 inches of ground clearance, a front underbody skid plate, front tow hooks, and 18-inch all-terrain tires. The Acadia AT4 runs $51,395, while the Z71 costs $47,995. The Chevy still has cloth upholstery, while the GMC has synthetic leather.

At the top of the lineup, the $55,695 Denali comes loaded with leather upholstery, driver’s seat memory, cooled front seats, heated outboard rear seats, power-folding second- and third-row seats, a head-up display, and a power tilt/telescoping steering column. 

The Traverse RS costs $56,090 and comes with much of the same equipment. It lacks the head-up display and power-folding second-row, but has 22-inch wheels instead of 20s, a power-folding third-row seat, a panoramic sunroof (which is optional on the Acadia Denali), and a 10-speaker Bose audio system instead of the Acadia’s 12-speaker version. 

GMC Acadia vs. Chevrolet Traverse: Which is right for you?

They’re two sides of the same coin. The Traverse and Acadia serve the same buyers. The Acadia costs a little more, and has a few extra features model for model, but the Traverse lacks none of the Acadia’s safety features, power, or even most of its luxury equipment, and the RS model even has some features the Acadia lacks. That makes the Traverse a generally better buy, but that can change for people who want the extra equipment or the GMC look.