2025 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2024 Lexus TX

The 2024 Lexus TX was based on the Toyota Grand Highlander, yet it distinguished itself as a luxury SUV. It presented an upscale appearance, contrasting with the Grand Highlander's resemblance to a larger RAV4. The test model, featuring Luxury trim, showcased striking 22-inch silver wheels, an expensive option that significantly enhanced the SUV's aesthetic and presence. The TX's styling was more subdued compared to other Lexus models, resulting in a conservative, almost anonymous look. This design approach might have appealed to those previously put off by Lexus's bolder designs. The 2024 Lexus TX was available in TX 350, TX 500h F Sport Performance, and TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid models, with prices ranging from $55,050 to $69,350, including a $1,350 destination charge. The TX 350, likely the volume-selling version, came in base, Premium, or Luxury trims, equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and either FWD or AWD. The test vehicle, a TX 350 with FWD and Luxury trim, had a base price of $60,950, including destination, and featured several packages and options, bringing the MSRP to $67,869. The Luxury trim added upgraded ambient lighting and premium semi-aniline leather upholstery with artificial suede trim. Despite the dark Peppercorn interior, the TX 350 Luxury model's interior felt luxurious enough to bear the Lexus badge.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse impressed with its exterior styling, consistent with Chevrolet's recent SUV designs. The Traverse's interior design followed suit, featuring digital instrumentation, Google-based infotainment systems, and appealing layouts. However, the quality of materials, particularly the hard, glossy, deep-grained plastic, detracted from the overall impression. The Evotex artificial leather in the test vehicle also fell short of emulating real leather. For 2025, the Traverse was available in LT, Z71, High Country, and RS trims, with base prices from $41,095 to $55,495, including a $1,395 destination charge. The test vehicle, a Z71 spec, was the off-road version, featuring extra-cost Radiant Red paint, a panoramic sunroof, a Driver Confidence Package, and an Enhanced Driving Package, with an MSRP of $55,900, including destination. The Z71 trim added unique 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, a skid plate, red tow hooks, a Twin Clutch AWD system, a Terrain driving mode, and a hill descent control system. The Z71's off-road suspension increased ground clearance to 7.7 inches, making it more capable off-road than other trims. The Traverse Z71 handled trails with ease, and its suspension and tires provided a smoother ride on rough pavement, making it suitable for daily driving.

The 2024 Lexus TX 350 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. Despite initial skepticism about this engine choice for a midsize, three-row luxury SUV, it performed adequately in typical driving situations with up to four passengers. The engine's grating note and hints of torque steer in FWD mode were minor irritations. Lexus claimed the TX 350 could accelerate to 60 mph in eight seconds (7.8 seconds with AWD), though it felt quicker due to the torque swell. The EPA rated the TX 350 FWD at 23 mpg in combined driving, a slight improvement over the previous RX L model. During testing, the TX 350 FWD averaged 20.4 mpg. AWD, available for an additional $1,600, offered slightly quicker acceleration and improved traction in adverse conditions, though it reduced city and highway fuel economy. The TX 350's suspension provided a firm yet comfortable ride, with commendable body motion control and accurate steering. The interior remained quiet on the highway, though the brake pedal felt too soft in the test vehicle.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 328 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 326 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. The engine's exhaust note was less than pleasing, but it provided ample power, enough to spin the front tires and exhibit torque steer in FWD mode. Engaging AWD improved acceleration, reducing front wheel spin and torque steer. The Traverse Z71, with its off-road suspension and all-terrain tires, handled trails with ease, and its Terrain mode moderated drivetrain response for smoother power application. The Z71's suspension and tires also provided a smoother ride on rough pavement. The Traverse Z71 offered multiple driving modes, including Tow/Haul, Normal, and Sport, though it felt large and less sporty on narrow roads. The all-terrain tires provided good grip and minimal noise, while the brakes were touchy. The Traverse Z71 was EPA-rated at 21 mpg in combined driving, and during testing, it averaged 21.5 mpg, slightly exceeding the official estimate.

The 2024 Lexus TX addressed previous shortcomings in Lexus's three-row SUVs. The TX 350 Luxury model featured premium semi-aniline leather and artificial suede upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. The standard second-row bench seat could be replaced with heated and ventilated captain's chairs. While the front seats lacked a massage function, they were comfortable and supportive. The second-row seat, with its flat lower cushion, was less welcoming but met segment expectations with triple-zone climate control, USB ports, and window shades. The TX's third-row seat was habitable for adults, offering leg support and a good view. However, sliding the second-row seat forward to accommodate third-row passengers reduced second-row comfort. The TX provided ample storage, though some lacked lining, and the split front center armrest design was less practical. Cargo space measured 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 57.4 cubic feet with the third row folded and 97 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse offered substantial interior volume, particularly in width. The front seats provided ample space, with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats. The Z71's Evotex artificial leather was comfortable, though not as luxurious as real leather. The Traverse accommodated eight passengers with a second-row bench seat, though the test vehicle had captain's chairs. The second-row seats offered good comfort, but the lack of window shades was a drawback. The third-row seats were comfortable enough, though the rear windows limited the view, and there were no USB ports. Storage space in the front was adequate, but the second row lacked smartphone pockets and easily reachable USB ports. The Traverse provided 22.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 56.6 cubic feet with the third row folded and 97.6 cubic feet with the second row down. Folding the third row required adjusting the second-row seats, adding complexity to the process.

The 2024 Lexus TX featured an optional Technology Package, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, a head-up display, a digital rearview mirror, a surround-view camera, and a semi-autonomous parking assist system. However, the package replaced properly marked steering wheel controls with unmarked dual-purpose ones, requiring drivers to reference the head-up display, which was often invisible with polarized sunglasses. The Lexus Interface infotainment system, with its 14-inch touchscreen, offered a cloud-based navigation system and a digital assistant with natural voice recognition. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, along with free 10-year subscriptions to Service Connect and Safety Connect. The test vehicle had an optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson PurePlay surround-sound system, providing impressive audio quality.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse boasted a standard 17.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-in, offering Google Maps navigation, Google Assistant voice recognition, and Google Play Store access. It also included Alexa compatibility, OnStar connected services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The large touchscreen provided a simple user interface, and Google Assistant was effective. The lack of a tuning knob was a minor drawback, but rocker switches on the steering wheel allowed for easy station and volume adjustments. The climate system featured separate knobs for temperature control. An 11-inch digital instrumentation panel offered various views, and the test vehicle included a camera-based digital rearview mirror and a high-definition surround-view camera system.

The 2024 Lexus TX came equipped with numerous advanced driving assistance systems under the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 umbrella. These included adaptive cruise control with curve speed adjustment, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, intersection assist, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, road sign assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Proactive Drive Assist, part of LSS+ 3.0, offered braking and steering assistance but was not entirely transparent in operation. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a safe exit assist system. Optional features included front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist. The traffic jam assist system provided hands-free driving at low speeds on approved highways, though Lexus did not offer a higher-speed hands-free system.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse featured a comprehensive list of driver aids, with some grouped under the Chevy Safety Assist umbrella and others included in the standard Safety Package 1. Standard features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, active blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, intersection braking, and rear automatic braking. The Traverse also had automatic high-beam headlights, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and a Safety Alert Seat. The test vehicle's Driver Confidence Package added a high-definition surround-view camera system, traffic sign recognition, and rear pedestrian alert. The Enhanced Driving Package included a hands-free Super Cruise driving assist system and remote-parking technology. Super Cruise offered hands-free driving on more roads than before, though it had occasional issues on freeway transition ramps. The Traverse received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS.