Five Reasons the 2026 Chevy Traverse Is Better Than the 2026 Honda Pilot

If you’re looking for a three-row SUV that takes the stress and hassle out of everyday driving, then you should check out the Chevy Traverse for sale near Helotes, right here at North Park Chevrolet. We’ve done our research on the competition, and we know that the Traverse contains features busy, modern drivers will appreciate. If you’re still deciding between the Traverse and the Pilot, it’s worth taking a closer look at how the Traverse compares.

The Honda Pilot is certainly another reputable option. It has many popular features, such as its suite of driver-assist features and its roomy interior. However, the Traverse really shines in a handful of areas that we know matter to large SUV drivers. Specifically, the Traverse stands out in performance, safety technology, interior space, and infotainment.

Below, we’re going over five reasons we think you should make the 2026 Traverse your next three-row SUV instead of the Honda Pilot.

#1 – The Traverse Delivers More Horsepower and Torque 

If you plan on towing toys, like boats or campers, for your adventures outside of Helotes, you’ll be glad to know that both of these models can tow up to 5,000 lbs. However, the Traverse is better equipped for demanding towing and acceleration, as it offers significantly more horsepower and torque. Let’s take a quick look at the numbers below:

• Traverse Horsepower: 328
• Traverse Torque: 326 lb-ft
• Pilot Horsepower: 285
• Pilot Torque: 262 lb-ft

So, what does this mean in real-life towing/driving situations? Put simply, horsepower refers to how quickly your vehicle can generate power. Generally, higher horsepower can contribute to stronger acceleration. You need solid horsepower when you need to merge onto a freeway where cars are cruising at top speed.

You also need high horsepower when you need to go around a slow-moving vehicle, because you need to be able to generate enough power quickly enough to pass them without causing a risk. In general, the higher the horsepower, the quicker your model can reach top speed. And, when it comes to moving a vehicle as large as a three-row SUV, you need serious horsepower.

Then, there’s the torque. This matters when you’re towing, going uphill, and accelerating from a stopped position. Put simply, it’s your vehicle’s pulling power, and it’s pretty important when you plan on towing. 

#2 – The Traverse Offers More Space for Tall Drivers 

If you’re a tall individual, you’re going to find yourself much more comfortable driving the Traverse compared to the Pilot. That’s because the Traverse has more front row legroom compared to the Pilot — quite a bit more. While the Pilot offers 41 inches of front-row legroom, the Traverse offers 44.29, a good 3.29 extra inches to stretch out!

The Traverse is better for tall drivers in another way, too: its headroom. It has 42.6 inches of front-row headroom, standard across all models. Meanwhile, the Pilot only offers up to 40.5 inches of front-row headroom. In some models, the Pilot’s headroom drops down to 39.1 inches. If you’re vertically blessed, you’ll probably be most comfortable in the Traverse.

Now let’s take a quick look at the trunk. The Chevy Traverse trunk offers 22.9 cu.ft of cargo volume, while the Pilot’s offers 21.8 cu.ft of cargo volume. You’re getting slightly more cargo space in the Traverse, which can be helpful when packing for road trips or larger shopping runs.

#3 – The Traverse Offers a Larger Infotainment Display 

The touchscreen is essentially the heart of a vehicle today. It’s your command center, and where you handle just about everything you need and want to handle from behind the wheel. You’ll control your audio media, such as podcasts and playlists, here. You’ll view navigation here. You’ll pull up weather reports here and read text messages. It’s your vehicle hub. So, bigger is better.

The Chevy Traverse’s touchscreen blows the competition out of the water. At 17.7 inches, the Traverse’s display screen is bigger than many modern laptops. So, you shouldn’t find yourself squinting to see that next turn-by-turn direction or the name of a caller. The Pilot’s touchscreen sits at 12.3 inches, a serious drop from the Traverse’s. 

When you first look at the two screens, you might think the size difference won’t make a big practical difference. But the larger screen provides more room for navigation, media controls, and vehicle information. 

#4 – The Traverse Offers More Advanced Driver-Assistance Features 

If safety is your top priority, choose the Traverse. It offers a couple of driver-assist features that the Pilot simply doesn’t have, and everyone from parents to professionals can appreciate them. 

Super Cruise

If you tackle long drives in and out of Helotes, you’re going to want Super Cruise, Chevy’s hands-free driving technology. On compatible roads, Super Cruise can assist with steering, braking, acceleration, and lane changes while monitoring driver attention. You don’t even need to have your hands on the wheel while it does this.

The Honda Pilot doesn’t have Super Cruise. It has a nice lineup of driver-assist features, including forward collision warning, pre-collision braking, and a rearview camera. But it will not allow you to take your hands off the wheel, and it will not take over driving for you. So, this is a big perk for commuters and road trippers that you only get in the Traverse.

Teen Driver

Is it time for your teen to take the wheel? That can be a stressful time for parents, but it will be a little less stressful with the Traverse’s Teen Driver technology. It does things like limit how fast a vehicle can go, limit the volume on the sound system, and prompt drivers and passengers to buckle up before taking off. 

Teen Driver even generates a report card that shows stats like the maximum speed reached and how many times driver-assist features were activated. This type of feature facilitates open, honest communication about safe driving habits with one of the riskiest driver groups. 

The Pilot does not offer a comparable Teen Driver system, making the Traverse particularly appealing for families with new drivers. 

#5 – The Traverse Offers Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist

Can’t stand squeezing into tricky parking spots? In the 2026 Traverse, you don’t even have to do the job yourself. The Traverse boasts Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist, a self-parking system that can steer, brake, and shift gears when you’re parking in parallel or perpendicular spots. 

Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist can even help you exit parking spots. It’s almost like having a valet, without having to pay for one. The 2026 Honda Pilot does not have such a feature. It has sensors and a camera to help guide you, but it can’t take over parking jobs for you. 

If your Helotes days involve tight parking spots, you’ll find getting in and out of them easier in the 2026 Traverse.

Schedule Your 2026 Chevy Traverse Test Drive Today 

Visit us today to test-drive the powerful, tech-forward Traverse! We’d love to guide you towards the trim that best fits your drives. With more models arriving daily, plus Chevy experts on site, we know we can match you with your ideal Traverse.

The Traverse offers advantages in power, interior room, available technology, and driver-assistance features that may make it a better fit for many three-row SUV shoppers. When you want a three-row SUV that makes driving better, try the Traverse!

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