2023 GMC ACADIA VS. CHEVY TRAVERSE COMPARISON

Exterior midsize SUV comparison of the New 2023 GMC Acadia SUV on the left next to the 2023 Chevrolet Traverse SUV on the right

2023 GMC Acadia vs. 2023 Chevy Traverse Comparison

How to Know Which Midsize SUV to Buy Guide

When you're in the market for a mid-size SUV with style, size, performance, and that's safe for a growing family, the GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse are two of the top options. However, between the 2023 GMC Acadia and 2023 Chevy Traverse, only one will take home the trophy. Let's review and compare both SUVs to highlight key features, starting prices, trim levels and configurations, engine options, MPG ratings, cargo space volume, interior technology, safety equipment, and overall performance specs. Based on the findings in our comparison, you'll be able to make an informed decision about which SUV fits your needs best.

Browse New GMC Acadia

2023 GMC Acadia

Rear exterior comparison of a white 2023 GMC Acadia AT4 midsize SUV 

2023 Chevy Traverse

Rear exterior comparison of a blue 2023 Chevrolet Traverse midsize SUV 

2023 GMC Acadia Price & Trims

The starting MSRP for the 2023 GMC Acadia is $36,500 but can go up to $48,300 based on trim level and configuration. The GMC Acadia offers 4 trim levels: SLE ($36,500+), SLT ($40,800+), AT4 ($43,100+), and the Denali ($48,300+). If you're looking for the best value overall, the Acadia SLT trim offers the most bang for your buck.

2023 Chevy Traverse Price & Trims

The starting MSRP for the 2023 Chevy Traverse is $34,520 but can go up to $52,000 based on trim level and configuration. The Chevy Traverse offers 5 trim levels: LS ($34,520+), LT Cloth ($37,045+), LT Leather ($40,740+), RS ($45,045+), Premier ($47,200+), and High Country ($52,000+). Most buyers look to the LT Leather or RS trim for the best value purchase.

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2023 GMC Acadia Denali

Exterior comparison of the 2023 GMC Acadia Denali SUV

With a starting MSRP of $48,300, the 2023 GMC Acadia Denali combines best-in-class performance with top-of-the-line luxury for an exceptional driving experience. Craftsmanship is at its best with perforated leather-appointed first- and second-row seating and Denali embossed sill plates. Its interior offers scenic views from front to back with GMC's Dual SkyScape Sunroof with an express-open feature.

The Denali's exterior pronounces a powerful presence with a unique Chrome Denali Grille and premium Chrome Accents, 20" ultra-bright machined aluminum wheels, exclusive Denali badging, and chrome accented door handles and bodyside molding. Adaptive Ride Control leverages a continuous damping control system to adjust shock absorber damping forces every 2 milliseconds and adapt to the road surface to deliver a more comfortable ride.

2023 Chevy Traverse High Country

Exterior comparison of the 2023 Chevy Traverse High Country SUV

With a starting MSRP of $52,000, the 2023 Chevy Traverse High Country offers top-line features including Chevy Safety Assist plus Adaptive Cruise Control and Safety Alert Seating, Power-Folding third-row seating, Dual SkyScape two-panel power sunroof with tilt-sliding front and fixed rear, including a power rear sunscreen, and 20" polished aluminum wheels.

Its interior showcases Jet Black perforated leather with Clove accents throughout, amplifying the Traverse High County's luxury look and feel.

2023 GMC Acadia AT4

Exterior comparison of the 2023 GMC Acadia AT4 SUV

With a starting MSRP at $43,100, the 2023 Acadia AT4 outperforms the lineup with a more refined and highly capable driving experience. With a standard active torque control AWD system, off-roading adventuring has never been more exciting by reducing the need to use intrusive braking to send power to wheels with traction.

Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist utilizes an antilock braking system to provide a controlled descent in rough terrain. Hitch view guides you on the Rear Vision Camera to line up your hitch to your trailer for easy towing maneuvering. Exterior highlights include 17" gloss-black wheels with all-terrain tires, black-capped exterior mirrors, and gloss-black roof rails.

2023 Chevy Traverse RS

Exterior comparison of the 2023 Chevy Traverse RS SUV

With a starting MSRP of $45,045, the 2023 Chevy Traverse RS is a family-sized sportified crossover offering a combination of black exterior elements to give it a sportier look and feel. Its exterior finish features 20" dark-painted aluminum wheels, power-folding mirrors, black roof rails, a black front grille, black window surrounds, and black badging.

As for a look on the premium feature side, you can expect HD surround vision, a rear camera mirror, adaptive cruise control, rear pedestrian alert, and a Bose premium 10-speaker sound system with a Richbass subwoofer.

2023 GMC Acadia Interior Design

Close up interior comparison of the steering wheel and infotainment system inside the 2023 GMC Acadia SUV

The 2023 Acadia's interior is nothing short of refined craftsmanship. The spacious cabin offers seating up to 7 passengers with smart slide second row-seats to provide easy third-row access. Third row seats offer a 50/50 split for extra cargo space, and second-row seats can slide and angle forward, even while an empty forward-facing child seat is hooked in the LATCH system.

Interior features with the SLE and SLT trims include real aluminum trim and soft-touch surfaces throughout the cabin. The SLE trim comes with premium cloth seating while the SLT has leather-appointed first- and second-row seating. The AT4 trim offers a unique interior (in either Jet Black premium cloth or Jet Black leather-appointed seating) with exclusive trim and Kalahari accents. The AT4 logo is stitched on front-seat head restraints and an embossed AT4 badge is displayed on sill plates. The Denali trim showcases real ash wood accents and warm-tone burnished aluminum trim. Interior seats are taken up a notch with French seam stitching, embroidered Denali front-seat head restraints and Denali embossed sill plates.

2023 Chevy Traverse Interior Design

Close up interior comparison of the steering wheel and infotainment system inside the 2023 Chevy Traverse SUV

The interior of the 2023 Chevy Traverse highlights comfort, innovation, and convenience across every trim level. Based on the package and configuration, the Traverse offers cloth or leather seating upholstery, tri-zone climate control, a touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. A special feature is the umbrella holder, a unique yet functional touch to add to a family SUV.

The Chevy Traverse seats up to 8 passengers with 60/40 split-folding seats, available power-folding third row seating, second row smart slide seating, and hidden storage compartments behind the dashboard touchscreen and under the rear cargo area floor.

2023 GMC Acadia Cargo Space & Seating Capacity

Rear exterior cargo area comparison inside the 2023 GMC Acadia midsize SUV

Cargo areas in the GMC Acadia midsize SUV are spacious with up to 79 cubic feet of maximum storage with fold-flat second- and third-row seats. A large pass-through under-console storage and second-row storage drawer offer expansive space for luggage and supplies during short and long road trips. The Acadia can fit up to 6 passengers in its standard configuration, but with the second-row bench seating configuration, it goes up to 7.

2023 Chevy Traverse Cargo Space & Seating Capacity

Rear exterior cargo area comparison inside the 2023 Chevy Traverse midsize SUV

The 2023 Chevy Traverse's cargo space is larger at 98.2 cubic feet due to the Traverse being longer and taller than the Acadia which provides more volume. The Chevy Traverse features an 8-way power driver's seat with lumbar support and seats up to 7 passengers across three row seating, but it can fit up to 8 passengers if you choose the second-row bench seating option.

2023 GMC Acadia Exterior Colors & Dimensions

There are 8 exterior color options for the 2023 Acadia:

  1. Summit White
  2. Light Stone Metallic
  3. Ebony Twilight Metallic
  4. Ultra Blue Metallic
  5. Sterling Metallic
  6. Volcanic Red Tintcoat
  7. White Frost Tintcoat
  8. Hunter Metallic (Denali Exclusive)

The exterior dimensions of the 2023 GMC Acadia are 193" L x 75" W x 67" H.

2023 Chevy Traverse Exterior Colors & Dimensions

The 2023 Traverse also offers 8 exterior colors to choose from:

  1. Summit White
  2. Mosaic Black Metallic
  3. Northsky Blue Metallic (LS, LT Cloth, LT Leather exclusive)
  4. Sterling Gray Metallic
  5. Silver Sage Metallic (LT Cloth, LT Leather exclusive)
  6. Black Cherry Metallic
  7. Radiant Red Tintcoat
  8. Iridescent Pearl Tricoat

The exterior dimensions of the 2023 Chevy Traverse are 206" L x 79" W x 71" H.

2023 GMC Acadia Engines & MPG Ratings

Exterior view of a 2023 GMC Acadia midsize SUV driving down a city street

The 2023 Acadia offers two engines:

  1. A 2.0L turbo engine with 9-speed Automatic Transmission, 228 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. It features a twin-scroll turbocharger, stop/start technology with deactivation switch and standard on SLT/SLE (also available on the Denali).
  2. A 3.6L V6 engine with 9-speed Automatic Transmission, 310 horsepower and 271 lb.-ft. of torque. It features an active fuel management system, stop/start technology with a deactivation switch, and is standard on the Denali/AT4 (also available on the SLT trim).

The 2023 GMC Acadia earns up to 19 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway for the SLE and SLT trims, while it earns 19 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway for the AT4 and Denali trim levels.

2023 Chevy Traverse Engines & MPG Ratings

Exterior view of a 2023 Chevy Traverse midsize SUV driving down an open country road

The 2023 Chevy Traverse offers 1 engine option:

  1. A 3.6L V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 266 lb.-ft. of torque, variable valve timing, spark ignition direct injection, and stop/start technology.

The 2023 Traverse gets an EPA-estimated 18 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway with front-wheel-drive. With all-wheel drive, it earns an estimated 17 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway. 

2023 GMC Acadia Safety Features

With an overall 5 out of 5-star safety rating, the 2023 GMC Acadia is a solid SUV that ensures the utmost safety of all passengers, no matter the occasion. GMC's Pro Safety Plus safety system is standard on all trim levels and comes with Forward Collision Alert, Following Distance Indicator, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Front Pedestrian Braking, and IntelliBeam® Auto High Beams. Teen Driver encourages better driving habits for new drivers by activating certain safety systems and allows for parent restrictions on additional features. Best of all, there's a report card that parents can access for coaching opportunities.

2023 Chevy Traverse Safety Features

According to NHTSA, the 2023 Chevy Traverse comes short from the Acadia at a 4 out of 5-star overall safety rating. However, it offers a connected and safe driving experience with advanced safety features including Chevy's Safety Assist Safety Suite, including Automatic emergency braking, Front pedestrian braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Forward collision alert, IntelliBeam® auto high beams, and Following Distance Indicator.

Here's Why You Should Buy the New 2023 GMC Acadia

Aerial view of a 2023 GMC Acadia AT4 SUV driving down an off-road trail in the desert

There you have it, comparing the 2023 GMC Acadia and 2023 Chevy Traverse. In the end, only one can come out on top. From our evaluation, we conclude the 2023 GMC Acadia has more pack to the punch, is safer, is more fuel efficient, and is the better overall SUV to purchase to suit a growing family. Everyone deserves to drive in luxury, and the 2023 GMC Acadia Denali is the perfect combination of power and class. Want to see it for yourself? Visit Octane GMC in Santa Fe, NM to see available GMC Acadia SUVs for sale today and take a test drive.

Browse New GMC Acadia

  1. Octane GMC of Santa Fe

    2721 Cerrillos Rd
    Santa Fe, NM 87507

    • Sales: (505) 303-1960
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