Traverse vs Atlas
Two brands, one target. The Traverse from Chevrolet and the Atlas from Volkswagen compete head to head for three-row suv shoppers. Count the areas and a pattern appears. The Traverse is ahead in 2 of 4, led by a clear margin in engine & performance.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Traverse wins
- Fuel Economy & Range Tie
- Space & Practicality Traverse wins
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance7.6
- Fuel Economy & Range4.8
- Space & Practicality10.0
- Off-road & Towing5.3
- Engine & Performance4.5
- Fuel Economy & Range2.7
- Space & Practicality5.5
- Off-road & Towing5.3
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Traverse has 59 hp more power
Here the Traverse pulls well ahead of the Atlas, with 328 hp compared to 269 hp. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
-
The Traverse has 53 lb-ft more torque
The Traverse doesn’t just edge this one; 326 lb-ft against 273 lb-ft is a lead you’ll feel. More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
-
The Traverse has 12% more cargo space
If everything else were equal, this small edge would favor the Traverse: 23 cu ft against 20.6 cu ft. Cargo space behind the rear seats is what you use every day for groceries, strollers and luggage.
-
The Traverse has room for 8 seats
Not a big gap, but a consistent one. The Traverse’s 8 seats beats the Atlas’s 7 seats. Extra seats mean you can take more people along without taking a second car.
Design & Size
Dimensions
| Spec | Traverse | Atlas |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 204 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 120.9 in | N/A (not specified) |
Engine & Performance
Traverse leads
Look at the engine & performance table and one name keeps coming out on top: the Traverse. In its favor, the Traverse has 59 hp more power. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels. The engine & performance verdict goes to the Traverse.
Total system output
Traverse: 328 hp Atlas: 269 hp The Traverse’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
Torque
Traverse: 326 lb-ft Atlas: 273 lb-ft The Traverse’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing.
Fuel Economy & Range
Too close to call
Call the fuel economy & range round a draw. The takeaway: fuel economy & range is not where these two differ.
Space & Practicality
Traverse leads
No contest in space & practicality: the Traverse is the stronger of the two. The Traverse pulls ahead with 12% more cargo space. The Traverse’s larger cargo area makes family trips and big shopping runs easier. If space & practicality is your priority, the Traverse is the car to pick.
Cargo (behind rear seats)
Traverse: 23 cu ft Atlas: 20.6 cu ft Cargo figures are measured in different ways by different makers, so small gaps may not show in practice.
Seats
Traverse: 8 seats Atlas: 7 seats The Traverse has room for more passengers, useful for growing families and carpools.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
There’s little to choose between them when it comes to off-road & towing. Net result on off-road & towing: level.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Traverse | Atlas |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.5L turbo I4 | 2.0L turbo I4 |
| Total system output | 328 hp (winner) | 269 hp |
| Torque | 326 lb-ft (winner) | 273 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | FWD (AWD available) | FWD (4Motion AWD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Traverse | Atlas |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 23 mpg | 22 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | 20 mpg | 20 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 27 mpg | 26 mpg |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Traverse | Atlas |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 8 seats (winner) | 7 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 23 cu ft (winner) | 20.6 cu ft |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 98.2 cu ft Most room, seats folded | 96.8 cu ft |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Traverse | Atlas |
|---|---|---|
| Max towing | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Traverse | Atlas |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | 17.7 in Biggest touchscreen | N/A (not specified) |
| Driver-assist suite | Chevy Safety Assist | N/A (not specified) |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | N/A (not specified) |
Dimensions
| Spec | Traverse | Atlas |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 204 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 120.9 in | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | Traverse | Atlas |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $40,700 | N/A (not specified) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Traverse if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (328 hp vs 269 hp)
- you want more pulling power from low speeds (326 lb-ft vs 273 lb-ft of torque)
- you want more cargo space behind the rear seats (23 cu ft vs 20.6 cu ft)
- you regularly carry extra passengers (8 seats vs 7 seats)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Traverse or the Atlas?
On the specs compared here, the Traverse makes more sense for most buyers; the Atlas doesn’t win a single measurable area.
Executive Summary
The Traverse from Chevrolet and the Atlas from Volkswagen go after the same buyer. Here’s how I see them. Here’s what matters most to me: the Traverse offers 59 hp more power. Stack 12% more cargo space on top of that, and the Traverse’s lead grows.
For engine & performance, the Traverse fits better. For the things a spec sheet can’t capture, the Atlas is the better match.
My pick: the Traverse.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.