2027 Chevy Equinox vs Traverse
Lynch Chevrolet of Mukwonago
2027 Chevy Equinox vs Traverse: Size, Seating, Cargo and Towing Compared
The 2027 Chevy Traverse is about 21 inches longer and four inches taller than the 2027 Chevy Equinox. The Traverse measures 204.5 inches bumper to bumper on a 121-inch wheelbase; the Equinox measures 183.2 inches on a 107.5-inch wheelbase. Both are Chevrolet SUVs sold here at Lynch Chevrolet of Mukwonago, but they answer different questions — and on several specs the smaller one wins.
How Much Bigger Is the Traverse?
Width is where the gap gets practical. The Traverse spans 79.6 inches without mirrors and 87.9 inches across them, while the 2027 Chevy Equinox comes in at 74.9 inches without mirrors. In a tight single-car bay or a narrow parking deck, that difference across the mirrors is what decides whether you fold them in.
| Exterior dimension | 2027 Chevy Equinox | 2027 Chevy Traverse |
|---|---|---|
| Overall length | 183.2 in | 204.5 in (204.7 in on Z71) |
| Wheelbase | 107.5 in | 121.0 in |
| Width, without mirrors | 74.9 in | 79.6 in |
| Width, across mirrors | Not published by Chevrolet | 87.9 in |
| Overall height | 65.6 in | 69.6 in (70.7 in on Z71) |
| Ground clearance | 8.1 in | 6.8 in (7.8 in on Z71) |
Ground clearance runs opposite to what the size difference suggests. The Equinox clears 8.1 inches, while a standard Traverse sits at 6.8 inches. Only the Z71, with its lifted off-road suspension, clears more than the Equinox at 7.8 inches. Drivers in Mukwonago and Big Bend who want winter ride height without stepping up to a three-row SUV should look closely at the Equinox before assuming the larger vehicle sits higher.
Cited Source: Chevrolet — 2027 Equinox | Chevrolet — 2027 Traverse | Autoblog — 2027 Equinox and Traverse dimensions and ground clearance by trim
Seating: Five Across Two Rows, or Seven to Eight Across Three
The 2027 Equinox seats five across two rows. The 2027 Chevy Traverse seats seven as standard with second-row captain's chairs, or eight when the LT is ordered with the available second-row bench.
2027 Chevy Equinox
Both rows are built around five adults, with 39.9 inches of second-row legroom. Heated rear outboard seats are available on the RS and ACTIV trims.
2027 Chevy Traverse
The LT is the only trim offering the eight-passenger bench; the Z71, RS and High Country all seat seven with captain's chairs standard, which opens an aisle to the third row. That third row carries 32.1 inches of legroom and seats full-size adults in a natural position rather than a knees-up crouch — unusual among three-row crossovers. Smart Slide second-row seats are standard on every trim and slide forward with a forward-facing child seat still installed, so the back row stays reachable on a school morning.
Cited Source: Chevrolet — 2027 Traverse | Autoblog — 2027 Traverse seating configuration by trim
Cargo Space, Row by Row
The Traverse holds 97.6 cubic feet with both rear rows folded — a figure Chevrolet rounds to 98 — against 63.5 cubic feet in the Equinox with its second row down. Behind their respective rear rows, the Traverse carries 22.9 cubic feet behind the third row and the Equinox carries 29.8 cubic feet behind the second.
That comparison deserves a second look, because it is the one most shoppers get backwards: with all seats occupied, the two-row Equinox has more cargo room behind its rear seats than the three-row Traverse does. The Traverse's advantage appears only once you start folding rows.
The Equinox folds its rear bench in a 60/40 split on every trim, so one long item can ride alongside two passengers, and a hidden compartment beneath the rear cargo floor keeps smaller gear out of sight.
| Configuration | Cargo volume |
|---|---|
| Equinox, second row up | 29.8 cu ft |
| Equinox, second row folded | 63.5 cu ft |
| Traverse, third row up | 22.9 cu ft |
| Traverse, third row folded | 56.6 cu ft |
| Traverse, both rear rows folded | 97.6 cu ft |
Cited Source: Chevrolet — 2027 Equinox | Chevrolet — 2027 Traverse | Autoblog — 2027 cargo volumes by seat configuration
Engine, Transmission and Towing
The 2027 Traverse produces 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque from a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. The 2027 Equinox produces 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft from a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Both use an eight-speed automatic.
Two 2027 changes matter here. First, the Equinox retires the continuously variable transmission entirely — front-wheel-drive models now use the same eight-speed automatic that all-wheel-drive models already had. That also lifts the CVT's 184 lb-ft torque ceiling, so front-drive buyers get the full 203 lb-ft this year. Second, Chevrolet no longer offers a factory trailering package on the Equinox, so it is not the right choice if towing is on your list.
The Traverse is, and for 2027 it arrives ready. The trailering package is now standard equipment on every trim rather than an option box — a heavy-duty cooling system, a 220-amp alternator, a factory-installed hitch, a trailering app, and Hitch Guidance with Hitch View. Every 2027 Traverse leaves the factory able to pull its full rating.
| Specification | 2027 Chevy Equinox | 2027 Chevy Traverse |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder | 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 175 hp | 328 hp |
| Torque | 203 lb-ft | 326 lb-ft |
| Transmission | Eight-speed automatic | Eight-speed automatic |
| Standard drivetrain | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Available drivetrain | All-wheel drive | All-wheel drive (Twin-Clutch AWD standard on Z71) |
| Trailering package | Not offered for 2027 | Standard on every trim |
| Max towing§ | Not rated for meaningful towing in 2027 | Up to 5,000 lbs |
§ Maximum towing and payload capacity figures are based on properly equipped vehicles and vary by configuration. Do not exceed any weight rating. See your owner's manual and the vehicle's door-jamb label for specific capacities.
Cited Source: Chevrolet — 2027 Traverse | Chevrolet — 2027 Equinox | Autoblog — 2027 Equinox torque ceiling lifted with the eight-speed | Car and Driver — 2027 Equinox CVT deletion confirmed via GM order guide
Fuel Economy and Running Costs
The front-wheel-drive Equinox is EPA-estimated at 27 mpg combined against 22 mpg combined for the front-wheel-drive Traverse — a five-mpg gap in those EPA-estimated figures that shows up every week at the pump.‡
| EPA-estimated fuel economy‡ | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Equinox, front-wheel drive | 25 mpg | 29 mpg | 27 mpg |
| 2027 Equinox, all-wheel drive | 25 mpg | 29 mpg | 26 mpg |
| 2027 Traverse, front-wheel drive | 20 mpg | 26 mpg | 22 mpg |
| 2027 Traverse, all-wheel drive | 20 mpg | 24 mpg | 21 mpg |
‡ EPA-estimated fuel economy figures are for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery age/condition, and other factors.
One note for anyone cross-shopping a leftover 2026 Equinox: the move from the CVT to the eight-speed cost the front-drive Equinox one EPA-estimated mpg in the city, from 26 down to 25. EPA-estimated highway and combined ratings are unchanged. For a household driving Janesville Road east toward Hales Corners and the Milwaukee metro five days a week, the Equinox is still the cheaper commute by a wide margin. The Traverse trades that efficiency for three rows and a towing rating the Equinox doesn't have.
Cited Source: GM Authority — official 2027 Equinox EPA figures released | Cars.com — 2027 Equinox EPA ratings by drivetrain | U.S. News — 2027 Traverse EPA ratings by drivetrain
Standard Safety Technology and Crash Ratings
Both the 2027 Equinox and 2027 Traverse include Chevy Safety Assist as standard equipment on every trim.¶ The suite bundles six features:
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Front Pedestrian Braking with bicyclist detection
- Forward Collision Alert
- Following Distance Indicator
- Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
- IntelliBeam auto high beams
The Equinox carries more than 15 standard safety and driver assistance features in total; the Traverse carries more than 20.¶
¶ Driver-assist and safety systems are supplemental aids and are not a substitute for safe, attentive driving. Their effectiveness depends on weather, road, and traffic conditions and other factors. Always obey traffic laws and stay attentive to the road. See your owner's manual for system details and limitations.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has rated both 2027 models:
| IIHS evaluation | 2027 Equinox | 2027 Traverse |
|---|---|---|
| Small overlap front | Acceptable | Good |
| Moderate overlap front (updated test) | Good | Acceptable |
| Side (updated test) | Good | Good |
| LATCH ease of use | Good | Good |
The updated moderate-overlap front test is the one that measures second-row occupant protection, and it is worth noting that the smaller Equinox out-rates the Traverse there. The Traverse answers in the small overlap front test. Neither result should be read as an overall score.
Cited Source: IIHS — 2027 Chevrolet Equinox ratings | IIHS — 2027 Chevrolet Traverse ratings
Screens and Hands-Free Driving
| Technology | 2027 Chevy Equinox | 2027 Chevy Traverse |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment touchscreen | 11.3 in, standard | 17.7 in, standard |
| Digital driver display | 11 in, standard | 11 in, standard |
| Super Cruise hands-free driving¶ | Not offered on the gas Equinox | Standard on RS and High Country; available on LT and Z71 |
¶ Driver-assist and safety systems are supplemental aids and are not a substitute for safe, attentive driving. Their effectiveness depends on weather, road, and traffic conditions and other factors. Always obey traffic laws and stay attentive to the road. See your owner's manual for system details and limitations.
Super Cruise being standard on the RS is new for 2027 — it was a High Country exclusive before — and each of those trims includes a three-year OnStar Super Cruise plan.
Cited Source: Chevrolet — 2027 Traverse | Chevrolet — 2027 Equinox | GM — Chevrolet evolves High Country trim, starting with 2027 Traverse
Which 2027 Chevy SUV Should You Choose?
Neither model wins outright — they answer different questions. Category by category, using the figures above:
| Category | Advantage |
|---|---|
| Maneuverability and parking | Equinox — 21 inches shorter, 4.7 inches narrower without mirrors |
| Ground clearance | Equinox — 8.1 in vs 6.8 in (Traverse Z71 excepted at 7.8 in) |
| Fuel economy | Equinox — EPA-estimated 27 vs 22 mpg combined‡ |
| Cargo behind the rear row, seats occupied | Equinox — 29.8 vs 22.9 cu ft |
| Passenger capacity | Traverse — 7–8 seats vs 5 |
| Maximum cargo volume | Traverse — 97.6 vs 63.5 cu ft |
| Power and towing | Traverse — 328 hp and up to 5,000 lbs§ |
| Screen size and hands-free driving | Traverse — 17.7-in display, standard Super Cruise on RS and High Country¶ |
Figures in this table are drawn from the sections above; the ‡, § and ¶ disclaimers appear under those sections and in the Disclaimers section at the bottom of this page.
Choose the Equinox if you carry four or fewer people, want the lower running cost, and value a vehicle that fits a tight garage — the LT covers the essentials, the RS adds sport styling and 19-inch wheels, and the ACTIV adds all-terrain tires and a uniquely tuned suspension.
Choose the Traverse if you need a third row that adults can actually use, haul bulky loads with the rows folded, or tow up to 5,000 pounds.§ Both sit alongside the rest of the Chevy SUV lineup if neither is quite the right size.
Cited Source: Chevrolet — 2027 Equinox | Chevrolet — 2027 Traverse | IIHS — 2027 Chevrolet Equinox ratings | Autoblog — 2027 Equinox trim walk and dimensions
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2027 Equinox and Traverse
Will a 2027 Chevy Traverse fit inside a standard residential garage?
At 204.5 inches long — just over 17 feet — and 87.9 inches wide across the mirrors, the Traverse fits a standard garage door opening, though it needs a full bay and some care in a compact parking deck. Measure your bay depth from the back wall to the door track before buying.
Does the 2027 Chevy Equinox require premium fuel?
No. The 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder runs on regular unleaded gasoline and is E15-capable. Premium fuel is not required to reach its factory 175-horsepower rating.
Which 2027 Chevy Traverse trims include Super Cruise?
Super Cruise is standard on the Traverse RS and High Country for 2027, each with a three-year OnStar Super Cruise plan. It is available on the LT and Z71 through the Enhanced Driving Package.¶
What equipment does the Traverse need to reach its 5,000-pound towing limit?
None — it is already equipped. For 2027 the trailering package is standard on every Traverse trim, including the heavy-duty cooling system, 220-amp alternator, factory-installed hitch, trailering app, and Hitch Guidance with Hitch View.§
How does second-row child seat installation compare between the two?
Both rate Good from IIHS for LATCH ease of use. The Equinox has two rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment hardware plus one additional position with a tether anchor only. The Traverse offers two complete LATCH sets in the second row plus tether anchors for every third-row seat, and adds Smart Slide second-row seats, standard on every trim, which pitch forward with a forward-facing child seat still installed to open access to the third row.
§ Maximum towing and payload capacity figures are based on properly equipped vehicles and vary by configuration. Do not exceed any weight rating. See your owner's manual and the vehicle's door-jamb label for specific capacities.
¶ Driver-assist and safety systems are supplemental aids and are not a substitute for safe, attentive driving. Their effectiveness depends on weather, road, and traffic conditions and other factors. Always obey traffic laws and stay attentive to the road. See your owner's manual for system details and limitations.
Cited Source: IIHS — 2027 Chevrolet Equinox ratings | IIHS — 2027 Chevrolet Traverse ratings | Chevrolet — 2027 Traverse | U.S. News — 2027 Traverse LATCH configuration
Find Your Next Chevy SUV at Lynch Chevrolet of Mukwonago
Lynch Chevrolet of Mukwonago stocks both the 2027 Equinox and the 2027 Traverse at 280 E Wolf Run in Mukwonago, serving Big Bend, Muskego, Waukesha, New Berlin, Hales Corners, Franklin, Waterford, East Troy and the greater Milwaukee area.
Come see both on the lot, fold the seats yourself, and take each one out on the road before deciding. Browse our new Chevrolet inventory or call our sales team at 262-368-1045 to check current availability.
Disclaimers
‡ EPA-estimated fuel economy figures are for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery age/condition, and other factors.
§ Maximum towing and payload capacity figures are based on properly equipped vehicles and vary by configuration. Do not exceed any weight rating. See your owner's manual and the vehicle's door-jamb label for specific capacities.
¶ Driver-assist and safety systems are supplemental aids and are not a substitute for safe, attentive driving. Their effectiveness depends on weather, road, and traffic conditions and other factors. Always obey traffic laws and stay attentive to the road. See your owner's manual for system details and limitations.