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Starting at
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| 310 | Max Horsepower (HP) | 250 |
| 5,000 | Max Towing Capacity (lbs) | 3,500 |
| 7-8 | Seating (Passengers) | 6-7 |
If you are searching for the perfect three-row crossover with plenty of room and advanced technology to keep the entire family happy, then you should take the time to compare the 2020 Chevy Traverse vs 2020 Mazda CX-9. These two SUVs are about to go head-to-head in a battle for the #1 spot in the family-friendly SUV category. Let’s kick things off with a warm-up round by looking at the seating and cargo room that each vehicle offers.
Off to a great start, the new 2020 Chevy Traverse has available seating for up to eight people with about 23 cubic feet of space in the back for groceries, backpacks, and other things. If you need more space to move furniture or anything else, you can easily fold down the two back rows of seating to expand the cargo space up to 98.2 cubic feet. That’s pretty massive! On the other hand, the 2020 Mazda CX-9 only has seating for six or seven passengers, and the trunk area measures only 14.4 cubic feet. The maximum cargo area is measured at 71.2 cubic feet, so you can really tell a difference between these two vehicles. The Chevy Traverse has much more space. If you are part of an active family that needs plenty of seating and room, the decision may have already been made! The Chevy Traverse is far superior in this category.
Now that we’ve warmed up, it’s time to hit the big leagues. We will go over the performance, interior features, and exterior styling elements of each model to determine which is best suited for your lifestyle.
First up is the 2020 Chevy Traverse. Purring under the hood is a 3.6-liter V6 engine mated with a 9-speed automatic transmission and FWD. Using direct injection technology, this powertrain produces up to 310 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, and you can always opt for AWD if you need better handling for off-roading. The 2020 Chevy Traverse has the ability to tow up to 5,000 pounds and has an average fuel economy of 21 MPG combined (18 city/27 highway). It also comes with a traction mode selector that offers better handling over various road conditions.
Meanwhile, the 2020 Mazda CX-9 uses a much smaller turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. Coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission and FWD, this powertrain generates 250 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. AWD is optional, and the maximum towing capacity is set at 3,500 pounds. The estimated fuel economy is set at 24 MPG combined (22 city/28 highway).
While the Mazda CX-9 does have a slightly better fuel economy, it doesn’t have nearly the same amount of power and capability that the Chevy Traverse has. If you want something strong and reliable that can tow a boat to the lake on the weekends, the Traverse is the way to go.
Available in seven trims, the 2020 Chevy Traverse has quite a lot to offer. The base trim, the L, features cloth upholstery, bucket seats, carpeted floors, protective floor mats, and ten cupholders. This is the perfect model for families, who are looking to save a little while getting the seating capacity and features they need. It even has slender compartments to store your wet umbrellas in. Also included is the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System, which uses a 7-inch touchscreen to display its various functions. With this system you'll find Bluetooth connectivity, compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wifi hotspot.
Drivers will also love active noise cancellation, which ensures that you will experience the quietest ride. Finally, multiple safety features have also been added. These include a teen driver technology system, a tire pressure monitoring system, cruise control, and a handy rearview camera.
The second trim is the LS. This one adds a universal tablet holder, protective seat covers, all-weather floor mats, and a highway safety kit. The kit includes emergency items such as gloves, bungee tie-downs, jumper cables, etc. Also added on this trim is a rear-seat DVD entertainment system. You don’t have to buy the top-of-the-line model to get some entertainment for the kids!
Next is the LT Cloth trim, which adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel, satellite radio, and an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support. The fourth trim is known as the LT Leather, and it comes with an 8-point digital compass, leather seating, and a 4.2-inch driver information cluster. It even gets an infotainment upgrade with the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Plus System. This adds a larger 8-inch HD touchscreen. A few other worthy mentions include heated seats, remote start technology, lane-change assist, rear park assist, blindspot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
The fifth trim is the RS, which adds a 120-volt power outlet, heated steering wheel, and an upgraded infotainment system. You’ll be hard-pressed to find something you don’t love about this model. It comes with navigation and a ten-speaker Bose stereo system for your listening pleasure. Other features included on this trim are HD Surround Vision, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and forward collision alert.
Moving into the luxury category, the Premier model comes with heated/ventilated perforated leather seating and a wireless charging pad to help keep the cabin clear of clutter. Finally, the top-tier High Country trim adds power-folding technology to the 60/40 split-bench third-row seat. It also includes a tilt-sliding power sunroof, a fixed back skylight, a sunscreen, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and better emergency braking.
On the flip side, the 2020 Mazda CX-9 is only available in four trims. The first is called the Sport. It comes with heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, keyless entry, and a six-speaker sound system. The infotainment interface is displayed on a 7-inch touchscreen, and both the shift knob and steering wheel have been wrapped in leather. Standard safety features include lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, radar crude control, pedestrian detection, and emergency braking.
The second trim is the Touring model. This one adds compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to the infotainment system. It also comes with a larger 9-inch touchscreen.
The third available trim is called the Grand Touring. This trim includes a power moonroof, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and a navigation system. The sound system has also been upgraded to a Bose 12-speaker system. Extra safety features include front/back parking sensors and surround-view monitoring. Lastly, the top-of-the-line Signature trim adds mostly upgraded features to the outside. In the cabin, you will find wood accents and premium leather upholstery.
The Chevy Traverse is available in more trims, which means that you have more control over what features go into your new crossover. It also has more safety and entertainment features than the Mazda CX-9.
The Chevy Traverse L rides on 18-inch aluminum wheels in silver and features black and body-colored exterior accents, dual exhaust, and LED daytime running lamps. The LS adds HID headlights and rear privacy glass. Next, the LT Cloth provides foglights, roof rails, and heated side mirrors with integrated turn signal indicators. Stepping up to the LT Leather will add a power liftgate.
Riding on larger 20-inch wheels in dark grey is the RS trim. It features black accents, automatic high beams, and all-season tires. The Premier adds chrome accents, LED headlights, auto-dimming side mirrors, and a hands-free liftgate. Finally, the High Country rides on 20-inch alloy wheels and features a dual-panel sunroof and body-colored accents.
The Mazda CX-9 Sport rides on 18-inch wheels and features automatic high beams and rain-sensing wipers. Not much changes until you get to the Grand Touring trim, which adds larger 20-inch wheels, LED foglights, roof rails, and a power moonroof. Finally, the Signature model gets 20-inch wheels in dark silver and LED accents on the grille.
The 2020 Chevy Traverse has a lot of distinguishing features for its different trim levels, while the Mazda CX-9 remains largely the same with minor exterior changes.
Just like the name says, Rick Hendrick Chevrolet of Buford is situated right here in Buford, GA, and we have the best selection of Chevy vehicles in the state. Our experts are dedicated to helping you find the perfect car, truck, or SUV to suit your daily driving style. We’ve even got the iconic Camaro for you to take for a spin around the block. Once you have found the perfect model, our certified mechanics are happy to handle any routine maintenance or major repairs later on. You can schedule an appointment online or give us a call. Stop by today at our Buford dealership to take one of our new or used vehicles for a test drive!
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.