2027 Chevrolet Traverse vs GMC Acadia: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Traverse — it leads our weighted scorecard 2.5–1 across 7 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($40,800 vs $43,700) and fewer recalls on the 2023–2025 model years (2 vs 4). Choose the Acadia if you want the bigger discount off MSRP (6.4% off MSRP vs 3.8% off MSRP for verified buyers).
Scorecard: Traverse 2.5 pts · Acadia 1 pts across 7 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 Traverse | 2027 Acadia | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $40,800 | $43,700 | Traverse |
| NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2) | — | 0.81 | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 41.8% | 40.8% | Tie |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | Tie |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 328 hp | 328 hp | Tie |
| Max towing (1) | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb | Tie |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | 3.8% off MSRP | 6.4% off MSRP | Acadia |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 2 | 4 | Traverse |
| Weighted points | 2.5 | 1 | Traverse |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: it's a wash — Traverse 22 mpg vs Acadia 22 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the Traverse — $40,800 vs $43,700 (starting MSRP). Used, the median asking price is $25,158 for the Traverse vs $22,099 for the Acadia.
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: it's a wash — Traverse 41.8% vs Acadia 40.8% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: it's a wash — Traverse 5,000 lb vs Acadia 5,000 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The Traverse starts at $40,800 and tops out at $55,400; the Acadia runs $43,700 to $62,900 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified Traverse buyers paid a median 3.8% off MSRP across 18 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 8% off. Verified Acadia buyers paid a median 6.4% off MSRP across 21 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 8.3% off. Used, the median asking price is $25,158 for the Traverse and $22,099 for the Acadia (all model years, US dealer listings).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Traverse: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Acadia: 0.81 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 29th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Traverse 2, Acadia 4.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Traverse 2016 (caution) · Acadia 2016 (solid).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 Traverse | 2027 Acadia | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $40,800 | $43,700 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $55,400 | $62,900 |
| Horsepower | 328 hp | 328 hp |
| Max torque | 326 lb-ft | 326 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 21–22 mpg | 21–22 mpg |
| Max towing | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | — / 8 | — / 8 |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Traverse lists for a median $20,999 — 41.8% of today's median new price of $50,206. A 5-year-old (2021) Acadia lists for a median $21,999 — 40.8% of today's median new price of $53,859.
Shop both
- See 26,190 new 2027 Chevrolet Traverses for sale →Median listed price $49,427 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See 12,488 new 2027 GMC Acadias for sale →Median listed price $55,687 · updated Nov 7, 2026
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Chevrolet Traverse
More on the GMC Acadia
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Traverse better than the Acadia?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the Traverse — it leads our weighted scorecard 2.5–1 across 7 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($40,800 vs $43,700) and fewer recalls on the 2023–2025 model years (2 vs 4). Choose the Acadia if you want the bigger discount off MSRP (6.4% off MSRP vs 3.8% off MSRP for verified buyers).
Which is more reliable, the Traverse or the Acadia?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Traverse and 4 for the Acadia.
Which holds its value better, the Traverse or the Acadia?
About the same — 41.8% vs 40.8% retained after five years (within 2 points).
Which is cheaper, the Traverse or the Acadia?
The Traverse starts lower: $40,800 vs $43,700 starting MSRP (before destination). Verified buyers paid a median 3.8% off MSRP on the Traverse (18 deals) and 6.4% on the Acadia (21 deals).
Which has better gas mileage, the Traverse or the Acadia?
It's a wash: 22 mpg vs 22 mpg best EPA combined.
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2027 Chevrolet Traverse vs GMC Acadia: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/chevrolet-traverse-vs-gmc-acadia, updated November 8, 2026.