Compare the2025 Chevrolet TraverseVS 2025 BMW X7

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Chevrolet Traverse are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X7 doesn’t offer height-adjustable front seat belts.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Chevrolet Traverse achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The BMW X7 has not been tested.

Both the Traverse and the X7 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The Chevrolet Traverse achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The X7 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

Chevrolet’s powertrain warranty covers the Traverse 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X7. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the X7 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 8 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Traverse’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Traverse first among midsize suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The X7 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 46 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 21st, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 16 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 9th.

On the EPA test cycle the Traverse gets better mileage than the X7:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Traverse uses regular unleaded gasoline. The X7 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Traverse has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The X7 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Chevrolet Traverse’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The BMW X7 only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Traverse is 1.2 inches wider in the front and .5 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the X7.

For better maneuverability, the Traverse’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the X7 w/Rear Steering’s (39 feet vs. 40.7 feet). The Traverse with 22-inch wheels’ turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the X7 xDrive40i’s (40.7 feet vs. 42.7 feet).

The Chevrolet Traverse may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 950 to 1200 pounds less than the BMW X7.

The Traverse uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The X7 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Traverse offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the X7 can only carry 7.

The Traverse has .7 inches more front headroom, 4.5 inches more front legroom, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom, 3.9 inches more rear legroom, 4.1 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.7 inches more third row headroom and 9.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the X7.

The Traverse’s cargo area provides more volume than the X7.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Traverse easier. The Traverse’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.7 inches, while the X7’s liftover is 32.5 inches.

The Traverse’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X7’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Traverse has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X7 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Traverse offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The X7 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Traverse is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The X7 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Chevrolet Traverse and the BMW X7, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Chevrolet Traverse outsold the BMW X7 by over three to one during 2024.