Chevrolet Traverse vs Toyota Highlander: cost to own

Verdict, over 6 years

The Chevrolet Traverse costs about $1,944 less

That's $27 a month. Closest matching trims: same fuel and drive where possible.

Traverse LT✓ $1,421/moTrue cost

Highlander XLE AWD$1,448/moTrue cost

2026 Chevrolet Traverse

Closest matching trim: Traverse LT

Sticker (MSRP)$51,799

+$10,399→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$62,198

+ running costs→↓− $22,756 resale

True cost$1,421/moA month to own, after resale

2026 Toyota Highlander

Closest matching trim: Highlander XLE AWD

Sticker (MSRP)$51,535

+$10,183→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$61,718

+ running costs→↓− $28,198 resale

True cost$1,448/moA month to own, after resale

Line by line


Price
Sticker (MSRP)	$51,799	✓ $51,535	Highlander by $264
Freight and fees, before tax	$3,244	✓ $3,083	Highlander by $161
Sales tax (HST)	$7,156	✓ $7,100	Highlander by $56
Drive-away price	$62,198	✓ $61,718	Highlander by $480
Running costs, 6 years
Fuel or charging	$18,581	✓ $16,573	Highlander by $2,008
Insurance (estimate)	✓ $11,746	$20,258	Traverse by $8,512
Maintenance (estimate)	✓ $7,717	$9,273	Traverse by $1,556
Loan rate	6.5%	6.5%	—
Loan interest	$12,030	✓ $11,929	Highlander by $101
Lost return on your money	$12,736	✓ $12,643	Highlander by $93
Resale after 6 yrs	−$22,756	✓ −$28,198	Highlander by $5,442
Total
True cost	✓ $102,343	$104,287	Traverse by $1,944
True cost a month	✓ $1,421/mo	$1,448/mo	Traverse by $27
You pay each month	✓ $1,491/mo	$1,595/mo	Traverse by $104
Practical
Fuel type	Gas	Gas	—
Seats	7	8	—
Carry-ons, 2 people	8+	8+	—
Towing, lb	5,000	5,000	—
Cargo behind row 2, litres	1,603	Not published	—
Length	5.19 m	4.95 m	—
Ground clearance	17 cm	✓ 20 cm	—
Resale % after 6 yrs	44%	✓ 55%	—
US crash test	5★	5★	—

Price

Sticker (MSRP)

Traverse LT $51,799Highlander XLE AWD ✓ $51,535Cheaper by Highlander by $264

Freight and fees, before tax

Traverse LT $3,244Highlander XLE AWD ✓ $3,083Cheaper by Highlander by $161

Sales tax (HST)

Traverse LT $7,156Highlander XLE AWD ✓ $7,100Cheaper by Highlander by $56

Drive-away price

Traverse LT $62,198Highlander XLE AWD ✓ $61,718Cheaper by Highlander by $480

Running costs, 6 years

Fuel or charging

Traverse LT $18,581Highlander XLE AWD ✓ $16,573Cheaper by Highlander by $2,008

Insurance (estimate)

Traverse LT ✓ $11,746Highlander XLE AWD $20,258Cheaper by Traverse by $8,512

Maintenance (estimate)

Traverse LT ✓ $7,717Highlander XLE AWD $9,273Cheaper by Traverse by $1,556

Loan rate

Traverse LT 6.5%Highlander XLE AWD 6.5%Cheaper by —

Loan interest

Traverse LT $12,030Highlander XLE AWD ✓ $11,929Cheaper by Highlander by $101

Lost return on your money

Traverse LT $12,736Highlander XLE AWD ✓ $12,643Cheaper by Highlander by $93

Resale after 6 yrs

Traverse LT −$22,756Highlander XLE AWD ✓ −$28,198Cheaper by Highlander by $5,442

Total

True cost

Traverse LT ✓ $102,343Highlander XLE AWD $104,287Cheaper by Traverse by $1,944

True cost a month

Traverse LT ✓ $1,421/moHighlander XLE AWD $1,448/moCheaper by Traverse by $27

You pay each month

Traverse LT ✓ $1,491/moHighlander XLE AWD $1,595/moCheaper by Traverse by $104

Practical

Fuel type

Traverse LT GasHighlander XLE AWD GasCheaper by —

Seats

Traverse LT 7Highlander XLE AWD 8Cheaper by —

Carry-ons, 2 people

Traverse LT 8+Highlander XLE AWD 8+Cheaper by —

Towing, lb

Traverse LT 5,000Highlander XLE AWD 5,000Cheaper by —

Cargo behind row 2, litres

Traverse LT 1,603Highlander XLE AWD Not publishedCheaper by —

Length

Traverse LT 5.19 mHighlander XLE AWD 4.95 mCheaper by —

Ground clearance

Traverse LT 17 cmHighlander XLE AWD ✓ 20 cmCheaper by —

Resale % after 6 yrs

Traverse LT 44%Highlander XLE AWD ✓ 55%Cheaper by —

US crash test

Traverse LT 5★Highlander XLE AWD 5★Cheaper by —

✓ marks the better figure. Resale is from used prices: the Traverse typical for its type and brand, the Highlander from its own. Their stickers differ by $264.