2011 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited vs. 2012 Chevrolet Traverse LS 9.8 Winner Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited starting from $29,220 Reasons to buy the Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited Has continuously-variable transmission Power outlets Standard OK drivetrain traction all-wheel drive Good city fuel efficiency 22 mpg 9.0 Runner-up Chevrolet Traverse LS starting from $30,240 Reasons to buy the Chevrolet Traverse LS Average number of gears 6 Power locks Standard More passenger seats 8 Average 0-60 time 7.9 seconds

Luxury Features 10.0 vs 7.0 Winner: Outback 2.5i Limited [details] Almost the same Almost the same Crash Test Ratings 9.5 vs 10.0 Winner: Traverse LS [details] The Traverse LS has 2.1x less risk of serious injury, 5 stars vs 4 stars Cost 10.0 vs 9.9 Too close to call [details] Shorter-lasting basic warranty Shorter basic warranty Safety Features 10.0 vs - Missing information [details] Child door locks come standard Performance 10.0 vs - Missing information [details] Practicality 10.0 vs - Missing information [details] Active lifestyle? The Outback 2.5i Limited's standard roof rails for extra storage are a nice perk. Good highway range Both have a rear seat that folds down for extra storage space Entertainment System 10.0 vs - Missing information [details] Road Tests 10.0 vs - Missing information [details] Overall 9.8 vs 9.0

Luxury Features

	Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited			Chevrolet Traverse LS
	moon roof	Not Available	vs	Not Available	Neither offers a sun roof
	power seats	Standard	vs	Not Available	Conveniently adjust your seat with the Outback 2.5i Limited's power seats; not available on the Traverse LS
	keyless entry	Standard	vs	Standard	Both have keyless entry
	leather	Standard	vs	Not Available	Leather comes standard on the Outback 2.5i Limited; the Traverse LS only offers cloth seats

Crash Test Ratings

	Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited			Chevrolet Traverse LS
	Rollover resistance	4 stars	vs	4 stars	OK protection, 10% to 20% chance of rolling over during emergency lane change
	Front driver crash test	4 stars	vs	5 stars	The better is 2.1x safer than the Outback 2.5i Limited
	Driver side crash test	5 stars	vs	5 stars	OK protection, 5% chance of serious chest injuries in a crash

Cost

	Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited			Chevrolet Traverse LS
	MSRP	$29,220	vs	$30,240	Both are priced reasonably
	In-city gas mileage	22 mpg	vs	17 mpg	The Outback 2.5i Limited has great city mileage and the Traverse LS is pretty reasonable
	basic warranty miles	36,000 mile	vs	36,000 mile	Shorter basic warranty
	basic warranty years	3 year	vs	3 year	Shorter-lasting basic warranty

Safety Features

	Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited			Chevrolet Traverse LS
	antilock brakes	Standard	vs	Standard	Both come standard with ABS brakes
	Stability control system	Yes	vs	Unknown
	Airbags	5	vs	5	OK number of airbags
	Rear brakes	Disc	vs	Disc	Both have the usual brakes for this class of vehicle
	child door locks	Standard	vs	Standard	Child door locks come standard
	Roadside assistance system	None	vs	OnStar

Performance

	Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited			Chevrolet Traverse LS
	Horsepower	170 HP @ 5,600 RPM	vs	281 HP @ 6,300 RPM	The Traverse LS is of average power, but the Outback 2.5i Limited is underpowered
	Number of gears	Continuously variable	vs	6	The Traverse LS has an OK number of gears, while the Outback 2.5i Limited has very few
	Transmission	Automatic transmission	vs	Semi-automatic transmission	The Traverse LS's semi-automatic transmission is rare for this class of vehicle
	paddle shifters	Standard	vs	Unknown
	Air compressor	None	vs	None	Neither has an air compressor for increased power output
	Power-to-weight ratio	21.0 lb/hp	vs	16.6 lb/hp	The Traverse LS has OK performance while the Outback 2.5i Limited gives sluggish performance
	Drivetrain type	all-wheel drive	vs	two-wheel drive	The Outback 2.5i Limited has a good drivetrain for off-road and poor weather driving
	Curb-to-curb turning radius	36.8 ft	vs	40.4 ft	Both cars corner comparably to other vehicles in their class

Practicality

	Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited			Chevrolet Traverse LS
	Passengers	5	vs	8	The Traverse LS can carry a soccer team, and the Outback 2.5i Limited has an OK number of seats
	Highway driving range	536 miles	vs	528 miles	Good highway range
	Cargo space	71.3 ft3	vs	116.4 ft3	The Traverse LS has lots of cargo room and the Outback 2.5i Limited is pretty good
	front seats	57.2 ft3	vs	59.9 ft3	Both average size front seats
	folding rear seats	Standard	vs	Standard	Both have a rear seat that folds down for extra storage space
	power outlets	Standard	vs	Not Available	The Outback 2.5i Limited's standard power outlets will keep your gadgets charged; not available on the Traverse LS
	roof rails	Standard	vs	Optional	Active lifestyle? The Outback 2.5i Limited's standard roof rails for extra storage are a nice perk.
	navigation system	Optional	vs	Not Available	The Outback 2.5i Limited offers an optional navigation system; not available on the Traverse LS
	Cupholders	8	vs	Unknown
	front air conditioning	Standard	vs	Standard	A/C for hot summer days comes standard

Entertainment System

	Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited			Chevrolet Traverse LS
	Number of speakers	9	vs	Unknown
	Has speed sensitive volume	No	vs	Unknown
	CD player	Standard	vs	Standard	CD player comes standard
	premium radio	Standard	vs	Not Available	Have your pick of music from around the world with the Outback 2.5i Limited's satellite radio
	Has auxiliary audio input	Yes	vs	Unknown
	Has subwoofer	Yes	vs	Unknown
	entertainment system	Optional	vs	Not Available	It'll cost you to get an entertainment system on the Outback 2.5i Limited; but it's not available at all on the Traverse LS

Road Tests

	Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited			Chevrolet Traverse LS
	0-60 mph	10.7 seconds	vs	7.9 seconds	The Traverse LS's 0-60 time is average for this class of vehicle, but the Outback 2.5i Limited is sluggish
	Braking distance at 60mph	136 ft	vs	141 ft	The Outback 2.5i Limited's braking ability is average for this class of vehicle, but the Traverse LS is quite bad
	1/4 mile	18.2 s s @ 79.0 mph mph	vs	16.2 s s @ 87.0 mph mph	The Traverse LS's 1/4 mile time is average, but the Outback 2.5i Limited's is quite bad
	Lateral acceleration	0.78 g	vs	0.8 g	Both have unremarkable cornering abilities
	Top speed	123 mph	vs	Unknown

Other Vehicles to Consider

Outback 2.5i Limited vs Rogue SV Outback 2.5i vs Escape XLS Outback 3.6R vs Highlander Outback 2.5i Limited vs Equinox LT Outback 2.5i Limited vs RX 350

Traverse LS vs Equinox LT Traverse LS vs Edge SEL Traverse LS vs Enclave CXL Traverse LT vs Tahoe LTZ Traverse LS vs Terrain SLE

Comments Which car would you recommend, and why?