Both SUVs are powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Towing capacity is identical at 5,000 pounds with the appropriate trailering equipment. On paper, they're evenly matched - but the Acadia adds a bit more personality to the equation with its Traction Select System, which offers up to six available drive modes. The AT4 trim further elevates things with an off-road-tuned suspension, lifted ride height, and Active Torque Control AWD, giving drivers a capability edge that the Traverse lineup simply doesn't replicate at the same level.

The Acadia seats up to eight and offers up to 97.5 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume. The Traverse matches that seating figure on the LT trim and edges slightly ahead with a best-in-class maximum cargo volume of 98 cubic feet. However, where the Acadia truly separates itself is in interior refinement. The Denali and Denali Ultimate trims bring leather-appointed seating, heated and ventilated front seats, third-row power-folding seats, and - at the top of the range - full-leather Woodland Mahogany massaging front seats with plaited contrast stitching. That level of interior craftsmanship simply isn't matched by any Traverse configuration.

The Acadia features a 15-inch diagonal Premium GMC Infotainment System with Google built-in compatibility, a standard 11-inch diagonal Driver Information Center, and nine available camera views. An available 8-inch diagonal configurable Head-Up Display keeps key information projected directly onto the windshield. The Traverse counters with a larger 17.7-inch diagonal touchscreen and an 11-inch diagonal Driver Information Center, which gives it an edge on raw screen size. That said, the Acadia's available Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance technology is available across all four trims - Elevation, AT4, Denali, and Denali Ultimate - and comes standard with a 3-year OnStar One plan on the Denali Ultimate. Both vehicles support wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Both SUVs arrive with impressive standard safety packages. The Acadia includes over 19 standard safety and driver assistance features, including Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Zone Steering Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, HD Surround Vision, Rear Camera Mirror, Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking, and more. The Traverse covers similar ground with Chevy Safety Assist and over 20 standard features. While the Traverse holds a slight numerical edge in standard safety features, the Acadia's available Super Cruise technology - covering more than 585,000 miles of compatible roads - gives it a meaningful advantage in active driver assistance capability.

The 2026 GMC Acadia is available in four well-defined trims: Elevation, AT4, Denali, and Denali Ultimate. The lineup is designed to serve distinctly different buyers, from everyday family hauling to off-road adventure and premium luxury. The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse offers LT, Z71, High Country, and RS trims. The Traverse Z71 is a capable off-road option, and the RS adds sporty styling, but neither trim delivers the premium interior experience that the Acadia Denali and Denali Ultimate provide.

Both the 2026 GMC Acadia and the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse are strong choices in the mid-size SUV segment, sharing the same powertrain DNA and competitive capability numbers. But for drivers who want a more luxurious interior, a more distinct trim lineup, and broader availability of advanced driver assistance technology like Super Cruise, the Acadia is the clear winner. Whether you're drawn to the adventure-ready AT4 or the premium comfort of the Denali Ultimate, the Acadia delivers a more elevated ownership experience from the ground up.