Chevrolet Traverse vs Honda Pilot: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Honda Pilot is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $2,910 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Pilot, 22 MPG combined), against $2,970 for the Chevrolet Traverse (Traverse, 22 MPG combined). That is $60 a year, or $300 over five years.
Both are classed as Standard SUVs by the EPA. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.
The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.
- Gas
- Standard SUVs
Chevrolet Traverse
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Traverse
$19.80 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
2 configurations in MY2026
- Gas
- Standard SUVs
Honda Pilot
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Pilot
$19.40 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
4 configurations in MY2026
What the fuel costs
Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration
- Chevrolet Traverse$2,970 a year · $19.80 per 100 mi
- Honda Pilot$2,910 a year · $19.40 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$60
Honda Pilot costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$300
$60 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Chevrolet Traverse | Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | Traverse | Pilot |
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Combined rating | 22 MPG | 22 MPG |
| City rating | 20 MPG (better) | 19 MPG |
| Highway rating | 26 MPG | 27 MPG (better) |
| Annual fuel cost | $2,970/yr | $2,910/yr (better) |
| Cost per 100 miles | $19.80 | $19.40 (better) |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $2,970–$3,110 | $2,910–$3,280 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 2 | 4 |
| EPA class | Standard SUVs | Standard SUVs |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Chevrolet Traverse | Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 22 MPG · $2,970/yr Traverse | 22 MPG · $2,910/yr Pilot |
Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.
Where each one comes out ahead
Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.
Chevrolet Traverse
- Higher city rating: 20 MPG vs 19 MPG
Honda Pilot
- Lower annual fuel cost: $2,910 vs $2,970
- Higher highway rating: 27 MPG vs 26 MPG
Level on: combined rating (22 MPG)
Year by year
| Model year | Chevrolet Traverse | Honda Pilot | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 21–22 MPG | $2,970–$3,110 | 20–22 MPG | $2,910–$3,280 |
| 2025 | 21–23 MPG | $2,860–$3,120 | 20–22 MPG | $2,910–$3,280 |
| 2024 | 20–23 MPG | $2,860–$3,310 | 20–22 MPG | $2,910–$3,270 |
| 2023 | 20–21 MPG | $3,070–$3,220 | 20–22 MPG | $2,910–$3,270 |
| 2022 | 20–21 MPG | $3,070–$3,230 | 21–23 MPG | $2,880–$3,070 |
| 2021 | 20–21 MPG | $3,090–$3,230 | 22–23 MPG | $2,880–$2,950 |
| 2020 | 20–21 MPG | $3,090–$3,250 | 21–23 MPG | $2,880–$3,090 |
| 2019 | 20–22 MPG | $3,090–$3,650 | 21–23 MPG | $2,880–$3,090 |
| 2018 | 20–22 MPG | $3,050–$3,650 | 21–23 MPG | $2,880–$3,090 |
| 2017 | 17–18 MPG | $3,730–$3,810 | 21–23 MPG | $2,880–$3,090 |
| 2016 | 17–18 MPG | $3,720–$3,810 | 21–23 MPG | $2,880–$3,110 |
| 2015 | 19 MPG | $3,420–$3,500 | 20 MPG | $3,190–$3,290 |
| 2014 | 19 MPG | $3,420–$3,500 | 20 MPG | $3,190–$3,290 |
| 2013 | 19 MPG | $3,420–$3,500 | 20 MPG | $3,190–$3,290 |
| 2012 | 19 MPG | $3,420–$3,530 | 20 MPG | $3,190–$3,290 |
| 2011 | 19 MPG | $3,420–$3,530 | 18–19 MPG | $3,460–$3,570 |
| 2010 | 19 MPG | $3,440 | 18–19 MPG | $3,440–$3,630 |
| 2009 | 19 MPG | $3,440 | 18–19 MPG | $3,440–$3,630 |
Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to fuel, the Chevrolet Traverse or the Honda Pilot?
The Honda Pilot is cheaper: about $2,910 a year against $2,970 for the Chevrolet Traverse, a difference of $60 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.
How much would the Honda Pilot save over five years?
About $300 ($60 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.
Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Chevrolet Traverse or the Honda Pilot?
Both are rated 22 MPG combined. City: 20 MPG vs 19 MPG. Highway: 26 MPG vs 27 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.
How is the annual fuel cost calculated?
Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.
Are the Chevrolet Traverse and the Honda Pilot in the same class?
Yes. The EPA classes both as Standard SUVs.
Explore these cars
- Chevrolet Traverse: ratings, trims and every model year
- Honda Pilot: ratings, trims and every model year
- 2026 Chevrolet Traverse: all configurations
- 2026 Honda Pilot: all configurations
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