Marthaler Chevrolet of Glenwood

3-Row SUV Comparison

Which Is Bigger — Chevy Traverse or Kia Telluride?

A complete size comparison for Glenwood-area families cross-shopping the two most popular three-row SUVs.

▶ Quick Answer

Which is bigger, the Chevy Traverse or the Kia Telluride?

The Chevy Traverse is the bigger SUV, inside and out. It measures 204.5 inches long and 79.5 inches wide (without mirrors), compared to the Telluride's 199.2 inches long and 78.3 inches wide, and it carries that extra size into the cargo hold with 98 cu. ft. of max cargo volume versus 89 cu. ft. in the Telluride.

  • 204.5 in. long, 79.5 in. wide, 121 in. wheelbase
  • 98 cu. ft. max cargo volume vs. 89 cu. ft. in the Telluride
  • 328 horsepower vs. 274 horsepower
Size Comparison

Chevy Traverse vs. Kia Telluride: The Full Breakdown

Shopping for a three-row SUV usually comes down to one question: which one actually fits your family and your gear? At Marthaler Chevrolet of Glenwood, that question comes up almost daily from folks cross-shopping the Chevy Traverse against the Kia Telluride. Both are popular and roomy — but once you line up the numbers, the Chevy Traverse vs. Kia Telluride comparison isn't as close as some shoppers expect. Here's why the Traverse tends to come out on top.

Key Takeaways

  • The Traverse is longer and wider than the Telluride, giving it the bigger overall footprint on the road.
  • The Traverse offers significantly more total cargo volume — 98 cu. ft. max versus the Telluride's 89 cu. ft.
  • Third-row legroom is essentially tied, so the Traverse's cargo advantage doesn't cost families comfort in the back row.
  • The Traverse's engine puts out 328 horsepower, well ahead of the Telluride's 274 horsepower.
  • Both SUVs tow up to 5,000 lbs. standard, and the Traverse's modest price difference is easy to justify once you factor in the extra room and power.
2026 Chevy Traverse exterior Exterior Size

Which Is Bigger, the Chevy Traverse or the Kia Telluride?

The Chevy Traverse is the bigger SUV, inside and out. It stretches 204.5 inches long and 79.5 inches wide (87.8 inches with mirrors), compared to the Telluride's 199.2 inches long and 78.3 inches wide. That extra size isn't just a number on a window sticker — it shows up directly in cargo room and everyday cabin space.

The Traverse's longer 121-inch wheelbase, versus 116.9 inches on the Telluride, gives it more real estate to work with when laying out three rows of seats and an actual cargo area behind them, not just a token trunk.

For anyone weighing Kia Telluride vs. Chevy Traverse size, the Traverse wins in nearly every exterior measurement that matters — length, width, and wheelbase.

The Telluride does have a slightly tighter turning radius, which some drivers appreciate in parking lots, but that small convenience comes at the cost of interior volume.

If the goal is a family hauler with real cargo flexibility and road presence, the Traverse's bigger footprint gives it the clear edge, and it's a big reason so many Glenwood-area families choose it after a side-by-side test drive.

  • Traverse: 204.5 in. long, 79.5 in. wide, 121 in. wheelbase
  • Telluride: 199.2 in. long, 78.3 in. wide, 116.9 in. wheelbase
  • Both offer seating for up to 8 passengers, but only the Traverse backs that up with class-leading cargo room
2026 Chevy Traverse cargo area with third row folded Cargo & Legroom

How Do Cargo Space and Third-Row Legroom Compare?

The Traverse holds more cargo than the Telluride in every configuration, topping out at 98 cu. ft. versus 89 cu. ft. Third-row legroom, meanwhile, is essentially tied at around 32 inches — so the Traverse's cargo advantage doesn't come at the expense of passenger comfort.

When it comes to Traverse vs. Telluride cargo space, the Traverse pulls ahead and stays ahead. Behind the third row, it offers 22.9 cu. ft. versus the Telluride's roughly 21 to 22.3 cu. ft., and independent cargo testing has found the Traverse can swallow even more real-world gear than its spec sheet suggests.

Fold the third row flat, and the gap widens further; fold both rear rows and the Traverse's 98 cu. ft. max leaves the Telluride's 89 cu. ft. well behind.

As for Traverse vs. Telluride third-row legroom, the two are close enough that most adults won't notice a difference — both land right around 32 inches. The Telluride does offer a bit more second-row legroom on paper, but that's a small trade-off against the Traverse's bigger cargo hold. For families asking, "Which SUV has more room, the Traverse or Telluride?" the Traverse comes out ahead where it counts most: everyday hauling.

Traverse vs. Telluride at a Glance

This table helps customers compare the main size and capability factors at a glance.

Factor
Chevy Traverse
Kia Telluride
Length
204.5 in.
199.2 in.
Width
79.5 in. (87.8 in. w/ mirrors)
78.3 in.
Max Cargo Volume
98 cu. ft.
89 cu. ft.
Cargo Behind 3rd Row
22.9 cu. ft.
~21–22.3 cu. ft.
Horsepower
328 hp
274 hp
Third-Row Legroom
32.1 in.
~32.1 in.
Towing Capacity
5,000 lbs.*
5,000–5,500 lbs.**
Starting MSRP
$40,800*
$39,190

*When properly equipped. **The Telluride's 5,500-lb. towing rating applies to the X-Pro trim only.

2026 Chevy Traverse driving on the highway Towing & Value

What About Towing, Price, and Why Drivers Love the Traverse?

Both SUVs tow up to 5,000 lbs. standard, so towing is about a wash for most buyers unless you specifically need the Telluride's X-Pro trim. On price, the Telluride starts a bit lower — but Traverse shoppers say the extra room, power, and standard equipment make that gap easy to overlook.

For Traverse vs. Telluride towing capacity, both handle a small boat, camper, or trailer without issue at their standard 5,000-lb. rating, so towing rarely decides this matchup.

On Traverse vs. Telluride price, the Telluride's $39,190 starting MSRP comes in modestly below the Traverse's $40,800 — but Glenwood-area drivers consistently say that gap is money well spent once they see what it buys: a bigger cargo hold, a standard 17.7-inch touchscreen, and a 328-horsepower engine that leaves the Telluride's 274-horsepower unit behind.

Families cross-shopping the two often say the Traverse simply feels built around real life — hauling kids, gear, and everything in between — rather than a spec sheet. That's the kind of feedback our team often hears in this 3-row SUV comparison: 2026 shoppers keep bringing it up, and it's usually the Traverse that wins them over.

The Traverse Covers More

Both the Traverse and the Telluride are solid three-row SUVs, but when you line up the numbers — length, width, cargo room, and horsepower — the Chevy Traverse wins in the categories that matter most for hauling people and gear. It's bigger, it's more powerful, and it doesn't ask you to give up third-row comfort to get there. If you're still working through this 3-row SUV comparison 2026 has everyone talking about, the Traverse is the one worth putting at the top of your list.

Ready to see the size difference for yourself? Stop by the Chevy dealer in Glenwood, MN, for a test drive, or reach out if you're coming from farther away — Marthaler Chevrolet of Glenwood is also a convenient Chevy dealer near St. Cloud, MN, for anyone willing to make the short drive. Either way, the team is happy to walk you through every trim and show you firsthand why so many families choose the Traverse.

See the Traverse's Size for Yourself

Compare the Traverse to the Telluride in person at Marthaler Chevrolet of Glenwood.

2026 Chevy Traverse

Traverse vs. Telluride FAQ

Which is physically bigger, the Chevy Traverse or the Kia Telluride?

The Chevy Traverse is bigger on the outside, measuring 204.5 inches long and 79.5 inches wide (without mirrors) compared to the Telluride's 199.2 inches long and 78.3 inches wide.

Does the Chevy Traverse have more cargo space than the Kia Telluride?

Yes. The Traverse offers 98 cu. ft. of max cargo volume with the seats folded, compared to the Telluride's 89 cu. ft. — one of the biggest reasons families choose it.

How does the Traverse's third row compare to the Telluride's for adult passengers?

They're nearly identical, with both SUVs offering right around 32 inches of third-row legroom — so the Traverse's extra cargo room doesn't come at the cost of passenger comfort.

Which SUV is cheaper, the Chevy Traverse or the Kia Telluride?

The Kia Telluride has a slightly lower starting price, at $39,190 versus the Traverse's $40,800. Most Traverse shoppers find the difference easy to justify given the extra cargo room and horsepower they get in return.

Is the Chevy Traverse or Kia Telluride better for towing?

Both tow up to 5,000 lbs. standard, making them evenly matched for most buyers. Only the Telluride's X-Pro trim reaches 5,500 lbs., a small edge in one specific configuration.

How much horsepower does the 2026 Chevy Traverse have?

Every 2026 Traverse uses the same 2.5L turbocharged engine, producing 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

How many people can the Chevy Traverse seat?

The Traverse offers available seating for up to 8, with flexible second-row seating options between a bench seat or captain's chairs.

What is the wheelbase of the 2026 Chevy Traverse?

The 2026 Traverse has a 121-inch wheelbase, longer than the Kia Telluride's 116.9-inch wheelbase.

Does the Chevy Traverse require premium gas?

No. The 2026 Chevy Traverse uses regular unleaded gasoline of 87 octane or higher. Do not use gasoline with a posted octane rating of less than 87, as this will result in reduced performance and drivability.

Where can I see the Chevy Traverse in person near Glenwood, MN?

Marthaler Chevrolet of Glenwood keeps Traverse models on the lot and is a convenient stop for shoppers from Glenwood, Willmar, and St. Cloud, MN who want to compare it to the Telluride side by side.


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