2024 Chevrolet Traverse Z71 vs 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Peak Edition

It’s all the rage these days. Ruggedized versions of family SUVs. It seems every model is churning out a new trim/edition that’s designed to better tackle the rough stuff. For the 2024 model year, we can add two more entries, the Chevrolet Traverse in Z71 trim, and the Volkswagen Atlas as the Peak Edition. 

Typically, these rugged family haulers include all-terrain tires, better ground clearance, and upgraded underbody protection. Each model varies in terms of how much pavement drivability is sacrificed in the name of dirt prowess, and that’s true with the two models we have on hand. Chevrolet and Volkswagen take different approaches when adding brawn to each brand's three-row SUV, but to see which one does it better, we grabbed an example of each for a head-to-head comparison.

What’s New for 2024:

The Chevrolet Traverse is all-new for the 2024 model year, which of course includes the Z71 trim. The SUV’s new design includes influence from its bigger siblings, the Tahoe and Suburban. 

To transform the Traverse into a rough-road capable hauler, the all-wheel drive system is upgraded to the twin-clutch unit, 18-inch all-terrain tires are added, ground clearance is raised, there’s a specific off-road suspension with Terrain Mode as well as hill descent control, the underbody includes a metal skid plate, there are heavy duty recovery hooks and a standard tow package. Inside, the black interior features Evotex seats with red stitching and various other red trim pieces. Of course, Z71 badging and embroidery are found throughout the cabin.

The Volkswagen Atlas Peak undergoes a milder transformation, with new pieces that include unique body cladding, black badging, Peak badges on the side, 18-inch all-terrain tires, Peak Edition badging on the steering wheel, as well as unique trim details on the dash and doors. 

Exterior Style: Differing Levels of Rugged

The Atlas Peak doesn’t vary significantly from the regular Atlas, which isn’t a bad thing. The refreshed Atlas is conservative, yet better styled than the preface lifted vehicle. I especially like the full-length rear taillight that includes the light-up logo. 

Although there are Peak badges outlined in bright orange on the exterior, this more rugged trim plays down the increased dirt-road prowess. Other than the chunkier all-terrain tires and Avocado Green paint, not much is an immediate signifier that this is indeed a different sort of Atlas, unless it’s parked side-by-side with a regular trim level. 

The Chevrolet Traverse Z71 stands out a bit more. The tires have more aggressive sidewalls and a chunkier tread pattern, there are more Z71 badges on the exterior, and the vehicle’s skid plates can be seen. 

All these goodies work well on the Traverse’s new sheet metal. The SUV’s styling is a departure from the previous generation and mimics that of the larger Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban. It gives the family hauler better family resemblance and some added character. 

Powertrain and Fuel Economy: The Power of Four

Both SUVs come exclusively with turbocharged four-cylinder engines. The two units though couldn’t be any more different. Starting with the Traverse, under the hood is a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It pumps out a very healthy 328 horsepower (hp) and 326 pound-feet (lb-ft) of torque. That’s a significant increase in power over the Atlas and it really shows on the highway. 

Even when loaded up, the big Chevy still accelerates with authority past most legal speed limits. But it’s not all good under the hood. Under any sort of acceleration, even mild, the engine is so loud for the class. It’s almost like Chevy forgot a layer of sound insulation behind the firewall. Adding to the issue is the fact the engine doesn’t sound particularly good either. 

The Volkswagen Atlas 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission are much quieter and include a more pleasant engine note. But as mentioned above, it is way down on power, with a mere 269 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. That stated, like many German engines, this 2.0-liter feels more potent than the numbers suggest. In fact, up until highway speeds, it doesn’t feel like there’s a 59-hp disparity between the two powerplants. 

The Traverse does get one back on the Atlas though. Despite a half-liter more displacement and nearly 60 extra horsepower, fuel economy is virtually the same. Officially, the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Peak Edition is rated for 18 mpg (13.0 L/100 km) city and 24 mpg (9.7 L/100 km) highway. The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse Z71 achieves 17 mpg (13.8 L/100 km) city and 25 mpg (9.6 L/100 km) highway. 

Handling and Drivability: Pavement vs Dirt

The tale of two differing sport utilities continues with how they drive. The original Volkswagen Atlas drove much like a more traditional SUV. It was like the engineers tried to mimic the ride of a larger body-on-frame American SUV. With the refresh, this has all changed and the Atlas has a decidedly car-like driving feel. In fact, it feels more Volkswageny in how it operates, hiding its size quite well. 

It's not exactly a performance SUV, but everything is easier to do in the Atlas. It requires less effort to steer, park, or pilot down the road. There’s also less vibrations and road noise finding its way into the cabin as the all-terrain tires on the Peak Edition feature a less aggressive, chunky tread pattern compared to the Traverse Z71.

But when the pavement ends, it’s the Chevy that shines. Blockier tires offer more grip in mud, sand, and dirt, but more importantly, the Z71 can traverse over taller objects. With the Z71 package, the ground clearance rises from the standard 6.8 inches (172 mm) to 7.8 inches (197 mm). Although that isn’t overly high for the class, it is an improvement and the Z71 includes skid plates in case the vehicle does bottom out. The Atlas by contrast retains the same 6.3 inches (153 mm) of ground clearance even as the Peak Edition. There’s also a lack of metal skid plates underneath the VW. 

Ride Quality and Comfort: Like a Family Should Be

As primarily family haulers, ride comfort is good for both vehicles. Same goes for the first and second rows of seating. Both accommodated adults easily in the first two rows. For our comparison, the Atlas has a middle-row bench while the Traverse includes second-row Captain’s chairs. Both are awash in terms of overall space and comfort, despite the different configurations. It’s important to note the Atlas can have second-row captain’s chairs in the Peak, while the Traverse Z71 cannot be had with a second-row bench.

The third-row is surprisingly close between the two vehicles as well. The Volkswagen Atlas has one of, if not the largest third-rows of a mainstream SUV. The Traverse though is very close. The headroom in the Chevrolet is great, and the third-row seat cushion isn’t set overly low. With the middle-row seats set to a reasonable distance, there’s enough legroom in both the Atlas and Traverse for full-size adults. 

The only real difference has to do with the third-row seat’s positioning. In the Atlas there is a nice big airy side window. Passengers in the Traverse are less lucky as it’s mostly a plastic pillar they’ll be looking at. 

Interior Style and Quality: Much Improved X 2

The original Volkswagen Atlas, nor the previous generation Chevrolet Traverse had particularly high-quality interiors. Although both were purposeful and did the job, it was not overly pleasing to the eye or touch. With the Altas’ refresh, a lot of attention was paid inside. 

Still conservative in overall theme, the materials used better nesh together, feel of higher quality, and are more pleasing to the eye. Not everything is perfect, as the infotainment system that lacks any hard buttons has found its way inside the SUV. Other than that, I’m impressed with Volkswagen's updates inside. 

The same can be stated for the new Chevrolet Traverse. It still may not be one of the class leaders, but a lot more personality and interesting touches has been baked into the new model. The most obvious is the double-stack screen layout for the infotainment system and digital driver information center. More hard buttons are present in the Traverse, and we appreciate them, even if it makes the center stack look a bit more busy. The red highlights on the dash and door of the Z71 drew mixed reactions, but I for one like them. 

Tech and Safety: Close, But Super Cruise Wins the Day

The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse Z71 and 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Peak Edition are both mid-trim models in their respective model hierarchies. They both include features like power, heated, and ventilated front seats, a wireless phone charger, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, multi-zone climate control, and more. 

There are no options on top of the standard equipment in the Atlas Peak, while the Traverse can have a few key options added on. Most important amongst those is the Enhanced Driving Package which includes General Motor’s fantastic Super Cruise hands-free driving technology as well as an electronic rearview mirror and enhanced automatic parking assist.

On the safety front, both vehicles include the usual driver assist features like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, lane departure warning blind spot monitoring, emergency brake assist, etc. 

Value Dollars and Sense: Equal to Start

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Peak Edition starts $48,080 ($56,645 CAD) after destination charges and like stated above, has no available option packages in the United States. In Canada, the optional panoramic sunroof puts the price up to $58,145 CAD. The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse Z71 undercuts the VW slightly, with a starting price of $47,795 ($55,999 CAD) including destination charges. 

With the upgraded Jet Black with Torch Red accents/Evotex seat trim package, as well as the Enhanced Driving Package and Panoramic Sunroof, pricing as tested for our Traverse Z71 came in at $54,050 ($63,169 CAD) including destination charges. 

Final Thoughts:

If it’s a capable SUV for mildly moderate off-roading, the 2024 Chevrolet Traverse Z71 is the easy pick here. With more ground clearance, under-body protection, an upgraded all-wheel drive system, retuned suspension, as well as more capable tires, it will happily travel further down that beat-up, pothole-filled dirt road to the best hiking spots. It also looks more truck-ish.

But the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Peak Edition is the better SUV to drive day-to-day in the asphalt jungle known as suburbia and still does have some added muddy surface capabilities. So, if it’s more the looks of a rugged three-row SUV over outright capability, the Atlas is the better option.

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