Traverse vs. Suburban: Chevrolet's Two Biggest People Movers, Compared

Both carry three rows. Both wear the Chevrolet badge. And if you're shopping for a family vehicle in the Montreal area that genuinely seats five or more people in comfort, both will be on your short list. But the Traverse and the Suburban are not the same answer to the same question — and choosing between them comes down to exactly what your day-to-day and weekend driving actually demands.

This guide puts the documented specs side by side so you can make that call with the right numbers in front of you.

The core specs at a glance

Cargo: where the Suburban pulls clearly ahead

The Traverse is no small vehicle — its 2,764 L of maximum cargo volume is documented as best-in-class among upper midsize three-row SUVs. With the third row in place, you still have 648 L behind the third row for groceries, sports bags, or stroller storage.

The Suburban operates at a different scale entirely. Its maximum cargo volume reaches 4,092 L — that's roughly 48% more total capacity than the Traverse when all rows are folded. The Suburban's longer wheelbase and body-on-frame construction allow for a much deeper cargo bay, and because it rides on a truck platform, the load floor comes in at a height more compatible with loading heavier items.

For families who regularly transport camping equipment, hockey gear for four kids, or large weekend loads for a chalet on the Laurentides, that difference is tangible every time you open the tailgate.

Towing: the Suburban wins by a significant margin

The Traverse offers towing of 2,267 kg (5,000 lbs) with its standard trailering package. That's enough for a small watercraft, a light trailer, or a mid-size camper.

The Suburban, equipped with the V8 5.3L and the Max Trailering Package, is rated for 3,719 kg (8,200 lbs) in 4WD configuration — or 3,810 kg (8,400 lbs) in 2WD. Step up to the 6.2L V8 with the Max Trailering Package, and 2WD ratings reach 3,765 kg (8,300 lbs). The Duramax 3.0L diesel option also caps at 3,629 kg (8,000 lbs) in 4WD, and the same with Max Trailering.

If you're towing a fifth-wheel-ready camper, a large boat, or a heavy utility trailer regularly, the Suburban is the only one of these two with the documented capacity to handle it.

Daily driving: the Traverse is easier to live with

The Suburban's size advantage in cargo and towing comes at a practical cost in urban environments. At 5,590 mm long, the Suburban is a full 396 mm longer than the Traverse. In the underground parking of a Montreal condo building, on the side streets of Verdun or NDG, or in a tight suburban driveway, those extra 40 cm matter.

The Traverse is a purpose-built three-row SUV on a car-based unibody platform. It handles more like a large crossover than a truck-based vehicle, which translates to lighter steering, a more settled ride over typical urban road surfaces, and better fuel economy — 12.1 L/100 km city / 9.9 L/100 km highway on all Traverse trims versus a V8 Suburban's higher consumption figures.

The Traverse also comes standard with AWD across all trims, which is a practical advantage for Quebec winters without the added complexity of selecting 4WD modes.

Technology: both are well-equipped, but the Traverse includes features earlier

Every Traverse comes standard with a 17.7-inch diagonal touchscreen and an 11-inch Driver Information Centre, plus Google built-in compatibility, wireless charging, and the AutoSense Power Liftgate that opens on proximity without foot activation.

The Suburban offers the same 17.7-inch screen across all trims. Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance is available on both vehicles at certain trim levels, and both offer up to 8 cameras with multiple views for parking and trailering.

Which one is actually right for your family?

Choose the Traverse if:

• Your priority is daily-driver usability and fuel efficiency
• You live in a dense urban area and park underground regularly
• 2,267 kg (5,000 lbs) of towing capacity covers your trailer or boat
• AWD as a standard feature matters to you for Quebec winters
• You want 7 or 8 passenger seating in a manageable footprint

Choose the Suburban if:

• You regularly haul more than the Traverse can carry — camping trips, sports gear for a large family, or chalet runs with 8 passengers and full luggage
• You need to tow above 2,267 kg (5,000 lbs) — trailers, boats, or larger equipment
• A truck-based platform with 4WD low range is useful for your off-road or winter road use cases
• You value the Suburban's larger cargo bay for road trips where the third row stays in use

Both vehicles are available at Le Relais Chevrolet in Montreal

The Traverse and the Suburban serve different buyers, and the right way to settle the question is to sit in both. Come in to Le Relais Chevrolet, and our team will walk you through the configurations that match your family size, cargo habits, and typical drive routes across the greater Montreal area.