Its been a big year for 3-row SUVs from General Motors. The maker of Buick, GMC and Chevrolet recently redesigned the full lineup, including the 3-row SUVs popular with so many families for school runs, road trips, and everything in between.
GM’s SUVs have long been the go-to for families, but they are also the SUVs that the rest of the industry looks to beat for the design and function of 3-row SUVs. The Chevy Traverse was and still is the best SUV alternative to a minivan. The Buick Enclave elevates the SUV experience with finer finishes and more luxuries, and the GMC Acadia adds the power and confidence of a truck.
This story is 100% human researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. No AI was used.
The Redesign Inspo: Chevrolet Traverse
But even inside GM, the Chevrolet Traverse was the benchmark: Both Buick and GMC SUVs took a cue, increasing the size of their models for more interior and passenger space.
The result are three crossover SUVs built on the same platform and designed to drive more like a car than a truck. Most have front wheel drive but can add all wheel drive and are smaller than their full-size SUV siblings yet roomier with more flexible seating.
How These SUVs Are Similar
GM’s engineers came up with a uniform platform—the foundation for the SUV—with a shared engine and powertrain for all three models. Also similar are cabin basics: seating for 7 or 8 passengers, ample interior space, storage under the cargo floor, cupholders and USB ports at every seat, 3rd row air vents, and a 4-cylinder turbo engine that generates 328 HP with on-demand all wheel drive (which is an option). Each has a central multimedia screen and built-in Google for maps and other functions. All models include a full suite of driver assist and safety features, and each has the option of adding Super Cruise hands-free driving.
But from there, each is distinct in its specific features and details, its passenger experience and even in its size and capacities.
Here’s how the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia are different.
They’re All Large, But Not All the Same Size
For 2024, GMC added 10” to the overall length of the Acadia. At 193.4” long, it now has a full-size 3rd row that seats 3 passengers.
The Traverse is a full 12.6” longer than the Acadia, but not the largest of the three (and, its about 2” shorter than the outgoing model). The Enclave, at 207.6” is the longest, and is 3.5” longer than the outgoing model. This lends more legroom and a tiny bit of extra cargo space. Traverse and Acadia both have about 23 cubic feet of cargo space behind the 3rd row; the Enclave has about 23.5 cubic feet.
Sporty Trims In the Enclave and Traverse
Buyers who want a sportier look and feel have options in the Buick Enclave RS, or rally sport, and the Chevrolet Traverse RS. Both feature the same cabin design, multimedia screen and features, but have black accented exteriors and black leatherette interiors with red stitching to add to the sporty feel.
Video: See our full tour and test drive of the Buick Enclave
Off-Road Ready Models Offer More Capability
GMC is known for its off-road abilities in the Acadia AT4. And new for 2025 is the a Z71 version of the Traverse. These models offer light off-roading capability with features such as standard all wheel drive, multi terrain drive modes, all-terrain tires, skid plates and tow hooks. While not meant for heavy off-roading, these are good vehicles for camping, towing a boat or RV and riding rutted roads.
All models can be had with AWD, however, for buyers who need the traction for snow, mud or steep grades.
Read: Some of the Our Favorite 3-Row Family SUVs and One Minivan
Luxury Shoppers Can Choose Between Buick and GMC
And those who want all the pampering of a luxury cabin? Buick and GMC offer great options. The Enclave’s Avenir trim feels elevated and refined with a super quiet cabin, a panoramic sunroof and premium sound. The GMC Denali edition offers the brand’s best finishes and adds an optional Reserve package for an even more luxe appeal with larger wheels and an upgraded sound system.
Standard features on these trims include a head up display, digital rear view mirror and power second and 3rd row seats.
Most Feature Captains Chairs, Though There’s One Center Row Bench Option
This is tough news for families who need a center row bench: Among the three brands and all the trim levels, there is only one bench option: The Chevy Traverse LS and LT base models. The RS and Z71 Traverse models have captains chairs, as do all Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia models.
However, 3rd row seating is good and there is a headrest for the middle seat in the 3rd row, making this seat a great option for a passenger to stretch out in the space between the captains chairs.
New Screens, But Distinct Looks
This is where the three brands really distinguish themselves: the center multimedia screen. While all screens have basically the same functions, they each have a distinct look. The screens are operated by Google and feature maps, voice-activated assistance, radio, vehicle settings and apps. This is also where you’ll find key functions like headlight controls and settings for interior lighting, door lock settings and more. There’s a fixed climate panel at the bottom of each screen to simplify the dashboard.
The Chevrolet Traverse features a wide panel with two screens: a multimedia touchscreen on the right and a driver display screen on the left. It’s similar to screens you’ll see in Chevy’s trucks. The screen in the Enclave is more like the multimedia screens found in Cadillac models, a curved single-pane screen with a customizable tool bar between the multimedia system and the driver display. The GMC Acadia features a large rectangular screen similar to those in the brand’s trucks.
Interior Details Define Each Brand and Trim
Another place where the brands really stand apart is interior design. In the Traverse you’ll find a well-organized interior with lots of storage and interior details that play to the lifestyle of each trim: RS is upholstered in black leather with sporty red accents; the Z71 model is outfitted with leatherette and cloth seats and base model comes outfitted with cloth seats.
The GMC Acadia blends the truck-like feel of its interiors with premium materials including quilted leather in the Denali model and red-accented leatherette and cloth in the adventure-focused AT4 model.
The Buick Enclave is notable for the floating center console between the two front seats and an elegant combination of leather in the top of the line Avenir or leatherette in the base Preferred base model and the sporty ST model.
How Kids Car Seats Are Best Installed
Configuring kids car seats is easy enough and there’s ample room for rear facing car seats. But for families who insist on lower anchors for all seats, these SUVs may fall off the list: there are only two full sets of LATCHes, which are in the center row outboard seats. However, they are open and easy to access.
For buyers with rear facing car seats, there is more than enough room in the center row, even behind a seat set for a tall driver or passenger. And the center seats move forward or back enough to make room for 3rd row passengers.
3rd Row Access and Features
This is another similarity, and one we love: All 3rd rows are easy to reach, even with car seat installed in the center row: Seats slide and tilt forward to allow passengers to climb in, or use the pass-through between the center row captains chairs.
3rd row passengers will find air vents in the ceiling, USB ports and cup holders.
Super Cruise Hands Free Driving Is a Flexible Option
This is the best part: you can have super cruise hands free driving. This system allows you to set the cruise control and let the car do the hard work of stop and go traffic or staying in your lane on long boring highways. The system works with radars, cameras and lidar systems as well as a computer that recognizes mapped roads and highways. If any of the key information is missing the system won’t operate hands free; it will allow adaptive cruise to be active, however.
Some models, mostly the top end, come with Super Cruise standard; others offer it as an option for about $3,500. Buyers who opt for Super Cruise will get a three-year subscription and then can subscribe by the year or month after that.
How Much Do these SUVs Cost? The Pricing Breakdown
Buick, Chevy and GMC tried to package each trim with what buyers will want and need, and yet, keep the price in check. These SUVs range in price from just over $37,000 to just under $60,000, and that’s before any options or additions. Some come with AWD standard, others can add it for about $2,000. Here’s where pricing starts:
- Chevrolet Traverse LS: $37,600
- LT: $40,995
- Z71: $47,795
- RS: $57,595
- GMC Acadia Elevation: $43,995
- AT4: $51395
- Denali: $57,695
- Buick Enclave Preferred: $46,395
- ST: $48,795
- Avenir: $59,395
Distinct Designs Define These SUVs; Great Features Make them Stand Out
For the 2024 and 2025 redesigns, each brand sought to distinguish itself from the the others with a distinct look. Chevrolet took cues from the Tahoe and Suburban, adding an upright grille and a more squared rear end. Buick followed the lead of the brand’s Wildcat Concept, which adds sleek headlights and minimalist exterior lines to sharpen and simplify the design. And the Acadia draws on the its GMC roots with a solid almost architectural feel.
And looking at the design is the place to start to find the right fit for your family; then define the details and features you need and you’ll find the right trim and learn why these SUVs are so popular.
