BMW X5 vs Chevrolet Traverse
The BMW X5 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 27 mpg combined versus 23 mpg for the Chevrolet Traverse, a 4 mpg advantage and costs about $250 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the BMW X5 leads in 4. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2027
BMW X5
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 61 configurations
2015–2027
Chevrolet Traverse
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD · 30 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | BMW X5 | Chevrolet Traverse |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 27 mpg ✓ | 23 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 24 mpg ✓ | 20 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 31 mpg ✓ | 27 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,900 | $2,650 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 130 g/mi ✓ | 387 g/mi |
| Engines offered | SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI; PHEV, SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI | SIDI |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S8) | Automatic 8-spd, Automatic 9-spd, Automatic 6-spd |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium, Premium and Electricity, Diesel | Regular, Premium |
| EPA class | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
| Years covered | 2015–2027 | 2015–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 61 | 30 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
X5 vs Traverse: common questions
Which is better on gas, the BMW X5 or the Chevrolet Traverse?
The BMW X5 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 27 mpg combined versus 23 mpg for the Chevrolet Traverse, a 4 mpg advantage and costs about $250 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Chevrolet Traverse runs about $2,650 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,900 for the BMW X5 — a difference of roughly $250 per year.
What engines do the X5 and Traverse offer?
BMW X5: SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI; PHEV, SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI. Chevrolet Traverse: SIDI.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the BMW X5 as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD and the Chevrolet Traverse as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More X5 comparisons
Comparison id: bmw-x5-vs-chevrolet-traverse