SUVs have dominated the auto market for years now, with every mainstream and luxury brand offering options to suit every budget. In fact, even the cheapest car on sale in the United States, the Hyundai Venue, is an SUV. There are so many options that buyers can often feel paralyzed by choice. It leads many buyers to pick the same models as everybody else. As far as three-row midsize SUVs go, that means buyers are choosing the Honda Pilot and Nissan Pathfinder more often than not.However, we'd like to introduce you to a relatively recent addition to the game: the Chevrolet Traverse Z71. While the Traverse has been around for three generations, the Z71 package debuted in 2024. It's still overlooked by buyers today. Here's why you should take a second look at the new Traverse and compare it to the Pilot's and Pathfinder's capabilities.All specs are sourced directly from the manufacturers. Prices are correct at the time of writing, and exclude destination, options, taxes, incentives, and other potential fees. The Z71: Chevy's Capability Play ChevroletBuyers seem to prefer the Japanese competitors in the midsize three-row unibody segment, but Chevrolet has something to say about that. The Chevy Traverse has been around since 2009, starting life as a three-row unibody model with a 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V6 and the customer's choice of front- or all-wheel drive.The Traverse is currently in the third generation, having debuted for the 2024 model year. The latest iteration included introducing a new powertrain and trim level – the Traverse Z71.The third-gen Traverse is its most advanced variant yet, with more power from a more efficient engine, and its Z71 trim level takes it to another level. It's an off-road-oriented version of a family-friendly SUV that's here just in time. We're still in an age when rugged off-road models are popular and account for a significant share of sales. For example, the Pilot TrailSport and Pathfinder Rock Creek are among the best-selling variants of their models.The Traverse Z71 doesn't sacrifice comfort, though. Here's what our road tester had to say about its driving experience:The Traverse prioritizes comfort over sportiness, making it an excellent choice for long-distance cruising. The suspension is tuned to absorb road imperfections, delivering a composed and cushioned ride. Steering is light yet responsive, allowing for easy maneuverability in tight urban settings although parking in tight spots is a challenge simply due to its size. Body roll is well-controlled, providing passengers with a secure and comfortable experience that makes it easy for kids to nap. Under the Hood and Beneath the Surface ChevroletThe current Traverse generation switched to a smaller turbocharged engine that delivers higher output than the 3.6-liter V6 it replaced, while offering better fuel economy. While the Traverse is offered with either front- or all-wheel drive, its Z71 trim only comes with AWD, resulting in slightly worse fuel economy than other versions. That said, it's more efficient than either of its Japanese rivals.The Pilot TrailSport uses the same 3.5-liter V6 it has had since its inception, with some tweaks along the way. The unit is reliable, but it's the weakest and least efficient option of the three competitors. Finally, the Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek strikes a middle ground with a touch under 300 horsepower, and it's only a single mile per gallon less efficient on the highway than the Traverse Z71. Traverse Z71 vs Pilot vs Pathfinder Interior Specs ChevroletChevy also offers the largest model in the group, with more than 4.0 inches of length over the TrailSport, and it's about 6.0 inches longer than the Rock Creek. The extra length translates to greater cargo space when its second and third rows are folded down, except for Honda, which counts the volume between the folded seats and the floor to reach a true maximum of 113.7 cubic feet. Those of you with bigger families who would use the third row more often may want to avoid the Pathfinder, since its third-row legroom becomes rather cramped with older kids or adults.On the inside, Chevrolet pushes its digital cockpit rather than premium materials. Buyers know they aren't looking for luxury in a Chevrolet, so the brand makes its Traverse a comfortable, modern SUV with tech instead. The Smart-Buyer Case for the Traverse Z71 ChevroletThere are currently only four Traverse trims available for the 2026 model year, with the Z71 variant settling in near the bottom. Traverse LT: $40,800 Traverse Z71: $48,900 Traverse High Country: $55,100 Traverse RS: $55,400 With the Traverse Z71 starting at $48,900, Chevy places its off-road version strategically between its two main Japanese rivals. The Honda Pilot TrailSport starts at $50,595, and the Pathfinder Rock Creek starts at $45,090. Chevrolet also falls in the middle of the pack in terms of depreciation. CarEdge data show that the Traverse loses about 54% of its value after five years on the road; the Pilot depreciates by 48%, and the Pathfinder by 60% in the first five years. Chevrolet Traverse Real-World Reliability ChevroletThe Traverse has only been powered by its 2.5L turbo I4 for a few model years, so there isn't much data on its long-term reliability at the time of writing. However, the model has a relatively long history to judge from. CarEdge found that owners pay about $3,060 for maintenance and repairs by the end of its first five years on the road, which still beats the average SUV by $770. There's also a 12.58% chance it might need a major repair in that time, which is barely worse than the average by 0.6%. Chevy's warranties should cover most issues that occur within the first five years, as shown in the table below. The Third-Row SUV Benchmark Shift ChevroletThree-row SUVs have been around for decades. SUV buyers eventually transitioned from wanting truck-like models with body-on-frame construction and large stature, to more car-like driving experiences. With gentler driving characteristics came the obvious desire for dependability, which Chevrolet hasn't always offered. Therefore, buyers today tend to migrate to Japanese brands. Models like the Honda Pilot and Nissan Pathfinder offer three-row seating and greater brand recognition, making them the more reliable option among three-row midsize SUVs. Honda Pilot Historical Reliability HondaThe current-generation Pilot was introduced for the 2023 model year, so there's limited time to judge its reliability. The previous model years show what to expect and why many midsize SUV buyers prefer the Honda over a Chevrolet. The Pilot's third generation was on sale from 2016 through 2022, and used the same powertrain as the fourth gen today.J.D. Power gave the 2018 model year a quality and reliability score of 82 out of 100 (the highest of the 3rd-gen model years). CarEdge finds that the Pilot, in general, only costs about $2,548 to maintain and repair over its first five years on the road — beating the average for its class by $1,282. The Pilot's history of capability and low maintenance costs keep people coming back for more. Nissan Pathfinder Historical Reliability NissanThe Nissan Pathfinder hasn't always been as reliable as the Pilot, but it has still become established as a rugged, dependable SUV. It was built on a truck frame for its first three generations (from 1985 through 2012), with some years even using the brand's robust VK56DE engine, a 5.6-liter naturally aspirated V8. The Pathfinder maintained its reliability even after switching to a more friendly unibody chassis for the fourth generation and beyond.According to CarEdge, the Pathfinder costs owners about $2,619 for maintenance and repairs over its first five years on the road, which is less than the average SUV by $1,211. It also has a 10.73% chance of needing a major repair (a repair costing more than $500) in the same timeframe, which is 1.25% better than a similar vehicle in its segment. The Path Forward: What's Chevy's Next Move? ChevroletThe Chevrolet Traverse Z71 is an underrated option in the midsize three-row SUV market. It looks great, offers plenty of power from a small turbocharged engine, and has some light off-road capabilities. It's not the most expensive option, either. In fact, the Z71 is cheaper than the most popular model of the group: the Pilot TrailSport. Chevy's model is in the background of most buyers' searches, but it should be higher on your list as a relatively budget-minded eight-seater SUV. If the Z71 trim level does well on the Traverse, the automaker could spark more off-road three-row models.