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The Chevy Traverse’s 3.6L V6 (LLT/LFX-family engine) takes a specific iridium spark plug — this is not an engine to guess plug fitment on, since a wrong heat range or gap can cause misfires or fouling. It’s also direct-injected on later model years, where GM notes plug condition matters more for smooth idle and clean combustion. These ten real, verified options span the OEM part up through platinum, iridium, twin-tip, and ruthenium tiers across the Traverse’s production run.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ACDelco GM Original Equipment Iridium | $6-$12/plug ($36-$72 for 6) | Amazon · eBay |
| 2 | NGK Iridium IX (ITLR6B11) | $8.08-$9.76/plug | Amazon |
| 3 | NGK Laser Iridium (ILTR6E11) | ~$72.28 for 6 (~$12/plug) | Amazon · eBay |
| 4 | NGK Ruthenium HX (LTR6BHX) | ~$15.99/plug (~$96 for 6) | Amazon · eBay |
| 5 | Bosch Double Iridium | $7.97-$9.30/plug | Amazon · eBay |
| 6 | Champion Iridium | ~$49.35 for 6 | Amazon · eBay |
| 7 | Denso Iridium TT (Twin-Tip) | under $6/plug (~$36 for 6) | Amazon · eBay |
| 8 | Denso Iridium Power | ~$14.37/plug (~$86 for 6) | Amazon · eBay |
| 9 | Autolite Iridium XP | $5-$15/plug ($30-$90 for 6) | Amazon · eBay |
The picks, in detail
ACDelco GM Original Equipment Iridium
GM’s factory-fit iridium plug for the 3.6L V6 — the safest default choice since it’s what GM specifies. GM revised the OE part number across the Traverse’s generations (41-107 and 41-109 both appear in current parts catalogs depending on year and source), so confirm the exact number against your VIN rather than assuming one number covers every year.
- GM Original Equipment part
- Iridium fine-wire electrode
- One-piece suppressor seal for RF blocking
- Guaranteed factory-correct fitment and heat range once you confirm the year-correct part number
- Rated for up to 100,000-mile service life
- GM’s part numbering for this plug isn’t a single clean number across all Traverse years — double-check fitment before ordering
NGK Iridium IX (ITLR6B11)
NGK’s Iridium IX line cross-references directly to the Traverse’s factory heat range, a well-regarded aftermarket alternative to the ACDelco OE part.
- Iridium center electrode
- Direct cross-reference to Traverse OE heat range
- NGK’s mid-tier iridium line
- Trusted NGK iridium quality at a competitive price
- Easy to find at most auto parts retailers
- Slightly shorter rated service life than NGK’s premium Laser Iridium line
NGK Laser Iridium (ILTR6E11)
NGK’s premium Laser Iridium line for the 2009-2020 Traverse 3.6L V6, built with a finer iridium tip for sharper ignition than the standard Iridium IX line.
- Premium laser-welded iridium tip
- Fits 2009-2020 Traverse 3.6L V6
- Longer rated service interval than Iridium IX
- NGK’s top-tier iridium chemistry
- Good option if you’re chasing max plug life between changes
- Priced above the Iridium IX and ACDelco OE options
NGK Ruthenium HX (LTR6BHX)
NGK’s newest plug tier, sold specifically for the Traverse 3.6L V6 (2009-2020), using a Double Fine Electrode design NGK positions as an upgrade over standard iridium for newer, high-ignitability-demand engines.
- Ruthenium HX Double Fine Electrode design
- Fits Traverse 3.6L V6 2009-2020
- NGK’s newest spark plug tier
- Genuinely newer chemistry than the Laser Iridium line, not just a repackaged iridium plug
- Sold with explicit Traverse-model fitment
- Priced above every other option here
Bosch Double Iridium
Bosch’s double-iridium-tip plug (both center and ground electrode use iridium) for the 2010-2022 Traverse 3.6L V6, aimed at improved ignitability over single-iridium designs.
- Iridium on both center and ground electrodes
- Fits 2010-2022 Traverse 3.6L V6
- Fine-wire electrode design
- Dual-iridium design is a genuine step up from single-tip iridium plugs
- Competitive pricing versus NGK Laser Iridium
- Less commonly recommended in Traverse-specific forums than NGK/ACDelco
Champion Iridium
Champion’s iridium fine-wire plug for the 2009-2019 Traverse 3.6L V6, a budget-friendly full-set option from a well-known long-running spark plug brand.
- Iridium fine-wire center electrode
- Fits 2009-2019 Traverse 3.6L V6
- 40,000-60,000 mile rated service life
- Competitively priced full 6-plug set
- Established brand with a long automotive track record
- Shorter rated service life than the NGK Laser Iridium or ACDelco OE options
Denso Iridium TT (Twin-Tip)
Denso’s twin-tip iridium plug (iridium center, platinum ground) sold specifically for the 2010-2017 Traverse 3.6L V6, developed after Denso’s Long Life line for reduced spark quenching.
- 0.4mm iridium center electrode, 0.7mm platinum ground electrode
- Fits 2010-2017 Traverse 3.6L V6
- Twin-Tip Technology
- A genuinely different Denso tier from Iridium Power, not a rebrand
- Reduced spark quenching versus single-tip designs
- Narrower fitment window (2010-2017) than some NGK/ACDelco options
Denso Iridium Power
Denso’s Iridium Power line, sold specifically for the 2010-2017 Traverse 3.6L V6 — a distinct product from Denso’s Iridium TT and Iridium Long-Life lines, not the same plug relabeled.
- Iridium fine-wire center electrode
- Fits 2010-2017 Traverse 3.6L V6
- Denso’s mid-tier iridium line
- Well-established Denso iridium chemistry
- Reasonably priced for an iridium plug
- Shorter rated life than Iridium TT for sustained high-load driving, per Denso’s own lineup positioning
Autolite Iridium XP
Autolite’s iridium fine-wire plug for the Traverse 3.6L V6, priced below the NGK and Denso options here — a budget-tier iridium alternative rather than a platinum downgrade.
- Iridium-enhanced 0.6mm fine-wire electrode
- Patented platinum sidewire
- Rated up to 100,000-mile service life
- Cheapest genuine iridium option on this list
- Confirmed to cost less than the NGK OE-tier plugs
- Less commonly discussed in Traverse owner forums than NGK or ACDelco
Buying tips
- The Traverse’s 3.6L V6 takes 6 spark plugs, not 4 — make sure any listing you buy is priced and packaged for a full 6-plug set, not a 4-pack meant for a 4-cylinder engine.
- Iridium plugs are pre-gapped from the factory on most of these — do not adjust the gap on a fine-wire iridium electrode, since bending it can damage the tip.
- On the direct-injection model years, GM and ACDelco both note that plug condition matters more for smooth idle and clean combustion than on the earlier port-injected LLT engine — don’t stretch the interval on a DI Traverse the way you might on an older port-injected car.
- Confirm your exact model year against the part’s listed fitment range (2009-2019, 2009-2020, or 2010-2022 depending on the plug) before ordering, since GM made minor spec changes across the Traverse’s production run.
- If you’re chasing maximum plug life between changes, the NGK Ruthenium HX, NGK Laser Iridium, or Denso Iridium TT are the better choice over the Champion or Bosch options.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.