Reviewed by Jack R. NeradJack R. Nerad
Overview
The Chevrolet Traverse is an important player among three-row midsize crossovers. While the roomy SUV doesn't pretend to be a performance vehicle, it has one of the most powerful base engines in its class. Its most important attributes are dependability, interior size, and value. The Traverse fits into the Chevy crossover lineup between the compact Chevrolet Equinox and the full-size Chevrolet Tahoe. The Traverse enjoys a substantial advantage in length versus key competitors, and that pays off in added interior space. The Traverse is significantly longer than the Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer, and Toyota Highlander. The Jeep Grand Cherokee L is the only midsize crossover that is close to the Chevy in length. The Traverse also features an easy-to-use infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Several of the upscale Traverse trims include adaptive cruise control. Buyers looking for a family vehicle should test-drive the Chevrolet Traverse.
Pros
Large cabin with plenty of room for passengers and cargo. Good fuel economy. Excellent list of standard safety features.
Cons
Third-row access can be difficult. Rivals offer more sporty options.
Verdict
The Chevrolet Traverse emphasizes passenger space and cargo-carrying ability. Its ample cabin can seat up to eight while also transporting plenty of gear. Combined with a strong safety record, the Traverse is an ideal family SUV.
What's New for 2023
The Chevrolet Traverse gets minimal changes for the 2023 model year. An all-new Traverse is expected in 2024.
Trims and Pricing
The 2023 Chevrolet Traverse is available in six trim levels: LS, LT Cloth, LT Leather, RS, Premier, and High Country. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available on every trim. The LS is the most popular trim, but our pick for the best value and features is the LT Leather. We'll explain why.
LS
The LS is the entry-level model priced at $35,315 [including a $1,395 destination charge]. It comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, a backup camera, tinted glass, LED headlights, heated power-adjustable exterior mirrors, proximity keyless unlock, keyless start, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and USB ports in all three rows.
LT Cloth
The LT Cloth [$37,840] adds an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar control, second-row captain's chairs, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, roof rails, and the availability of a sunroof and a power-operated liftgate. The standard safety package includes rear park assist, lane-change alert with side blind-spot alert, and rear cross-traffic alert.
LT Leather
The LT Leather starts at $41,535 and has the best combination of features for the price. Not only does it have leather seats, it has an 8-inch touchscreen, a programmable rear liftgate, a six-way power-adjustable passenger seat, a universal home remote, wireless phone charging, and a 4.2-inch driver information display.
RS
Shoppers looking to add sportiness should consider the RS model, priced from $45,840. The RS adds blacked-out exterior accents, including 20-inch dark aluminum wheels, black trim, and active aero shutters. It also has a standard power liftgate, 120-volt power outlet, adaptive cruise control, and a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system.
Premier
The Premier [$47,995] trades the sporty appearance of the RS for more luxury. Dual exhaust outlets and 20-inch machined aluminum wheels are among the exterior highlights. The Premier has soft, perforated leather seating in the first and second rows. An 8-inch color driver information center highlights the interior upgrades. Auto-dimming mirrors, chrome body accents, a motion-activated rear liftgate, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering column, a surround-view camera, and navigation are also offered.
High Country
The top-of-the-line High Country [$52,795] is filled with upgrades. Included are perforated-leather seats, 20-inch polished wheels, a Bose premium audio system, a panoramic sunroof, and power-folding third-row seats. A surround-view monitor, heavy-duty cooling, hitch guidance with hitch view, and a trailering package are standard.
Engine and Performance
The Chevy Traverse's standard engine is the venerable General Motors 3.6-liter direct-injection V6, which is mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The engine delivers 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque with class-average fuel economy. While functional and reasonably powerful, the Traverse's engine isn't the most modern in the segment. The Ford Explorer offers a 400-hp, 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission along with several other engine choices. The Traverse accelerates well, hitting 60 mph from a standing start in about 7 seconds, according to independent testers. Passengers will appreciate the Traverse's smooth, quiet, and comfortable ride. Good outward visibility and the clear backup camera make for easy parking.
Fuel Economy
The Environmental Protection Agency says the front-wheel-drive Traverse will deliver an estimated 18 mpg during city driving and 27 mpg on the highway. All-wheel drive lowers the estimates by 1 mpg in combined city/highway driving. In mixed use, our test vehicle came in at about 22 mpg. The Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander are rated higher in city driving and will likely return better overall mileage. The Jeep Grand Cherokee L is rated at 19/26 mpg city/highway. The Toyota Highlander has an ultra-high-mileage hybrid variant, and the three-row Grand Cherokee L is expected to get the same hybrid powertrain as the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe.
Interior
The Chevrolet Traverse is one of the roomiest crossovers in the midsize segment. Many of its competitors, including the Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, and even the Jeep Grand Cherokee L have significantly less passenger and cargo space. For hauling a lot of people and stuff in a midsize SUV, the Traverse is an excellent choice. It provides plenty of headroom and legroom in the second row and a child-friendly third row. The second-row seats slide back and forth for additional versatility and convenience. Some vehicles in the class have an infotainment display larger than the available 8-inch touchscreen in the Traverse, but Chevrolet's infotainment interface is one of the best in the business. Available high-definition surround-view cameras and a rear camera mirror aid parking.
The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is the only competitor with comparable cargo space; the others don't come close. The Traverse's 23 cubic feet behind the third row is roomy, and the usable space expands to a whopping 98.2 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded down.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Chevrolet's infotainment systems are among the easiest to use in the industry, rivaling the Uconnect systems from Dodge and Jeep. The Traverse's 7- and 8-inch touchscreens have large, easy-to-identify icons. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on every trim. RS, Premier, and High Country trims get a standard 8-inch touchscreen system with integral navigation. That combination is also available on the LT Leather trim. All Traverse models can connect up to seven devices to the built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. The standard Teen Driver system lets parents set controls and review their teen's driving habits. The Bose 10-speaker audio system has a subwoofer in the center console, providing impressive sound quality. It is standard on RS, Premier, and High Country and offered as an option on the LT Leather trim. In terms of tech, the Traverse compares favorably to the systems in rival vehicles.
Safety
The 2023 Chevrolet Traverse has not been rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA], but the very similar 2021 Traverse received the highest rating of five stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety [IIHS] has not rated the 2023 Traverse. The 2022 model received Good ratings in all crashworthiness categories.
The Chevrolet Traverse offers a long list of safety and driver-assist features. The Chevy Safety Assist package is available on the LS and is standard on all of the higher-level trims. It includes rear parking assist, lane-change alert with side blind-spot alert, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking are standard on the RS, Premier, and High Country. Both systems are available on the LT Leather trim.
Chevrolet Traverse vs. the Competition
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