The new Chevrolet Traverse is really turning some heads in the auto industry. Auto Week was recently quoted saying "Traverse….quite simply is one of the best vehicles – not just crossovers – on the market today." This says a lot about this new model from Chevy and this is only the second year that the Traverse has been available. This vehicle only gets 24 MPG on the highway and this may be the only bad thing to say about it, however for its size that is still respectable. Competing with some other very well equipped adversaries, the Chevrolet Traverse still is among the top in its class.
This vehicle offer over 116 cubic foot of cargo space when the seats are folded down and seats 7 passengers, when you think of it like that the 24 MPG is pretty impressive. Coming with a 6 cylinder engine that produces 301 horsepower standard, the Traverse is ready to pull quite a load before it even thinks about slowing down.
The Range
Bodystyle: Crossover SUV
Engine: 3.6L V-6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Models: LS, LT, LTZ
What's New
Traverse enters its third model year with minor changes. Heated cloth seats are now available on LT models. The stereo's USB port is relocated to the upper instrument panel storage bin for easier access. Two new paint colors are White Diamond Tri-Coat and Steel Green Metallic. At this point in its product cycle, moderate sticker price discounts should be common.
Exterior
The Traverse's familiar horizontally split grille identifies this as the Chevrolet among GM Lambda crossovers. The body features soft, rounded edges, a deep contrast to the boxy Ford Flex, which may explain the Chevy's greater popularity.
Interior
Thanks to its long overall length and minivan-like packaging, the Traverse's third row offers decent leg- and headroom. The seven-passenger model features second-row captain's chairs and an eight-passenger model's second row has a 60/40-split bench seat.
Performance & Handling
Traverse's handling is typical of large crossovers, better than truck-based SUVs and minivans, with a supple ride and moderate understeer. Handling is fairly carlike, though tight parking garages aren't easy. The V-6 provides up to 288 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, though it has to motivate a lot of weight, and fuel mileage dips as you dip into the power band.
Safety
Traverse uses high-strength and dual-phase steel for body rigidity. It has seatbelt anchor pretensioners for outboard occupants, plus pelvic-thorax seat-mounted side airbags, two head curtain airbags covering the three rows, and a rollover sensing system.
EPA Fuel Economy
LS, LT, LTZ (FWD): 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway
LS, LT, LTZ (AWD): 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway
You'll Like
- Styling
- Roominess
- Interior features
- Smooth ride
- Value
You Won't Like
- Some interior plastics
- Weight strains V-6
- Real-world fuel economy
Sum Up
A modern, efficient Kingswood Estate
If You Like This Vehicle
- Ford Flex
- Honda Pilot
- Toyota Highlander
- Hyundai Veracruz
- Kia Sorento