Overview

What's New for 2018

Chevrolet offers six trim levels for the Traverse: LS, LT, RS, Premier, Redline, and High Country. Each one comes with a unique set of standard equipment. On the LS, the SUV features privacy glass, HID headlights, LED daytime running lights, power-adjustable and heated side mirrors, 18-inch aluminum wheels, active aero shutters, a digital compass, 7-inch color infotainment touchscreen, tri-zone automatic climate control, humidity sensor, illuminated vanity mirrors, power windows, power locks, Teen Driver system, rearview camera, and the OnStar system. With the LT, the vehicle gains foglights, turn signals in the side mirrors, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Among the additions for the RS are a Convenience and Driver Confidence Package, which adds a universal home remote, remote start, Chevrolet MyLink Radio, front seat heaters, powered tailgate, side blind zone alert, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist. You also get a premium Bose sound system with 10 speakers, navigation, and leather upholstery. Going with the Premier, the SUV gains 20-inch Argent Metallic aluminum wheels, driver memory settings, a heated steering wheel, and a wireless charging pad. The Redline adds 20-inch high-gloss black wheels with red stripes, black and red badges, a black grille and roof rails, and smoked taillights. Finally, the High Country features Intellibeam headlights that automatically adjust, 20-inch polished aluminum wheels, upper active aero shutters only, power-folding third-row seats, and the Safety Package. A Traverse comes with a factory invoice of about $32,000 for an LS model and an MSRP of about $34,000. The LT trim level adds about $3,200 to the MSRP. Choosing the RS increases the MSRP by about another $7,000, while the Premier pumps it up by about another $1,000. The High Country tacks on about $7,000 to the MSRP. Being a member, you can expect that any Certified Dealer will provide upfront pricing without any hassle. That means you get to save money and not deal with a runaround.

You can get two different engines for the Chevrolet Traverse. The base 3.6-liter V-6 uses direct injection and variable valve timing to produce a peak 310 horsepower and 266 lb.-ft. of torque. You can go with an optional 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which produces a peak 255 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines work with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive comes standard for most models, but you can get all-wheel drive for better performance in inclement weather.

Chevrolet offers an array of interior color options, including black, black/Loft Brown, and Ash Gray. Silver trim pieces help highlight the most important details, accentuating the simple, flowing lines of the cabin. Chevy designers did a good job of simplifying the physical controls on the dash, which consist of two dials and a few buttons. Storage is ample with a large center console, glovebox, and cupholders. Space on all three rows is more than you might expect. While the tallest adults won’t fit in the third row, others very well might. All three rows feature supportive yet cushioning seat padding. The cargo area is above average as well, so you don’t have to fold down the third row to fit items like a reasonable amount of groceries. The infotainment system is sadly about average, or maybe a little below. It’s somewhat slow to respond to commands, the menus can be a little confusing, and overall it pales in comparison to the experience you get with a smartphone.