Today’s vehicles come in all shapes and sizes, and one of the most popular ones in the US is mid-size SUVs. Space, comfort, slight off-road capabilities are only a handful of the features that make them so appealing. Chevrolet has several SUV models in their lineup, and the one I’ll be talking about today is the Traverse.
Sold as a mid-size SUV with 3 rows, the Traverse is the type of vehicle that offers many advantages of an SUV at a relatively affordable price.
If you’re in the market for a Traverse, this article will outline all features and trim levels.
Common Features
Before I dive into the trim levels, let’s look at some of the specs. Two main components are identical on all trim levels, and that’s the engine and transmission. You won’t have the option to get the 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine from the previous models, and the only option is now the 3.6-liter LFY V6 from GM. It puts out 310 hp and 266 lb.-ft of torque and is mated to a 9-speed 9T65 automatic transmission.
On the inside, you can fit 8 passengers comfortably, or if you need cargo space, you can fold down the second and third-row and get up to 98.2 cubic feet of space. If you need to tow, the maximum capacity is 5000 pounds.
For the drivetrain, Chevrolet offers a front-wheel-drive and an all-wheel-drive option. The good news is that only the lowest trim level comes with a front-wheel-drive only configuration, while for all the others, you have the opportunity to choose between both.
Trims
Chevrolet first put the Traverse on sale in 2009 and kept the first generation alive for 8 years. The second generation came to the market in 2018 and has seen several slight changes in the past 3 years.
Worth mentioning, the Traverse should get a more significant refresh for the 2022 model year. Technically, the facelift was supposed to be available in 2021, but it got postponed due to the global pandemic.
Despite that, the 2021 model is not a bad choice. It has a new engine, as well as some feature improvements over the previous models. Like most manufacturers, the set of features will depend on the trim level. Chevrolet offers the Traverse in 7 trim levels for a total of 13 combinations, depending on the drivetrain. In addition to that, there are some additional packages you can add to the existing features.
Chevrolet Traverse L
Starting price: $30,995
The lowest trim available on the Traverse is the L. Since it’s the cheapest option, it has the least number of features.
Interior
On the inside, you get the bare basics like front bucket seats, fixed second-row seats, and 60/40 folding third-row for increased cargo space. The upholstery is cloth only, although you get triple-zone controls for the climate. Regarding the infotainment system, there is a 7-inch touchscreen for multimedia and various controls. It also comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. The base model even features a Wi-Fi router for wireless connectivity.
Exterior
The base L trim is relatively minimal in the external department. There are also automatic headlights, heated mirrors, and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Safety
Even though it’s the lowest trim, the L offers some decent safety systems. On the front, it features LED daytime running lights, while on the back, there is a reversing camera. The Traverse also comes with Chevrolet’s StabiliTrak, essentially the manufacturer’s ESC system. Parents teaching their teenagers to drive will appreciate the “Teen Driver” technology allowing the owner to put some restrictions when the teen is driving the SUV.
Chevrolet Traverse LS
Starting price: $34,095 (FWD), $36,095 (AWD)
Overall, there’s not much to talk about the LS as there are almost no differences. The only extra on the LS, aside from the S, is tinted windows in the back for extra privacy as standard. Optional features include a block heater, a keyless-entry pad, bright sill plates,m a cargo area organizer, a garage door opener, rear-seat infotainment, side steps, and 18″ or 20″ Gloss Black wheels.
The LS also comes with more optional packages, including Black Accent, Blackout, Cargo, Chrome Essentials, Floor Liners, Roadside Safety Package.
Chevrolet Traverse LT Cloth
Starting price: $36,595 (FWD), $40,395 (AWD)
The LT trim level brings much more upgrades over the standard L. There are additional features on the interior and exterior, but not with the safety systems. They remain the same as the LS trim.
Interior
With the LT Cloth trim level, you get some interior comfort goodies, and most of them are oriented toward the driver. There are power adjustments to the driver’s seat, and the steering wheel is wrapped in leather. The second row gets the captain’s chairs, and there is a satellite radio in the infotainment system.
Exterior
The exterior gets two useful features: fog lights and roof rails.
Chevrolet Traverse LT Leather
Starting price: $40,295 (FWD), $42,295 (AWD)
As you may have guessed from the name, the LT Leather trim includes more leather in the cabin. Despite that, there are a few extra features you’d find useful.
Interior
The front seats get all of the new features with this trim level. Apart from the leather treatment, the passenger seat also gets power adjustment, and both front seats get heating. The touchscreen receives 1 extra inch, and the display is of a higher quality. Last but not least, with this trim, you can start the engine remotely.
Exterior
Nothing too fancy on the outside, except for the power liftgate.
Safety
When it comes to safety, there are a few additions. The blind-spot monitoring system will inform you if there’s a car in your blind spot when you’re changing lanes or reversing. Speaking of which, the LT Leather trim also includes parking sensors in the rear of the Traverse.
Chevrolet Traverse RS
Starting price: $44,895 (FWD), $46,995 (AWD)
With the RS, we are moving up in the range and getting some premium features. Most of the features are oriented towards safety.
Interior
The interior only gets an automatic heated steering wheel.
Exterior
The outside of the Traverse with the RS trim gets bigger 20-inch wheels with a dark finish. The darkened theme continues around the SUV’s body, where you get black accents and styling cues.
Safety
In the safety department, the RS gets tons of upgrades over the previous trim. You get collision alert and auto emergency braking not only for cars in front of you but also for pedestrians. Meanwhile, the included following distance indicator will display information about the vehicle in front of you and let you know if you’re too close. For motorway driving, the lane-keep assist will ensure that you stay in the lane with the departure warning’s help. For parking in tight spaces, the surround vision is an excellent feature available in this trim.
Chevrolet Traverse Premier
Starting price: $46,995 (FWD), $49,595 (AWD)
The Premier trim level offers improvements inside and outside, while the RS trim’s safety features are identical.
Interior
On the inside, the driver and passenger seat get ventilation, while the rear seats get heating. The steering wheel is power-adjustable, and there is a wireless pad where you can charge your mobile phone.
Exterior
There are only two additions to the exterior. On the front, you get LED headlights and, in the back, the liftgate can be controlled hands-free.
Chevrolet Traverse High Country
Starting price: $52,095 (FWD), $54,295 (AWD)
Finally, we reach the highest trim level you can get on the Traverse, the High Country. In this case, you are getting some new features inside and outside and improved safety features.
Interior
Starting at the back, the rear folding seats are power-operated, and on the roof of the car, there is a panoramic sunroof.
Exterior
The only exterior upgrade it has is some improvements when you’re pulling a trailer. Notably, the system gets an upgrade and a guide for the trailer hitch.
Safety
With the High Country trim level, you get all the previous safety systems and a few improved ones. The auto emergency braking is enhanced, and with this option, you have access to advanced cruise control. With it, the car can keep you at a safer distance from the vehicle in front.
Additional Packages
On top of the existing trim levels, you can pay for some of the additional packages that Chevrolet offers for the Traverse. The package you want to get will depend on the trim, as not all packages are available for all models.
Blackout Package
Starting price: $1,185
The first is the Blackout package which is a visual package only. With it, you get black accents on the badges, applique on the rear license plate, grill, and bowtie emblems, mirror caps, and fog lamps.
Black Accents Package
Starting price: $615
The Black Accents Package is like a stripped-down version of the previous package. With it, you only get a black grille and bowtie emblems on the front and back.
Interior Protection Package
Starting price: $270
The interior package offers improvements to the cabin of the Traverse. With this package, you get premium floor mats for all 3 rows of seats and a cargo mat for the trunk. This package is very similar to the interior protection package.
Cargo Package
Starting price: $195
With the cargo package, you are putting attention on the trunk. It features a cargo shade that retracts and a vertically mounted cargo net to keep your items from falling off.
Chrome Essentials Package
Starting price: $275
As the name suggests, this package offers a few shiny bits around the exterior. With it, you get sill plates on the front doors made of stainless steel and chromed caps on the side mirrors.
Hit the Road Package
Starting price: $1,245
People that travel longer distances may find this package helpful. It includes cross rails on the roof painted in black and molded steps.
Roadside Safety Package
Starting price: $145
The Roadside Safety Package is mostly functional, including first aid and highway safety kits.
Redline Edition
Starting price: $2,495
The redline Edition package offers improvements inside and out. On the outside, you get the door handles in black and redline badges. Moreover, this package brings you Chevrolet’s Dual Skyscape power-operated sunroof.
Chevy Safety Assist
Starting price: $625
With the Chevy Safety Assist package, you are adding more safety features to your Traverse. It offers collision alert, emergency braking if it sees a car or a pedestrian in front, indicators for the car’s distance in front, a system that will keep you in the lane and warn you when you depart it.
LT Premium Package
Starting price: $3,095
The LT Premium is a package with some fancy additions to your Traverse. You will get 20-inch wheels with gray pockets or fully dark, depending on the trim level. Furthermore, it includes a Bose sound system with 10 speakers, an 8-inch screen, a rear camera on the rear-view mirror, and a surrounding vision. There is also a 120-volt outlet.
Convenience and Driver Confidence Package
Starting price:$1,795
The last package that you can get for your Travers is the Convenience and Driver Confidence one. It offers an excellent combination of safety and comfort features. For safety, the package features alerts for blind spots when changing lanes or reversing and rear parking assist. For comfort, you get heated driver and passenger seats. You can also remotely start your car or open the liftgate hands-free. Ultimately, you get navigation with a bigger 8-inch touchscreen and a universal remote.
Verdict
The Chevrolet Traverse is a decent mid-size SUV that combines everything you may need from a three-row mid-size SUV.
Even though it is not sold as a premium model, depending on the combination of trim and packages you choose, you can get some premium features on it.
A welcome option is the all-wheel-drive drivetrain, which you won’t find in some of the rivals. Overall, you are getting a decent SUV for a reasonable price.
Specifications
| Body Style(s) | Sport Utility Vehicle |
Engine |
|
| Engine Code | LFY |
| Engine(s) | Gas V6 |
| Displacement (liters/cu. in.) | 3.6L/217 |
| Horsepower @ RPM | 310 @ 6800 |
| Torque @ RPM | 266 @ 2800 |
| Fuel Injection | Direct Injection |
Drivetrain |
|
| Transmission(s) | 9-Speed Auto |
| Drive Wheels | FWD, AWD |
Fuel Economy |
|
| Fuel Economy – City | 18 MPG |
| Fuel Economy – Hwy | 27 MPG |
| Fuel Economy – Combined | 21 MPG |
Dimensions |
|
| Wheelbase (in.) | 120.9 |
| Length (in.) | 204.3 |
| Width (in.) | 204.3 |
| Height (in.) | 70.7 |
| Passenger volume (cu.ft.) | NA |
| Cargo volume (cu.ft.) | 57.8 |
| Curb weight (lbs) | 4362 |
Suspension |
|
| Front |
MacPherson strut independent
|
| Rear | Five-link independent |
Wheels & Tires |
|
| Wheel size | 18 x -TBD- |
| Tire size | P255/65R18 |
Gallery
