Chevrolet Traverse

Chevrolet Traverse at a glance

The Traverse is a monocoque crossover with a transverse engine, front-wheel drive as standard and optional all-wheel drive. It is large and roomy rather than an off-roader: the long wheelbase, modest ground clearance and low-hanging bumpers limit it on rough terrain. More Chevrolet models are listed in our Chevrolet catalogue.

Chevrolet Traverse generations

First generation (2008–2017)

The Traverse made its debut at the Chicago motor show in February 2008, drawing on the earlier Chevrolet Sequel concept, and reached dealers in October 2008. It was built on GM's Lambda platform, first in Spring Hill, Tennessee, and from 2010 in Delta Township, Michigan. A strict front with sharp headlights, a two-section grille and a tidy bumper contrast with a rounded rear with semicircular lights and a short bumper. Ground clearance is a modest 183 mm.

The cabin is well made, with a four-spoke multifunction wheel, instruments in Audi-like cowls, decent plastics, metal-effect trim and good leather. Seven or eight people fit inside; the front seats offer many adjustments but little side support, and the third-row bench takes even older children. With all three rows in use, the luggage area holds 691 litres, rising to 3,293 litres with a flat floor when the second and third rows are folded.

The 3.6-litre V6 has direct injection, 24 valves and variable valve timing, producing 210 kW (281 hp) and 361 Nm; the top LTZ, with a different exhaust, was rated at 215 kW (288 hp) and 370 Nm. A six-speed Hydra-Matic 6T75 automatic drives the front wheels, and all-wheel-drive versions use a multi-plate clutch that can send up to 50% of torque to the rear. 0–100 km/h takes 8–9 seconds and combined consumption is about 13.2–14.2 l/100 km. The Lambda platform has MacPherson front and multi-link rear suspension, coil springs and anti-roll bars, ventilated discs all round with ABS, EBD and brake assist, and hydraulic power steering.

A facelift shown in New York in spring 2012 brought headlights inspired by the Chevrolet Camaro, a front end with hints of the Malibu, chrome mouldings and door handles, slimmer tail lights and twin exhaust outlets. Inside, leather, wood inserts, a new centre console with a screen, 12 cupholders, a DVD system and Bose audio were added. The V6 and six-speed automatic were unchanged.

Second generation (2017–2024)

The second Traverse was unveiled at the Detroit motor show on 23 January 2017 and went on sale in July 2017 as a 2018 model. It looks much more aggressive: a large chrome-framed polygonal grille split by a body-coloured bar, fierce xenon or LED headlights, round fog lamps in square recesses, chrome door handles and sills, broad arches with wheels of up to 20 inches and ground clearance of about 200 mm. The rear has a wide window, a roof spoiler with a brake light, light strips and a step bumper.

The interior combines leather, metal, soft plastics, quality fabrics and wood. A large touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay controls most functions, and the tunnel holds the gear selector, cupholders, sockets and a big armrest with a cooled box. Eight seats are standard and seven optional, with heated and ventilated captain's chairs in the second row on some versions.

The 3.6-litre V6 produces 231 kW (310 hp) and 361 Nm, reaching 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds; it uses about 10 l/100 km. From 2018 to 2019 the front-wheel-drive RS also offered a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder with 192 kW (257 hp) and 400 Nm. Both use a nine-speed Hydra-Matic 9T50 automatic with Traction Mode Select. V6 versions could have all-wheel drive with a multi-plate clutch, and the High Country used a GKN twin-clutch system that also locks the rear axle. The C1XX platform uses high-strength steel, MacPherson struts at the front and a five-link rear, with electric power steering.

A facelift was revealed online on 13 March 2020, when the New York motor show was postponed. It brought slimmer headlights combining running lights and indicators, a more compact grille, new wheel designs, more detailed tail lights, an 8-inch digital driver display, an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, USB ports for every row and a Dual SkyScape panoramic roof. The luggage area holds 651 litres behind the third row and up to 2,789 litres with the seats folded.

Third generation (2023 onwards)

The third Traverse was unveiled on 17 July 2023, with customer deliveries from April 2024 as a 2024 model. In North America it uses a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 245 kW (328 hp) and 442 Nm and an eight-speed automatic. It seats eight with bench seats or seven with second-row captain's chairs, offers up to about 2,800 litres of cargo space, and launched in LS, LT, RS and Z71 versions, with Premier and High Country added later.

Engines and transmissions

Safety and equipment

The facelifted second generation offers front, side and curtain airbags, Forward Automatic Braking and Forward Collision Alert, Surround Vision, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Teen Driver (which lets parents monitor young drivers and limit top speed), cruise control with a speed limiter, a rear camera, tyre-pressure monitoring, pedestrian detection, parking assistance, blind-spot monitoring, lane-change and rear cross-traffic alerts, LED lights and fog lamps. The body uses high-strength steel and programmed crumple zones.

Key specifications by generation

Strengths and weaknesses

Owners praise the Traverse's performance, looks, roomy cabin, ground clearance, audio quality, strong V6 and large luggage area. Drawbacks include its sheer size, difficulty finding accessories and parts in some markets and basic navigation. Rivals include the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Volkswagen Atlas (Teramont) and Skoda Kodiaq.