Chevrolet’s answer to the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, and Ford Explorer is the Traverse. Closely related to the Buick Enclave and the previous-generation GMC Acadia, the Chevrolet Traverse is the automaker’s family-oriented three-row crossover.
Before adding a large three-row crossover to its lineup, Chevrolet offered a number of minivans as its people mover offering. The very first of these minivans was the Chevrolet Lumina APV produced from 1990 to 1996, a quirky looking minivan with split A-pillars and a dramatically swept-back front end. The Lumina van was followed by the more conventional looking Venture produced from 1996 to 2005 and finally the Uplander, Chevrolet’s last minivan, produced from 2005 to 2008.
Big, bold, beautiful and so much to see. The noticeably sleek and stylish chrome accents along with the dynamic contours make everyone want to stop and look. The sporty-ish RS trim level, previously available only with front-wheel drive and a four-cylinder engine, can now be had with all-wheel drive and a V-6. There’s a new LT Premium package that includes features such as a 360-degree camera view, 20-inch wheels, a larger touchscreen with navigation, and a Bose audio system.
A potent V-6 engine gives the Traverse its legs, and a slick-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission changes gears unobtrusively. The 3.6-liter V-6 pulls strongly and the Traverse is on the quicker end of its class. The cabin is so quiet that you need to steal a glance at the tachometer to ensure the engine is running while at a stoplight. Speaking of which, the Traverse features what is perhaps the most seamless automatic stop/start feature we’ve tested. A turbocharged 2.0-liter engine is also available but it’s offered on only the front-wheel-drive RS variant and is slower than the V-6 by a few ticks.
When parking or maneuvering at low speed, the Traverse feels every bit its size. Pick up the pace, however, and the big Chevy feels smaller than it is—poised, if not overtly athletic. Steering effort is low, but the system is precise and makes aiming the big SUV easy. The Traverse’s suspension is tuned for a good balance between handling and ride comfort.
The Traverse provides spacious accommodations for seven or eight passengers, including a third row sized for adults. Chevrolet’s six-tier model lineup allows the Traverse to reach a broad swath of the market and appeal to a wide range of buyers. The materials in the top-level High Country are handsome but fall slightly short of expectations given that version’s lofty price.
A bounty of USB ports is thoughtfully placed throughout the Traverse’s cabin, and its infotainment system is simple to use, with colorful graphics, a high-mounted touchscreen, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An infotainment system that responds quickly to user inputs seals the deal for the tech-savvy Traverse.
If you’re looking for a great 3-row SUV for the family, the Traverse is hard to beat. And with its reasonable starting price and good predicted reliability rating, it’s not a bad value either.
So come on over to Handy Chevrolet in St. Albans, VT, where you can drive away in a new 2019 Chevrolet Traverse today!
