2019 Chevy Traverse Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　

What's new

Newly available 8-inch touchscreenPart of the second Traverse generation introduced for 2018

　　Chevrolet redesigned its big Traverse crossover SUV just last year. With 400 fewer pounds to move around, an additional 3 inches of legroom for second-row passengers, and more third-row legroom than its Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander competitors, the Traverse solidified its place as one of the roomiest three-row crossover available. For more room, you'll pretty much have to step up to a minivan or a full-size SUV such as a Chevrolet Suburban.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Chevrolet Traverse L 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$172/mo  for Traverse L

　　Traverse L

　　L 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $29,930 MSRPLS 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $32,900 MSRPLS 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $34,900 MSRPLS Fleet 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $33,500 MSRPLS Fleet 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $35,500 MSRPLT Cloth 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A) (Most Popular) - $35,400 MSRPLT Cloth 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $39,200 MSRPLT Fleet 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $35,900 MSRPLT Fleet 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $37,900 MSRPLT Leather 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $39,100 MSRPLT Leather 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $41,100 MSRPRS 4dr SUV w/Prod. End 2/19 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $43,100 MSRPRS 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $43,100 MSRPRS 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $45,700 MSRPPremier 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $45,500 MSRPPremier 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $48,400 MSRPHigh Country 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $50,900 MSRPHigh Country 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $53,200 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　For 2019, the Traverse returns with the same winning formula. Today's lighter Traverse carries over the same V6 engine from the last model, but with an additional 29 horsepower (310 hp). The engine pairs with a nine-speed transmission, a combination that helps achieve up to 21 mpg combined (18 city/27 highway). There's also a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but it's only available on the sport-styled RS trim.

　　Technology is abundant. An easy-to-use 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, plus OnStar with a 4G connection and Wi-Fi, are standard across most of the Traverse lineup. You can also get a larger 8-inch display this year. Chevy's Teen Driver system — which lets you track the car, receive notifications if it's in an accident, and set limits on functions such as stereo volume — is also standard equipment.

　　Safety features such as blind-spot monitoring are available across most of the lineup, although adaptive cruise control — an increasingly common feature on rival three-row crossovers — is available only on the top-trim, near-luxury High Country model.

　　The Traverse's extended range of trim levels remains a strength. With features and amenities that cover everything from basic utility to slightly sporty to borderline luxury, the Traverse doesn't just take on traditional rivals such as the Pilot, the Highlander and the Mazda CX-9, but also luxury SUVs such as the Acura MDX and the Volvo XC90. We've found that the Traverse doesn't quite deliver the engaging drive of its rivals — it's a little too slow and the handling is a bit sloppy — but when it comes to a pleasant highway ride and the most room to spread out and carry your stuff, nothing beats it.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.3 / 10

　　Redesigned just last year, the Chevrolet Traverse stands as one of the better three-row crossovers available. It has an appealing combination of a smooth ride quality and ample interior room and cargo space. For 2019, the Traverse returns with the same winning formula and a minor update to its options list.

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Chevrolet Traverse Premier (3.6.L V6 | 9-speed automatic | FWD).

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.3 / 10
Driving	7.0
Comfort	8.0
Interior	7.5
Utility	8.5
Technology	8.0

　　

Driving

7.0

　　The Traverse feels decidedly average. It has sufficient power, but it's no speed demon. The brakes have good stopping power but without much pedal feel. Handling is acceptable. It's not a standpoint in the class in terms of performance.

　　

Acceleration

8.0

　　The V6's acceleration is strong, with a nice bit of thrust off the line when you put your foot down. The throttle needs some extra input when you're going up hills since the transmission prefers a higher gear for fuel economy. The Traverse took 7.1 seconds to cover 0-60 mph at our test track — above average for the class.

　　

Braking

7.0

　　Brake pedal effort is light with a long pedal stroke, which makes for smooth and easy operation around town. At our test track, a simulated-emergency stop from 60 mph took 130 feet, a few feet longer than average for the class.

　　

Steering

7.5

　　Not a lot of steering feedback compared to class leaders, but it's not far off what most would expect in a big, comfy three-row crossover. There's good on-center return as well as a chunky wheel to wrap your hands around and a lot of assist at low speeds, which is a benefit in parking lots.

　　

Handling

6.5

　　The Traverse changes direction well enough, with a moderate amount of body roll movement due to its size and soft suspension. We weren't expecting a sporty drive experience out of the Traverse, but class leaders such as the Honda Pilot and the Mazda CX-9 feel more composed.

　　

Drivability

7.5

　　Low-speed drivability is good, with smooth acceleration control and relatively quick shifts from the nine-speed automatic transmission. The auto stop-start feature is one of the less intrusive systems on the market, but unfortunately it can't be disabled.

　　

Comfort

8.0

　　If you're looking for comfortable and quiet family transport above all else, the Traverse should be on your short list. Its relatively hushed cabin has enhanced appeal thanks to top-notch ride quality and pleasant seats in all three rows.

　　

Seat comfort

8.0

　　The driver's seat has sufficient bolstering with lots of lumbar support. The basic seat adjustments are all that are needed to get comfy. The second- and third-row seat bottoms are a bit flatter but still comfortable enough for long rides. There's enough legroom in all three rows for average adults.

　　

Ride comfort

9.0

　　The ride comfort is excellent and well-suited to long highway trips. The tires provide additional cushion against smaller, sharper impacts, while larger bumps are sorted out by the suspension, which is tuned to be compliant without being floaty.

　　

Noise & vibration

8.0

　　No noticeable rattles or squeaks, and road noise is minimal. At 75 mph, there's just the slightest hint of wind noise over the side mirrors, which is easily drowned out by the stereo. The V6 is a bit noisier at full throttle than the optional four-cylinder but it's not a persistent sound.

　　

Climate control

7.5

　　The climate system cools the large cabin well, but there are a lot of buttons and the rear climate controls are buried deep in the touchscreen. The heated steering wheel and front seats warm at an acceptable rate but could use more intensity. The seats lack GM's usual split-heating mode.

　　

Interior

7.5

　　There's lots of space inside the Traverse for adults in all three rows, getting in and out is a cinch, and center stack controls are easy to use. But some found the driver's footrest to be in an awkward position, and rear visibility is limited due to large rear pillars.

　　

Ease of use

7.0

　　The buttons and knobs on the center stack are logically arranged, but the touchscreen is a bit of a reach. The infotainment menus are easy to get used to almost right away. Some may find the steering wheel buttons hard to locate without taking their eyes off the road.

　　

Getting in/getting out

8.0

　　Despite its SUV ride height, the Traverse doesn't require that much of a step up to get in. Average-size adults will be able to slide in and out without a problem. The door openings are large, and the gap between the second-row captain's chairs allows for easy access to the third row.

　　

Driving position

6.5

　　Some may find the driver's left foot rest isn't positioned ideally, leading to uncomfortable leg positioning while driving. Some of our editors had issues; others didn't notice. There is plenty of tilt-and-telescope extension in the steering wheel, though, and a nice, high commanding driving position.

　　

Roominess

9.0

　　First, second and third rows are more than sufficient for adults, with plenty of legroom, headroom, elbow room and shoulder room across the board. This is one of the biggest cabins in the segment and regardless of seating position, you can stretch out quite a bit.

　　

Visibility

6.5

　　Forward visibility is acceptable with average-size windshield pillars. Rear over-the-shoulder visibility is terrible, though, with the seats and giant pillars blocking the rear view. Blind-spot monitoring, a rearview camera and rear parking sensors are all standard on this trim, which helps.

　　

Quality

6.0

　　Build quality is acceptable, but it feels a bit low-rent for this price point. Many of the buttons look as if they could come from a Chevy Sonic that's half the price. It's even worse when you put the Traverse up against a comparably priced Honda, Mazda or Volkswagen rival.

　　

Utility

8.5

　　There is abundant space for adults, child seats, water bottles and whatever else you can think of. The Traverse is one of the largest vehicles in the class and it pays dividends on the inside, where there's plenty of room for passengers or cargo of almost any kind.

　　

Small-item storage

8.0

　　There are big door pockets, a big center console, decent-size cupholders and plenty of little places to put phones, water bottles and miscellaneous pocket-size items. Small-item storage is good, but segment leaders such as the Pilot have a larger center console space and bigger cupholders.

　　

Cargo space

9.5

　　Behind the third row, the Traverse has 23 cubic feet of cargo space, which is excellent. With both rows folded, the Traverse has a massive 98 cubes. That's 10 cubes more than the Honda Pilot and the Ford Explorer, and 20 more cubes than the Mazda CX-9. The trunk load height is average for the class.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

8.0

　　There's lots of space for car seats of almost all sizes in the second and third rows. The second row has easily accessible LATCH points in the captain's chairs, and single top-tethers on each seat. The third row is sufficient for two more child seats. For any more space, you'd need a full-size SUV.

　　

Towing

7.0

　　Our test vehicle was only capable of towing a modest 1,500 pounds. If you add on Chevy's Trailering package, that number increases to a more respectable 5,000-pound tow rating. That's right in line with three-row crossover rivals.

　　

Technology

8.0

　　A standard Wi-Fi connection, a high-quality upgraded sound system and easy-to-use voice controls give the Traverse an edge in this category. Optional safety equipment provides an acceptable experience, but you have to spring for the mid- to high-level trims for access.

　　

Audio & navigation

8.0

　　The Bose 10-speaker audio system turns up nice and loud without any distortion. Navigation has a clear screen with clear directions, but the map is relatively small compared to the size of the screen. Satellite radio is included for the first three months of ownership, which is typical at this price point.

　　

Smartphone integration

8.0

　　Apple CarPlay worked well during our test, as did Bluetooth and USB integration of other devices. Songs indexed quickly but if you have a big library, not all playlists will display right away. CarPlay and Android Auto are standard even on the base Traverse, which is a nice addition.

　　

Driver aids

7.0

　　Our test vehicle came with blind-spot monitoring and rear parking sensors plus the Driver Confidence II package (forward collision warning and lane keeping assist, but no adaptive cruise). The systems worked well with a good amount of sensitivity. But getting all this safety tech can be pricey.

　　

Voice control

8.0

　　Speak clearly with commands like "Play artist U2" and the Traverse will have no problem comprehending. Change songs, radio stations, input navigation — you name it. Some commands took multiple attempts in testing but once the menu structure is figured out, things go quickly.

　　

Which Traverse does zzdcar recommend?

　　Among the Traverse's seven trim levels, the LT Cloth trim paired with the Convenience and Driver Confidence package (standard on the all-wheel-drive version) gives you everything you need. Combining the LT trim's basic upgrades with the useful, optional safety features, the LT Cloth strikes a good balance between cost and livability.

　　

2019 Chevrolet Traverse models

　　The 2019 Chevrolet Traverse boasts seven trim levels: L, LS, LT Cloth, LT Leather, RS, Premier and High Country. These trims run the gamut from reasonably well-equipped to luxury SUV competitor. Most trims are fitted with a V6, with the sport-styled RS an exception. It comes with a torquey turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

　　The standard engine is a 3.6-liter V6 (310 hp, 266 lb-ft of torque) paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Most trims come with standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive.

　　The Traverse L may be the base model, but it comes respectably equipped with LED running lights, xenon headlights, 18-inch wheels and an engine stop-start system. Inside, you get a tilt-adjustable steering wheel, seating for eight, a rearview camera, OnStar communications with a 4G LTE connection and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot, Chevy's Teen Driver system, and a 7-inch MyLink touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.

　　The L is only available in front-wheel drive and doesn't have access to most optional extras. It's a build-to-order trim, so you're unlikely to ever even see a Traverse L on a dealer lot.

　　Functionally, the LS trim is the base trim you'll likely come across. The LS has the same equipment as the L, but it can be had with all-wheel drive and a few optional dealer-sourced extras, such as second-row tablet mounts with dedicated USB charging ports and a cargo management package.

　　Stepping up to the LT Cloth gets you second-row captain's chairs in place of a bench, reducing seating capacity to seven but improving accessibility and comfort (the bench remains an option). The LT Cloth also gets roof rails, mirror-integrated turn signals and a power-adjustable driver's seat.

　　Two notable option packages are available for the LT Cloth. The Convenience and Driver Confidence package adds rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a power liftgate, remote engine start, an upgraded 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a color driver information display, and heated front seats. The Trailering package adds a trailer hitch and heavy-duty cooling system. If you order the LT Cloth with all-wheel drive, the Convenience and Driver Confidence package comes standard.

　　The LT Leather comes standard with leather upholstery, a power-adjustable passenger seat, and the features from the Convenience and Driver Confidence package. The new-for-2019 optional Premium package adds 20-inch wheels, a navigation system, a 10-speaker Bose sound system, a 120-volt power outlet, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with a built-in rearview camera display, and a top-down parking camera system. A panoramic sunroof is also available as a stand-alone upgrade.

　　The RS trim is a bit of an anomaly in the Traverse lineup. It comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (257 hp, 295 lb-ft of torque) and only front-wheel drive. It's equipped much like the LT Leather and comes standard with Premium package features, but also features unique styling cues and accents, including 20-inch wheels and a blacked-out grille and bow tie badge. The RS offers a little bit of extra low-end power, but it's really no sportier than other trims despite its looks.

　　Near the top of the range, the Premier trim adds LED headlights, auto-dimming side mirrors, hands-free operation for the liftgate, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a power-adjustable steering column, wireless device charging, and driver-seat memory settings.

　　Major packages for the Premier include the Driver Confidence II package, which adds forward collision alert with pedestrian detection and low-speed automatic braking as well as lane departure warning and intervention. There's also the Redline Edition package, an appearance package that blacks out all the chrome trim and adds the panoramic sunroof. Adding all-wheel drive to the Premier trim gets you the Driver Confidence II package, Trailering package and adaptive headlights.

　　The range-topping High Country comes with all the Premier's goodies and adds a special all-wheel-drive system with an auto-locking rear differential, along with automatic high beams, the panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control, a power-folding third-row seat, and unique interior leather upholstery. It can only be had with all-wheel drive.

　　

2019 Traverse Highlights

Trim: LLSLS FleetLT ClothLT FleetLT LeatherRSPremierHigh CountryL

　　

Base MSRP	$29,930
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	21 MPG
Cost to Drive	$172/month
Seating	8 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	23.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles