2020 Chevrolet Traverse Review: Crowd Pleaser

Not every midsize crossover can seat up to eight passengers, and those that do generally don't do so in supreme luxury. In the USA, the Chevy Traverse stands out from the crowd in this regard, with more passenger and cargo space than the majority of its rivals, like the Honda Pilot and Ford Explorer. It's still quite new off the back of a redesign in 2018, so only minor changes have been made to keep it competitive in the segment. The only powertrain available now is the V6 that develops 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, matching the more potent engines on rivals. Both front- and all-wheel-drive are offered on all but the base model, and moving up the trim levels sees the SUV equipped with almost all the comforts and conveniences you could need from a large family hauler. Some competitors may offer more standard features and a higher-quality interior, but the Chevy does a good job when you consider it's starting price of $29,800.

What’s the Price of 2020 Chevrolet Traverse?

Starting things off rather affordably is the base-level L, with a base price of $29,800. The LS doesn't change too much and only adds $3,100 to the bill, while the LT costs $35,400 in its Cloth guise. Swap to Leather, and the price rises to $39,100. The RS breaks the $40k mark at an MSRP of $43,600, while the penultimate Premier will set you back $45,800. Surprisingly expensive, though, is the High Country, which requires an investment of $50,900. All-wheel-drive can be optioned onto all but the base L trim with the additional cost varying between $1,990 and $3,300. These Chevrolet traverse prices exclude tax, licensing, registration, and Chevy's $1,195 destination charge.

2020 Traverse Exterior

Dimensions

2020 Traverse Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

The Traverse is a gentle giant, not made for athletic handling but able to hold itself relatively well on the road. Like many midsize SUVs, steering is light and precise, making it an ideal vehicle for cruising around town. The on-center feel is pretty good when traveling at speed on the highway, too, but there is never much communication with the tires.

Handling is what you'd expect from a crossover in this weight range. Try to take a turn too fast, and you'll notice the body starting to roll, but there are systems in place to control this, and they do so quite well. Besides, nothing about the Chevy makes you think it should be driven like a sportier SUV, so this is unlikely to be a problem for most buyers.

Where the Traverse does shine, though, is ride comfort. Everything about the crossover seems designed to this end, from the comfortable seats to the capable suspension and ponderous acceleration. Few bumps will ever upset the hefty SUV as it cruises down the road, and adding more cargo and passengers only serves to make the ride that much more stable.

While it certainly doesn't look that rugged, and it hasn't got the greatest ground clearance for an SUV, the Chevrolet Traverse actually makes a valiant effort when it comes to off-roading. It will never compete with rivals designed to this end, but when equipped with the all-wheel drivetrain, the Chevy gives you that extra sense of security. But it's not really worth the extra price if you're certain you'll never drive over anything rougher than a gravel driveway.

2020 Traverse Interior

2020 Traverse Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Verdict: Is the Chevrolet Traverse A Good SUV?

Where once the eight-seater midsize SUV segment was a niche market, it is quickly becoming populated as manufacturers scurry to fill the gap. The Chevrolet is just one of GM's offerings, competing alongside the Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia, as well as the Honda Pilot and Ford Explorer. Competition is stiff, but the Chevy remains popular in the US market, and for good reason.

Not as flashy as more luxury-minded brands like Buick, and not as high performance as Honda's SUV, the Traverse makes up for these shortcomings by being eminently practical. Despite cramming three rows of seats into a body that stands only 204 inches long, the 8-passenger Chevy Traverse manages to supply ample room for passengers in every row, where many rivals wouldn't dare to seat an adult in their rear-most rows. On top of that, the Traverse has an impressive maximum cargo capacity of 98.2 cubic feet, while even the standard 23 cubic feet is more than what rivals offer. Paired with a competent V6 engine that allows the SUV to tow up to 5,000 lbs, the Chevy manages to cover all the bases.

Yes, that same engine won't deliver driving thrills, but the Traverse is designed for comfort, and that's where it shines. It also does well in safety - at least on the upper trims - and it doesn't lack for features with its comprehensive infotainment suite, both standard and optional. Naturally, if you want everything the Chevrolet Traverse has to offer, you're going to have to pay for it. But, you can get most of the essentials at a very reasonable price. Few eight-seater midsize SUVs can offer the same at a price that the average Joe can afford, and that makes the Traverse a good vehicle, in our opinion.

What Chevrolet Traverse Model Should I Buy?

While the Traverse doesn't change much between the L and LS, these highly affordable trim levels are a little too bare for most buyers. On the other hand, the top tier High Country is just a bit too expensive for what it actually offers, so most shoppers will be looking for the middle ground, where value and price meet on equal footing. Lop off $5k from the High Country, and you're left with the Premier. This trim comes with most of the same comforts as its more expensive brother, including leather upholstery, heated and ventilated power front seats, heated rear seats and a hands-free power liftgate. It also comes with a complete safety suite, minus enhanced automatic braking. If you want to add some extra style to the mix, the Premier gets exclusive access to the Redline Edition, which adds the dual-panel sunroof and black/red exterior accents. This still keeps the price below $50k, even if you opt for the pricier all-wheel drivetrain.

2020 Chevrolet Traverse Comparisons

2020 Chevrolet Traverse vs Ford Explorer

Like the Traverse of yesteryear, the Ford Explorer offers buyers a choice of powertrains. The standard turbo four-cylinder engine develops 300 hp, while the available twin-turbo V6 develops 365 hp, and the hybrid V6 engine develops only 285 hp. Naturally, the turbo four-pot easily bests the new Chevrolet Traverse in mileage figures, but even the twin-turbo V6 is almost a perfect match to the Chevy in comparison, despite putting out a lot more power. However, where the Explorer falls short is straight-up utility. Measuring in quite a few inches shorter than the Traverse, it can't compete in terms of passenger or cargo capacity, delivering only 18.2 cubic feet of standard trunk space. The Ford also only offers a maximum capacity of seven passengers, with less overall room than the Chevy boasts. True, the Explorer is a stronger performer, with a slightly more engaging driving experience, and it also looks better inside, with higher quality materials. However, most buyers looking at this price bracket want the best bang for their buck, and at the Chevy Traverse's cost, it's hard to place the more expensive Ford above the Chevrolet Traverse in that regard.

2020 Chevrolet Traverse vs GMC Acadia

While the GMC Acadia may share some heritage with the Chevy Traverse, with both vehicles manufactured by GM, they are still quite distinctly different. Both draw attention for their relatively low starting price, with only about $1,000 difference between them, but the Traverse is a bit bigger than the Acadia and can seat an extra person as standard. The Chevrolet also manages to provide more passenger and cargo space, with the GMC maxing out at only 79 cubic feet. Smaller in every way, the Acadia also comes with a much weaker standard engine, a 193 hp four-cylinder. However, it can be optioned with a similar V6 to the Chevy's, developing 310 hp and 271 lb-ft. Thus, the base GMC is a bit more affordable, both in price and fuel, but it can't match the Traverse in terms of performance or utility. Considering the small gap in price, it's clear which is the better value-for-money crossover here.