Introduction

The Chevrolet Traverse is a large crossover SUV, able to haul a truckload of cargo or up to eight people. Built more like a car than a truck, Traverse uses front-wheel drive and is much lighter than a Tahoe. As a result, Traverse rides like a car, handles well and gets decent fuel economy for its size. 

All-wheel drive is optional to improve stability on winter roads and, if only by a bit, expand the range of surfaces the Traverse can traverse. 

Traverse was launched as an all-new model for the 2009 model year. The 2013 Traverse got new front and rear styling, plus updated infotainment systems and cabin materials. 

For 2014, Traverse gained Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning. Both features are standard on the LTZ version and available for the 2LT. Each alerts the driver with visual cues on the dashboard, as well as audible signals. All 2014 Traverse models added dual charge-only USB ports at the rear of the center console, for use by second-row occupants. 

We found the Chevrolet Traverse to be an excellent family vehicle. It qualifies as a modern station wagon. 

Underway, Traverse feels more like a big sedan than a truck. It rides comfortably and is much more stable than truck-based SUVs, which tend to lean in corners and bound over undulations. The steering is direct and responsive, very light in effort, and the brakes are easy to modulate for nice smooth stops. Drivers moving out of a compact or midsize SUV may find it bulky when parking, while folks trading down from full-size truck-based SUVs are likely to consider Traverse surpassingly carlike and nimble. It can tow a bass boat, but isn't equipped for heavy trailering. 

Fuel economy for the 2014 Chevrolet Traverse is an EPA-estimated 17/24 mpg City/Highway with front-wheel drive, and 16/23 with all-wheel drive. That's hardly stellar, but it has to be measured against the ability to traverse with six or seven of your friends, without being seen in a van. 

Power is provided by a 3.6-liter V6, developing 281 horsepower with a single exhaust or 288 with dual exhaust (on LTZ models). The V6 delivers strong power, though it lacks the torque of a V8. A smooth-shifting 6-speed automatic transmission is standard. 

Inside Traverse you'll find plenty of space: more than a Tahoe but less than a van, which has similar outside dimensions. Space in the first and second rows is plentiful. The third row is bigger than most, and is even plausible for adults. Cloth or leather, the front seats are comfortable and supportive. The second- and third-row seats fold flat to open up a generous cargo area. Even with all the seats up, there is enough room behind the third row for a week's worth of groceries, and an available power liftgate makes access easy. 

Controls are easy to reach and operate. The rearview camera, which comes standard, makes backing up this big vehicle easier and safer. The dashboard is attractive, even if there's more obvious plastic inside than we'd like at this price point. 

For more deluxe cabin surroundings, consider the Buick Enclave or GMC Acadia, which dress the same mechanical platform in fancier furnishings. Otherwise, the Traverse may be just your ticket for moving people and cargo. More stylish and thirsty than a minivan, more efficient than a truck-based SUV, it's kind of like a big family sedan with a glassed-in cargo bay in back. We used to call these types of vehicles station wagons. 

Lineup

The 2014 Chevrolet Traverse is offered with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive ($2,000). All models have a 3.6-liter V6 mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission; 281 horsepower in LS and LT versions, but the LTZ with dual exhausts rates 288 hp. 

Traverse LS ($30,795) comes with cloth upholstery, air conditioning, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, rearview camera, cruise control, four-way manually adjustable driver's seat with lumbar adjustment, three-passenger split-folding second-row seat, three-passenger split-folding third-row seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with six speakers, SiriusXM satellite radio (three-month trial), Bluetooth hands-free, automatic headlights, six months of OnStar Directions and Connections, and P245/70R17 tires on steel wheels. 

Traverse LT ($34,010) adds an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, center-front airbag, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls and variable-effort steering, heated power mirrors with turn signals, body-color moldings, a trip computer, keyless remote start, rear park assist, P255/65R18 tires on alloy wheels, and the option of second-row bucket seats. The Traverse 2LT ($36,865) gets three-zone automatic climate control with rear controls, heated front seats, second-row captain's chairs for seven-passenger seating, (a second-row bench for eight-passenger seating is available), Chevrolet MyLink telematics, Bose 10-speaker audio system with subwoofer and USB port, auto-dimming driver's side mirror, power liftgate and other features. 

Traverse LTZ ($41,255) has leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, heated power-folding mirrors, a heated steering wheel, blind-spot/rear cross traffic warning, 8-way power front passenger seat, memory for the driver's seat and mirrors, universal garage door opener, P255/55R20 tires on alloy wheels and numerous additional features. Forward Collision Alert and a Lane Departure Warning have been added for the 2014 model year. LTZ is seven-seat only. 

Options include a navigation system ($795), which comes with the Bose sound system and a rearview camera; leather upholstery ($1,750 on 2LT); Trailering package ($575) with a heavy-duty engine cooler and a trailer hitch; two-panel sunroof ($1,400) with a fixed rear panel; a DVD rear entertainment system ($1,445 on 2LT/LTZ, $2,440 on 1LT) that includes the Bose sound system, rear audio controls, and a 115-volt outlet; chrome side steps. Optional for the 2LT are the two new safety features ($395). 

Safety features include dual front airbags, torso-protecting front side airbags, head-protecting side-curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes, tire-pressure monitor, traction control and electronic stability control with rollover mitigation, OnStar (six-month subscription), rearview camera. Rear park assist, center front side-impact airbag, and blind-spot/rear cross traffic warning are optional. LTZ versions now have Forward Collision Alert and a Lane Departure Warning. Traverse also offers a center airbag for the front seat. 

Walkaround

Chevrolet Traverse shares its architecture with the Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia. It's built using unit-body construction, similar to that of a car rather than bolting the body to a heavy truck frame. Also, it's basically a front-wheel-drive platform. Traverse is longer but a finger-width narrower than the Chevrolet Tahoe full-size SUV. 

Up front, the Traverse features the horizontal-dominant Chevrolet grille. Headlights start next to the grille and wrap into the front fenders. Horizontal fog lights mirror the headlights, about six inches lower. A black air dam below the grille gives the front end a dark lower face. A peak at the center of the hood continues down through the grille and fascia, adding a touch of character. 

From the side, the Traverse appears to have short overhangs for an SUV. The window line rises to the rear, and that angle increases at the rear windows. A character line is located about a third of the way up each door, and the black front fascia is picked up along the sides by black plastic over the rocker panels. Large wheels and tires keep everything in proportion. Up top, the Traverse has optional roof rails and an available two-panel sunroof with a fixed rear panel and an opening front panel. 

At the rear, the Traverse features dark tailgate glass that dips down toward the center. The tailgate lifts up and does not have a separate-opening glass. Tail lights use inset clear-lens elements to mimic the Camaro's rear lights, and the license brow gives it a trimmer look. The total design is well thought out, smooth and stylish. 

Interior

Inside, the Chevy Traverse makes great use of its best-in-class space. It's a good blend of people and cargo hauling. 

The front seats are comfortable and supportive, whether trimmed in cloth or leather, with lots of head room and leg space. The second-row bench seat fits three adults easily, promising plenty of head and leg room. For greater comfort, buyers can opt for second-row captain's chairs. 

The third row is easy to access because the second row tilts and slides forward. With the second-row captain's chairs, there is a handy walkthrough to the third row. Three children can ride comfortably in the third row, and head and leg room are sufficient for two adults to fit back there. Adults won't be comfortable during long trips, though, because of the low height of the seat cushions. 

Cargo space is plentiful. Traverse is big by class standards, so it has more cargo space behind the third-row seat (24.4 cubic feet) than most crossovers. Underneath the floor is a handy, though shallow, storage bin. With the second and third rows folded down, cargo volume is an impressive 116.4 cubic feet (for comparison, that's seven more than a Chevy Tahoe and 32 less than a Honda Odyssey minivan, which are both shorter). Those two rear rows fold easily, each with the flick of a lever, creating a nearly flat load floor. A strap on each section of the split third-row bench makes it easy to pull the seatbacks upright from the tailgate area. An available power rear liftgate also eases access to the cargo area. 

Getting in and out is easy, again because the Traverse sits lower than traditional truck-based SUVs and higher than vans. Still, the driver is perched higher than in a car and therefore has a clear view of the road ahead. Visibility to the front is generally good, but the Traverse is bigger than it feels, so it can be tough to see over the driver's right shoulder, and objects immediately behind might be hidden from view. Wide-angle elements in the outside mirrors and a backup camera help. 

Up front, the driver is surrounded by an attractively designed dashboard that has nice graining and was updated for 2013 with softer, more inviting textures and finishes. The instrument cluster has two deep-set pods with electroluminescent gauges on a black background. It's easy to read and never washes out in bright sunlight. 

The center stack features a navigation screen or the radio, plus the climate controls. All controls are clearly marked and easy to reach. The standard radio has an audio input jack but no iPod interface. In a messy Chicago winter, the camera lens became speckled with dirt and salt, making the image hard to see in the rearview mirror. 

There is plenty of storage for small items throughout the cabin. The front center console has a deep bin on the bottom and another shallow bin on top. The top section slides forward and back to act as an adjustable armrest. There are cup and bottle holders galore, including two on the center console, one in each front door, and two in each rear door. 

Driving Impression

Chevrolet Traverse is big, closely matching dimensions of SUVs like the Chevy Tahoe and Ford Expedition. However, lacking the truck foundation of an SUV, the Traverse is about 500 pounds lighter, so it handles and rides better, and gets slightly better mileage (1-2 mpg) than a Tahoe. 

Despite its two-and-a-half ton curb weight, the Traverse is surprisingly nimble. It handles more like a family sedan than a Tahoe. While the steering is somewhat light, it's direct and responsive, not flaccid and slow like most four-wheel-drive SUVs. 

The all-wheel-drive system is transparent to the driver and will aid accelerating traction in snow (though it won't stop any better), but it's not designed for off-road use. 

The ride is comfortable and stable. The Traverse lacks the floppiness and bounding common in truck-based SUVs, but load both to their limit and the Traverse gives up more. It does not pound over bumps, even with the available 20-inch wheels. It falls right where you expect between van comfort and SUV utility. The brakes are easy to modulate and provide worry-free emergency stops of average distance. 

Still, the Traverse sits fairly high and weighs a lot, so occupants notice some head toss in turns and the highway ride is less stable than in a family sedan or a smaller, sportier crossover. The overall size also makes it somewhat bulky in parking-lot and parallel parking, as its turning ability is inferior to the Tahoe, Odyssey and some full-size pickup trucks. 

Power comes from GM's dual-overhead cam 3.6-liter V6, which makes 281 horsepower. In the LTZ, the engine has dual exhausts, which raises output to 288 horsepower. Coupled to a 6-speed automatic transmission, the V6 motivates the Traverse quite ably. Throttle response is predictable and smooth. Shifts also are smooth, but the transmission is sometimes too willing to shift to the next gear, and reluctant to downshift, leaving you wanting more power when you need it for passing or hills. 

The 3.6-liter V6 also provides better fuel economy than you'd get in most truck-based SUVs. EPA fuel economy ratings for front-drive models are 17/24 mpg City/Highway. With all-wheel drive, those numbers drop to 16/23 mpg. 

Towing capacity is 5,200 pounds with two people and no cargo. If you plan on towing more than 4,000 pounds with a load, pay extra for a Tahoe: Its V8 engine has 30 horsepower and 65 pound-feet of torque over the V6, at a cost of 1-2 mpg. Tahoe tows 3,000 pounds more, carries more people and cargo weight, and offers ground clearance and low-range 4WD for your remote campground or boat ramp. 

However, if you don't need that 4WD or towing ability (or 9 seatbelts), and you don't want the space and fuel-efficiency of a van, the Traverse's pleasant road manners and interior space will get the job done. 

Summary

The Chevrolet Traverse is a good family vehicle and reasonably priced. If you're buying a family mover, these vehicles are more stylish than a minivan and more practical and efficient than a truck-based SUV. They make truck-based SUVs practically unnecessary for anyone who doesn't need their towing capacity or off-highway ability. 

NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Kirk Bell reported from Chicago; with G.R. Whale reporting from Los Angeles. 

Model Lineup

Chevrolet Traverse LS ($30,795), LS AWD ($32,795); LT ($34,010), LT AWD ($36,010); 2LT ($36,865); 2LT AWD ($38,865); LTZ ($41,255), LTZ AWD ($43,255). 

Assembled In

Lansing, Michigan. 

Options As Tested

2LT Package ($2,855) includes tri-zone climate control w rear controls, Bose 10-speaker audio with USB port, power liftgate, auto-dimming rearview mirror, rearview camera, second-row captain's chairs for 7-passenger seating; rear-seat DVD entertainment system ($1,445) includes XM NavTraffic and 115-volt outlet, trailering package ($525); dual SkyScape sunroof ($1,400).