Introduction

One of the most popular three-row crossovers on the market is the Chevrolet Traverse. This affordable family hauler has more space than nearly anything this side of a minivan or Chevy's own Suburban, and on those grounds it manages to stand apart from its competitors. 

The 2021 Traverse stands pat, while a refreshed version is coming soon. 

Continuing to do duty under the hood is a venerable 3.6-liter V-6 that makes 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. A 9-speed automatic routes power to either just the front wheels or all four in models equipped with all-wheel drive. 

The V-6 returns a respectable 17 mpg city, 25 highway, 20 combined when equipped with all-wheel drive. In the less popular front-wheel-drive configuration, that rating climbs a bit to 18/27/21 mpg. 

Active safety equipment is mostly optional on the Traverse, and the most desirable stuff like automatic emergency braking, active lane control, and automatic high beams are all only available with the $625 Driver Confidence II Package. 

The Chevrolet Traverse has aced all the crash tests administered by the NHTSA and IIHS. 

Lineup

All prices include a $1,195 destination charge. 

The cheapest Traverse is the $30,995 L. Though this is the base model, it still gets 18-inch wheels, a 7-inch color touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six USB ports, and HID headlights. Cloth upholstery, tri-zone climate control, and keyless start are all standard as well. The L only comes in front-drive and is limited to either black or white paint. 

The $34,095 LS adds nothing but tinted glass, but opens up the way to more colors, all-wheel drive, and numerous options and packages. Most consumers will start their shopping here. 

The $36,595 LT Cloth includes the namesake upholstery but also adds an 8-way power driver's seat, heated exterior mirrors, SiriusXM radio, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. 

For $40,295, the LT Leather trades off the cloth for cow hides. It also piles on luxuries like a power rear liftgate, a power-adjustable passenger seat, heated front seats, second-row captain's chairs, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen. Most optional safety equipment is standard at this price point as well. 

The $44,795 RS plays up the sporty theme with special exterior trimmings and 20-inch wheels. Navigation, Bose audio, a heated steering wheel, and a surround-view camera system. 

Things get fancier yet with the $46,995 Premier, which adds perforated leather, heated rear seats, wireless smartphone charging, LED lights, a hands-free liftgate, and memory function for the seats, mirrors, and steering column. 

The top trim is the $52,095 High Country. It comes standard with adaptive cruise control, a power-folding third row, trailering equipment, and automatic high beams. 

Walkaround

The 2021 model looks the same as it did last year: pleasant, innocuous, just fine. This isn't a bad-looking crossover by any means, and no more or less stylish than most of the competition save a few standouts like the Kia Telluride. 

Interior

The last few years Chevy has been a bit showy with their interiors, and the Traverse is no exception. Step inside and you'll find lots of lines, lots of angles, lots of offsetting trim. While it isn't exactly a bad look, it does seem a bit cluttered to our eyes. 

Chevrolet's infotainment system comes in 7.0- or 8.0-inch screen sizes. Both touchscreens are fast and user-friendly. Navigation and SiriusXM are optional, but all models get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

The most notable aspect of the Traverse's cabin is its spaciousness. 38 inches of leg room in the second row and 33 inches in the third should be plenty no matter if the passengers play little league or college basketball. Unlike many competitors, the third row will actually accommodate adults, though we wouldn't keep the grown-ups back there for long. 

Cargo space is the other strong point here: there's nothing bigger in the class, and only the Atlas comes close in outright cubic feet. Behind the third row, 23 cubic feet is room enough for sports gear or groceries; there's 58 cubic feet behind row two, which is more than most compact crossovers have in total space. Fold down all rows and a minivan-like 100 cubic feet of cargo area is at your disposal. 

Driving Impression

GM's 3.6-liter V-6 has been in a staple in their lineup for years at this point; constant refinement has brought it up to 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. Of its wide range of applications, it might be most at home in the Traverse. The smooth power delivery is a boon to such a big, heavy family crossover, and it does its job without complaint or backtalk. Fuel economy isn't great, but certainly no worse than V-6 competitors. 

A 9-speed automatic is the sole transmission choice. Be it city driving or highway, the gearbox does a good job of picking the right gear for the occasion. Its shifts are unobtrusive and well-timed. The available all-wheel drive will send power to all four wheels, but will only do so at the push of a button; this is not a fully automatic system. 

While the weight of the Traverse hurts fuel economy, it makes it feel substantial from behind the wheel. It tracks down the road straight and true, and the suspension mitigates the impacts from potholes or other road imperfections. You won't find any adaptive dampers or other trickey on the Traverse, but the tried-and-true underpinnings work well enough you want them anyway. 

Summary

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse competes in one of the hottest and most contested segments, but it holds its own with a strong value proposition, smooth V-6, and an incredibly capacious interior. We'd recommend an LT Cloth with the optional safety equipment. 

 

-by Anthony Sophinos, with driving impressions from The Car Connection.