2019 Chevrolet Traverse

Is the Chevrolet Traverse a Good SUV?

Yes, the Chevrolet Traverse is a good SUV. It isn't as energetic or upscale inside as some competitors, but it has more passenger and cargo space than almost every class rival, along with a user-friendly infotainment system. It also delivers a cushioned ride even over rough pavement, and it gets decent fuel economy. Because the Traverse has the best combination of cargo and passenger space, safety and reliability ratings, positive reviews from automotive journalists, and available family-friendly features in its class, we named it our 2019 Best 3-Row SUV for Families.

Should I Buy the Chevrolet 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. However, if you don't need spacious seating for eight people or nearly 100 cubic feet of cargo space, then you might prefer some class rivals to this Chevy. Check out the Buick Enclave, Honda Pilot, and Toyota Highlander to see how they stack up.

Compare the Traverse, Enclave, and Pilot »

Should I Buy a New or Used Chevrolet Traverse?

The 2019 Traverse is part of a generation that began with the 2018 model year. Though there aren't many notable differences between the 2018 and 2019 models, the 2018 redesign brought several changes. The V6 engine gained 29 extra horsepower, and Chevy offered a turbo-four engine with the Traverse for the first time.

Fuel economy improved slightly with the redesign, but cargo space decreased (though the post-redesign Traverse still has more cargo room than almost every rival). New standard features for the 2018 Traverse included a 7-inch touch screen, the Chevrolet MyLink infotainment interface, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and six USB ports.

You can probably save money by purchasing a used Traverse, but know that you'll miss out on the redesign updates if you get a model from 2017 or before. If you're considering an older model, read our 2017 Traverse review to help you decide if you can live without the 2018 model's changes. If you decide that an older model is right for you, check out our Used Car Deals page to learn about savings and discounts on used vehicles.

Compare the 2017, 2018, and 2019 Traverse »

We Did the Research for You: 14 Reviews Analyzed

We don’t base our car reviews on our personal opinions. Instead, we combine the findings of professional test drivers with data such as reliability ratings and safety scores to give you a complete overview of every vehicle we rank.

This review uses applicable research and data from the 2018 and 2019 model years.

Why You Can Trust Us

U.S. News & World Report has been ranking the best cars, trucks, and SUVs since 2007, and our staff has more than 75 years’ worth of auto industry experience combined. To keep our reviews unbiased, we don’t accept expensive gifts or trips from car companies, and an outside company manages our advertising.

How Much Does the Chevrolet Traverse Cost?

The 2019 Traverse sports a base price of just under $30,000. That's on par with many other midsize SUV's starting prices. There are plenty of higher trim options for the Traverse, with the top-of-the-line High Country trim starting at around $53,000. That's more expensive than many class rivals' top trims.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Chevrolet dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Chevrolet deals page.

Chevrolet Traverse Versus the Competition

Which Is Better: Chevrolet Traverse or Buick Enclave?

The Buick Enclave and its GM cousin are nearly identical in terms of performance, cargo space, and feature availability, but the Enclave's interior is much more upscale. The Traverse seats one more person, however, and it has a significantly lower starting price. If you don't need the Enclave's luxury feel, the Traverse is a fine option.

Which Is Better: Chevrolet Traverse or Honda Pilot?

The Honda Pilot is one of the few midsize SUVs that can rival the Traverse for space, and the Pilot's third-row seat is one of the most spacious in the class. The Honda feels a little more upscale inside, while the Chevy's infotainment system is easier to use. The Traverse also comes standard with technology like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which you only find in higher-trim Pilots. The right choice here boils down to personal preference.

Compare the Traverse, Enclave, and Pilot »

Traverse Interior

How Many People Does the Traverse Seat?

The Traverse seats seven or eight people, depending on whether you opt for a trim with second-row captain's chairs. The seats are comfortable, and all three rows have enough space for adult passengers – something you can't say about many 3-row midsize SUVs.

Traverse and Car Seats

There are two full sets of LATCH car-seat connectors on the second-row outboard seats. The third row has three tether anchors but no lower anchors.

Traverse Interior Quality

The Chevrolet Traverse feels less upscale than many of its competitors. It's not unattractive, but you may notice some unusual cabin styling choices, and there are more hard plastics throughout the interior than in class leaders.

Traverse Cargo Space

When it comes to cargo space, the Traverse stands above nearly every class rival. You get 23 cubic feet of space with all seats in use, providing enough room for tailgate supplies or all your bags after a major shopping trip. Fold the second- and third-row seats down, and you get over 98 cubic feet of space, which is about the size of a studio apartment in New York City.

Traverse Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation

The MyLink infotainment system comes standard in the Traverse and includes a 7-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, six USB ports, and a Wi-Fi hot spot.

Available features include wireless device charging, a 10-speaker Bose audio system, satellite radio, a rear-seat entertainment system, and an upgraded MyLink system with an 8-inch touch screen and navigation.

The MyLink infotainment system gives you an easy way to control the Traverse's tech features. Its touch screen has sharp graphics and easy-to-learn menu layouts, and the physical controls around the touch screen are well organized.

Read more about interior »

Traverse Performance

Traverse Engine: Most Likely a V6

Most Traverse trims feature a 310-horsepower V6 engine; the RS trim offers a 255-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder. Both engines are mated to a smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission. The Traverse moves well and won't confine you to the slow lane, but this is not an SUV that will satisfy lead-footed drivers.

Traverse Gas Mileage: In Line With the Competition

The Traverse gets 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway with its V6 engine and 20/26 mpg city/highway with its turbo-four. Those ratings are on par with those of many other midsize SUVs. For example, you'll spend about the same on gas driving the Traverse as you would the Buick Enclave, and you'll save about $50 annually with a Honda Pilot.

Traverse Ride and Handling: Family Friendly

This Chevy SUV perfectly embodies a comfortable family cruiser. It lacks the handling prowess of more agile competitors, but it's easy to drive and rides smoothly over nearly any road surface.

Read more about performance »

Traverse Reliability

Is the Chevrolet Traverse Reliable?

The 2019 Traverse earns a slightly above-average predicted reliability rating of 3.5 out of five from J.D. Power.

Chevrolet Traverse Warranty

Chevrolet backs the Traverse with a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Read more about reliability »

Traverse Safety

Traverse Crash Test Results

The 2019 Traverse earns a five-star overall crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Traverse Safety Features

Standard safety features include a rearview camera and Chevy's Teen Driver system, which allows you to limit speed and volume limits for secondary drivers. Available active safety features include a surround-vision camera, forward collision warning, forward automatic braking, front pedestrian braking, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, rear parking sensors, rear cross traffic alert, and a rear camera mirror, which displays a live video feed of the area behind the SUV on the rearview mirror.

Read more about safety »

Which Chevrolet Traverse Model Is Right for Me?

Chevrolet doesn't make your life easy when choosing a Traverse trim. You have seven trim levels to choose from, and they vary wildly in price (the top trim costs about $23,000 more than the base trim, though it offers the most in terms of luxury and technology). Additionally, in some cases jumping up a trim level nets you just an extra feature or two, while in other cases it gets you a host of technology not available in the lower trims, so you really have to pay attention.

For many buyers, the LS and the two LT trims are the ones to consider. The LT trims offer more convenience and driver assistance features, but they also cost more and only have seating for seven, whereas the LS trim seats eight.

If you're dying to get a Traverse with a turbo-four engine, then the RS trim is your only choice.

Chevrolet Travers L

The Traverse L carries a base price of $29,930. It comes with a 310-horsepower V6 engine, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive. Standard features include tri-zone automatic climate control, Chevrolet's Teen Driver, a rearview camera, and the MyLink infotainment system with a 7-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hot spot, Bluetooth, and six USB ports.

There are no notable available features offered with the base trim, and it's the only trim not available with all-wheel drive.

Chevrolet Traverse LS

The Traverse LS has a starting price of $32,800. The LS comes with the same standard features as the base trim, but it offers some things the L trim doesn't. You can add all-wheel drive for $2,000 and a rear-seat entertainment system for between $1,750 and $1,995. Some styling packages are also available.

Chevrolet Traverse LT

The Traverse LT Cloth starts at $35,300 ($39,100 for the all-wheel-drive version). The LT trim comes standard with seven-passenger seating, satellite radio, and a power-adjustable driver's seat.

The Convenience and Driver Confidence package ($1,795) includes heated front seats, a power liftgate, rear parking sensors, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, and an upgraded MyLink system with an 8-inch touch screen.

There's also the Traverse LT Leather trim, which comes standard with the Convenience and Driver Confidence package's features as well as a power-adjustable passenger seat and leather upholstery. The LT Leather starts at $39,000 for FWD models and $41,000 for AWD models.

Chevrolet Traverse RS

The Traverse RS has a starting price of $42,900 (all-wheel-drive models start at $45,500). A 255-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine comes standard in FWD models, but the V6 engine is standard in AWD models.

The RS comes with the lower trims' standard features plus navigation, a 10-speaker Bose audio system, a rear camera mirror, and a surround-view camera. A rear-seat entertainment system is available.

Chevrolet Traverse Premier

The Traverse Premier starts at $45,300 ($48,200 for AWD models). The Premier comes with a V6 engine, a hands-free power liftgate, wireless device charging, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel.

The Driver Confidence II package ($475) adds lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and front pedestrian braking. You can also add a sunroof and a rear-seat entertainment system.

Chevrolet Traverse High Country

The all-wheel-drive Traverse High Country starts at $53,000. The High Country comes with a V6 engine and pretty much every tech feature you can get in a Traverse.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Chevrolet dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Chevrolet deals page.

See 2019 Chevrolet Traverse specs and trims »

The Final Call

The 2019 Chevrolet Traverse only finishes in the middle third of our class rankings, but don't sell it short. It mostly owes its mediocre ranking to the competitiveness of the midsize SUV class, which brims with quality vehicles. There are plenty of reasons to like the Traverse: It's a class leader when it comes to interior space (for people and cargo), and it provides a smooth, comfortable ride and a user-friendly infotainment system.

Don’t just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.

• "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." -- Edmunds
• "The all-new 2018 Chevrolet Traverse manages to improve on the old Traverse's shortcomings in every way, and yet also manages to upgrade the things we thought were just fine about the old model. The new Traverse is lighter by 350 pounds, offers more power, sharper styling, modern technology, and a top-of-its-class driving experience. … With seating for up to eight people, tons of cargo space even with the third row up, and better-than-respectable fuel economy, the new Traverse deserves a spot on every family-car shopper's list." -- Kelley Blue Book (2018)
• Taken as a whole, the new Traverse is a bit of a mixed bag. It doesn't do anything new or groundbreaking, but there are no fatal flaws either. It's a solid, if uninspiring effort from Chevrolet. The interior is a letdown, especially when compared to something like the masterful design inside the Honda Pilot. The Honda manages to feel both premium and hugely versatile, while the Chevy only manages the latter. … The Traverse does have size on its side, and if you need the space, then it's hard to look elsewhere." -- Autoblog (2018)