2020 Chevrolet Traverse

Is the Chevrolet Traverse a Good SUV?

Yes, the Chevrolet Traverse is a good SUV. It makes for a great everyday vehicle, particularly if you carpool regularly or have a big family. There are three rows of spacious seats, and this Chevrolet rides smoothly, even over rough roads. The Traverse gets decent gas mileage, has plenty of cargo space, and comes with an easy-to-use infotainment system. We named this Chevy a finalist for our 2020 Best 3-Row SUV for Families award because of its solid combination of cargo and passenger space, safety and reliability ratings, available family-friendly features, and positive reviews from automotive journalists.

There are areas where the Traverse trails the competition, however. Several rivals are more agile and energetic, and thus provide a more engaging driving experience. Additionally, many have nicer interiors and come standard with active safety features that will cost you extra in the Traverse.

Should I Buy the Chevrolet Traverse?

If you're looking for a people mover in the midsize SUV class, this Chevy is tough to beat. But there are several good options within this segment, so you may want to see how the Traverse stacks up against alternatives like the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot.

Compare the Traverse, Highlander, and Pilot »

Should I Buy a New or Used Chevrolet Traverse?

The 2020 Traverse is part of a generation that began with the 2018 model year. For 2020, Chevy discontinued the turbocharged four-cylinder engine option and replaced the MyLink infotainment interface with Infotainment 3. Additionally, the Teen Driver feature now includes a reminder to buckle your seat belt before shifting into gear.

There weren't many updates between the 2018 and 2019 models, but the 2018 redesign brought several changes. The V6 engine gained 29 horsepower, and Chevy offered a turbo-four engine with the Traverse for the first time (it would be discontinued two years later).

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 you'll miss out on the redesign updates if you get a 2017-or-older model. If you're considering a used model, read our 2018 Traverse and 2019 Traverse reviews, and be sure to check out our Used Car Deals page to learn about savings and discounts on used vehicles.

Compare the 2018, 2019, and 2020 Traverse »

We Did the Research for You: 25 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 all Traverse vehicles in the current generation, which includes the 2018 to 2020 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 Traverse carries a base price of $29,800. That's a typical starting price for the class, though it's far from the lowest. Prices get higher as you climb the trim ladder. Midlevel trims like the LT Cloth and LT Leather start in the mid-to-high $30,000s, while the range-topping High Country starts at $50,900.

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 Toyota Highlander?

The Toyota Highlander is fully redesigned for 2020, but it still ranks lower than the Traverse. Both of these SUVs feature seating for eight and a standard V6 engine, but the Chevy's powertrain is a little more lively. The Traverse provides much more cargo space and an adult-friendly third row (on short trips), while the Highlander's third row is very tiny. The Toyota comes with many more standard driver assistance features and it offers some things the Traverse doesn't, like a 12.3-inch touch screen. That isn't enough to help it prevail in this matchup, so you're better off with the Traverse. 

Which Is Better: Chevrolet Traverse or Honda Pilot?

The Honda Pilot is on the shortlist of midsize SUVs that can rival the Traverse for space, and the Pilot's third row is one of the roomiest in the class. The Chevy has a more user-friendly infotainment system, but the Honda feels more upscale. The Traverse also comes standard with technology like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which you can only find in higher-trim Pilots. Gas mileage is an area where the Pilot has a slight edge. Overall, this matchup is basically a coin flip.

Compare the Traverse, Highlander, 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 model with captain's chairs or a bench seat in the second row. This Chevy features comfortable seats, and the first two rows provide plenty of space. The third row is best left for the kids, but adults can ride back there for shorter trips.

Traverse and Child Car Seats

There are two full sets of LATCH car-seat connectors for the Traverse’s second-row outboard seats. The third row has three tether anchors but no lower anchors. Models with a second-row bench seat include a tether anchor for the middle seat.

Traverse Interior Quality

Inside, the Traverse provides plenty of space and offers lots of features, but it doesn't match the quality of some competitors. There are some odd styling touches, and many rivals feature more upscale materials.

Traverse Cargo Space

This Chevrolet has a tremendous amount of cargo space. You get 23 cubic feet behind the rear seats, which is enough room for more than a dozen pieces of carry-on luggage. Fold down the second- and third-row seats, and you get 98.2 cubic feet of cargo space.

Traverse Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation

Standard features in the Traverse include Chevrolet's Infotainment 3 system with a 7-inch touch screen, six USB ports, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hot spot, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

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

The infotainment controls are smartly arranged, and the touch screen features an intuitive menu layout. There are redundant physical controls for some functions as well.

Read more about interior »

Traverse Performance

Traverse Engine: It Gets the Job Done

All Traverse models feature a 310-horsepower V6 engine and a smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission. This Chevy is no track star, but this engine provides enough power for your everyday driving needs.

Traverse Gas Mileage: Solid Ratings

The front-wheel-drive Traverse earns an EPA-estimated 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. With all-wheel drive, ratings drop to 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. For comparison, the Honda Pilot earns 20/27 mpg city/highway.

Traverse Ride and Handling: Nice and Smooth

This Chevrolet provides a cushioned ride, even over rough roads. It's also easy to drive and fairly effortless to maneuver in crowded parking lots. It lacks the handling chops of many competitors though.

Traverse Towing Capacity

When properly equipped, the Traverse can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Read more about performance »

Traverse Reliability

Is the Chevrolet Traverse Reliable?

J.D. Power gives the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse a predicted reliability rating of three out of five, which is about average.

Chevrolet Traverse Warranty

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

Read more about reliability »

How Much Does It Cost to Insure a Chevrolet Traverse?

The cost of insuring a Chevrolet Traverse will depend on a variety of factors, including your deductible, the level of coverage that you want, and the type of insurance that you choose. Your age, gender, location, credit score, and driving record can also have an impact on your insurance rates. Check out our car insurance guide to find the best policy for you.

Traverse Safety

Traverse Crash Test Results

The 2020 Traverse earned an overall safety rating of five out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Traverse received five stars in the side crash test and four stars in the frontal crash and rollover evaluations.

At the time of writing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has not crash tested the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse.

Traverse Safety Features

Standard driver assistance features include a rear-seat reminder, a rearview camera, and Chevrolet's Teen Driver system, which lets you do things like set speed and audio volume limits for secondary drivers, as well as monitor their driving performance. It also comes with a new-for-2020 reminder to buckle up before driving.

Available active safety features include adaptive cruise control, a surround-view parking camera system, a rear camera mirror, forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, rear parking sensors, and rear cross traffic alert.

Read more about safety »

Traverse Dimensions and Weight

The Traverse is 17 feet long. Its curb weight is 4,362 pounds.

Where Is the Chevrolet Traverse built?

Chevrolet builds the 2020 Traverse in Michigan.

Which Chevrolet Traverse Model Is Right for Me?

Before you can drive this Chevy off the lot, you must pick from seven trims: L, LS, LT Cloth, LT Leather, RS, Premier, and High Country. The higher trims come with features not available in the lower ones, but they also cost quite a bit more, which makes it important to consider which models provide the most value.

The two LT models make good choices for most buyers. They're reasonably priced, and they come with comfort and convenience features not available in the lower trims. They're also the lowest trims to offer many of the Traverse's driver assistance features.

Buyers who aren't looking to break the bank should stick with the L and the LS trims. For people who have serious winters to deal with, note that the LS is the lowest trim to offer all-wheel drive.

Chevrolet Traverse L

The Traverse L carries a base price of $29,800. 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 Infotainment 3 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 one not available with all-wheel drive.

Chevrolet Traverse LS

The Traverse LS has a starting price of $32,900. The LS comes with the same standard features as the base trim, but it offers some things the L 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 $35,400 ($39,200 for the all-wheel-drive model). The LT trim comes standard with a power-adjustable driver's seat, second-row captain’s chairs, an 8-inch touch screen, satellite radio, a power liftgate, rear parking sensors, rear cross traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring.

The Driver Confidence II package ($625) adds forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, front pedestrian braking, and a heated steering wheel.

There's also the Traverse LT Leather trim, which comes standard with a power-adjustable passenger seat and leather upholstery. The LT Leather with front-wheel drive starts at $39,100, while all-wheel-drive models start at $41,100.

The LT Premium package ($3,095) includes a rear camera mirror, a surround-view parking camera system, and a 10-speaker Bose audio system.

Chevrolet Traverse RS

The Traverse RS has a starting price of $43,600 (all-wheel-drive models start at $45,700). The RS comes with the lower trims' standard features, plus leather upholstery, navigation, a 10-speaker Bose audio system, a rear camera mirror, and a surround-view parking camera system. A rear-seat entertainment system is available.

Chevrolet Traverse Premier

The Traverse Premier starts at $45,800 ($48,400 for all-wheel-drive models). The Premier comes with a hands-free power liftgate, leather upholstery, wireless device charging, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel.

Chevrolet Traverse High Country

The Traverse High Country starts at $50,900 for front-wheel-drive models and $53,200 for all-wheel-drive models. The High Country comes with just about every tech feature you can get in a Traverse, including adaptive cruise control, power-folding third-row seats, and additional trailering equipment.

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 2020 Chevrolet Traverse specs and trims »

The Final Call

The Chevrolet Traverse sees a few minor changes for 2020, but it retains everything that makes it a solid entrant in its class. Sure, some rivals are more athletic and have nicer interiors, but when it comes to space for people and cargo, the Traverse is tough to beat. Combine that with decent fuel economy and a long list of easy-to-use features, and you can see why the Traverse earns a spot in the top half of our midsize SUV rankings.

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

• Chevrolet's Traverse is a comfortable and competent carryall that finds itself somewhere in the middle of a red-hot segment." -- Kelley Blue Book
• The Traverse is one of the largest three-row crossovers in the midsize class and provides plenty of passenger and cargo space. A quiet cabin, soft ride and impressive infotainment tech add to its appeal. On the downside, budget-grade interior materials and a lack of standard safety features can make it hard to justify paying Chevy's price. Overall, the Traverse is worth a look if maximum space is a priority, but there are better choices overall." -- Edmunds
• 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)