2010 Chevrolet Traverse

2010 Chevrolet Traverse Overview

If you’re looking for a seven- or eight-seat family crossover with tons of cargo space, an adult-sized third row and a smooth ride, reviewers said it doesn’t get much better than the 2010 Traverse. While the Chevrolet Traverse isn’t ideal for rugged off-roading or heavy-duty towing, it’s great for family duty. The base Traverse comes with a 3.6-liter V6 engine and is available with either front- or all-wheel drive. Its ride is smooth, although according to reviewers, its comfort-tuned suspension and light steering mean that it’s not particularly sporty. Front-wheel drive models get 17/24 mpg city/highway, while all-wheel drive models see a penalty of one mpg in each category.

Inside, the Traverse offers seating for eight, though models equipped with second-row captain’s chairs only seat seven. The Traverse offers some of the most cargo capacity in its class, at 116.4 cubic feet, and test drivers noted that its third row of seats is surprisingly roomy. However, reviewers weren’t impressed with the Traverse’s interior quality, which included some cheap materials and basic standard features, like a six-speaker stereo with satellite radio and an auxiliary input jack, OnStar and power windows and door locks. On the other hand, the Traverse’s list of available features is fairly comprehensive and includes navigation, leather upholstery, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system and a backup camera.

See the full 2010 Chevrolet Traverse specs »

Other Cars to Consider

If you like the Chevrolet Traverse, make sure you also consider the 2010 Buick Enclave. The two SUVs are corporate cousins, so they share many similar components under the hood and in the cabin. When it was new, test drivers raved about the Buick Enclave, saying it’s one of the most smooth-riding SUVs on the market and that it has a particularly quiet interior. The base Enclave also comes with more standard features and offers the same high safety score.

The three-row 2010 Toyota Highlander offers fuel economy that can’t be beat from its base four-cylinder engine. The tradeoff is that the base Highlander isn’t as powerful, and it can’t match the Traverse’s expanses of passenger and cargo space. Still, an available V6 means that the Highlander can closely match the Traverse’s power, and both SUVs earn great safety scores.

Compare the Traverse to the Enclave and Highlander »