Overview & Reviews

Many Americans have a real need for vehicles big enough to lug Joe Six-pack, his wife, their kids and their kids' teammates on the hockey squad. A minivan would seem like an obvious choice, but these people haulers are anathema for many parents. To fill this need, manufacturers have come up with large crossovers like the Chevrolet Traverse that offer the best of both worlds: a minivan's passenger and cargo capacity along with an SUV's sheet metal.

The eight-passenger Traverse shares its platform with two other current GM vehicles -- the Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia -- but it distinguishes itself by being the least expensive of the bunch. This Chevy isn't the quickest or most refined pick in the larger crossover segment, but it excels when it comes to roominess and ride quality. If these attributes are important to you, the Chevrolet Traverse may be an ideal companion.

Current Chevrolet Traverse
The Chevrolet Traverse is a full-size crossover SUV that comes in three main trim levels: LS, LT and LTZ. Base LS models are pretty nicely equipped, with OnStar telematics, Bluetooth, a rearview camera and an audio system with a USB input and satellite radio. The LT trim is actually comprised of two sub-trims (LT1 and LT2) that add more amenities such as a power liftgate, triple-zone climate control and the MyLink infotainment interface. Springing for the LTZ adds upgrades like 20-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery and ventilated front seats. Options include dual sunroofs, navigation and a rear-seat entertainment system.

Under the hood is a 3.6-liter V6 wedded to a six-speed automatic with manual shift control. LS and LT trims make 281 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque. The LTZ features a dual-outlet exhaust that boosts output to 288 hp and 270 lb-ft. Both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models are available.

Inside, the Traverse features a stylish two-tone color scheme with, depending on the trim, wood-tone and metallic accents. Seating in the first two rows is comfy, and the split-folding third row -- which tends to be pitifully cramped in many crossovers -- is easy to access and spacious enough for adults. We have a few minor quibbles, such as the compromised rearward visibility. But overall we find this Chevrolet to be a strong choice for those seeking a truly roomy hauler.

Used Chevrolet Traverse Models
The Chevrolet Traverse debuted for the 2009 model year. Not much changed for the next few years. These 2009-'12 models will lack some of the updates introduced for 2013, however. These changes included an exterior styling refresh, upgraded cabin materials and the new MyLink electronics interface.

User Reviews:

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  Engine failure at 56,000 miles - 2011 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Pa mad - January 14 - 7:32 pm

  So many problems cheap interior, power .steering, stability trac, air conditioning failure when 2 yrs old.. Piece of crap.. Totally avoid.. I still own a 2000 power stoke f350. At 15 yrs old 170,000 miles still driven very often AC IS COLD still never refilled.. Only fix alternator and can positioning sensor... Total $ 250 cost.. In 15 yrs.. Going back to ford trucks.. Dependability and trade in value is important.. Shame on me for betraying Ford..

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  2015 New Traverse caught on fire while parked! - 2015 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Claudia Rojas - January 12 - 9:44 am

  My new 2015 Traverse caught on fire by itself while parked. I drove 2.1 miles to work, parked and within 15 mins the car was on fire, flames shooting up. Totaled. Fire department had to put the fire out. GM does NOT want to me make me whole for my loss. I need to be made whole, I have been making payments for a car I no longer have (caught on fire), had to rent a car in the meantime and they dont want to return my $5,000 deposit. How do I get another car? Why doesnt GM think they need to make me whole. Have you seen the massive recalls they have on Traverse and Acadias? Make me whole! Thats all.

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  Get ready to spend money on a lemon - 2014 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Jimmybe - December 20 - 5:48 pm

  Car historically has issues with stability controls and will shut off without warning. Problems started within first 25000 miles . Spend day shutting off car to have computer reset and drive until It happens again. I have been told by service thats pretty standard for those cars . Not covered under gm settlement this is a separate issue that is in early stages of litigation.

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  Buyer beware!!!! - 2011 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Alps_112 - September 7 - 1:14 pm

  Ive had my 2011 traverse for 3 years. Once the vehicle hit 50k miles it was downhill from there. I hadto invest in a $1400 powering steering rack. I took the vehicle In for what I thought was a minor leak and $1400 later the car still doesnt handle/drive well. I am now starting to have suspension problems. I do not understand how GM can get away with having these vehicles on The road with known problems. Ive read hundreds of reviews with people experiencing the same type of issues. Do not waste your money on GM vehicles. What I thought to be a good crossover for my family of 6 turned out to be a nightmare.

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  BAD PERFORMANCE - 2010 Chevrolet Traverse
  By russell - April 14 - 10:38 pm

  Bought car with 100,000 mi. from dealership. After 2 days started running bad, took back they changed a coil pack and plug wire, Ran good for a few days started acting bad, no power then light came on. Took back needed a catylitic converter. drove fine for a few days, Now runs like a dead dog, no power unless you kick in passing gear. Something is wrong. Only made one payment and ready to trade and take the loss. Very unsatisfied

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  Hate my car. Really - 2012 Chevrolet Traverse
  By CHenk - November 10 - 7:53 am

  We started at 3,000 out of warranty with faulty airbag sensors in the seatbelt. 2 in 2 months. $2,000. 3 alternators. $2,400. Needs a torque converter. $1200. And today, the a/c quit working on the right side and rear. This car is bleeding us dry. And to update, we have replaced the torque converter - car still shudders. Have taken it to the dealership and besides the shuddering when shifting, it will almost die at times when you try to pass or quickly accelerate. They charged almost $400 to clean injectors because there was no check engine light. So, Ive spent $1600 and it shudders and shakes. Uggghhh.

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  Be Cautious!!! - 2013 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Jessica - December 28 - 2:45 am

  We purchased my 2013 Traverse pre-owned in January 2016. It was a GM Certified Pre-owned that did have warranty coverage. I will say that I LOVE how it drives for such a large SUV. I love the back up camera and sensors as well. We were generally comfortable, even on long road trips. My husband did complain of knee-room while driving, but he is 65" so he is taller than the norm. My problems began with the first oil change, they found an oil leak and had to remove the engine to find it. They also noticed that my timing chains were loose and went ahead and tightened those. A few months later, the blower for the rear A/C went out completely and had to be replaced (almost a week in the shop). That September we were returning from vacation and an A/C hose "popped" while we were driving down the interstate and we were stuck in Alabama an extra day. At the beginning of this year, as I was driving home from my moms, all the lights on my dash starting going off, I couldnt move my steering wheel, and my engine shut off ( I was in the middle of a curve on a backroad with my toddler in the car). I was able to coast to a safe spot and had the car towed to the dealership. This was caused by "catastrophic engine failure" and had to replace my engine. Everything up to this point has been covered under warranty (Thank goodness!) Two days ago, the same thing happened with the addition of a squealing noise. This time my A/C compressor locked up. So this twice that my car has completely shut off while driving down the road (with my son in it) and this repair is going to cost me almost $2200.00. If I had to pay for all of these repairs I would have spent $7-10,000.00! I have spent about a month and a half in demo cars total because of time that my car was being repaired. I will say that the dealership and service that I deal with is FANTASTIC and they are helping me find a comparable vehicle to do an even trade and are giving me a good value for my car, and I am so thankful for that. I may have bought the one truly defective Traverse, but it has been nothing but a headache from the get-go.

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  Never purchase this vehicle. horrible - 2010 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Sarah - August 12 - 1:04 am

  This car has been in the shop more than the road. Its currently in the shop now due to a blown motor. How does a motor go out like this? Ive had to have the AC/Heater repaired, had not heat or air in it, vehicle kept going out of alignment. the check engine light would not go off. This has been the worse vehicle Ive ever purchased.

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  Lemon - 2012 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Sebron34 - October 18 - 7:25 pm

  We bought this car in 2013. It was one year old and had 15,000 miles on it. Soon after we bought it we started noticing a noise. It was a grinding noise. After several times going into the dealership for repairs they determined it was the drive train that had gone out. luckily it was under warranty. The previous owners had taken the remote to the entertainment system and all but one set of headphones. Now we have never figured out how to make the movie play to the internal stereo it only plays to the headphones. The seat warmer on the drivers seat will turn on but turns off 1 min later and wont turn back on. The glove box connector broke making it so the glove box falls out onto the floor now. Then a year ago the alternator went out freezing up the car so we couldnt even jump start it. For some reason there is a anti theft system that kicks in when the battery is dead and you have to take it to the dealership to get your key out of the ignition. Then also a year ago the air in the car started blowing really hot air on the drivers side and cold air everywhere else when the A/C is on. Now the car has 75,000 and the computer just went out on it. The alternator also died again. I put my key in the ignition last night and the car ate my key and I had to tow it to the dealer to have everything fixed. This is a car that they dont want you working on, but yet it is broken all the time.

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  Poor Quality Backup Camera - 2017 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Dbat - November 7 - 10:39 am

  The quality on the backup Camera is so poor its useless. There are so many things I do not like about the vehicle, but mainly the stereo and backup technology are so far behind my Mazda CX-9 that I regret the purchase.