2020 Chevrolet Traverse: Specs, Prices, Ratings, and Reviews (2024)

Chevrolet offers the Traverse in seven trim levels: the L, LS, LT Cloth, LT Leather, RS, Premier, and High Country. Prices range from $30,995 including destination for an L to $52,095 for a High Country.

Keep in mind that the L is directly mainly at fleet buyers and isn't usually stocked by dealers. The more readily available base model is the LS, which starts at $34,095.

The Traverse is solely available with a 3.6-liter V6 engine that makes 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. All trims come standard with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive is available on all but the base L for $2,000 to $3,800, depending on the trim.

The Traverse earns an EPA-estimated 18 miles per gallon city, 27 mpg highway, and 21 combined with front-wheel drive, or 17/25/20 mpg (city/highway/combined) with all-wheel drive.

The Traverse is Chevy’s largest crossover, and is second in interior space only to the Suburban. Cargo capacity behind the third row is 23.0 cubic feet. Fold it down and that expands to 57.8 cubic feet, while buyers can open up 98.20 cubic feet with the two back rows folded down.

While the L and LS are solely available in eight-passenger configuration, a seven-passenger layout with second-row captain's chairs becomes standard on the LT Cloth and above. The RS, Premier, and High Country are only available with the seven-passenger layout. Leg room is impressive at 41.0 inches in the front, 38.4 inches in the second row, and 33.5 inches in the third row.

The Traverse is lacking in terms of standard and available safety features. The L, LS, and LT Cloth only get Teen Driver, a rear seat reminder system, and the federally-mandated rearview camera as standard. Of the three, only the LT Cloth has more active safety on offer, but only through extra-cost packages.

The LT Leather gets blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, and rear park assist as standard. The RS, Premier, and High Country get the full gamut of active safety features as standard, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, a surround-view camera system, lane keeping assist, and lane departure warning. The High Country is the only trim to get get adaptive cruise control.

The Traverse has an overall five-star safety rating from the NHTSA.

The Traverse comes standard with a 7-inch color touchscreen compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. It's also wi-fi hotspot and OnStar and Chevrolet Connected Services capable. Standard fare also includes a 3.5-inch driver information display and six USB ports – two in each row.

Starting at the LT Leather trim, the touchscreen upgrades to 8 inches while the driver information display increases to 4.2 inches. The RS, Premier, and High Country come standard with navigation and a Bose 10-speaker audio system, but only the Premier and High Country get wireless charging.

A rear seat infotainment system is available on every trim but the L for $1,995 with a DVD player, or $1,750 without it.

The LS offers the same level of equipment outside of deep tinted glass. The price increase is a result of the opened up availability of all-wheel drive, gray and silver exterior colors, standalone options, and several styling option packages.

Buyers deck their Traverse in black with the Blackout Package ($885) that adds a black grille and black badging and trim.

The LT Cloth further extends the standard features list and now offers a wide range of exterior colors. It gains fog lights, integrated turn signal indicators on the side mirrors, and roof rails. The interior gains an eight-way power driver’s seat and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Buyers looking for navigation, the 8-inch touchscreen, and active safety features can tick the box for the $1,795 Convenience and Driver Confidence Package. Safety can be enhanced further with the Driver Confidence Package II ($625) that adds automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assist, among other things.

Alongside its namesake leather upholstery, the Traverse LT Leather gets a boost in standard equipment over the LT Cloth. This is the first trim where the bigger touchscreen and driver information display are standard. Other standard upgrades include heated front seats, remote start, a six-way power passenger seat, and a power liftgate.

The LT Leather is also where buyers can equip their Traverse with the dual-pane sunroof for the first time, although it first requires the $3,095 LT Premium Package, which adds navigation, the surround-view camera, the Bose audio system, and more. With it selected, buyers still have to pony up another $1,400 to get the sunroof.

The RS wears a coordinated dark-colored theme for a sportier appearance with distinguishing visual cues such as black exterior accents and unique 20-inch black wheels.

Although the moonroof disappears from the options sheet, the RS gains several notable standard features that include navigation, a heated steering wheel, the Bose audio system, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, and the surround-view camera.

The Premier trim is where buyers looking for a lot of creature comforts should look, as the standard equipment list grows to include perforated leather seat trim, wireless charging, heated rear outboard seats, memory functionality for the front seats, a hands-free liftgate, heated side mirrors, LED headlights and 20-inch wheels are also included.

If shoppers want to tow in style, the Red Line Package ($2,495) bundles trailering equipment, the sunroof, and black exterior trim with red accents.

The Traverse High Country features a unique brown interior with suede accents, a power third-row bench, and polished 20-inch wheels. It's also the only trim that gets adaptive cruise control and the sunroof as standard. Those who have to haul will want to look here, as it's the only trim to come standard with trailering equipment, a hitch guidance system, and a heavy duty cooling system.

Compare Traverse Trims Side-By-Side

Six USB ports and 10 cup holders grace the cabin. Chevy offers a variety of heating and cooling options for the front seats, heated second-row seats, cloth- or leather-trimmed seats, and even an available cooler for the second row.

The standard storage space is larger than average, measuring 23 cubic feet behind the third row. Total cargo space measures 98.2 cubic feet with the second- and third-row seats folded.

Ample power at the ready. Chevy offers just one powertrain combination with the Traverse, but that’s all you need. The 3.6-liter V6 delivers 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque.

Fuel economy is right where we’d expect: 18 miles per gallon city, 27 mpg highway, and 21 combined, according to the EPA. The all-wheel-drive version nets 20 mpg combined.

Another benefit is towing. When properly equipped, the Traverse pulls up to 5,000 pounds. That’s more than the 3,500-pound rating of the Honda Pilot, but just behind the 6,000-pound rating of the Nissan Pathfinder.

Strong technology offerings. We like Chevy's infotainment system, with the standard 7-inch color touchscreen display. The system loads fast and is easy to use.

We mentioned the six USB ports, and Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility also come standard.

Advanced features such as an 8-inch display, wireless phone charging, and a Bose audio system are also available. They’re standard fare with the range-topping High Country trim, which starts at a pricey $52,095. Even a top-of-the-line Kia Telluride offers comparable features for about $10,000 less.

Safety is a mixed bag. The Traverse’s IIHS safety testing isn't complete, so we can’t say how it compares to a Top Safety Pick Plus model like the Mazda CX-9 just yet. The NHTSA gave the Traverse a five-star overall safety rating, although it earns four stars for frontal crash and rollover.

The base LS trim doesn’t offer all-wheel drive nor can you opt for automatic emergency braking. We recommend starting with the LT trim anyway, which brings in blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors, and makes automatic emergency braking an option.

Automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane keeping assist are included in the top-trim models. On the other hand, these features are standard with the Toyota Highlander.

Final thoughts. The 2020 Chevy Traverse delivers most of the features we want in a family-friendly crossover. Its style isn’t especially inspiring, but its interior is clean and comfortable.

You’ll pay handsomely for a well-equipped model, which we’d expect in a Buick Enclave, but not in a Traverse. The Hyundai Palisade offers more premium features at a lower cost, so customers would do well to comparison shop.

Check prices for the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse »