2019 Chevrolet Traverse Road Test and Review

2019 Chevy Traverse hero ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

If you have a big family and need a large vehicle to haul the brood, Chevrolet has a solution that doesn’t involve piloting a gas-guzzling, impossible-to-park full-size SUV or settling for the soccer mom stigma of a minivan. The 2019 Chevrolet Traverse is about the same size bumper-to-bumper as a full-size Chevrolet Tahoe, yet offers more cargo capacity and far greater third-row seat comfort.

A complete redesign for the 2018 model year brought bolder, more-robust-looking styling with some look-share from Chevy’s full-size SUVs. The broad 2019 Traverse lineup carries over the same look and includes the $31,125 (including $1,195 destination charge) front-drive-only L model, up through the LS, LT (with cloth or leather), and Premier models with front- or all-wheel drive; the sporty $44,295 front-drive RS; and an everything-included AWD-only High Country priced at $54,395.

Ample Power

A 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine shared with Chevrolet's Malibu sedan and soon-to-debut Blazer mid-size SUV offers 257 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque in the sporty Traverse RS model. However, most Traverse trims feature an updated version of the proven 3.6-liter V6. This smooth and responsive six-cylinder generates a more-than-ample 310-hp and 266 lb-ft of torque developed over a broad rpm range, offering greater elasticity for snappy throttle response in all driving situations.

With the Traverse tipping the scales about a half-ton lighter than the full-size Tahoe, the Traverse can offer V8-like performance with V6 fuel economy. Front-drive 3.6-liter EPA estimates are 18 mpg city/27 mpg highway (very close to the four-cylinder turbo’s numbers), while the AWD 3.6-liter nets 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway. A key enabler is the standard stop/start system that shuts off the engine at stoplights. The Traverse’s restarts in Drive when lifting off the brake are velvety, and it's perhaps today's smoothest execution of that gas-saving feature.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Gears and Modes

Another fuel-economy enabler is the Traverse’s standard nine-speed automatic transmission. With nine available ratios, the steps between gears are shorter, allowing the engine to stay in its most efficient operating range. Gearshifts are seamless and smooth, and the transmission never wanders into the wrong gear or dithers while hunting around for one. A plus/minus tap-shifting feature on the console gives the driver manual control for mountain and sporty driving.

Standard Traction Mode Select can modify the vehicle’s throttle response, transmission shift points, and antilock brake algorithms for towing or winter driving, and — on AWD models — off-road operation. It’s driver-adjustable via a console knob. All-wheel drive models feature a twin-clutch system that automatically apportions drive torque according to available traction. An automatic locking rear differential is also part of the AWD system.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Dynamically Speaking

On the road, the Traverse exhibits well-damped vertical body control, with little lean or roll in corners and great composure on the open road. With the available 20-inch tires, there was no tire squeal during brisk driving even on a curvy mountain road. The brakes are fade-free, but the effort is higher than expected considering the easy throttle response. 60 mph arrives in about 6.5 seconds with front-wheel drive; AWD versions accomplish that sprint in approximately 7 seconds flat.

The Traverse is equipped with fuel-saving electric power steering. It includes an Active Return feature, which enhances self-centering “valley feel” and conveys a natural on-center tactility and good directional sense. The steering effort is neither too heavy nor too light, and the Traverse needs very little correction to keep it in its lane, so long drives are not tiring. At the rear, revised suspension joints have greater lateral stiffness, improving steering response. While there’s no doubt you are piloting a large, roomy vehicle, the new Traverse doesn’t feel lumbering.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Room to Roam

The 2019 Traverse immerses interior occupants in a cheery, technology-rich environment with comfortable seats and plenty of storage. Particularly in the range-topping High Country trim, the new Traverse coddles with gorgeous two-tone leather and suede interior coverings.

As you might expect, it’s roomy inside. Depending on whether the second-row seat is a three-across bench or individual captain’s chairs, the Traverse can handle seven or eight humanoids. There’s more than 157 cubic feet of passenger volume, which is darn near minivan-like. Plus there’s lots of storage in the doors (three or four pockets in each), the console and alongside the seats. It’s easy to plug in with 12-volt outlets, a 110-volt outlet, and lots of USB ports. And it’s very quiet inside. Working through the audio speakers, standard active noise cancellation reduces booming sounds that might occur in the Traverse’s large cabin when the engine is cruising along at highway speeds.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Sitting Pretty

Open a door and the interior is inviting. Step-in height is just right; you neither have to crouch down nor climb up to get in. The attractive front seats are comfortable — a bit on the firm side but not painfully so, and devoid of hard wings, lumps, or hot spots. That said, some front-seat occupants may wish for a bit more side support when the road turns twisty. The front seats are heated on LT Leather trims and above and ventilated as well on Premier and High Country models

Available dual sunroofs, one above the front seats and another over second-row occupants, give a panoramic view for all passengers.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Staying Connected

The infotainment system in the 2019 Traverse is user-friendly and easy to navigate with simple knobs, buttons, and touchscreen controls. Chevrolet MyLink with a 7-inch touchscreen (an 8-inch version is available on LT and higher trims) and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility make infotainment connectivity easy.

Standard OnStar 4G LTE with in-vehicle Wi-Fi ensures a steady stream of content to multiple mobile devices. There are USB charge ports in all three seat rows as well. Wireless charging for Qi-enabled phones is also available on the Premier and above.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Second Row, Not Second Class

The long wheelbase of the 2019 Traverse enables long rear doors, creating a wider opening to ease passenger access to the rear seats. The curbside second-row seat has a Smart Slide feature that tips up as it slides forward to open up a wide passageway to the third-row seat. And it does so in a way that allows an empty LATCH-anchored forward-facing child seat to remain in position as the seat is moved forward, eliminating the need to unbuckle and remove the child seat.

In higher-trim models, the second-row has heaters for the outboard seating positions. There are also individual temperature and fan speed controls for rear passengers at the back edge of front seat console. Aiding rear seat comfort are four air vents overhead in the headliner.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Adult-Sized Third Row

There aren’t many three-row SUVs that can accommodate full-grown adult passengers in the rearmost row, so the Traverse ownership is an entry to a pretty exclusive club. Legroom is decent back there, some 10 inches more commodious than that found in the full-size Tahoe, but the chair height is very low — child’s tea party worthy — so an adult’s knees will be under his or her chin.

The third-row bench is split 70/30, so you can seat one or two passengers back there and still have room for a longer cargo item on one side. Higher trims also are available with remote control for power folding and raising the third-row seats at the rear of the cargo area. Third-row head restraints can be folded down when not in use to aid rearward visibility.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Taking It With You

With 23 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat, the 2019 Traverse offers more luggage space than in the trunk of any full-size sedan. Fold the third-row seats flat and this number increases to 58.1 cubic feet. Dropping the second-row chairs ups the cargo hold’s capacity to a cavernous, full-size-SUV-like 98.2 cubic feet. There’s even more stowage space available for an overhead air-travel bag and a computer case in a hidden compartment under the cargo floor.

A power-operated liftgate, standard on LT Leather and higher trims, makes this easier, particularly with the available no-hands feature operated with a foot wave under the rear bumper on Premier and High Country models. The liftgate opening height can be adjusted as well with a door-mounted control.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Safe Bet

The latest safety tech is available on uplevel Traverse models, such as dynamic cruise control, automatic emergency braking, a forward collision alert, side blind zone and rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assist, a following distance monitor, and road sign recognition. All models come with a standard backup camera, but uplevel Traverses take it up a notch with a rear camera mirror, which is actually another monitor for a camera at the rear of the car. It displays a view unblocked by cargo, rear headrests, or passengers. A rear seat reminder chime that sounds after the ignition is shut off so the driver can check the back for kids or pets is another potential lifesaver.

And now a peppy, roomy, and tech-rich 2019 Chevrolet Traverse wraps it all up with design cues inspired by Chevy’s full-size SUVs. Mixing attitude with the practicality of an adult-usable third-row seat, the Traverse has room for the whole family but drives smaller than it looks.

Photo by Ron Sessions