2022 Chevrolet Traverse

After the world was sent into disarray by the super-flu of the century, the facelifted Chevy Traverse has arrived a year later than planned as a 2022 model. But never late than never, right. The Traverse, now in its second generation, is a three-row midsize crossover that comes standard with an abundance of interior room as one of the larger entrants in this segment. Think of it as the modern-day minivan for the masses and a suitable alternative to rivals like the Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, and Ford Explorer. It drives and feels like a traditional car rather than an SUV, which is part of its vast appeal but lacks any sense of overall excitement despite its punchy engine. Motivation is sourced from a 3.6-liter V6 with 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. And thanks to optional all-wheel drive, the Traverse can be well-equipped to handle rough road conditions despite not being a genuine off-roader.

Those in the market for a dependable, spacious, three-row crossover and bring themselves to buy a minivan, then the 2022 Traverse is an overall solid choice despite some extremely tough competition.

The three-row Chevy Traverse has a neater appearance after changes to the headlights, grille, taillights, and wheel designs. It's still a conservatively styled vehicle, but nothing about it is overdone, giving it a premium air. The base model comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED exterior lighting (including LED daytime running lights), and a manual liftgate. At the other end of the spectrum, the High Country comes with a rear camera mirror washer, a hands-free power programmable liftgate, and a two-panel power sunroof. 20-inch alloys are equipped on upper trims.

Our Cherry Red Tintcoat Traverse RS AWD tester came with the upgraded 20-inch dark aluminum wheels, a power liftgate, black roof rails, and power-folding heated outside mirrors. It's an attractive-looking crossover that doesn't scream "minivan" in any way. The somewhat sportier-looking RS trim does its best to look cool as the Cherry Red paint and dark wheels did attract a few stares. But in general, Chevy played it safe with the exterior design which was definitely the right move for this segment.

To accommodate three spacious seating rows, the Traverse's dimensions reflect its size. The SUV is 205.9 inches long, 78.6 inches in width excluding the mirrors, and 70.7 inches tall. The wheelbase is 120.9 inches. Not an off-roader by any means, a handy 7.5 inches of ground clearances help tackle dirt roads or mall curbs.

The base curb weight of 4,310 pounds applies to the LS with front-wheel drive, but better-equipped trims and those with all-wheel drive are naturally heavier.

The cheapest LS has a bland color palette limited to only four shades. These are Summit White and three metallics: Silver Ice, Mosaic Black, and Northsky Blue. Moving up to the LT Cloth adds Silver Sage and Black Cherry. Two premium colors - Iridescent Pearl Tricoat at $995 and Cherry Red Tintcoat at $495 - are also added at this level. The sportier RS removes Northsky Blue, Silver Sage, and Black Cherry from its selection, but it's one of the lookers in the range with its black wheels and blacked-out Chevy bowtie badge.

As for the pricier models, the Premier and High Country are available with most colors besides Northsky Blue and Silver Sage.

All Traverse models are powered by the same 3.6-liter V6 engine sans forced induction. Producing 310 hp and 266 lb-ft, this engine directs power to the front wheels by default with the option of all-wheel drive on all trims. The V6 Traverse will surprise you on a test drive with its turn of speed, but it never really thrills as a driving experience. Independent tests peg the 0 to 60 mph sprint at around 6.5 seconds, making it around a second quicker to 60 than the Kia Telluride, and the Korean has an even larger 3.8-liter V6. With its available trailering package, the Traverse can tow up to 5,000 pounds, another competitive showing in this segment.

The Traverse's performance surprised us the most, in a good way. The peppy naturally aspirated V6 was an excellent choice for this rig; Chevy easily could have underpowered it with an NA four-cylinder, specifically on the base trim. But no, every Traverse trim gets the power it needs. Our RS tester's standard AWD came in handy during a snowy week in Colorado and the crossover proved quite competent as it fought its way out of snow plowed to the side of the road. Road conditions were somewhat slick and the Traverse's all-season tires did the trick just fine.

Although it may not be the most advanced engine in its class, the dependable 3.6-liter V6's outputs are competitive at 310 hp and 266 lb-ft. Like most naturally-aspirated engines, the power is delivered in a smooth and linear fashion. This makes the Traverse quite a pleasure to drive in town and out on the highway, where it will cruise at the top legal speed without any drama.

The V6 is mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. We had no major complaints with this gearbox as shifts proved to be smooth and fast enough for a fairly large mid-size crossover like this. The automatic start/stop system was smooth and hardly noticeable, something we can't say for every new vehicle, including a few that cost significantly more.

The Traverse is by no means exciting behind the wheel. It was never meant to be. The strong NA V6 combined with that nine-speed slushbox is a solid combination. We found ourselves somewhat surprised by just how strong the acceleration was when entering a highway, effortlessly reaching cruising speed without any discomfort. It's no drag racer but you'll certainly have no problem keeping up with traffic.

Maneuvering the Traverse was also a simple task because it feels like a passenger car and not a bulky SUV. Despite its size, it's not a body-on-frame SUV, feeling like a high-riding minivan in the way it maneuvers. The steering is precise, which is a boon for parking in tight spots. Rearward visibility, however, was not the easiest but far from terrible. The standard rear-view camera very much came in handy to help resolve this.

Those hoping the RS designation means a sportier affair with refined suspension and chassis tuning will be sorely disappointed. The Traverse drives and handles like a large family sedan or minivan and the RS badging does nothing to change this. That's just fine for a majority of buyers.

With FWD, the Traverse's gas mileage figures work out to 18/27/21 mpg city/highway/combined. The AWD system doesn't impact fuel economy too dramatically, as this configuration returns 17/25/20 mpg according to the EPA. The Kia Telluride is more efficient, though, managing 23 mpg combined with FWD despite a larger engine.

FWD Traverse models have a 19.4-gallon gas tank, enough for a range of about 407 miles. A larger 21.7-gallon gas tank comes with AWD variants, so the range here is 434 miles.

For the most part, the Chevrolet Traverse's cabin does what it's supposed to for shoppers in this segment. There's a lot of space, numerous storage bins, and simple ergonomics that allow you to get on with the important job of transporting your family around without any fuss. Some materials aren't as soft to the touch as they should be, especially on upper trims, but this doesn't spoil the practical interior's appeal entirely. The base model is modestly equipped with a six-way manual driver's seat, a 3.5-inch driver display, and tri-zone climate control, but there are enough trims to add all the conveniences you desire, be it powered front seats, wireless phone charging, or parking sensors.

The RS we drove came with the optional second-row captain's chairs, meaning maximum seating for seven. A second-row bench is standard. We also liked the Jet Black/Spice Red color combination. Having power outlets and USB ports located at key places throughout the cabin is ideal for passengers who need to power up an electronic device.

Our Traverse RS came with the optional second-row captain's chairs for a maximum of seven seats, but a second-row bench is available on several trims to take the total seating capacity to eight. All trims come with a 60/40 split-folding rear bench. The eight-way power driver's seat with lumbar is generally supportive and we quickly and easily found a comfortable position with adequate rearward visibility. Both the driver and front passenger seats were heated, a very much welcomed feature in late January. The dual-skyscape sunroof was lovely to have but it'll set you back $1,500.

Moving about the cabin is an easy task thanks to an impressively large interior volume - 157.1 cubic feet. Adjusting the second and third-row seats is accomplished by means of old-fashioned handles and straps, and electronic adjustment would bring the Traverse in line with modern alternatives. This faux pas aside, space is the name of the game with 38.4 inches of legroom in the second row and 33.5 in the third. The headroom is equally as generous with a minimum of 38.2 inches in the rearmost seats. Accessing those is easier with the second-row captain's chairs, and aside from the manual labor required, they're capable of hosting smaller adults without too much trouble.

The base LS comes with cloth upholstery in a Jet Black/Chai color scheme. If you don't like this look, you're out of luck as it's the only interior available for the LS. The LT Cloth retains cloth upholstery but at least adds the option of a Jet Black interior for those preferring a darker cabin that will be easier to keep clean. As the name dictates, the LT Leather comes with leather upholstery but in the same colors as the LT Cloth. The RS mixes things up a bit with its perforated leather seats in a combination of Jet Black and Spice Red. For the Premier, there are three perforated leather choices: Jet Black, Jet Black/Chai, and Jet Black/Maple Sugar. Finally, the High Country comes with perforated leather in a trim-exclusive Jet Black/Clove color scheme. Only the base model misses out on a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The Traverse feels well screwed together but some interior plastics are on the hard side, though this is not a deal-breaker by any means. Compared to older Chevy models, the Traverse's interior materials are generally quite impressive. Our tester came with additional dashboard padding that helped give a more premium look and feel.

Behind the 3rd row of the Chevy Traverse, the SUV still has a generous 23 cubic feet of cargo space. That's more than enough for daily needs and the faux floor provides extra, more secure hidden storage. With the 60/40 split-folding third-row folded, the cargo space increases to a generous 57.8 cubes, and with both the second and third rows folded, there is a cavernous 98.2 cubes available. The Traverse is one of the best for cargo in this segment.

In the cabin, all Chevy Traverse models have a front center console with dual cupholders, a large bin, and a removable tray. In total, there are ten cupholders dotted around the cabin. In the first two rows, there are also useful door pockets.

Whether you want the essentials only or an array of upscale amenities, the Traverse lineup has something to suit you. The base LS comes with tri-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera, a six-way manual driver's seat, a manual tilt/telescopic steering column, keyless open and start, regular cruise control, and a small 3.5-inch driver information display. It's decently specced safety-wise, too. You won't need to pay extra for automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, front pedestrian braking, and lane keep assist.

Further up in the lineup, the Chevy Traverse is much more comfortable thanks to additions like power-adjustable front seats, a power-folding third row, and a power steering column. It's also more advanced, with features like remote start, adaptive cruise control, a much larger driver information display, and a universal home remote all added. Rear parking sensors and rear cross-traffic alert are some of the safety items equipped to selected models.

In general, Chevy's infotainment system is very easy to use, though not quite as good as Stellantis' Uconnect 5.0. The button sizes are all big enough so that your finger doesn't accidentally tap something it shouldn't. Response times are fine and we like how quickly the system recognized our Android device. The screen's colorful graphics are pleasing to the eye and the general UI layout is good. Owners should have no problems navigating the system starting from day one.

The high-mounted touchscreen is easily accessible for both driver and passenger. A seven-inch touchscreen comes standard but our RS trim came with the upgraded eight-inch HD color touchscreen with voice recognition. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility also come as standard fare, as does Bluetooth audio streaming. The standard Wi-Fi hotspot is a huge bonus. Full props to Chevy for not forcing customers to pay extra for it. GM's subscription-based OnStar-connected services with 4G LTE comes standard too.

The also optional 10-speaker Bose audio system is worth the extra money for a vehicle this size. A 6-speaker audio system is standard.

With a quality and reliability rating of 82 out of 100 from J.D. Power, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse scores higher than competitors like the Honda Pilot in this area. These are consumer-verified Chevrolet Traverse reviews so they do point to a positive ownership experience. While the NHTSA hasn't reported any recalls of the 2022 Traverse, the 2021 model was recalled for two problems: a possible transmission fluid leak and a front airbag that may deploy incorrectly. This still isn't as bad as the 2020 model, which suffered from a grand total of seven recalls.

Every Traverse SUV comes with a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain/drivetrain warranty, and roadside assistance for five years or 60,000 miles. A single scheduled maintenance visit is covered within the first year.

Chevy Traverse safety reviews have returned satisfactory results in the USA. The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse has only been partially reviewed by the NHTSA, for which it attained a four-star rollover rating. Fortunately, the 2021 version was comprehensively reviewed and it managed the full five-star rating for overall safety. At the IIHS, the 2022 model scored a Good rating for every crash test that was evaluated but without headlight or collision-avoidance measures being tested, was ineligible for a Top Safety Pick rating.

This year, all Traverse models come with Chevy Safety Assist by default. This suite comprises automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, a following distance indicator, forward collision alert, and IntelliBeam automatic high beam control. This is all in addition to a rearview camera and seven airbags, including curtain airbags for all rows and a driver's inboard seat-mounted side-impact airbag.

Most trims have lane change alert with side blind zone alert, and upper trims have adaptive cruise control. Rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, rear pedestrian alert, a safety alert seat, and an HD surround-view camera system are available.

We very much enjoyed our time with the 2022 Chevy Traverse. It's by far not the most exciting midsize, three-row crossover in its class, but it's still a highly capable family hauler. Having a standard Wi-Fi hotspot will make long-distance travel a much easier task and, if you can swing the extra cost, the panoramic sunroof brings plenty of light into the normally dark cabin. With standard V6 power, a smooth-shifting transmission, and confident and mostly precise handling, the Traverse is very easy to live with.

An abundance of standard safety and driver-assist features is another huge plus. The dashboard layout and touchscreen position are very well thought-out. If you're looking for a minivan alternative that gets the job done in every key category, you can't go wrong with the Traverse.

The base price of the Chevrolet Traverse begins at an MSRP of $33,700 for the LS. This increases to $36,200 for the LT Cloth, $39,900 for the LT Leather, and $44,200 for the RS. The Premier retails for $46,600 while the cost of the Chevy Traverse exceeds $50k in the High Country; this model costs $51,200. Those prices exclude a $1,195 destination charge in the US, and any options.

For $2,000 more, you can upgrade from FWD to AWD on the base trim, and for a similar amount on any trim that deviates from this increase.

Our RS AWD sampler carried a starting price of $48,845. Combined with $2,645 in options, including the $495 Cherry Red Tincoat exterior paint, and a $1,195 destination fee, the total bill of sale came to $50,040.

There are a total of six trims making up the new Chevrolet Traverse lineup: LS, LT Cloth, LT Leather, RS, Premier, and High Country. Mechanically, they're identical. The 3.6-liter V6 provides solid performance and all configurations have a nine-speed automatic transmission. FWD is standard but AWD is available.

The LS comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, and power-adjustable exterior mirrors. The cabin has cloth upholstery and the driver will have to adjust their seat manually. Tri-zone climate control, a 3.5-inch driver's information display, and a seven-inch touchscreen interface are all standard.

Next in line is the LT Cloth. It seats seven instead of eight and the driver also gets an eight-way power-adjustable seat. Lane change alert with side blind zone alert, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, and wireless phone charging are other extras added to the mix here.

The LT Leather is largely similar to the LT Cloth but leather upholstery gives the cabin a welcome lift. Other small additions include a larger 4.2-inch driver information display, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, and a better infotainment system with an eight-inch touchscreen.

Although the Traverse is far from a sporty vehicle, the RS at least attempts to excite with its flashier appearance. It comes with 20-inch alloys in black, a black Chevy bowtie emblem, and power-folding exterior mirrors. The leather is perforated here, and a 120-volt power outlet, adaptive cruise control, and a Bose sound system are thrown in.

Taking a step into the luxury sphere is the Premier. It rides on attractive 20-inch metallic machined-face wheels, and it has chrome roof-mounted side rails. Inside, there's an eight-inch driver information display, a driver's memory system linked to a power steering column, and ventilated front seats.

Last but definitely not least is the High Country. It has everything that the Premier has plus a power sunroof, a power-folding third row, a safety alert seat, and 20-inch polished aluminum wheels.

There are many ways to customize the Traverse, so we'll only touch on a few of the highlights here. The LS can be upgraded with the Midnight/Sport Edition at $1,145, a package that includes 18-inch black wheels, a Black Ice grille, and Black Chevy emblems. A worthwhile upgrade is the Safety Package at $790; this consists of rear parking sensors, lane change alert with side blind-zone alert, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The Midnight/Sport Edition is a little cheaper at $995 on the LT Cloth. This trim's major enhancement comes via the $1,295 Convenience and Driver Confidence Package. Its list of features is a long one, including the likes of a better touchscreen with navigation, remote start, and a power programmable liftgate.

The LT Premium Package on the LT Leather costs $3,795. That's a lot of money but it adds a lot of kit like an HD surround-view camera, adaptive cruise control, a Bose sound system, and 20-inch wheels.

The Premier comes with the $2,895 Redline Edition package. It bundles together features like a power sunroof, trailering equipment, Redline decals, black roof rails, and more.

If we had our pick of the litter, we'd get the RS AWD. It's the middle fun child, so to speak, of the lineup. You get premium features like leather seats, an eight-inch touchscreen, and second-row captain's chairs for a starting price of $46,200. You can keep the monthly payment slightly lower by omitting the panoramic sunroof and Trailering Equipment Package ($650). But no matter which Traverse trim suits your needs and budget, know that you'll be getting a family-friendly three-row crossover with standard V6 power, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility for as little as $33,700. Sure, tacking on AWD is a $2,000 option, but it can be had even on the base model. Those who live in regions with wintry weather will find that added cost to be worth every penny.

These two both come from the same GM stable. At $34,800, the Acadia starts at just over $1,000 more than the Traverse. However, unlike the Chevy, the base GMC only comes with a less powerful 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine with 228 hp. Besides that, the Traverse has far more cargo space by comparison (nearly double the volume behind its third row), so it's easily the more practical proposition between these two. J.D. Power's Chevy Traverse ratings also trump those of the GMC. The Acadia is a pleasant enough vehicle to drive, and you can have it with the same V6 engine if you pay a bit more. But all things considered, the Chevy Traverse is the smarter buy between these two.

The Ford is another practical three-row SUV, and of course, it has the badge that will win over a fair percentage of buyers on its own. It starts at a slightly lower price point than the Traverse, and the Ford has a broader range of power plants. In ST guise, it's much more powerful with 400 hp. But the Traverse is once again the king when it comes to sheer space. Its third row is more comfortable than the Ford's, and the latter's cargo space behind each row is less than what the Chevy can muster. On a positive note, the Explorer has a comfortable ride and can tow more. While the Traverse's space utilization is a major selling point, the Ford lineup as a whole seems to offer more. That's why the Explorer is our choice.