The Chevrolet Traverse was one of the progenitors of the three-row crossover, and its popularity has only grown since its introduction in 2009. As buyers have become increasingly minivan averse, the Traverse has stepped in to be the hauler of families, soccer teams and wholesale club finds. The Traverse is spacious and comfortable, with competitive power and space. Are those qualities enough to carry it to the top of its hyper competitive segment?
Price and value
The Chevy Traverse 2022 price is on par with its segment, if a bit more than you might expect. The MSRP range is $35,095-$52,595. It is available in five trim levels, with a suite of standard features that includes a rear vision camera, a 3.6-liter V6 engine and traction control. Some of the major differences in trim levels are noted below.
- LS: $35,095
Rear vision camera
3.6-liter V6 engine with stop-start technology
StabiliTrak electronic stability control system
- LT: $37,595
Lane change alert with side blind zone alert
Rear cross-traffic alert
8-way power driver seat with power lumbar control
- RS: $45,595
HD surround vision and rear camera mirror with washer
20-inch dark painted aluminum wheels, roof rails and grille
Infotainment 3 Plus system
- Premier: $47,995
Dual-outlet exhaust with rectangular tips
Chrome door handles and chrome roof rails
20-inch metallic machined-face aluminum wheels with painted pockets
- High Country: $52,595
20-inch polished aluminum wheels
Power folding third row
Dual-pane moonroof
The Chevrolet Traverse is reasonably priced, but options add up quickly. Our mid trim level RS tester topped out at $50,040, making it more expensive than much of the competition. Should you add options to the Premier or High Country trims, expect to be in the mid to upper $50,000 range.
Chevy has covered the Traverse with a 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The first maintenance visit is also included.
Performance
Every Traverse comes with Chevy’s V6 engine that provides nice, quiet power in city and highway driving. The RS trim adds some sporty aesthetic touches, but its performance remains the same as other trims. It may not be particularly exciting to drive, but the Traverse is better than some of the competition in terms of power and power delivery.
Engine
The standard 3.6-liter V6 produces 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque — appropriate for the Traverse’s size. The V6 gives the vehicle a breezy feeling of acceleration. It can pull hard when needed and can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
Fuel efficiency
Given the Traverse’s size and large V6, it has a genuinely pleasing fuel economy. The Environmental Protection Agency rates the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse as 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. We experienced around 24 mpg for most of our week of driving.
Drivetrain
The V6 mated to the 9-speed automatic transmission moves the Traverse around town and up to highway speeds without hesitation. The gear changes feel intuitive. The engine stop-start system is one of the least cumbersome systems we’ve encountered, but it can be disabled if desired.
The transmission shuttered some during our test period, a common complaint noted by Traverse owners. Chevrolet had been unsuccessful in resolving the issue as of this writing. The 2022 Chevy Traverse AWD RS we drove was equipped with all-wheel drive, but we didn’t have an opportunity to experience its performance in inclement weather.
Acceleration and handling
We wouldn’t call the Traverse fast, but it is reasonably quick when it needs to be. Car and Driver clocked the Traverse going 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds. You’ll feel its heft at low speeds, but once it's up and going the light steering keeps it easy to navigate. The suspension errs on the side of comfort, and we enjoyed its soft and supple ride while toting the family around.
Braking
Braking in the Traverse felt natural and progressive with plenty of stopping power. Automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection is standard.
Interior comfort and convenience
This is not the most luxurious three-row crossover on the market. Much of the 2022 Chevy Traverse interior is covered in hard, black plastic — remnants of Chevy’s former days. However, what the Traverse lacks in material quality is made up for in driving position, seat comfort and cargo space. Families will love the space, and many will find its amenities more than enough to meet their needs.
Seats
All of the Traverse’s seats might not be heated and cooled as you’d expect, but they are comfortable — even in the third row. The leather felt good, and the cushioning was just right for longer drives. Second-row occupants will enjoy the captain’s chairs. The third row is one of the more accommodating spaces we’ve seen in the segment, even for adults.
Climate control
The Traverse’s tri-zone automatic climate control is a nice feature for keeping every passenger cool in the all black cabin. The heated front seats and steering wheel did a good job of warming us up on chillier days, but we do long for ventilated seats at this price point.
Cargo space and cabin storage
The Traverse makes the most of its large size with ample cargo and storage space. There are numerous cubbies to hold your stuff, with an extra large center console ready to swallow your toddler. Cargo space is also very competitive. There are 23 cubic feet behind the third-row seats, 57.8 cubic feet behind the second row and a whopping 98.2 cubic feet with both rows folded. In other words, if you want an SUV that can haul your family and your gear, the Traverse is an appealing option.
Infotainment system
Chevy does a nice job with their infotainment and that reputation has been extended to the 2022 Traverse. There are many USB ports, while the 8-inch screen is easy to use, sharp and colorful. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. Overall, the system is intuitive and responsive to user inputs.
Exterior appearance and functionality
The Traverse has been significantly refreshed for 2022, and the updates have it looking sharper than in years past. Changes to the exterior include narrower headlights, blockier styling elements on the front fascia, turn signal indicators integrated into the daytime running lamps, LED taillights and redesigned lower vents and fog lights. The family-hauling Traverse looks better, but there are hints of minivan roots lurking beneath the SUV surfaces. Maybe no one will notice in the carpool pickup line.
Our RS looked great in its Cherry Red Tintcoat paint. It’s also available in other notable colors, such as Iridescent Pearl Tricoat and Silver Ice Metallic.
Towing capacity
The Traverse can tow up to 5,000 pounds. That means it can haul a small boat or trailer — not bad for a minivan wearing SUV clothing. The trailering equipment package includes hitch guidance — something anyone who tows will appreciate.
Wheels
The RS package includes a host of black accent pieces. The glossy 20-inch wheels on our tester looked sharp. They were shod with 255/55 R20 all-season tires, which were quiet on the highway.
Lights and turn signals
The Traverse RS gets LED lights all around, making for a sharp, modern appearance and plenty of luminescence. The headlamps are equipped with automatic high-beam functionality. The turn signals are integrated into the side mirrors and easy to see.
Cameras and side mirrors
The Traverse’s cameras are high resolution and give a clear view of the surroundings. Our tester was equipped with HD Surround Vision, which did a nice job giving 360-degree views of the vehicle. The side mirrors are heated, power adjustable, power folding and painted the body color. They provided clear views down the sides of the Traverse and to the rear.
Front and rear windshield
Outward visibility was good in the Traverse, but there were large blind spots in the rear at the d-pillar. Visibility out the front is good, especially due to the higher seating position from the driver’s seat. Rain-sensing windshield wipers kept the view clear when driving in the wet.
Safety
Chevrolet built the Traverse for families, and its plentiful safety features will give you peace of mind.
Features
Chevy has packed the Traverse. On the RS trim that we drove, these safety features include:
- Lane change alert with side blind zone alert
- Rear park assist
- Enhanced automatic emergency braking
- Front pedestrian braking
- Rear cross-traffic alert
Awards and ratings
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse its highest rating of Good in all five test categories. The Traverse earned a four out of five in the rollover test by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It had not rated the SUV in other areas as of this writing.
Final impression
The 2022 Chevy Traverse all-wheel drive RS is a solid option in the three-row, family-hauling crossover segment. The Traverse offers a huge amount of space inside, even for adults. Its ride is soft and compliant — even over rough pavement. The punchy V6 engine is smooth and powerful enough to inspire confidence in the city and on the highway.
The Traverse also features a simple and easy to use infotainment system and a host of safety features that will bring you peace of mind. While the interior feels a bit cheap, buyers will likely feel the space and comfort overcome any material shortcomings. In short, the 2022 Traverse is a good choice for larger families wanting a combination of passenger space, cargo space, power and comfort.
FAQs
What is the RS package on the Traverse?
The RS is the middle of the pack trim on the 2022 Chevy Traverse, and it’s largely aesthetics based. It looks sharp with all of the black accents. We especially loved it in the Cherry Red Tintcoat paint. The RS trim also includes HD Surround Vision, a rear camera mirror, a Bose premium 10-speaker sound system and more.
Does the Traverse RS have a sunroof?
The Chevy Traverse RS all-wheel drive we tested had the $1,500 optional dual skyscape sunroof. We feel it should be standard on the vehicle given its price.
Curious if the Chevrolet Traverse is right for your family? Check it out on KSL Cars.
KSL does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.
