The word “traverse” is defined as “to travel across or through.” Few vehicles are able to do this better than the 2020 Chevy Traverse itself, a three-row midsize SUV that is the ideal choice for a trip to work, to school, or cross-country. That is because the Traverse can hold up to eight passengers and luggage comfortably without costing you an arm and a leg in gasoline. So, the “Traverse” name is fitting.
In addition to getting you where you need to go, there are six different trims to choose from, so you should have no problem finding the Traverse that fits your lifestyle and your budget. But what really makes the 2020 Chevy Traverse so special? Let’s get into it.
Six Ways to Get You From Here to There
The 2020 Chevy Traverse comes in six different trims, starting with the base model L with an MSRP of $29,800. Then there is the LS, starting at $32,900, which adds deep-tinted rear windows and high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps and LED daytime running lamps. Both the L and LS feature cloth interior seats.
The LT includes roof rails, fog lamps, an 8-way power driver seat with power lumbar control, and outside heated power-adjustable manual-folding body-color mirrors with turn signal indicators. The LT comes in either cloth interior for an MSRP of $35,400 or leather seats for an MSRP of $39,100. The LT Leather also has a rear power liftgate with programmable height adjustment, which makes loading and unloading your Traverse easier.
The RS has an MSRP of $43,600 and includes signature black accents, HD surround vision and rear camera mirror, and heated driver and front passenger seats. The RS also upgrades the standard 18-inch silver-painted aluminum wheels to 20-inch dark android-painted aluminum wheels. The Premier adds perforated leather-appointed seating with ventilated driver and front passenger seats, heated steering wheel, wireless charging for devices, and heated second-row captain’s chairs, all for an MSRP of $45,800.
The top-of-the-line Traverse High Country has an MSRP of $50,900, and features adaptive cruise control, SkyScape power tilt-sliding sunroof and fixed rear skylight with sunscreen, power-folding third row 60/40 split-bench seat, and 20-inch polished-aluminum wheels. The 2020 Traverse L, LS, and LT all seat up to eight passengers, while the Traverse RS, Premier, and High Country seat up to seven passengers, replacing the second-row bench seat with two individual seats.
A Powertrain with Power
Every 2020 Chevy Traverse comes equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 gas engine with variable valve timing, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. This engine can produce up to 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. This engine is so strong that the Traverse has been rated to tow up to 1,500 pounds in conventional trailering. If you need more power, the Traverse High Country has been rated to tow up to an astounding 5,000 pounds of trailer.
All models of the Traverse are front-wheel drive standard, but you can opt for available all-wheel drive on each model except the Traverse L. The engine also features auto stop/start technology. This will automatically stop the engine when you come to a full stop either in traffic or at a red light. As soon as you lift your foot off the brake, the Traverse’s engine will automatically restart, reducing fuel consumption and emissions. This is the reason you can expect exceptional fuel economy on your Traverse. The EPA estimates that drivers of the 2020 Chevy Traverse with front-wheel drive will receive up to 18 MPG in city driving, 27 MPG on the highway, and a combined 21 MPG. The mileage drops slightly to 17 MPG in the city, 25 MPG on the highway, and a combined 20 MPG if you opt for all-wheel drive. That means more time driving and less time hanging around the gas station.
So. Much. Room.
The designers at Chevrolet have done a magnificent job maximizing the space on the 2020 Traverse. Once you are inside, you will not believe that this is a midsize SUV since it has space comparable to many full-size SUVs. There is an astounding 157.3 cubic feet of passenger space. Front row passengers on most models have 40 inches of headroom, 41 inches of legroom, and 62.1 inches of shoulder room. If you opt for a model with a sunroof, the front row headroom decreases slightly to 39.6 inches. The second-row passengers will be comfortable with 40 inches of headroom, 38.4 inches of legroom, and 62.2 inches of shoulder room. Your third-row passengers won’t feel cramped either with 38.2 inches of headroom, 33.5 inches of legroom, and 57.5 inches of shoulder room. Clearly, there is plenty of space for you and all your friends, even on a cross-country road trip.
There is also enough space for luggage and other cargo. There is a full 23 cubic feet of space in the Traverse’s trunk. This expands to 57.8 cubic feet with the third row down, and an enormous 98.2 cubic feet of space with the second row of seats also folded down. This gives you the option of using your Traverse as a utility vehicle as well, if you need to move furniture, transport supplies, or use your SUV for other cargo needs. It is this ease and versatility of the Traverse that truly sets it apart from the midsize SUVs of its competitors.
Features to Get You There Safe and Sound
Chevrolet has made sure to put plenty of safety features in all models. All models have LED daytime running lights, airbags, OnStar and Chevrolet connected services, a rear-seat reminder, rear vision camera, StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with traction control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and Chevy’s Teen Driver system. The Teen Drive system allows you to check on and set limits via the infotainment system and safety features to better protect the young driver in your family. The Traverse LT adds lane change alert with side blind zone alert, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist as standard.
Many of these features are available as options on lower trim levels. If you choose the Traverse RS, this will include standard automatic emergency braking, following distance indicator, forward collision alert, front pedestrian braking, HD surround vision, lane-keep assist with lane departure warning, and rear camera mirror. The High Country adds enhanced automatic emergency braking, IntelliBeam automatic high-beam assist, and adaptive cruise control, which adjusts the speed of cruise control to maintain a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. Whichever model of Traverse you choose, you and your passengers are sure to experience the joy of riding in a truly luxurious and advanced vehicle with the peace of mind that comes from knowing the engineers at Chevrolet have made your safety priority number one.
Traversing in the Traverse
It really seems like the folks at Chevrolet thought of everything when they designed the Traverse. Options, power, space, and safety are all top-of-the-line when it comes to the Traverse. All that is left to do is to get behind the wheel of a 2020 Chevy Traverse and find out how getting wherever you are going can be so much fun.
