2013 Chevy Traverse Review
2013 Chevy Traverse Review





+86
Used Traverse for sale
Advertisement
Also Consider
2022 GMC Acadia
Check out current offers on the GMC Acadia
View Offers
GMC.com
*The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price excludes destination freight charge, tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment. See your GMC dealer for details.
Get More For Your Trade-In
2013 Chevrolet Traverse appraisal values can range from $5,200 - $8,573.
Find out what your car is really worth in minutes.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Agreeable ride quality
- generous cargo capacity
- top crash test scores
- seating for up to eight.
Cons
- Compromised rear visibility
- interior materials lack a premium look and feel.
What’s new
The 2013 Chevrolet Traverse receives multiple changes this year, including refreshed exterior styling, improved interior materials, a new electronics interface and new safety features.
Edmunds says
Restyled inside and out, the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse retains most of its underpinnings and remains a worthy consideration among large crossover SUVs.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse LS 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.76 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$233/mo
Traverse LS
vs
$231/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
Vehicle overview
From outward appearances, the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse looks almost fully redesigned. Gone is the signature Chevy split grille, replaced by a nose that looks more at home on a large sedan. The new design may lack personality, but it has a slimming effect that makes its predecessor look bloated by comparison. With a sharper, more defined tailgate and angled lights, the same holds true for the rear of this large crossover.
The interior also received the nip/tuck treatment, with sculpted surfaces and shapes integrated more fluidly into the overall design, and additional features including a standard rearview camera and Chevrolet's new MyLink infotainment interface at the driver's disposal. Similar to MyFord Touch, the MyLink system provides a wealth of audio, navigation and other system control through a simple touchscreen.
The rest of the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse remains unchanged and that's a good thing. Interior cargo capacity continues to be a top draw, with an impressive 116 cubic feet available behind the first-row seats. We like the way the Traverse drives, too, as its comfortable ride quality and 281-horsepower V6 put this big Chevy right at home on city streets and on the highway.
That said, there are great choices for large crossover SUV buyers. The Ford Flex is a funkier take on the same theme and definitely worth checking out, along with the more athletic-handling Mazda CX-9. And if you're willing to drop down a bit in size, the new Hyundai Santa Fe impresses with its all-around excellence. But with a sharper look inside and out, the updated 2013 Chevrolet Traverse holds its place as a smart choice among family-friendly large crossovers.
Performance & mpg
Powering most 2013 Chevrolet Traverse models is a 3.6-liter V6 that produces 281 hp and 266 pound-feet of torque. The LTZ trim features twin exhaust outlets that increase output to 288 hp and 270 pound-feet. A six-speed automatic is the only available transmission, but buyers can choose front- or all-wheel drive.
The EPA estimates fuel economy at 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway and 19 mpg in combined driving for the front-drive Traverse and 16/23/19 mpg for the all-wheel-drive model -- average results for crossovers in this class.
Safety
Standard safety features on all 2013 Chevy Traverse models include four-wheel antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, a rearview camera, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags for all three rows. OnStar is also standard and includes automatic crash notification, on-demand roadside assistance, remote door unlocking, stolen vehicle assistance and turn-by-turn navigation.
An inboard driver-seat side airbag that helps protect front occupants from colliding into each other in the event of a side impact is optional on the LS trim and standard on all others. A blind-spot and rear cross-traffic monitoring system is only available on the top LTZ trim.
In government crash tests, the Traverse earned a top five-star rating for overall performance, with five stars for total front-impact protection and five stars for total side-impact protection. The Traverse also aced the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests, where it earned the highest rating of "Good" in moderate frontal-offset, side-impact and roof-strength tests.
Driving
Overall, the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse delivers a smooth and quiet highway ride. On curves and passes, the big SUV minimizes body roll and feels more secure and planted than you expect. The V6 engine generates good horsepower, but lacks punch and tends to sound harsh and unrefined under acceleration -- an indication of the mass it's tasked to carry. The thin steering wheel also feels a little outdated and the transmission is slow to react, though gearchanges are smooth.
Whether running errands in the suburbs or traveling the interstates, the Traverse is well suited to delivering several people in comfort or cargo in abundance. Despite its dimensions, it maneuvers well in tight parking lots -- it's just harder to see out of than most competitors.
Interior
The 2013 Chevrolet Traverse features an attractive new interior, but a few flaws detract from an otherwise successful effort. Most touch-surfaces are decently padded, but the quality of the materials lacks a premium look and feel. Drivers will also notice poor rearward visibility, particularly in reverse. Fortunately, the standard rearview camera provides a clear and comprehensive view.
The rearview monitor and all infotainment functions are controlled by a touchscreen display in the dash, but the screen itself is mounted low in the driver's sight line, and requires a longer glance away from the road ahead. The MyLink interface, which allows smartphone radio app integration, features a clean layout and intuitive menu structure. Touch inputs are occasionally slow or missed entirely, however, making the interface a bit frustrating. We're also not fond of the USB port placement in a dash-top bin where direct sun and high temperatures can bake electronics.
Front-row passengers will enjoy abundant head- and legroom, as will second-row occupants, but the middle-row seat cushions are a bit low. Sliding those seats all the way back alleviates this issue, but that effectively kills third-row legroom. The slide release is also difficult to access. The narrow, flat third-row seats are easily deployed and stowed, but are really suited to kids and smaller adults.
The Traverse scores points for generous cargo capacity. Even with the third-row seats in place, the Traverse can carry up to 24.4 cubic feet of luggage. That figure jumps to 70.3 cubes with the rearmost seats folded flat and a cavernous 116.3 cubes with the second row stowed.
2013 Chevrolet Traverse models
With seating for up to eight passengers, the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse is classified as a large crossover SUV. It is offered in four trim levels: LS, 1LT, 2LT and LTZ.
Standard features on the LS Traverse include 17-inch steel wheels, automatic headlights, roof rails, cruise control, front and rear air-conditioning, keyless entry, full power accessories, cloth upholstery, 60/40 split-folding third-row seats, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a trip computer, Bluetooth, OnStar telematics, a 6.5-inch touchscreen display, a rearview camera and a six-speaker audio system with a CD player, USB/auxiliary audio inputs, and satellite and HD radio.
Steeping up to the 1LT trim adds 18-inch alloy wheels, foglights, heated mirrors, rear parking sensors, remote ignition, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, wood grain interior trim and an eight-way power driver seat with power lumbar adjustments. On top of that, the 2LT tacks on power-folding mirrors, an auto-dimming driver-side and rearview mirror, a power rear liftgate, tri-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats and the MyLink infotainment interface (voice activation, Bluetooth audio connectivity and smartphone radio app integration).
The range-topping LTZ trim includes 20-inch wheels, a blind-spot monitoring system, a rear cross-traffic alert system, second-row captain's chairs (reducing seating capacity to seven), leather upholstery, a 10-way power driver seat with power lumbar adjustments, driver memory functions, an eight-way power front passenger seat, ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel.
As comprehensive as this list is, there isn't a lot of room for options. Available on the 2LT and LTZ trims are a navigation system and a 10-speaker Bose surround-sound system. All but the LS trim can also opt for a dual-panel sunroof, rear-seat DVD entertainment center with USB input and a 110-volt household power outlet.

Best Pickup Trucks Under $60,000
Advertisement
Also Consider

2022 Acadia
SLE, SLT, AT4 and Denali
$34,800starting MSRP
See All Trims
GMC.com
*The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price excludes destination freight charge, tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment. See your GMC dealer for details.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2013 Chevrolet Traverse.
5 star(40%)
4 star(27%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(13%)
1 star(20%)
15 reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
1 out of 5 stars
Be Cautious!!!
Jessica,06/16/2017
LT 4dr SUV AWD w/1LT (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
We purchased my 2013 Traverse pre-owned in January 2016. It was a GM Certified Pre-owned that did have warranty coverage. I will say that I LOVE how it drives for such a large SUV. I love the back up camera and sensors as well. We were generally comfortable, even on long road trips. My husband did complain of knee-room while driving, but he is 6'5" so he is taller than the norm. My … problems began with the first oil change, they found an oil leak and had to remove the engine to find it. They also noticed that my timing chains were loose and went ahead and tightened those. A few months later, the blower for the rear A/C went out completely and had to be replaced (almost a week in the shop). That September we were returning from vacation and an A/C hose "popped" while we were driving down the interstate and we were stuck in Alabama an extra day. At the beginning of this year, as I was driving home from my mom's, all the lights on my dash starting going off, I couldn't move my steering wheel, and my engine shut off ( I was in the middle of a curve on a backroad with my toddler in the car). I was able to coast to a safe spot and had the car towed to the dealership. This was caused by "catastrophic engine failure" and had to replace my engine. Everything up to this point has been covered under warranty (Thank goodness!) Two days ago, the same thing happened with the addition of a squealing noise. This time my A/C compressor locked up. So this twice that my car has completely shut off while driving down the road (with my son in it) and this repair is going to cost me almost $2200.00. If I had to pay for all of these repairs I would have spent $7-10,000.00! I have spent about a month and a half in demo cars total because of time that my car was being repaired. I will say that the dealership and service that I deal with is FANTASTIC and they are helping me find a comparable vehicle to do an even trade and are giving me a good value for my car, and I am so thankful for that. I may have bought the one truly defective Traverse, but it has been nothing but a headache from the get-go.
4 out of 5 stars
Nice car but a pain in the neck
cjq,07/08/2013
LT 4dr SUV w/2LT (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
I bought a new Traverse last month and I really like car, except for the headrest.
The headrest sticks out so far, it gives me a pain the neck.
There is no way to turn it around, or have it go far enough back to not cause the problem.
So when you test the drive, be aware of this and make sure you fit into the seat as it is designed.
4 out of 5 stars
Vanilla Ice Cream (But Really Good Ice Cream)!
Mark in VA,03/26/2019
LS 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
If you're looking for an 8 passenger SUV with the most storage of any vehicle in it's class than this is the car for you. It doesn't do any one thing better than any other car but it doesn't do anything badly either. You're not going to race around corners or do zero to sixty in anything worth mentioning but that isn't the point of this car. It is a great family and stuff hauler. The … AWD system is great in bad weather giving you the confidence to go where and when you need to go. Maintenance costs have been negligible and it has been perfectly (knock wood) reliable. If safety is a concern, well bigger is always better. Yes, I'd buy it again if I still had a need for a vehicle this size.
5 out of 5 stars
Wow in LOVE
Rebecca,02/15/2016
LT 4dr SUV w/1LT (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
We bought 13 traverse and love everything about it. We owned a 07 Acadia and these two are day and night.. The traverse is alot quieter and handles a lot better, we are very impressed :-) :-) :-) would definitely buy another one!
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
5 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover16.9%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Side Impact TestGood
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
- IIHS Small Overlap Front TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front TestGood
People who viewed this also viewed
4.1714287 average Rating out of 35 reviews. |
Starting at $33,390 |
See Inventory |
4.55 average Rating out of 20 reviews. |
Starting at $25,800 |
See Inventory |
4.037037 average Rating out of 27 reviews. |
Starting at $38,080 |
See Inventory |
More about the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse
Used 2013 Chevrolet Traverse Overview
The Used 2013 Chevrolet Traverse is offered in the following submodels: Traverse SUV. Available styles include LS 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 6A), LT 4dr SUV w/1LT (3.6L 6cyl 6A), LT 4dr SUV AWD w/1LT (3.6L 6cyl 6A), LT 4dr SUV w/2LT (3.6L 6cyl 6A), LS 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A), LT 4dr SUV AWD w/2LT (3.6L 6cyl 6A), LTZ 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 6A), and LTZ 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A). Pre-owned Chevrolet Traverse models are available with a 3.6 L-liter gas engine, with output up to 281 hp, depending on engine type. The Used 2013 Chevrolet Traverse comes with front wheel drive, and all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 6-speed shiftable automatic. The Used 2013 Chevrolet Traverse comes with a 3 yr./ 36000 mi. basic warranty, a 5 yr./ 100000 mi. roadside warranty, and a 5 yr./ 100000 mi. powertrain warranty.
What's a good price on a Used 2013 Chevrolet Traverse?
Price comparisons for Used 2013 Chevrolet Traverse trim styles:
- The Used 2013 Chevrolet Traverse LS is priced between $10,955 and$17,590 with odometer readings between 85880 and130332 miles.
- The Used 2013 Chevrolet Traverse LT is priced between $14,580 and$20,998 with odometer readings between 83729 and103945 miles.
- The Used 2013 Chevrolet Traverse LTZ is priced between $17,324 and$18,590 with odometer readings between 97273 and104126 miles.
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
Which used 2013 Chevrolet Traverses are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2013 Chevrolet Traverse for sale near. There are currently 9 used and CPO 2013 Traverses listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $10,955 and mileage as low as 83729 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a used car from our massive database to find cheap prew-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the Used 2013 Chevrolet Traverse.
Can't find a used 2013 Chevrolet Traverses you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
Find a used Chevrolet Traverse for sale.
Find a used Chevrolet for sale.
Find a used certified pre-owned Chevrolet Traverse for sale.
Find a used certified pre-owned Chevrolet for sale.
Should I lease or buy a 2013 Chevrolet Traverse?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Chevrolet lease specials
Check out Chevrolet Traverse lease specials
Consider these recommendations
Related Used 2013 Chevrolet Traverse info
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Mazda RX-8 2010
- Used Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class 2010
- Used FIAT 500X 2019
- Used Cadillac ATS Coupe 2016
- Used Mitsubishi Lancer 2014 For Sale
- Used Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 2005
- Used Ford Shelby GT500 1994
- Used Buick Regal Sportback 2001
- Used GMC Sierra 2500HD 2014 For Sale
- Used Suzuki SX4
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- Jaguar E-PACE 2021
- Nissan Maxima 2021
- 2023 V90 Cross Country
- 2022 Audi S6
- 2021 BMW 8 Series
- Volvo V60 Cross Country 2023
- 2022 Audi SQ5 Sportback
- 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- 2021 Challenger
- 2023 Jeep Wagoneer L News
Other models to consider
- Chevrolet Express 2022
- Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 2022
- 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
- 2023 Corvette
- 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
- 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Limited
- 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Limited
- 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Limited 2022
- 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Research similar vehicles
- 2022 Discovery
- 2022 Ford Bronco Sport
- 2022 BMW X3
- 2022 Nissan Murano
- 2022 Audi Q3
- 2023 Mazda CX-50
- Buick Encore 2022
- Mazda CX-30 2022
- 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer
- 2023 Q8
Recommended
- 2023 Escalade
- Lincoln Nautilus 2010 Features Specs
- GMC Vandura 1991
- Ford Fusion Hybrid 2020 Features Specs
- GMC Yukon XL 2013 Review
Other models
- New Audi RS-7 for Sale in Greensburg, PA
- New Lexus RC-350 for Sale in New Hyde Park, NY
- New Kia Rio for Sale in Aberdeen, MD
- New Mercedes-Benz Cla-Class for Sale in Union City, GA
- New Toyota Rav4-Prime for Sale in High Point, NC
- New Mercedes-Benz Gle-Class for Sale in Clovis, CA
- New Mitsubishi Outlander for Sale in North Little Rock, AR
- New Hyundai Santa-Fe-Plug-In-Hybrid for Sale in Hendersonville, NC
- New Chevrolet Express-Cargo for Sale in Oconomowoc, WI
- New BMW I4 for Sale in Moss Point, MS
- New Audi A4 for Sale in Saint George, UT
- New Toyota 4Runner for Sale in Wyandotte, MI
- New Mazda 3 for Sale in Bastrop, TX
- New Land-Rover Discovery for Sale in Hackettstown, NJ
- New Jeep Gladiator for Sale in Aiken, SC
- New Kia Sorento-Hybrid for Sale in Picayune, MS
- New Honda Passport for Sale in Aiken, SC
- New Ram 3500 for Sale in Southern Pines, NC
- New Chevrolet Corvette for Sale in Dalton, GA
- New Mitsubishi Mirage-G4 for Sale in Covina, CA
- New Audi S4 for Sale in Scottsbluff, NE
- New Chevrolet Corvette for Sale in Pickerington, OH
- New Mercedes-Benz Cls-Class for Sale in Rutland, VT
- New Subaru Legacy for Sale in Snohomish, WA
- New Hyundai Veloster for Sale in Midlothian, IL
- New Toyota Gr-Supra for Sale in Mattoon, IL
- New Jeep Wrangler-4Xe for Sale in Fairmont, WV
- New Honda Civic for Sale in Millington, TN
- New Mercedes-Benz Gls-Class for Sale in Keene, NH
- New Audi S4 for Sale in North Port, FL