2017 Chevrolet Traverse Review

The 2017 Chevrolet Traverse is a crossover SUV with seating for seven or eight passengers, depending on the second-row seating configuration. There are essentially three main trim levels: LS, LT and Premier. However, the LS is further divided into Base (1SM) and LS, and the LT is subdivided into 1LT and 2LT variants.

From behind the wheel, the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse's 3.6-liter V6 engine provides perfectly acceptable performance around town. But in situations in which strong acceleration is required, such as passing slower vehicles on a stretch of a winding back road, it can seem a little weak-kneed. This tendency is amplified by the six-speed automatic transmission. It shifts smoothly, but it can take its time in situations that require a downshift to generate a quick burst of speed.

In terms of road manners, the Traverse tackles the open highway with aplomb. The suspension delivers an exceptionally comfortable ride quality, and the body structure and sound-deadening materials keep wind and road noise at bay. Handling is confident but not particularly sporty. You should also keep in mind that this is a large vehicle with a 40-foot turning circle, and it's not going to be as maneuverable in tight quarters as some of its slightly smaller crossover competitors.

When it comes to interior room, the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse handily bests most of its competitors. Front seat occupants are afforded abundant head- and legroom. Second-row passengers enjoy comfortable accommodations, though the low height of the bottom cushion might make taller passengers wish for a little more legroom, a fault that can easily be remedied by sliding those seats rearward. Not surprisingly, doing so eats into legroom for denizens of the third row.

On the upside, the third-row bench is actually capable of holding larger kids and even smaller adults with those second-row seats scooted forward. Getting back there is made easier by large rear doors, though the release to slide the second-row seats forward can be difficult to access. Buyers intending to make frequent use of the Traverse's way-back seats might want to measure it against the third row of the redesigned Honda Pilot for comparison.

Elsewhere, the Chevy Traverse's cabin gets generally high marks thanks to a handsome design and good quality materials. The overall look ranges from likable enough to downright deluxe on the top-of-the-line Premier model. As in many seven- and eight-passenger vehicles, the view out the back suffers with all the seats occupied, a fact that makes the standard rearview camera a welcome feature.

The dash's central element is the 6.5-inch touchscreen that displays the image from the rearview camera and hosts the controls for Chevrolet's MyLink infotainment system. The system's operation is relatively intuitive, but the low mounting position that requires the driver to look away from the road and the system's occasional slow response to touch inputs earn it a demerit in our view. Another downside are the touch-sensitive buttons surrounding the display, which might look cool but don't work as well as more traditional versions.

The interior's most prominent strong point is its abundant storage space. Even with the third-row seats up, it can swallow more luggage than many rivals. With the second and third-row seats folded down, its cavernous cargo hold can haul more than anything in its class, save for its Buick sibling.