First in Space: The 2027 Chevrolet Traverse's Voluminous Interior Can Swallow Entire Families Whole

August 2026 · 12 minute read

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David Bush|Car and Driver

2024 Chevrolet Traverse

David Bush|Car and Driver

2024 Chevrolet Traverse RS

David Bush|Car and Driver

David Bush|Car and Driver

David Bush|Car and Driver

David Bush|Car and Driver

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Two black Chevrolet vehicles parked in a modern setting, featuring a truck and a sleek SUV.
David Bush|Car and Driver

MSRP

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EPA MPG

21–22 Combined

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Seating

7 Seats

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Powertrain

Gas

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Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

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Limited Warranty

3 Years/36,000 Miles

By Andrew Wendler

Overview

The 2027 Chevrolet Traverse doesn't wow with blistering acceleration or sporting pretensions. It's all about space. The Traverse impresses with a spacious, comfortable cabin that easily accommodates up to seven passengers and all their stuff. And the Traverse's third row isn't just for the kids—adults can get comfortable back there too, something that can't be said of some rivals. (Available second-row captain's chairs reduce the passenger count to six.)

Less impressive is its turbocharged four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission powertrain. Standard across the lineup, the motivational duo gets the job done, but acceleration and the engine's sound could both use improvement. Handling takes a backseat to cushy ride quality, but again, the Traverse is designed for family days, not track days.

Expert Tip: If cargo and third row space aren't a priority, make sure to cross-shop rivals such as the Kia Telluride, the Hyundai Palisade Hybrid, and the Mazda CX-90.

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What's New for 2027?

Still reasonably fresh, the Chevrolet Traverse rolls into 2027 with an enhanced High Country trim level with more luxurious exterior and interior bits. Twilight Blue and Trillium Green Metallic are both new options on the paint palette, and five new wheel designs are available depending on trim. An interior camera system is now standard.

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Pricing and Which One to Buy

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Chevy keeps things simple with a single powertrain across the lineup. Its turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder mates with an eight-speed automatic; all-wheel drive is optional; otherwise, the powertrain drives the Traverse's front wheels. The gussied-up Z71 trim offers more capability off-road and comes standard with a twin-clutch all-wheel drive system, different suspension damping, all-terrain tires, and terrain-specific driving modes. During our test drive, we weren't impressed by the Traverse's steering, which feels slow and truck-like. While the Traverse isn't particularly engaging to drive, its ride is comfortable and family-friendly. Despite a firm brake pedal and well-controlled body roll, the Traverse is a people mover at its core, and is comfortable with its place in life.

0–60-MPH Times

In Comparison: The current Traverse's 7.3-second 60 mph time is slightly quicker than the Kia Telluride 7.4-second time, but it trails the 6.8-second time recorded by the previous-generation Traverse with its standard V-6 engine.

Towing and Payload Capacity

The Traverse can tow up to 5000 pounds with its standard Trailering package, which includes a heavy-duty cooling system, a 220-amp alternator, and a special "Hitch View" to the exterior camera system.

In Comparison: If towing is a priority, you might want to consider stepping up to the Chevrolet Tahoe, which is rated to tow up to 8400 pounds when properly configured.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

According to the EPA, the front-wheel-drive Traverse delivers 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined, while the all-wheel-drive Traverse returns 20 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. We'll report the Traverse's real-world fuel economy here as soon as we take one on our 75-mph highway fuel economy test route.

In Comparison: The nonhybrid Hyundai Palisade with front-wheel drive is EPA rated for 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the all-wheel-drive version comes in at 1 mpg less across the board.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

First Row: Current Chevrolet interior design themes are on full display in front with the driver-angled infotainment screen and digital instrument panel. Seats are accommodating, and heating is standard, but you'll need to move away from the base model to get leather or cooling. The large console stretches from the dash to the second row and provides a large armrest between the front seats.

Second Row: Second row accommodations are ample with either the captain's chairs or available bench, and they slide fore and aft, creating more leg- and foot room for third row passengers when needed. The rear portion of the front center console contains a pair of cupholders and USB-A ports as well as dedicated climate controls.

Third Row: The Traverse's third row is the real deal. While the seats don't have the same amount of padding or contouring as the first and second rows, it's spacious enough to handle a pair of adults with decent legroom, and the seat bottom is positioned high enough off the floor that it avoids the undesirable squatting seating position that forces your knees up toward your chest.

Cargo Capacity: With all seats folded down, the Traverse is among the most cargo-friendly SUVs in the class, with over 97 cubic feet of space with the second and third rows folded. There are 23 cubes with all rows upright. There's also a storage bin below the floor. When we get a chance to test it, we'll pack the Traverse's interior with carry-on suitcases to see how much cargo it can hold.

Infotainment and Connectivity

A massive 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard on all Traverse models and uses Chevrolet's latest Google-based software interface. An 11.0-inch digital gauge display is also standard and provides the driver with a few configurations to display the information of their choosing. A wireless smartphone charging pad is included, and an onboard Wi-Fi connection is available. Six USB ports are standard, two each in the front, second, and third rows; a 12-volt power port is available.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Chevrolet provides a host of driver-assistance features as standard, including pedestrian and bicyclist detection systems and automatic high-beam headlamps. For an extra fee, you can order a Traverse with GM's Super Cruise hands-free driving mode on LT and Z71 models; it's standard on the RS and High Country. Key safety features include:

For more information about the Traverse's crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

The only thing that distinguishes the Traverse from its peers in terms of maintenance coverage is a free initial maintenance visit. Otherwise, the warranty coverage offered by Chevrolet is average for the segment.

C/D Test Results and Specs

Each year, we put hundreds of vehicles through our rigorous instrumented testing regimen. If the data in the chart below is for a different model year, that's because this vehicle hasn't changed from when we last tested it, and the test results remain accurate.

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Specifications

Specifications

2024 Chevrolet Traverse RS AWD
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICE
Base/As Tested: $57,595/$57,495
Options: credit heated wiper park, -$100

ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 152 in3, 2494 cm3
Power: 328 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque: 326 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm

TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic

CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 12.6-in vented disc/12.4-in vented disc
Tires: Continental CrossContact LX20
275/45R-22 108V M+S TPC Spec 3190

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 120.9 in
Length: 204.5 in
Width: 79.6 in
Height: 70.9 in
Passenger Volume, F/M/R: 60/53/40 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/M/R: 98/57/23 ft3
Curb Weight: 4865 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 7.3 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.6 sec @ 92 mph
100 mph: 18.4 sec
120 mph: 34.1 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 8.1 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.4 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.8 sec
Top Speed (C/D est): 125 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 178 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.81 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 22 mpg

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 21/19/24 mpg

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

More Features and Specs

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