Chevrolet's 2026 Traverse offers a lot of spacious AWD crossover/SUV for the money

Chevrolet’s 2026 Traverse is their next to their largest Chevrolet Suburban SUV size wise. As such, Traverse is a formidable AWD three-row crossover/SUV with full-size capability in that offers seven passenger seating with second row captain’s chairs, or eight with a second-row bench seat. If you want interior space, comfort and seating for kids for a long trip to Disney this summer for example, Traverse deserves a serious look. It’s definitely a comfortable and confident highway cruiser. It’s offered in LT, Z71, High Country, ad Z71. We were privileged to test the RS model. 

The 2026 is the third generation Traverse that debuted in 2024. It’s somewhat unique as an AWD model since it’s essentially front-drive (2WD for fuel saving), but has an AWD switch for when extra traction is needed in any mode. AWD, however, automatically activates when selecting Snow/Ice and Off-Road drive modes. 

Traverse has distinctive Chevy styling with a bold grille, slit headlights and a back end with racy quad tailpipe extensions. It looks like its big brother the Suburban, but sleeker. 

Inside, and after a 20.5-inch step-in, the interior boasts heated/ventilated heavily padded front seats with sensible lateral support. It’s a GM tradition, but when a dangerous driving situation is sensed, like an unseen car or pedestrian passes to the rear/front while parked between two high-stanced vehicles that block side view, the driver’s seat bottom gives off a buzzing warning. And if the driver turns the head acutely either way, a sensor on the steering wheel column sees it and gives off a warning. 

Atop the dash is a vivid 17.7-inch diagonal touchscreen with Wi-Fi hotspot capability, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, rearview camera w/six views, XM radio w/Bose speakers, navigation, climate selections, drive mode selections and lots more. Touch screen selections for Normal, Sport, Off-Road, Snow/Ice and Tow/Haul drive modes include a pictorial of the mode i.e. Snow/Ice shows a snow-covered road. 

Below the touchscreen are horizontal switches for often-used primary HVAC selections. And below that is a wireless phone charger. 

Earlier Traverse models had the gear selector on the console. The 2026 has it on the steering column and it’s a twist shift operation. Twist it down for Drive and up for Reverse. Park switch is at the end of the stalk. The move frees up space on the console. 

Over on the 11-inch digital gauge cluster, a large single speedometer is encircled by a tach and it also doubles as a driver information display for alerts and functions. 

New too is a wide-angle rearview mirror in addition to a traditional view. The wide-angle mode takes some acclimation until the eyes focus on it. 

Heated captain’s chairs in the second row are super comfy and have separate HVAC controls at the rear of the console. Third-row seat access is wide as the second-row seats slide well forward. Third row seats are mainly for youngsters or folks with short legs, but they too are comfy over long hauls. 

Traverse’s cargo area is spacious with a low 31-inch lift-over onto the cargo floor. With the third-row seats upright it offers 23 cubic feet of space that measures 23 inches deep, 49 wide and 31 high. Flip the third row and capacity  increases to 57.8 cubic feet for 53 inches of loading depth. Flip the second row and is expands to 84 inches (seven feet) for 98.2 cubic feet of space. A lot of gear, suit cases, even a small two-wheel bike can be carried. The power liftgate has AutoSense for hands-free opening. 

And for extra space, the underfloor hides a 9-inch deep, full-width bin for hidden small items storage. 

Traverse is powered by a 2.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder that generates an impressive 328-hp and 326 lb/ft of torque for EPA mileage estimates of 20 city, 24-highway mpg. Coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission, Traverse carries a 5,000-pound tow capacity. 

Despite its size, the little turbocharged 4-cylinder has gobs of power from a standing start to highway passing maneuvers. There’s certainly no want for power as it feels like a small V8 is under the hood. 

As for ride on tall 22-inch Continental tires and handling, Traverse rides like a larger SUV, smooth, confident and quiet. And it handles equally as well as its stable and planted in sharp turns and cloverleafs. And it also parks easily despite its length. 

Base priced at $57,400, Traverse RS AWD comes with a long list of standard safety features such as remote vehicle start (nice when temps are in the teens), forward collision alert, rear cross traffic braking, front pedestrian and bicyclist braking, intersection automatic braking/enhanced automatic braking/reverse automatic braking, blind zone steering assist, enhanced automatic parking assist, side bicyclist alert, rear pedestrian alert, driver attention safety alert seat, and more. On the options list was panoramic sunroof/sunshade ($1,500), Radiant Red Tintcoat paint ($495) that took the bottom line to $61,290 with delivery. 

There are a lot of 4-door, two-row AWD SUVs on the market that cost more, but don’t offer this much AWD crossover/SUV for the money. Traverse is truly an all-purpose utility that’s a daily driver and a hauler when needed.  

Traverse comes with a 3 year/36K mile bumper-bumper warranty, plus 5 year/60K mile powertrain warranty that includes roadside assistance and courtesy transportation plus free first maintenance visit. 

As the old, but recently resurrected, Chevy TV ad says,  “See the USA in a Chevrolet,” holds true then and still holds true today.