Are you looking for a high-tech, high-rated, luxury SUV for just the right price? Then it’s definitely worth your time checking out the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. Built with the adventurous family in mind, the Traverse has many key features that will make the daily grind feel more like the daily retreat. With so many available options and luxury high-points, models like the 2020 Chevy Traverse and the 2020 Toyota Highlander, as well as other competing SUVs, bring a whole new level of comfort and accessibility to the SUV game. It’s the 2020 Chevy Traverse that truly steals the show, though. And today, we are going to get into just why that is.
A First Look
To get an idea of what the Traverse offers, let’s first take a general look at the model. The Traverse lineup includes seven different trims with expansive customizable options, starting with the L as the base model at $29,800, followed by the LS, the LT Cloth, the LT Leather, the RS, the Premier and the top-of-the-line High Country with an MSRP of $50,900. This plethora of trims allows for tons of customization; however, there is only one engine available. While this may seem like a downside at first, it actually isn’t. The reason there is only one engine is that it is powerful enough to satisfy every driver; let’s take a look.
Powerful Performance
The engine that comes equipped in the Traverse is a 3.6L V6. This strong engine produces 310 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, which is very impressive for this type of vehicle. For comparison, the previously mentioned Toyota Highlander gets only 295 hp, further proving the Traverse’s superior capability. Additionally, the Traverse uses a 9-speed automatic transmission, while many of its competitors use 6 or 8-speed transmissions that result in less smooth rides.
One last thing to consider when looking at a vehicle, especially one such as the Traverse that will likely be used for commuting or family trips, is fuel economy. This efficient SUV gets 18 MPG in city, 27 MPG on the highway, and 21 MPG combined. These numbers are almost comparable to sedans, again, making the Traverse impressive. Overall, the Traverse is an extremely well-performing vehicle. That said, there is much more to a vehicle than just its performance, so let’s take a look at some of the other features.
A Fantastic Interior
One of the most important parts of a vehicle is the interior. When shopping for a new SUV, you want to make sure you are finding something with enough seating, passenger space, comfort features, and cargo space that will make every ride feel luxurious. After all, the interior of a vehicle is where you will spend all of your time with it.
Luckily, the Traverse is luxuriously spacious, enough so to comfortably fit seven adults. Plus, some trims allow seating for eight. Whether toting friends for the concert or family for the yearly vacation, you will never run out of seats for everyone. Plus, the seats are not cramped either. The Traverse offers 157.3 cu.ft. of passenger space. This results in lots of legroom for every row of friends and family. The front seats get 41 inches of legroom, the second row gets 38.4 inches, and the last row has a still spacious 33.5 inches. To put this into perspective, the Toyota Highlander’s third-row passengers only get 27.7 inches of legroom. What this means is that the Traverse is much more comfortable than its competitor.
Adding to the comfort of the Traverse are the cloth and leather options. Through most of the trims, you have the option to pick one or the other, unlike many other manufacturers that only offer one or the other, period. With easier upkeep and cheaper repairs, most on-the-go parents agree that trying to clean grease, peanut butter, or cheerios from leather is much more of a challenge than doing so from cloth. At the same time, there is very little that can compare to the scent and feel of a leather interior, the luxury that it exudes, and the new car smell that seems to linger with it for months or even years longer is difficult to compare. There are benefits to both, which is why the Traverse should be highly praised for providing the opportunity to choose.
The last part of the interior that plays a significant role in a car-buying decision is the cargo space. Luckily, the Traverse has enough room to carry almost anything you need. In the trunk, this SUV has 23 cu.ft. of space, with the back row folded, this extends to an impressive 57.8 cu.ft. And with both of the back rows folded down, this grows even more to 98.2 cu.ft. In comparison, the Toyota competitor has 16 cu.ft. in the truck, 48.4 cu.ft. with the third row folded down, and only 84.3 cu.ft. with both back rows folded. This could potentially mean leaving something behind that you don’t want to. That said, the Traverse, on the other hand, has ample space that can satisfy any driver’s needs.
Lots of Technology
The last area of importance to touch on that truly highlights the greatness of the Traverse is technology. The technology of a vehicle contributes to both the driving experience and the safety. And when it comes to the Traverse, there are many features that add to both.
First and foremost, one of the coolest things about the Traverse is that all models come equipped with a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot to keep you and your passengers connected at all times. Additionally, all of the trims come with either a 7-inch or 8-inch infotainment screen. These systems utilize Bluetooth technology along with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless smartphone connectivity. Combined with the excellent sound systems, these features are sure to keep you and your passengers entertained during the drive.
Secondly, technology in the Traverse keeps everyone in the vehicle safe. With standard features like a rear vision camera and the StabiliTrak, the Traverse ensures safety. Something special that Traverse has, though, is a Teen Driver system. This allows parents to control certain vehicle features, such as music volume and maximum speed, to make sure their new drivers are being safe, even when they are not in the car with them. Plus, this system lets parents view driving habit reports to, again, make sure their teens are driving safely. This is a great feature to have in a family vehicle in which teens will be learning to drive.
Other features that can be added to the Traverse in terms of safety include forward collision alerts, following distance indicators, and lane-keep assist. In all, though, whether the Traverse is upgraded with the additional features or kept at its standard, base level, it is an extremely safe vehicle. And safety is important; nothing about a vehicle matters if it cannot get you from point A to point B safely.
Wrapping Things Up
Overall, the Traverse is one of the best vehicles on the market. With many trims to pick from, an efficient, powerful engine, lots of space, and features galore, there is no denying that this SUV is fantastic. And when comparing the Traverse to its competitors like the Toyota Highlander, it runs the competition. So if you are on the hunt for the best SUV to get you and your family around town, the 2020 Chevy Traverse is definitely the one to pick.
