Making its debut at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, the relatively new Chevrolet Traverse didn’t find its way onto dealership lots until 2010. With that being said, the very first model came from the 2009 production run. Classified as a mid-size crossover, this practical vehicle quickly became very popular among small families. Still in production today, there are many used Chevy Traverse available on the market. We are going to give you the ultimate rundown of which ones are the best to buy at a used car dealer.
2009
Available in three trim levels, all used Chevy Traverse models from 2009 are powered by a 3.6-liter V6 motor. Equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission, this powertrain makes 281 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. Some models may be equipped with a dual exhaust system that pushes the performance output up to 288 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. Meanwhile, you can expect to get about 19 MPG combined (17 city/24 highway) with this pre-owned crossover. The maximum towing capacity is capped at 4,500 pounds as well.
If you come across one of the 2009 models, it will be an LS, LT, or LTZ. The base LS models come with air conditioning and full power accessories. They also feature a fairly advanced entertainment system for the time. It includes a 6-speaker audio system, a CD player, satellite radio, an auxiliary jack, and even OnStar telematics.
Kicking off the mid-level LT trims is the 1LT. This model includes some exterior refreshments like heated side mirrors and rear parking sensors. Inside the cabin, you will find a power-adjustable driver’s seat for a more comfortable ride. There is even a leather-wrapped steering wheel to add a touch of sophistication. Then, the 2LT trim adds a power liftgate, tri-zone climate control, a rearview camera, and a Bose sound system with 10 high-quality speakers.
Finally, the top-tier LTZ model gets some very rare technology for 2009. It comes with Bluetooth phone/audio connectivity for hands-free calling and text messaging. The seats are heated and ventilated, and the cloth upholstery has been traded in for leather. The icing on the cake is remote start technology, which allows you to warm up or cool off the vehicle before you go outside.
2010 to 2012
The only change that occurred on the 2010 Traverse model was the removal of the “Traverse” and “GM” badges that were located on the front doors. Other than that, all of the trim levels and features remained the same. Since it was brand new at the time, there was no need for major revisions. If you are looking for a used Chevy Traverse that is very affordable, any of the pre-owned models from 2009 until 2012 will serve you well.
2013
If you happen to come across a 2013 used Chevy Traverse, you will notice a few changes. On the outside, the grille has been redesigned along with the front fascia. Walking around to the rear, you will also see that the liftgate and taillights have been refreshed. As for the cabin, many of the same features carry over. However, a significant change has been made to the infotainment system. Models from 2013 have the Chevy MyLink system that comes with a touchscreen display. This allows for better smartphone integration.
2014
One of our favorite used Chevy Traverse models is from 2014. Not only has a USB port been added to the back of the cabin, but new safety features are also included. First, lane-departure warning uses sensors to monitor the lines on the road. If the Traverse begins to drift outside of the designated lane, the system will alert you to take corrective action. The second advanced safety feature to join the lineup is forward collision warning. Using front-facing sensors, it detects any oncoming traffic that may be in your path.
2015
If you are looking for an inexpensive used Chevy Traverse that probably has fewer miles on it, then we recommend keeping an eye out for a 2015 model. These come with the same features as the 2014 models, with only a few small revisions. Larger wheels have been added as well as Siri Eyes Free voice-recognition software. This is essentially a Bluetooth upgrade. You no longer have to use your fingertips to select certain actions. You can simply say, “Call Work,” and the system will start a phone call to your work.
2016
Another infotainment change was made on the 2016 models that you might be interested in if you’re looking for a used Chevy Traverse. Most used vehicles don’t come with their very own in-vehicle Wifi, but the 2016 Traverse does! OnStar telematics, along with a 4G LTE Wifi hotspot, are included to keep you connected everywhere you go. Overall, the 2016 Traverse is another favorite of ours.
There are also a few other available features that you might run into during your search. These include leather upholstery, 20-inch aluminum wheels, blindspot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Blindspot monitoring uses sensors to detect when another vehicle has entered your blind spot. Rear cross-traffic alert has the same capability for the back-end of the vehicle. One prevents side-swiping accidents, and the other prevents rear-ending accidents.
2017
If you find a pre-owned 2017 Chevy Traverse, you will have found the last model year for the first-generation. It should come as no surprise that there are no significant changes for this production run. However, the top-of-the-line LTZ trim has been renamed. Henceforth, it is known as the Premier.
2018 to 2019
The most expensive used Chevy Traverse models will be from 2018 and 2019. These two model years kickstarted the second-generation for this popular mid-size crossover. There are a couple of changes that you should know about.
First, the powertrain lineup has changed. The standard 3.6-liter V6 motor is still available, but the 6-speed automatic transmission has been replaced by a 9-speed model. This ramps up the output to 310 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. As for the all-new powertrain, it is centered around a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder motor. Pumping out 252 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, this new engine has an average fuel economy set at 22 MPG combined (20 city/26 highway). You should also keep in mind that the maximum towing limit has gone up to 5,200 pounds.
The newer used Traverse models are also available in completely revamped trim levels. These are the L, LS, LT, RS, Premier, and High Country. The base L model includes an advanced infotainment interface that functions with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and the aforementioned 4G LTE Wifi hotspot. Xenon headlights have been added to the exterior as well as LED daytime running lamps and heated side mirrors. It is the most luxurious base-level Traverse available.
The LS model is very similar to the L. The main difference is the addition of rear USB ports and tablet mounts. Next, the LT model gets a power-adjustable seat for added comfort. It also includes turn signal indicators on the side mirrors and roof rails. This trim also adds several upgrades, including a Bose stereo with 10 speakers, a 120-volt outlet, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a navigation system. Safety systems like blindspot monitoring and rearview cross-traffic alert have also been included as well as a power liftgate. Remote start technology allows you to warm up the vehicle and heated seats before going outside, and the infotainment interface gets an 8-inch touchscreen.
The new RS trim level adds athletic features like 20-inch wheels and black exterior accents. Next, the Premier includes ventilated front seats and heated back seats. On the outside, you will find a hands-free power liftgate, LED headlamps, and auto-dimming side mirrors.
Finally, the High Country model is the king of all used Chevy Traverse trims. It adds adaptive cruise control to help you maintain a safe pace with the flow of traffic. It also comes with automatic high beams for enhanced visibility at night. If you see one of these used Chevy Traverse models on a dealership lot, take it for a test drive!
Find a Used Chevy Traverse
Are you looking for a used Chevy Traverse? You can find one at a used car dealer in your area. We recommend that you look at Chevrolet dealers first because the agents will be more familiar with the vehicle and better equipped to answer any questions you may have. Always remember to ask for a vehicle history report before you sign the deal!
