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A burgundy 2020 Chevy Traverse is parked on sand with mountains in the background.

What’s New in the 2020 Chevy Traverse?

2020 appears to be a banner year for Chevrolet’s lineup of vehicles, and the 2020 Chevy Traverse is no exception to these expectations. Designs are bolder. Innovations are brighter. The all-important features abound. The theme for the 2020 Chevy Traverse is options and choices. Providing room for eight passengers, a three-row vehicle needs to have plenty of options to meet the needs of large families and sizable crews. For this model year, seven different trim packages are offered, each of which contains a variety of options and features that can make life easier for any length commute with any size group. Safety options are bountiful, with features that make driving a large vehicle full of precious human cargo less stressful. Speaking of cargo, the Traverse is intuitively designed to provide storage where it’s needed, for items big and small. Those looking for options beyond the trim packages will be thrilled with performance packages that add good looks, power, and convenience where it’s needed most. For those who are looking for a mighty vehicle that can haul a lot of people or cargo for longer distances, consider the Traverse, with its proven track record for safety and reliability.

A Place for Everything

With eight passengers comes all the stuff belonging to eight people. The 2020 Chevy Traverse is prepared for any eventuality, with three rows of seats, and plenty of room for stashing, storing, and stacking. Behind the third row, find 23 cubic feet of space for luggage and accessories. With the second and third rows folded, the Traverse offers an incredible 98.2 cubic feet of cargo space, which could make a handy camping spot for adventurous road trippers, or enough room to haul new furniture home. The hands-free power liftgate makes it even easier to load and unload massive cargo items, as well, with a simple kick by the rear bumper opening the door quickly.

The details are what make the 2020 Chevy Traverse so appealing for large groups and families. Features like LATCH points for child safety seats in the second and third rows give this vehicle bonus points from parents of small children, with a Smart Slide second row seat that allows for easier access to the third row. Gone are the days of crawling over fussy second row passengers and awkward gymnastics! Small items can be stashed throughout the cabin, with large door pockets, plenty of cupholders, and a sizable center console that can hold all the snacks and distractions required for longer trips. More valuable items can be stowed away in the hidden storage areas behind the infotainment system and in the rear underfloor compartment.

The cabin is also designed for comfort. Noise cancelling technology means the road can be as quiet or rowdy as the passengers inside. Optional leather-appointed upholstery with premium stitching is available in heated and ventilated styles, perfect for taking some of the stress out of those long drives. For an amazing view of the clouds, the stars, or just the sunny skies, consider the available Dual SkyScape two-panel power sunroof, as well.

A side view of the brown leather seats with smart slide seating is shown.

A Smooth and Powerful Drive

For the 2020 model year, all Chevy Traverse models are equipped with a 3.6L V6 engine and a nine-speed automatic transmission. The result is a smooth, capable ride, and admirable fuel economy. Boasting a 21 mpg combined fuel economy, Traverse offers 18 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.

The 2020 Traverse includes a variety of Traction Modes from which the driver can select, based on the road conditions and requirements. For example, front-wheel-drive will be the most efficient drive, but all-wheel-drive can be selected when surfaces become challenging. The off-road option adds extra torque to the rear wheels when the going gets rough, while tow/haul helps with the added weight of towing. With 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque and the available towing package, the Traverse has the ability to tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Looking Out for Everyone

Chevrolet has renewed their commitment to the safety of drivers, passengers, and everyone sharing the road. The safety features and options available on the 2020 Chevy Traverse are carefully engineered to provide warnings, alerts, and visibility from every angle and in every situation. Features such as Forward Automatic Braking and Front Pedestrian Braking are able to sense the presence of a vehicle or pedestrian that is in close proximity to the front bumper, and apply the brake automatically if the driver has not already done so, thus preventing a collision. Adaptive Cruise Control uses a forward-facing camera to keep track of traffic ahead of the Traverse, adjusting cruise control speed to ensure the safe following distance is maintained. A Rear Vision Camera provides a view of the direct rear of the vehicle, with an optional Rear Camera Mirror that displays a larger, clearer view of traffic, objects, and more behind the vehicle. High Definition Surround Vision gives the driver a birds-eye view of the vehicle’s surroundings, with additional views that can assist with low-speed maneuvering on city streets, garages, and parking spaces. Side Blind Zone Alert and Lane Departure Warning help drivers be more aware of traffic in the dreaded blind zone, and any potential unintentional drifting, with continuous monitoring of the lane markers.

The technology extends into the cabin, with the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System. With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, drivers and passengers can take advantage of hands-free call management, phone notifications, navigation, and access to music, audiobooks, and more. The optional 8-inch touch screen can be configured to provide drivers with the most pressing information first, which can also be monitored via the myChevrolet app. USB ports in every row ensure devices are charged, and the optional 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot can help every passenger remain privately entertained with their own favorite distraction.

A white 2020 Chevy Traverse is parked in front of a garage door in a driveway.

A Myriad of Trim Options

The 2020 Chevy Traverse comes in seven well-equipped trim options. The base L model includes 18-inch wheels and plush cloth upholstery. The rearview camera provides guided direction behind the vehicle, while smartphone integration, Wi-Fi, and the 7-inch infotainment display help keep the driver and passengers entertained and aware. The LS trim adds a few very valuable additions to this mix, including all-wheel-drive options and helpful bonus features, like tablet stands for the second row.

The LT trim level comes in both cloth and leather versions, and features second row captain’s chairs in the place of the standard second row bench seat, however, this does reduce the capacity to seven passengers. Optional packages on the LT include driver safety features and more robust infotainment. Enhanced trailering and cooling can also be integrated into the LT package. LT Leather replaces the cloth seating with standard luxury leather.

The RS trim package is equipped much like the LT Leather, and adds a sporty, svelte exterior. 20-inch dark painted aluminum wheels are included, along with signature black accents on the roof rails, bowtie emblems, window trim, and Black Ice grille. The RS also includes HD Surround Vision and the Rear Camera Mirror features.

The Premier trim package includes many of the preferred features, such as the hands-free liftgate, ventilated front seats, wireless charging for multiple devices, and a sunroof. Exclusive to the Premier trim is the Redline special edition, which brings the elite RS features to the Premier trim, combining the best of both worlds. With 20-inch high gloss black wheels, red accents, black bowtie emblems, signature black grille and foglamp bezels, window trim, and roof rails, the Redline trim has an aggressive and sporty look. The lower moldings have black ice inserts, and the dark taillamps give even more of an athletic aesthetic to Traverse. The top trim package, High Country, includes all of the features of Premier, with added advanced all-wheel-drive, dual sunroof, and safety features such as adaptive cruise control.

The 2020 Chevrolet Traverse combines the thoughtful engineering consumers have come to expect from the brand, with plenty of storage for plenty of passengers, and safety features that accommodate nearly every scenario. With entertainment options that can please the masses, and trim packages that offer all the right features, the new Traverse will be sure to please drivers who cherish room, power, and all the goodies that make a car a true investment.