Road Test: 2019 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2019 Chevrolet Traverse is a hot commodity these days. The crossover was recently refreshed and updated with a more handsome face, updated interior, and the latest tech, while still retaining the value proposition is has always held for being a people and cargo mover.

We picked up our Traverse 3LT in northern New Jersey after the 7 hour drive down in the 2019 Sierra Denali to visit family.

With expansive room inside, including second-row captain’s chairs, the 2019 Traverse is the place to be on a long trip. The front seats are roomy with plenty of storage bins and cup/bottle holders all around, and there’s abundant room even in the third row. 

In the second-row, the captain’s chairs are particularly appealing because it makes for easier to access the third row. Second-row passengers have more than 38 inches of leg room, with rear-seat riders getting 33 inches. Behind the third row there’s a generous 23 cubic feet of cargo-carrying ability. With the third row folded flat, cargo space passes 58 cubic feet, reaching 98.2 cubic feet with only the front seats left upright.

Our LT tester came standard with leather, heated front seats, power liftgate, and the always necessary remote start. Keyless access with pushbutton start is (finally) standard. Safety features included rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert; all very helpful in a vehicle this size.

On the flip side, none of the active safety systems we’ve come to expect from family hauling vehicles are standard due to their inherent cost. We highly recommend opting for the available automatic emergency braking and lane departure alert, and expect Chevy to make it standard in the next model year.

The Premium package added 20-inch wheels, 8-inch infotainment system with nav, a 10-speaker Bose sound system, 120-volt power outlet, auto-dimming rearview mirror with a built-in rearview camera display, and a around-view camera system.

The power liftgate moves up and down quickly, important for impatient kids and parents alike. 

Under the hood, Traverse carries on with the 3.6-liter V6 that produces an impressive 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft. of torque. Mated to a 9-speed automatic, our AWD model is rated 17 mpg city, 25 highway, 20 combined, and we were able to achieve 24 mpg in mixed driving easily.

Power delivery is strong and confidence inspiring, two things you definitely need with a family or boatload of cargo on board.

The 2019 Chevy Traverse handles much like anyone would expect a large three-row crossover to: a bit of body lean in the turns, comfortably, and with light steering. It still feels secure and engaging though.  

Anyone needing a family hauler or cargo mover will find little fault with the Traverse and we were actually a bit sad to let it go after a week. Having a living room on wheels is easy to get used to.

Lastly, parents with teenage drivers will love Teen Driver, a software that’s integrated into the Traverse and allows parents to monitor speeds, location, even the music volume. 

—
Make: Chevrolet
Model: Traverse
Trim Level: 3LT AWD
Engine: 3.6L V6
Transmission: 9-Speed Automatic
Options: Premium Pkg
—
Base Price: $41,000
As-Tested Price: $45,090