2021 Chevrolet Traverse Review
The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse has a good entry price and can provide a full-size SUV space, but is it actually a good value for the money?What’s New for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse?
2021 Chevrolet Traverse – media.chevrolet.com | Shop 2021 Chevrolet Traverse on Carsforsale.com
The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was due to receive a mid-cycle refresh, but that has been put off until next year due to the ongoing supply chain disruptions. As such, the Traverse is virtually unchanged from 2020. It still carries the same V6, infotainment system, and unimpressive interior materials.
The Breakdown
Low starting price
Plenty of interior space
Decent fuel economy
Interior components cheap
A lot of safety features are only optional
Top trims are pricey for what you get
Some more standard safety tech would be nice
2021 Traverse Specs
- 310 horsepower from base engine
- 266 ft-lb of torque from base engine
- 7 available trims
- 23 cu-ft. of cargo capacity
- 98.2 cu-ft. of cargo capacity with seats down
- 5,000-pound towing capacity
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
- Plenty of interior space
- 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty
2021 Chevrolet Traverse Powertrain
With the short-lived turbo-four being dropped from the lineup last year, all 2021 Chevrolet Traverse models receive the same powertrain combo in the shape of a 310 horsepower V6 paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. While other rivals can be optioned with more powerful engines, the Traverse is one of the faster mid-size SUVs and can pull off a 0-60 sprint in 6.5 seconds. Those are decent numbers for a family hauler and enough to make passing and merging maneuvers smooth affairs.
Continuing with the family theme, the Traverse’s road manners can be characterized as more car-like than truck-like. In other words, the suspension is on the softer side, and the body roll can be characterized as moderate. As such, the Traverse is better suited for urban environments as opposed to venturing off paved surfaces. However, if off-road performance is a deciding factor, we would recommend looking at its Chevrolet sibling, the Tahoe.
On another note, some may be disappointed to learn that the automatic start/stop (despite being one of the better fuel saving systems out there) cannot be turned off.
Towing & Payload
All 2021 Chevrolet Traverse models start with a maximum towing capacity of just 1,500 pounds. That’s not the best when compared to the rest of the mid-size SUV segment, but Chevrolet has you covered if you plan on hauling heavier loads. The HD towing package ups the towing capacity of the Traverse to 5,000 pounds, which is closer to most of its competitors and allows owners to pull items like a small camper or boat.
2021 Chevrolet Traverse Fuel Economy & MPG
The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse has a decent EPA fuel economy rating for a non-hybrid mid-size SUV. The FWD model comes in at 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. Tacking on the optional AWD drops those figures to 17 mpg and 25 mpg, respectively. While those are alright, it might be time for GM to add a hybrid option with the coming refresh.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
If you are looking for the roomiest mid-size SUV, the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse is basically it. There is no shortage of interior space and it surprisingly comes close to matching its more expensive, full-size SUV sibling, the Tahoe. The Traverse provides front and rear passengers with ample leg and headroom and seating materials are both comfortable and supportive. LT and above trims swap out the second-row bench seat for a pair of captain’s chairs, which is well worth it unless you need that extra passenger spot.
Calling the Traverse’s cargo space cavernous is not an exaggeration. This mid-size SUV offers a class-leading 23 cu-ft of space behind the third row, and folding down all the rear seats increases that number to a maximum 98 cu-ft of cargo room. In other words, the Traverse offers full-size SUV capacity in an affordable mid-size package.
Our only complaint with the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse is the spartan options on the lower trims. In order to add meaningful extras, you have to step up to the LT trim, and even then, many are still optional.
Entertainment & Technology
Technology is a mixed bag for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse. On a positive note, the infotainment system has crisp graphics, is easy to use, and has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Likewise, the premium Bose stereo sounds great for an SUV in this price range.
On the other hand, the Traverse lacks some driver’s tech and safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist that come standard on many rivals. Also, many option packages are not even available on the L and LS trims. Meanwhile, other options, like adaptive cruise control, are limited to the top-level High Country trim, which costs over $50,000.
Safety Features
The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse gets an overall five-star NHTSA safety rating. The Teen Driver system is a nice feature, as it prevents the vehicle from starting if the driver is not wearing their seatbelt and allows parents to keep tabs on what their offspring are doing behind the wheel. However, a lot of the typical safety features found standard in competitor vehicles are only available on higher trims as options in the Traverse, and makes it a letdown in this area.
2021 Chevrolet Traverse Trims & Pricing
L – $30,995
The base 2021 Chevrolet Traverse L comes with a 7″ infotainment system that offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration and built-in Wi-Fi. Other standard features are tri-zone automatic climate control, Chevrolet’s Teen Driver system, and 18-inch alloy wheels. There are few more available options for the L, but this model is only available in FWD.
LS – $34,395
Bumping up to LS does not add much value. It essentially opens up options like AWD, a rear-seat entertainment system, and styling packages.
LT Cloth – $35,400
The LT Cloth actually adds to the Traverse with added fog lights, roof rails, 8-way power-adjustable seats, and second-row captain’s chairs. Buyers can also choose a Premium package that adds a larger infotainment system and an upgraded Bose audio. Chevrolet Safety Assist is also made available, which includes additional driver’s assistance features like rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring.
LT Leather – $40,295
The Traverse LT Leather adds leather seating materials and brings heated, adjustable front seats. Similar to the LT Cloth, the LT Leather can be optioned with the Premium and Driver’s Confidence II packages.
RS – $45,195
RS is the sport looking version of the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and it brings leather upholstery, larger 20″ wheels, wireless charging, and heats the second-row seats. The RS also includes the features of the Premium package while adding a rear-camera mirror, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist.
PREMIER – $47,295
The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse Premier takes everything from the RS and adds painted exterior trim accents, heated and ventilated leather seats, LED headlights, a hands-free power liftgate, and a power-adjustable steering wheel.
HIGH COUNTRY – $52,395
The top-of-the-line Traverse High Country gets a heavy-duty trailer package, a more advanced AWD system, a sunroof, power-folding third-row seats, adaptive cruise control, and just about every tech feature is standard fare.
Warranties
All 2021 Chevrolet Traverses come with a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper to bumper warranty and 5-years/60,000 miles of powertrain coverage. GM is providing an industry standard warranty here, but it does include a single complimentary maintenance visit.
What we think
2021 Chevrolet Traverse – media.chevrolet.com | Shop 2021 Chevrolet Traverse on Carsforsale.com
While the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse may come up short on standard features, it makes up for it with a roomy interior. If you can live without some of the latest tech or safety features, the base model Traverse is a good buy. Otherwise, it’s probably best to look at other mid-size SUV options as they’re ahead of the curve in comparison to the current state of the Traverse.
