2018 Chevrolet Traverse First Look

2018 Chevrolet Traverse First Look By Auto Critic Steve Hammes

Taking on a decidedly more adventurous, SUV appearance, the all-new 2018 Chevy Traverse advances on the success of the original model with its generously sized proportions, a new choice of engines and all of the latest safety and convenience tech.

Riding on a 2” longer wheelbase while maintaining its overall length, Chevy says the Traverse boasts best-in-class 3^rd row legroom, maximum cargo room and passenger volume while greater storage options and larger bins have been designed to enhance convenience.

Important to parents, a new split-folding second-row seat is capable of tipping up and sliding forward on the curbside, even with a forward-facing child seat in place, to provide open and easy access to the third row. Chevy understands the importance of safety in this segment and the new Traverse steps up with an available surround vision camera, LED headlamps, lane keep assist and departure warning, front pedestrian braking, forward collision alert and forward automatic braking.

Additionally, Teen Driver is standard allowing parents to set controls to encourage better driving habits as is the Rear Seat Reminder as an extra check to make sure no child is left behind.  The 3.6-liter V6 now makes 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, no longer affected by the Traverse’s number of exhaust pipes.  And for the first time, a torquier 2.0-liter turbo is offered designed for the new sporty RS trim.  Both engines receive new 9-speed automatic transmissions.

At the top end is the new High Country trim, featuring premium content and the Traverse’s most advanced all-wheel drive system for improved stability in both wet and dry conditions.  All models come equipped with stop-start engine technology, achieving 20mpg in combined driving on V6 AWD variants.

New Traction Mode Select is standard on all models and allows the driver to make real-time adjustments to the vehicle’s driving mode to account for varying road conditions.

The least expensive front-drive Traverse L is priced from near $31,000 while and all-wheel drive High Country begins at about $53,000.