2021 Chevrolet Traverse Walkaround

Overview
Chevrolet is the brand of family school buses, as it offers not one, not two, but three three-row SUVs. Among that trio is the 2021 Traverse. Sitting alongside the Suburban and Tahoe in the showroom, the Traverse differentiates itself from its brothers by offering a more carlike driving experience (i.e., it's not as trucky). An adequately powerful 3.6-liter V-6 runs smoothly and quietly under the hood, and up to eight passengers can settle into relative comfort inside the Traverse's spacious cabin. Infotainment tech is plentiful, even on the base model, but the Traverse's offerings are underwhelming when compared with similarly sized rivals that offer a more luxurious feel—namely, the Kia Telluride and its twin, the Hyundai Palisade.

What's New for 2021?
Chevrolet had planned to launch a refreshed Traverse for the 2021 model year, but that's been pushed to 2022 thanks to the coronavirus pandemic that has shuttered manufacturing facilities across the world. The Traverse will carry over from 2020 to 2021 without any changes while Chevrolet works to get the facelifted 2022 model ready for prime time.

Pricing and Which One to Buy
L $30,995
LS $34,395
RS $45,195
Premier $47,295
High Country $52,395
Given how many trim levels Chevy offers on the Traverse, you're sure to find one that's right for your budget, but the niceties get kicked up a big notch once you reach the RS model. It comes standard with a slew of features, including 20-inch wheels, heated front seats, automatic high-beam headlamps, in-dash navigation, a 120-volt household-style outlet on the back of the center console, leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, and a dual exhaust with sporty-looking rectangular finishers.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance
A potent V-6 engine gives the Traverse its legs, and a slick-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission changes gears unobtrusively. The 3.6-liter V-6 pulls strongly and the Traverse is on the quicker end of its class. The cabin is so quiet that you need to steal a glance at the tachometer to ensure the engine is running while at a stoplight. And it might not be, as the Traverse features what is perhaps the most seamless automatic stop-start feature we've tested. When parking or maneuvering at low speed, the Traverse feels every bit its size. Pick up the pace, however, and the big Chevy handles like a much smaller vehicle—poised, if not overtly athletic. Steering effort is low, but the system is precise and makes aiming the big SUV easy. And the Traverse's suspension strikes a good balance between agility and ride comfort.

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