2023 Chevrolet Traverse

The Chevrolet Traverse mid-size SUV was a new nameplate in 2009 when it took over from the original body-on-frame Chevy Trailblazer. The newcomer was more car-like thanks to unibody construction - a philosophy that continued with the second-generation car that debuted on the C1XX platform shared with other GM products like the Cadillac XT6 and GMC Acadia. It's a roomy three-row mid-sizer with a punchy 310-hp V6 engine, but this market sector is a tough nut to crack, and it's up against accomplished rivals such as the Kia Telluride and brand-new Mazda CX-90, as well as more accomplished off-road SUVs such as the Ford Bronco. It scores well on comfort and space, and the NHTSA's safety review of the Chevrolet Traverse is favorable, too, so it should be a strong contender in this class. But its competitors have surpassed it in recent years, and it now feels a bit average. Having been facelifted and updated last year, there are precious few changes to the 2023 Traverse, so does the Traverse capture the imagination, or should you look elsewhere?

The base price of the Chevrolet Traverse LS is $34,520, while the LT Cloth will cost you $37,045. The LT Leather follows after that at $40,740; the RS goes for $45,045, while the Premier sells for $47,200 and the High Country at $52,000. These prices are for the default FWD configurations, and speccing AWD adds $2,000 to the LS, LT Leather, and RS; AWD adds $3,800 to the LT Cloth, $2,600 to the Premier, and $2,200 to the High Country. These are the MSRP prices for the Chevrolet Traverse, excluding the $1,395 destination fee.

Chevrolet has done a great job tuning the Traverse's suspension for its target market and the ride is soft and comfortable, with very low noise levels and a pleasing sense of refinement on the move. This does not come at the expense of handling and for what it is - a big high-riding box on wheels - the Traverse can be placed accurately and generally feels more fleet-footed and smaller than it is. It's far from sporty, but it's not cumbersome to drive except for its physical size when having to slot it into parking bays. The well-balanced chassis is not let down by the powertrain and the naturally aspirated V6 is energetic and gets the Traverse up to speed quickly, while the nine-speed automatic transmission and very refined stop-start system go about their jobs in such an unobtrusive way as to fade into the background - as they should.

The Chevrolet Traverse offers punchy performance, a fine driving experience, and an effective and refined powertrain, but there is no shortage of competition in this class and this generally competent resume is not enough to threaten the class leaders. It finishes well down the pecking order, more due to the quality of the competition than any major failing on its side. Rivals are priced aggressively, so the Chevy doesn't have much of a value edge, and its standing is further eroded by a rather low-rent interior that uses too many cheap plastics. It won't offer you the off-road ability of the Bronco or Cherokee L, and the finishes aren't as plush as those of the Palisade or Telluride, so buyers might be lured away by these competitors' respective talents. This would be a shame, for the Chevy does provide a sound all-round list of talents and is a perfectly sensible - if unexciting - choice.

The Traverse makes the most sense at the bottom of the range, where the LS has value pricing in its favor, and where the ordinary cabin plastics suit the asking price. It doesn't get the niceties offered further up the lineup, such as heated seats, leather upholstery, a power liftgate, or big wheels, but its sensible spec does include 18-inch alloys, LED headlights, three-zone climate control, a fully featured infotainment system (even if the display is a little small), and the basic driver assists. For more money, a rival would be more compelling, but at $35k-odd, the Chevy makes a strong case for itself. Speccing the $790 Safety package adds the most important missing driver assists and keeps the all-in price with destination below $37k.