​​Choose the Traverse When Space Matters​ 

To state the obvious, Chevrolet sells a lot of vehicles, so even when it creates a stylish design, such as the Traverse’s sleek LED daytime running lights, shark-fin C-pillar, and two-tone exteriors, it will stop standing out over time due to simple familiarity. But for long-term satisfaction, styling is just the icing on the cake for a three-row SUV, provided the utility is there. This is the theme of the WNCT (Greenville, North Carolina) review of the Chevrolet Traverse. Their review was so focused on practical aspects that Twin Falls Chevrolet recounts their findings in this blog post. 

They start with the line that “Traverse isn’t glamorous, but genuinely practical for families who need real room without theatrical performance.” They make the case that the Traverse may not be the first choice to impress your friends and family, but it is likely to serve your family and maybe even some friends much better than flashier choices.

The primary reason is space. After shrinking to midsize in its second generation, the model returned to full-size and then some for the 2024 model year. This becomes immediately apparent when you put bottoms in the third-row seat. Usually, the smallest of the group make their way back there, but with 32.0 to 33.5 inches of rear legroom, adults can sit there as well without profuse apologies on your part. And if the people you are carrying brought things along, there will likely be room for them in the approximately 23 cubic feet of usable space behind the third seat. By contrast, flashier three-row SUVs like the BMW X5 and the driver-pleasing Mazda CX-90 offer cargo space behind the third row in the mid-teens, but provide less third-row legroom. 

And when not all the seat rows are needed, the Traverse retains its superior cargo-carrying ability, with 57.8 cubic feet behind the second-row seats and a full 98.2 cubic feet behind the front seats. It still doesn’t match the Tahoe in hauling ability, but it comes about as close as any crossover. It is the kind of space you quickly take for granted, not even thinking as you casually load up with people and/or stuff, while other SUV owners need to engage in cargo-loading strategies and decide what to leave behind. 

Of course, besides cost, the Traverse’s advantage over Tahoe is its efficiency. While the truck-based Tahoe is powered by V8s or a turbo-diesel, the Traverse uses a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 that produces a healthy 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an 8-speed automatic, the Traverse is EPA-rated at 20 city and 22 combined, with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive drops the highway figure to 24, for a combined figure of 21. 

Of course, the Traverse can’t match the Tahoe’s towing capacity of up to 8,400 pounds, but its 5,000-pound capacity is enough for plenty of boats or camping trailers. In the end, WNCT recommends the Traverse if “you use the third row weekly, not just for occasional guests but for real, human bodies, the Traverse makes sense (and) if cargo volume, easy access, and interior space matter more than headline performance stats.”

If this makes the Traverse seem like a reliable dullard, keep in mind that the interior features an 11-inch digital driver information center and a most impressive 17.7-inch center touchscreen within a very handsome dash. Sporty and high-end trim levels cater to your personal taste, but no matter which trim level you choose, all that practical space will be there. If you are in the Twin Falls area with a busy family, visit Twin Falls Chevrolet to see how well the Traverse can fit into your life.