While I’m far from a zealot in the Church of Crossover SUVs, I have to give credit where credit is due. With that in mind…
Chevy nailed it with the 2018 Traverse.
Until this year, the three-row Traverse almost felt like the modern equivalent of the antiquated minivan but, in 2018, it changed course, taking obvious cues from the celebrated iconography of the Suburban. Abandoning the neutered feel of previous model years (and other lower-tiered Chevy SUVs) it now boasts a more masculine, truck-inspired aesthetic silencing critics of its traditional ‘soft styling.’
But looks can be deceiving. The Traverse may have a truck-inspired look, but its behavior is all crossover, offering a light-yet-responsive handling thanks to a 350-lb reduction in weight, and thoughtful refinement to its suspension and steering. But that’s not to say there isn’t ample get-up-and-go underneath the hood, with your choice of either a 255 hp / 295 lb-ft 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder or a 310 hp / 266 lb-ft 3.6-liter V6 to play along with the 9-speed speed automatic transmission.
But discussion of refinement provides a perfect segue to turn back to the Traverse’s evolved aesthetic. While it gained the Suburban’s macho vibe, it also gained its sense of elegance, evoking more luxury than one might expect from it’s accessible $30,875 MSRP starting point. That said if either the Premier or High Country trims are within your spend, neither will disappoint as they are the ultimate testament to the Traverse’s aspirational design.
With seating up to eight (depending on the trim and configuration) the cabin remains a spacious and comfortable environment. Easily accessible, with ample head and leg room (even for adult passengers) the Traverse keeps the hits coming; and with Chevy’s now-signature inclusion of available infotainment technologies, it’s almost hard to find a point of criticism.
But take a look for yourself. Even with a quick look, it’s easy to see what the 2018 Traverse is turning so many heads. Here’s a walk-around overview and quick introduction to the Traverse, courtesy of YouTube channel EverymanDriver to help wet your appetite:
