Chevrolet Traverse

While compact SUVs are ultimately more popular, three-row crossovers remain a profitable business model for automakers. They're especially important for domestic manufacturers putting all their eggs in the SUV basket. That's why the 2018 debut of the second-generation Chevrolet Traverse felt like such a missed opportunity. While there wasn't anything offensively bad about it, there also wasn't anything unique. Now, midway through its life cycle, the Chevrolet Traverse has been refreshed for 2022 and looks to flip the script with a handful of updates to make it competitive.

The refreshed Traverse borrows the Blazer's front-end styling and sleek and slim headlight design, which incorporates the turn signal into the daytime running light. It's a cool visual trick that distinguishes the Traverse's headlight signature even from far away. The taillights are also redesigned to carry on the new narrow theme.

Interior additions are primarily limited to tech offerings. The central touchscreen is loaded with Chevrolet's newest infotainment system, which supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. A handful of previously optional driving aids are now standard on all models. These changes address some of the current Traverse's flaws, but not all of them. In particular, we're still unimpressed with the Traverse's overuse of hard plastic interior panels and its poor rearward visibility.

The Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride are the newest kids on the block, and like the Traverse, they offer excellent interior space. On top of that they also have upscale cabin materials and loads of features at a compelling price. The Volkswagen Atlas got a mild refresh for 2021, and we think this passenger- and cargo-friendly SUV is ideal if you need space for a full house of adults. The Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot are solid picks too. Overall, we're glad to see Chevy's improvements for the 2022 Traverse, but it needed a few more to be a truly compelling choice for a three-row crossover SUV.

Which Traverse does MatoCar recommend?

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse is available in six trim levels: LS, LT Cloth, LT Leather, RS, Premier and High Country. All Traverse models use a 3.6-liter V6 (310 horsepower, 266 lb-ft of torque) and a nine-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is optional across the board.

LS The base LS trim includes:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Automatic LED headlights
• Heated outside mirrors
• Cloth upholstery
• Second-row bench seat for eight-passenger seating
• Triple-zone climate control
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration (with wireless connectivity)
• Onboard Wi-Fi
• 7-inch touchscreen
• Forward collision warning with automatic braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Lane keeping assist (steers the Traverse back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
• Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in behind the vehicle when parking)
• Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)

LT Cloth Besides the LS trim features, the LT Cloth is offered in more colors and includes:

• Foglights
• Roof rails
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Power-adjustable driver's seat
• Second-row captain's chairs
• Wireless charging
• Satellite radio

LT Leather Besides leather seats, the LT Leather equips the Traverse with:

• Heated front seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Power-adjustable front passenger seat
• Remote engine start
• 8-inch high-definition touchscreen
• 4.2-inch multi-color driver instrument display
• Power liftgate

LT Premium package (LT Leather only):

• Integrated navigation system
• 10-speaker premium audio system
• 120-volt power outlet for second row
• Digital rearview mirror (allows you to see out the back even with a fully loaded cargo area)
• 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Traverse and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Traverse and the car in front)
• Enhanced automatic emergency braking (works at higher vehicle speeds)
• Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals

RS RS equipment mirrors what's on the LT Leather with the LT Premium package and adds:

• 20-inch dark-finish aluminum wheels
• Blacked-out styling cues and accents

Premier Includes the safety and comfort features of the RS, plus:

• Chrome door handles and roof rails
• Hands-free liftgate
• Power-adjustable steering wheel
• Memory settings for driver's seat, steering wheel and outside mirrors
• Ventilated front seats
• Heated rear seats

High Country This is the top-of-the-line version of the Traverse, featuring:

• Trailering enhancements (trailer hitch, upgraded system and touchscreen-based hitch guidance)
• Panoramic sunroof
• Power-folding third-row seat