SUVs have become the kings of the road due to their combination of size, safety, and versatility. Families enjoy the ample interior space, cargo compartments, safety features, and ease of access in and out of these vehicles. Others love SUVs because they have awesome power capabilities, while some marvel at the sporty style and technological goodies. One SUV that personifies all these traits is the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. With many worthy competitors vying for buyers’ dollars, Chevrolet decided to elevate the 2018 Traverse with a redesign. The results are surprising.
Bold Look
Arguably, the most impressive aspect of the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse is its new exterior design, a radical departure from its previous iterations. The SUV’s side profile resembles a sporty Land Rover. The angled body lines, wheel arches, and bold front end exude capability. Available design features such as the LED D-optic headlamps, chrome accented grille, and polished aluminum wheels conform the look to your design tastes.
As part of the dramatic redesign, Chevrolet implemented function into form. The Hands-Free Gesture Liftgate is a prime example. Whether you are herding pets, kids, or shopping bags, you have easy access to the rear cargo area by kicking under the rear bumper. This activates the Liftgate. To further simplify things, the SUV projects Chevrolet’s logo on the ground so you can see where to kick your leg. To protect your garage, the liftgate has programmable memory height. Overall, the bold new look gives the Traverse a distinctive style, sure to catch the eyes of many prospective buyers.
Classy Meets Capable
Focusing on the exterior style alone would be short-changing the Traverse. The real test, for many, is when you open an SUV’s doors to explore its interior. In this regard, the Traverse astonishes again with the perfect blend of versatility and luxury.
Let’s start with the basics. The Traverse can seat up to eight comfortably, giving you enough room for your family, band, basketball team and many more combinations. To make it convenient to get into and out of this SUV, the Traverse has Smart Slide Seating. This second-row seat can be moved and angled forward, making it easier for third-row passengers to get to their seats without having to jostle with second-row passengers. It also frees up space for your cargo needs.
The hallmark of a good SUV is ample cargo space. Luckily, the Traverse has this in spades. This SUV has a best-in-class cargo space of 98.2 cubic feet. With foldable second and third-row seating, the Traverse can handle your biggest and smallest demands and everything in between. That’s not all! If you want James Bond-level ingenuity, you’ll love the hidden storage. Press a button and the eight-inch touchscreen slides up via an electronic motor. It opens to reveal a hidden storage area, where you can stash smaller valuables like your wallet or anything else you'd like to keep from curious eyes. To keep these items secure, you can lock the compartment with a four-digit PIN.
Along with ample cargo and passenger space, the SUV offers luxurious touches. You can upgrade to leather-trimmed seating, heated and ventilated front seats, and the Dual SkyScape 2-panel sunroof. These features allow Chevrolet to compete with luxury manufacturers at a price that’s more favorable for families. Like many luxury SUVs, Chevrolet engineered the Traverse to deliver quieter drives. Thanks to the noise-cancelling cabin, you won’t hear engine noise or wind shear, giving you peace of mind behind the wheel.
Our Impressions
Chevrolet crushed it with the new design of the Traverse. Part sporty, part luxury, the SUV casts a wide net, appealing to varied design tastes. As impressive as the exterior is, the interior is where the battle is won. Impressive styling, ample passenger space, and innovative features give the Traverse the functionality needed for busy professionals and their families. Chevrolet didn’t rest on its laurels with the Traverse’s previous success. Instead, it pushed the envelope. The result sets the Traverse up to be the leader of a segment full of exceptional choices.