Chevrolet Traverse II 3.6 V6 (314 HP) Automatic

After the world was sent into disarray by the super-flu of the century, the facelifted Chevy Traverse has arrived a year later than planned as a 2022 model. But never late than never, right. The Traverse, now in its second generation, is a three-row midsize crossover that comes standard with an abundance of interior room as one of the larger entrants in this segment. Think of it as the modern-day minivan for the masses and a suitable alternative to rivals like the Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, and Ford Explorer. It drives and feels like a traditional car rather than an SUV, which is part of its vast appeal but lacks any sense of overall excitement despite its punchy engine. Motivation is sourced from a 3.6-liter V6 with 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. And thanks to optional all-wheel drive, the Traverse can be well-equipped to handle rough road conditions despite not being a genuine off-roader.

Those in the market for a dependable, spacious, three-row crossover and bring themselves to buy a minivan, then the 2022 Traverse is an overall solid choice despite some extremely tough competition.

For the 2022 model year, Chevrolet has given all new Traverse models a fresh look with new grilles, a revised front fascia, standard LED headlamps, new LED taillamps, and four fresh wheel designs. On the RS trim and above, power-folding exterior mirrors with a heating function. The Redline Edition has a new look, and the Midnight/Sport Edition package is now offered on LS and LT trims. Chevy Safety Assist is standard across the lineup and consists of features like forward collision warning and lane departure warning. Adaptive cruise control is now available to more trims. Another welcome feature is an eight-inch diagonal color driver information display on Premier and High Country models.

The three-row Chevy Traverse has a neater appearance after changes to the headlights, grille, taillights, and wheel designs. It's still a conservatively styled vehicle, but nothing about it is overdone, giving it a premium air. The base model comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED exterior lighting (including LED daytime running lights), and a manual liftgate. At the other end of the spectrum, the High Country comes with a rear camera mirror washer, a hands-free power programmable liftgate, and a two-panel power sunroof. 20-inch alloys are equipped on upper trims.

Our Cherry Red Tintcoat Traverse RS AWD tester came with the upgraded 20-inch dark aluminum wheels, a power liftgate, black roof rails, and power-folding heated outside mirrors. It's an attractive-looking crossover that doesn't scream "minivan" in any way. The somewhat sportier-looking RS trim does its best to look cool as the Cherry Red paint and dark wheels did attract a few stares. But in general, Chevy played it safe with the exterior design which was definitely the right move for this segment.

The cheapest LS has a bland color palette limited to only four shades. These are Summit White and three metallics: Silver Ice, Mosaic Black, and Northsky Blue. Moving up to the LT Cloth adds Silver Sage and Black Cherry. Two premium colors - Iridescent Pearl Tricoat at $995 and Cherry Red Tintcoat at $495 - are also added at this level. The sportier RS removes Northsky Blue, Silver Sage, and Black Cherry from its selection, but it's one of the lookers in the range with its black wheels and blacked-out Chevy bowtie badge.

As for the pricier models, the Premier and High Country are available with most colors besides Northsky Blue and Silver Sage.

All Traverse models are powered by the same 3.6-liter V6 engine sans forced induction. Producing 310 hp and 266 lb-ft, this engine directs power to the front wheels by default with the option of all-wheel drive on all trims. The V6 Traverse will surprise you on a test drive with its turn of speed, but it never really thrills as a driving experience. Independent tests peg the 0 to 60 mph sprint at around 6.5 seconds, making it around a second quicker to 60 than the Kia Telluride, and the Korean has an even larger 3.8-liter V6. With its available trailering package, the Traverse can tow up to 5,000 pounds, another competitive showing in this segment.

The Traverse's performance surprised us the most, in a good way. The peppy naturally aspirated V6 was an excellent choice for this rig; Chevy easily could have underpowered it with an NA four-cylinder, specifically on the base trim. But no, every Traverse trim gets the power it needs. Our RS tester's standard AWD came in handy during a snowy week in Colorado and the crossover proved quite competent as it fought its way out of snow plowed to the side of the road. Road conditions were somewhat slick and the Traverse's all-season tires did the trick just fine.

The Traverse is by no means exciting behind the wheel. It was never meant to be. The strong NA V6 combined with that nine-speed slushbox is a solid combination. We found ourselves somewhat surprised by just how strong the acceleration was when entering a highway, effortlessly reaching cruising speed without any discomfort. It's no drag racer but you'll certainly have no problem keeping up with traffic.

Maneuvering the Traverse was also a simple task because it feels like a passenger car and not a bulky SUV. Despite its size, it's not a body-on-frame SUV, feeling like a high-riding minivan in the way it maneuvers. The steering is precise, which is a boon for parking in tight spots. Rearward visibility, however, was not the easiest but far from terrible. The standard rear-view camera very much came in handy to help resolve this.

Those hoping the RS designation means a sportier affair with refined suspension and chassis tuning will be sorely disappointed. The Traverse drives and handles like a large family sedan or minivan and the RS badging does nothing to change this. That's just fine for a majority of buyers.

For the most part, the Chevrolet Traverse's cabin does what it's supposed to for shoppers in this segment. There's a lot of space, numerous storage bins, and simple ergonomics that allow you to get on with the important job of transporting your family around without any fuss. Some materials aren't as soft to the touch as they should be, especially on upper trims, but this doesn't spoil the practical interior's appeal entirely. The base model is modestly equipped with a six-way manual driver's seat, a 3.5-inch driver display, and tri-zone climate control, but there are enough trims to add all the conveniences you desire, be it powered front seats, wireless phone charging, or parking sensors.

The RS we drove came with the optional second-row captain's chairs, meaning maximum seating for seven. A second-row bench is standard. We also liked the Jet Black/Spice Red color combination. Having power outlets and USB ports located at key places throughout the cabin is ideal for passengers who need to power up an electronic device.

The base LS comes with cloth upholstery in a Jet Black/Chai color scheme. If you don't like this look, you're out of luck as it's the only interior available for the LS. The LT Cloth retains cloth upholstery but at least adds the option of a Jet Black interior for those preferring a darker cabin that will be easier to keep clean. As the name dictates, the LT Leather comes with leather upholstery but in the same colors as the LT Cloth. The RS mixes things up a bit with its perforated leather seats in a combination of Jet Black and Spice Red. For the Premier, there are three perforated leather choices: Jet Black, Jet Black/Chai, and Jet Black/Maple Sugar. Finally, the High Country comes with perforated leather in a trim-exclusive Jet Black/Clove color scheme. Only the base model misses out on a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The Traverse feels well screwed together but some interior plastics are on the hard side, though this is not a deal-breaker by any means. Compared to older Chevy models, the Traverse's interior materials are generally quite impressive. Our tester came with additional dashboard padding that helped give a more premium look and feel.

Price Range (MSRP):$33,700 - $53,400.