Used Chevy Traverse

A red 2017 used Chevy Traverse is driving on a rural road.

 

Traverse is defined as “to travel across,” and few SUVs will give you the options to get anywhere with as much versatility as a used Chevy Traverse. This midsize SUV was introduced by Chevrolet in time for the 2009 model year and offered something new for drivers: a third row of seats on a midsize vehicle. In the past, people with large families or the need for seating beyond five passengers had to make do with a full-size SUV like the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban. The problem was that some people were uncomfortable handling such a large vehicle, while others wanted something more affordable with better fuel economy. In introducing the Traverse, Chevy addressed this concern with an SUV that is stylish, roomy, fuel-efficient, and affordable.

Since then, there have been two generations of this model, making it easy for you to find a used Chevy Traverse that you will love. The first generation of the Chevy Traverse was built until 2017. Incremental modifications were made along the way until Chevy decided it was time for a full overhaul of the mode. The second generation was introduced in 2018, which is still being built today. As often happens with popular models like the Traverse, when the 2018 second generation models began hitting the road, it made used Chevy Traverse SUVs from prior years more affordable. This gives you the ability to buy a used three-row midsize SUV at a great price.

 

A silver 2015 used Chevy Traverse is parked in front of mountains at sunset.

Chevy Traverse Highlights

The first thing you are going to notice about a used Chevy Traverse is the roominess for a three-row midsize SUV. There is plenty of room for up to 8 passengers on most trims, something that many other vehicles in its class cannot boast. Since the point of buying a three-row SUV is to fit as many passengers as comfortably as possible in the vehicle, the Traverse does this with plenty of room to spare. The first generation Traverse (2009-2017) has a full 153.1 cubic feet of space in the passenger compartment. When the Traverse was redesigned for the second generation (2018-present), Chevy added even more space, making it a full 157.3 cubic feet for you and your passengers. This will allow you to really stretch out, especially on long drives and road trips.

The Chevy Traverse is front-wheel drive standard with an available all-wheel drivetrain. If you want better traction, then you should look for the all-wheel drive, although it will cut into the fuel economy of your Traverse. The first generation Chevy Traverse SUVs come with a 3.6-liter V-6 gas engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, with either a single or dual exhaust. The single exhaust engines produce 281 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, while the dual exhaust adds a little more strength, 288 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque.

For the second generation, Chevy kept the 3.6-liter V-6 gas engine but added a 9-speed automatic transmission for better control and efficiency. As a result, the second generation engine can produce up to 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. As a result, you will probably find better overall acceleration with the newer model Traverse.

The Traverse has something that always sets it apart from other SUVs in its class is the amount of cargo space. The first generation Traverse offers a full 116.4 cubic feet of space for cargo with both the second and third rows of seats folded down. This decreased slightly to 98.2 cubic feet of space on the second generation models but still remains an excellent figure for a three-row midsize SUV. With this much cargo space, there is plenty of room for your passengers or your belongings to fit.

One thing that has also changed a little over the years is the trims on the Traverse. The base model on the first generation Traverse is the L, followed by the LS. The second generation Traverse eliminated the L and kept the LS as the base model. Both the first and second generation have the LT as the next trim.

The first generation Traverse split this into the 1LT and 2LT, with the latter having such luxury features as leather seats. The second generation now refers this to LT Cloth and LT Leather. The top trim on the first generation is the LTZ, while the second generation Traverse eliminated the LTZ trim and replaced it with the RS, Premier, and top trim High Country. So, if you want a fully-loaded first generation used Traverse, you should look for an LTZ, while a used Traverse High Country will give you all the luxury features for this model.

A gray 2016 Chevy Traverse is shown from a rear angle.

Features Drivers Should Seek Out

One thing that is vital to all drivers is passenger safety. There are a number of optional safety features on the Traverse that you should probably look for when buying a used model. The first generation Traverse offered Ultrasonic Rear Park Assist, which can be very helpful getting your used Traverse into and out of tight parking spaces. If you plan on using your Traverse for a family vehicle, this can be invaluable when you take the family to shopping malls with crowded parking lots. The first generation Traverse also offered optional HID headlamps that improve vision at night.

The second generation Traverse also offers a number of optional safety features, including the forward-focused forward collision alert, front pedestrian braking, and automatic emergency braking. Inversely, the available rear-focused features include rear cross-traffic alert and rear park assist. You can also potentially find models with lane keep assist with lane departure warning and lane change alert with side blind zone alert. Each of these will improve the overall safety of your vehicle.

If you are an audiophile, then you should consider the available upgrades to the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system on the Traverse. This includes a navigation system and a 10-speaker Bose Surround Sound Audio system. With these features, you will get more out of the Infotainment 3’s entertainment features while also getting integrated navigation.

Chevrolet has also provided the Traverse with a number of available features to make it easier to reconfigure your vehicle’s interior from passenger to cargo, as well as to access the items in the trunk of the Traverse. First generation models offered a Smart Slide second-row seat that makes it simple for passengers to get into and out of the third row of seats. The second generation Traverse continued the Smart Slide seating as an option and added a power-folding third-row to make it easier to fold the seats down when you want to expand the trunk space.

There is also an available hands-free liftgate so you can open the trunk when your hands are full of packages or other cargo. Whether you are taking the kids to school with their book bags, loading your Traverse with groceries, or moving stuff for work, a used Chevy Traverse provides you with the space to carry it and the ease to load and unload your things.