2015 Chevrolet Traverse Quick Spin Review

For growing families with a lot going on, the crossover SUV can be a good choice, as it combines spaciousness with flexibility, style, and overall comfort. Chevrolet’s 2015 Traverse is a strong competitor and solid player in the mid-size crossover category.

With seating for up to eight, it also boasts the most cargo capacity in its class, with an awe-inspiring 116.3 cubic feet. Further, the rear seat backs fold flat, so that's all readily accessible space. The only other model coming close to the Traverse's storage capacity is the GMC Acadia, which is (you guessed it) the Traverse’s virtual twin. But wait, there’s more. Underneath the floor of the Traverse is a storage bin offering a space to stash items you’d prefer to keep out of sight.

2015 Chevrolet Traverse: Styling

Looking at its face, there’s no mistaking Traverse for anything other than a Chevrolet product. The bold grille accentuates the gold bowtie logo in strong relief. Contributing gracefully to Traverse’s athletic appearance is a power dome hood (which also telegraphs the performance potential of the engine), along with gracefully sleek headlight and foglight housings. Completing the distinctive face are tastefully applied chrome accents and artfully sculpted front corners.

Interestingly, as large as it is, the Traverse still manages to pull off a sporty look, thanks to its fast windshield, muscularly formed wheel arches, and chiseled shoulder line. If it’s sounding like we like the looks of the Traverse, it’s because we do.

2015 Chevrolet Traverse: Performance

The 2015 Chevrolet Traverse is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 with 281 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic is the transmission choice. Both front-wheel d-rive and all-wheel drive are on offer to complete the powertrain. By the way, those power output figures are for the base LS and LT trims. The top of the line LTZ trim package gets a dual exhaust system, which raises the power output to 288 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque.

Fuel economy remains unchanged should you opt for the more powerful configuration. Traverse is rated at 17 miles per gallon in the city, 24 on the highway, and 19 combined when equipped with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive models are rated at 16 in the city, 23 on the highway, and 19 combined.

2015 Chevrolet Traverse: Safety

Every 2015 Chevrolet Traverse comes standard with ABS, traction control, stability control, a rearview camera, front-seat side airbags, and two full-length side curtain airbags. The OnStar package (also standard) adds automatic crash notification, roadside assistance, remote door unlocking, stolen vehicle assistance and turn-by-turn navigation.

Blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, forward collision, and lane departure warning systems are standard on the top of the line LTZ, but can be had as options on 2LT.

A unique feature is the center-mounted airbag positioned between the front seats—intended to prevent front-seat occupants from colliding into one another in a side impact crash. This is standard on all Traverse trim levels save the base LS, for which it is an option. The IIHS says Traverse rates its top “Good” rating in moderate-overlap frontal-offset, side-impact, and roof-strength tests. NHTSA gave Traverse a solid five stars all around.

2015 Chevrolet Traverse: Pricing and Features

For 2015, Chevrolet Traverse is offered in four states of trim; LS, 1LT, 2LT, and LTZ. LS pricing starts at $31,870 (AWD adds $2,000). Standard features include automatic headlights, keyless entry, front and rear air conditioning, cruise control, Bluetooth telephony, OnStar, a rearview camera, and a touchscreen interface.

In addition to the safety features we mentioned previously, the upper trim levels include items such as foglights, heated exterior mirrors, rear parking sensors, remote start, second row captain’s chairs, rear-seat audio controls, and Bluetooth audio streaming. New for 2015 is the addition of Siri Eyes Free voice control technology to models equipped with Chevy's MyLink infotainment system.