2025 Chevrolet Traverse Reviews, Pricing & Specs

From the Trax to the Suburban, Chevrolet is really nailing the exterior styling of its SUVs. Except for a few details here and there, sport-utes wearing a bowtie badge on the grille are good-looking. That judgment extends to their interior designs, too. Digital instrumentation, Google-based infotainment systems, and appealing layouts are the rule instead of the exception. Unfortunately, Chevrolet does not support that impression with quality materials.

Primarily, it is the hard, glossy, deep-grained plastic that offends the most. In addition, the Evotex artificial leather in our Traverse test vehicle didn’t try very hard to emulate the real thing. These would be understandable in one of Chevy’s smaller and more affordable models but were hard to accept in the pricier Traverse we had for this test drive.

For the 2025 model year, available Traverse trims include the LT, Z71, High Country, and RS. Base prices range from $41,095 to $55,495, including a destination charge of $1,395. Our test vehicle arrived in Z71 spec, which is the off-road version. It had extra-cost Radiant Red paint, a panoramic sunroof, a Driver Confidence Package, and an Enhanced Driving Package. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) was $55,900 with the destination charge.

Another factor negatively impacting the Traverse’s sense of quality and sophistication is the 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine’s exhaust note. It doesn’t sound good at idle, and it doesn’t sound good when accelerating. It makes plenty of power, though, enough to spin the front tires and exhibit torque steer in front-wheel-drive (FWD) mode.

Push the dashboard button to engage all-wheel drive (AWD) and, thanks to the turbo-four’s 328 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 326 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm, the Traverse has no trouble getting up to speed. With AWD engaged, the front wheel spin and torque steer fade in favor of rapid, controlled, and satisfying acceleration.

The Chevy Traverse Z71 is the one to get if you’re heading off-road. The other trim levels offer a mere 6.7 inches of ground clearance, which is identical to a Kia Soul. The Z71’s off-road suspension increases that by an inch, to 7.7 inches. That’s still not enough to tackle serious terrain, but at least you can drive the Z71 someplace an ordinary hatchback like the Soul can’t go.

Chevy also bolts on unique 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, adds a skid plate and red tow hooks, and installs a more capable Twin Clutch AWD system, a Terrain driving mode, and a hill descent control system. The Z71’s front end also provides an improved approach angle.

To test the Z71’s mettle, we took this crossover down a few trails with fresh ruts and divots from recent rainstorms. The suspension handled them firmly and decisively, and in Off-Road mode, the tires effortlessly churned through mud and puddles. The Terrain mode appears to moderate drivetrain response for smoother, more deliberate power application in more challenging circumstances.

Still, we think the Z71’s tires and suspension are most helpful during the daily grind because they soak up rough, poorly maintained pavement. If you buy this version of the Traverse for its rugged look and extra capability, you’ll also benefit from a smoother ride when commuting and running errands.

The Traverse Z71’s other driving modes include Tow/Haul, Normal, and Sport. Nothing about the driving experience is sporty, however. From the driver’s seat, the Traverse feels huge, especially on the narrow ribbons of road laced across the Santa Monica Mountains, and the Z71 can feel like its bouncing around on its dirt-friendly tires.

Regarding grip and noise, the all-terrain rubber wasn’t the liability we expected. Tire whir isn’t a noticeable issue, and the test vehicle displayed sound handling at reasonable speeds. Road feel through the steering wheel simply doesn’t exist, though the thick rim is delightful to hold. And the brakes can be touchy, no matter the driving situation.

Our Traverse Z71 test vehicle is EPA-rated at 21 mpg in combined driving. Using AWD part of the time, but driving in Normal mode except when off-roading, the test vehicle averaged 21.5 mpg—beating the official estimate.

The 2025 Traverse has a lot of interior volume for its segment. When you open a door and get in, this Chevy sure feels that way, particularly regarding its width.

Front seat occupants will not feel cramped, and the eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat makes it easy to find a proper position behind the steering wheel. In addition, the Z71’s heated front seats and heated steering wheel proved effective during a series of rainstorms that chilled Southern California. Chevrolet uses its Evotex artificial leather in the Z71, and while it’s not the real thing, it doesn’t detract from comfort.

With the available second-row bench seat, the Traverse offers eight-passenger seating, matching its rivals for capacity. In addition, its substantial width makes the Traverse one of the most accommodating vehicles in its class. Our test vehicle had individual second-row captain’s chairs with adjustable inboard armrests, and they offered good comfort and support. Unexpectedly, our Z71 did not offer side window shades, so if you plan to carry children, buy your own and suction-cup them to the glass.

Like the alternatives in the segment, the people sitting in the second row must slide forward to create enough legroom for adults packed into the Traverse’s third-row seats. That rearmost seating location is comfortable enough, and the bottom cushion is high enough to provide some leg support during longer trips.

However, the Traverse’s third row doesn’t offer a view out due to the shape of the rear windows. If you’ve ever scored a “window” seat on an airplane only to discover a wide plastic panel in that row instead, that’s what the Traverse offers. It also lacks third-row USB charging ports. Kids will not be happy back there, especially if their device is low on charge. Give them flashlights and tell them to pretend it’s a cave, and they might not complain.

Storage space in front is good enough but lacks some of the outright practicality you can find in some competing models. The second-row situation is worse because the Traverse lacks smartphone pockets, easily reachable USB ports, and cupholders that kids in car seats can easily reach. Some alternatives in the segment are more family-friendly in that regard.

The Traverse does provide a commendable 22.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, including the large compartment underneath the trunk floor. Folding the third row down produces a substantial 56.6 cubic feet of cargo volume; the maximum figure with the second row laid flat is 97.6 cubic feet.

Folding the third row isn’t as easy as it should be. Unless the second-row seats are already in a middle position within their range of seat-track travel, the third-row seats won’t fold completely. The reverse is also true. If the second-row passengers have moved their seats back and you want to raise the third row, you must first adjust the second row.

One of the best things about the 2025 Traverse is its standard 17.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It includes Google Built-in, so it has Google Maps navigation, Google Assistant voice recognition, and Google Play Store access to various apps. In addition, it offers Alexa compatibility, OnStar connected services, and access to a Wi-Fi hotspot. Standard features also include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio.

This technology is impressive. The large touchscreen looks great, provides a simple user interface, and works exactly as expected. Google Assistant is particularly effective, and it quickly and accurately responded to all voice commands. If there is a flaw here, it’s the lack of a tuning knob to match the volume knob. However, if you program your favorite radio stations, you can use the rocker switches on the back of the steering wheel spokes to cycle through them and to adjust the speaker volume.

Deeper climate system functions are located in a strip at the bottom of the touchscreen. But since you’re most likely to adjust cabin temperature, rather than fiddle with other settings, separate knobs exist for this purpose. They are large, with rubber grips, and easy to use even when wearing winter gloves.

Separately, an 11-inch digital instrumentation panel offers several views. You can emphasize the navigation map, the driving-assistance system status, a classic gauge cluster layout, or a minimalistic Calm display. Controls on the steering wheel make it easy to change the theme.

Our test vehicle also had two helpful options. The camera-based digital rearview mirror provides an unobstructed view to the rear, even when the cargo area is piled high with luggage and gear. In addition, a high-definition surround-view camera system makes it easier to maneuver the Traverse for parking, off-roading, and trailering. Drivers can select from Standard, Overhead, Side, and Hitch viewpoints.

Unlike in the past, Chevrolet equips every 2025 Traverse with a generous list of driver aids. Some are grouped under the Chevy Safety Assist umbrella, while others are part of the standard Safety Package 1, or included as stand-alone items.

Standard features include: adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, active blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, intersection braking, and rear automatic braking. In addition, the Traverse has automatic high-beam headlights, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and a Safety Alert Seat that vibrates when the tech senses a potential collision threat.

Building on this comprehensive standard package of safety features, the test vehicle’s Driver Confidence Package added the high-definition surround-view camera system, a traffic sign recognition system, and a rear pedestrian alert. But the Chevy Traverse’s Enhanced Driving Package takes things to the next level with a hands-free Super Cruise driving assist system and remote-parking technology.

Super Cruise is an outstanding hands-free driving aid. It isn’t cheap, but Chevrolet includes three years of access to the system when you choose the Enhanced Driving Package. Also, in addition to the parking-assistance tech, that package adds the digital rearview mirror and a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system, so there is some added value in the price.

Unlike some similar technologies, Super Cruise clearly communicates its active status with a green bar on the steering wheel. When the driver must take control, that bar turns red. Super Cruise also now works on more roads than ever before, including California’s Pacific Coast Highway between Malibu and Ventura. It also operates on freeway transition ramps, includes an automated lane-change function, and continues to work when driving directly into late afternoon sunlight.

Is it perfect? No. On the transition ramp from the southbound 33 to the eastbound 101 in Ventura, it momentarily stopped working after rounding the overpass curve. It also briefly quit shortly after negotiating the transition from the 101 to the northbound 23 freeway. On the Pacific Coast Highway, the Cruise Braking feature reduced speed far too much in curves, causing significant aggravation to motorists following the Traverse.

If the Traverse’s safety tech can’t prevent a collision, it should be able to protect its occupants in a crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave 2025 models a five-star overall safety rating, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2025 Traverse a “Top Safety Pick” award, its second-highest.

Chevrolet gets a lot of things right with the 2025 Traverse, especially regarding technology. The base prices are competitive, we observed good fuel economy for the segment, and the cargo space measurements are among the best in the class.

However, Chevy also stumbles in key areas. We can live with the turbo-four’s unrefined sound, but the wheel spin and torque steer when driving in FWD mode is harder to accept. In addition, the Traverse Z71 encourages off-roading, but there isn’t enough ground clearance to cash the check the styling writes. Unlike many competitors, Chevy also doesn’t offer a hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrain.

The interior execution also leaves something to be desired. The materials in our test car didn’t look or feel like they belonged in a vehicle priced in the mid-$50,000 range. The rear window design is distinctive, but claustrophobic for anyone assigned a third-row seating position. Chevy also misses several obvious opportunities to make the Traverse more family-friendly, particularly in the second row. Maximizing cargo room by folding seats can also be an unnecessary hassle.

Lastly, Chevrolet’s warranty and ownership benefits package isn’t as compelling as what you get with some rivals, notably the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride. Both of those SUVs have a satisfying V6 engine that delivers nearly 20 mpg on our Southern California testing loop, too.

When we first drove the Traverse Z71 to a photo shoot location, it did not impress us. After living with one for a week, we found it more appealing. But aside from its good looks and impressive technology, the Traverse misses the mark too frequently to rank as anything more than a mid-pack player in the midsize SUV segment.