2020 Chevrolet Traverse

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Rating6.5

Ranked #9 in 

Fullsize SUV
Write Review
$29,800 - $53,200
Starting Price 
M. Hannigan's image
M. Hannigan 

Content Writer,

Updated on June 7, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Punchy V6

Cheap interior feel

Turbo-4 engine discontinued

Spacious cabin and comfortable seats

Limited standard safety features

Infotainment 3 system replaces MyLink

Intuitive infotainment system

Not so engaging to drive

New buckle to drive feature in Teen Driver

Generous cargo bay

Top reliability ratings

Specs & Features

$29,800

price

310 hp @ 6800 rpm

horsepower

260 lb.-ft. @ 2800 rpm

torque

9-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

3.6L 6cyl FWD 9A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

Available in seven trim levels, the 2020 Chevy Traverse is available for sale at a base MSRP of $29,800 for the Premier trim while the range-topping High Country trim is priced at $50,900. The main change for this year is the discontinuation of the turbo-4 engine. The standard 305-hp 3.5L V6 engine has a competitive towing capacity and a decent fuel economy. 

Another change in the Traverse's cabin is the replacement of Chevy's MyLink with the Infotainment 3 system. The cabin remains to be the most spacious and practical available with family-friendly features. The Traverse is also available with the best safety equipment. The top rivals competing with the Traverse are the Ford Explorer, the Honda Pilot, and the Toyota Highlander

Buying Advice

While all seven trims look appealing, we recommend you go with the LT Cloth trim. This trim paired with the Convenience and Driver Confidence package is the perfect combo for your Traverse. This trim adds an 8-way power driver's seat, second-row captain chairs, satellite radio, 18-inch aluminum wheels, fog lights, and roof rails. 

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The 2020 Chevrolet Traverse is a compelling option for families seeking a versatile three-row crossover- MotorTrend

The Chevy Traverse is one of the top-ranking SUVs in its class. This family hauler has spacious and comfortable seats and has outstanding cargo room. The infotainment system is also one of the best in the class but the interior feels somewhat cheap. With the standard V6 engine, the Traverse delivers decent mileage and rides smoothly but isn't thrilling to drive. While its rivals offer many standard driver aids, the Traverse offers very limited standard safety features. 

Despite all these, the Travers comes out to be one of the top contenders in its segment. That's because of its top reliability ratings. It scored 82 out of 100 in the J.D. Power reliability test and ranks second on the list below the Highlander. Coming to ownership costs, the Traverse isn't much expensive to maintain. The true cost to own it is nearly $8,600 per year which includes repair, fuel, maintenance, depreciation, etc. 

Buying Advice

While all seven trims look appealing, we recommend you go with the LT Cloth trim. This trim paired with the Convenience and Driver Confidence package is the perfect combo for your Traverse. This trim adds an 8-way power driver's seat, second-row captain chairs, satellite radio, 18-inch aluminum wheels, fog lights, and roof rails. 

Features
5.0/10

Inside, you’ll find loads of amenities ranging from advanced driver assists to the latest in Wi-Fi and onboard connectivity- Autotrader

Similar to the outgoing model, the Chevrolet Traverse is offered in seven trims, L, LS, LT Cloth, LT Leather, RS, Premier, and High Country. Each trim is competitively priced to the next one. The base L trim retail as low as $29,800 while the top-end High Country trim has a starting price of $50,900. Except for the L trim level, FWD and AWD configurations are available on all models. 

Every trim level comes with a unique feature list. Besides this, Chevy also offers a few optional packages to upgrade the comfort and technological features according to the buyer's needs. The $1,795 Convenience and Driver Confidence package add an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, power tailgate, heated front seats, remote start, rear park assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. 

Trim

L

LS

LT Cloth

LT Leather

RS

Premier

High Country

MSRP (FWD)

$29,800

$32,900

$35,400

$39,100

$43,600

$45,800

$50,900

MSRP (AWD) N/A $34,900 $39,200 $41,100 $45,700 $48,400 $53,200

Key Features

6-speaker stereo

Adds/Upgrades to L trim

Adds/Upgrades to LS trim

Adds/Upgrades to LT Cloth trim

Adds/Upgrades to LT Leather trim

Adds/Upgrades to RS trim

Adds/Upgrades to Premier trim
 

7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

18-inch silver-painted wheels

8-way power driver's seat

Heated front leather seats

Black accents on the exterior

Wireless charging

Trailering equipment

 

HID headlights

Traction mode select Second-row captain chairs 9-inch touchscreen display 10-speaker Bose premium audio system

Hands-free power rear liftgate

Power-folding third-row seat

  Wi-Fi hotspot Tinted privacy glass 18-inch aluminum wheels 6-way power passenger's seat Navigation system

Ventilated front leather seats

Upgraded leather interior
  Tri-zone automatic climate control   Fog lamps Power tailgate 20-inch dark-painted wheels

Heated second-row seats

20-inch polished-aluminum wheels

  18-inch painted aluminum wheels   Roof rails Remote engine start Surround-view camera

Chrome door handles and Chrome roof rails

Adaptive cruise control

  Rearview camera   Satellite radio Rear park assist

Driver Confidence II package

Heated steering wheel

Panoramic sunroof

  Cloth upholstery     Rear cross-traffic alert   Power adjustable steering column Forward automatic emergency braking
  Keyless entry     Blind-spot monitoring      
        Driver & Confidence package      

 

Fuel Economy
4.0/10

Among three-row crossovers, the 2020 Traverse keeps pace with its fuel economy- The Car Connection

Fuel economy for a mid-sized SUV has always been a mix-bag, still, the Chevy Traverse delivers pretty fair numbers when it comes to mileage. The MPG numbers for FWD models include 18 MPG in the city, 27 MPG on a highway, and 21 MPG combined. The combined gas mileage drops down by 1 MPG in the case of AWD models. 

 The Traverse gets different tank sizes depending on the drivetrain selected. Models with an FWD drivetrain get a 19.4-gallon fuel tank fitted while the AWD models substitute it for a larger 21.7 gallon. Therefore, a combined range of 407 miles is available in standard drivetrain whereas AWD models deliver 434 miles, owing to the large fuel tank. 

Models

2020 Chevrolet Traverse

2020 Honda Pilot

2020 Ford Explorer

2020 Toyota Highlander

MPG (City)

18

19

21

21

MPG (Highway)

27

27

28

29

MPG (Combined)

21

22

24

24

Fuel Tank Capacity (Gallon)

19.4

19.5 17.9 17.9
Range (City/Highway/Combined; Miles) 349/524/407 371/527/429 376/501/430 376/519/430

Both the Ford Explorer and the Toyota Highlander display excellent fuel efficiency and deliver the same combined range. The Honda Pilot is slightly more efficient than the Traverse leaving behind the Traverse to the last place. The Traverse also has the least mileage but 407 miles should be enough for commuting on a weekend trip. 

Interior
9.0/10

If you're looking for comfortable and quiet family transport above all else, the Traverse should be on your short list- Edmunds

The interior quality of the Chevy Traverse looks upscale, there is a lot of soft textures and the Premium and High Country trim get the best of it. You get seating for 8 but Chevy gave the captain chairs option which makes that 7. The front row seats are the most comfortable as the mammoth-like boxy design delivers more cabin space than necessary. They come with heated and power adjustability on higher trims. 

Stepping in and out of the cabin is easy. The second-row seats are also comfortable with sufficient head and legroom to endure long trips. Replacing the second bench row with captain chairs opens up space in the middle which gives easy access to the third row. The third-row seats are not a pain either, a six-footer can easily squeeze back into the seats, but he won’t enjoy a long ride due to low legroom space.

The 7-inch touchscreen on lower trims and an 8-inch touchscreen on higher models is mounted at the center of the dash. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard features even for the entry-level Traverse. There is no noticeable delay with any menu either. However, you may have too, extend your reach to actually use the touch screen. The system is paired to a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system on the RS trim and up otherwise six speakers are standard. 

Models

2020 Chevrolet Traverse

2020 Honda Pilot

2020 Ford Explorer

2020 Toyota Highlander

Passenger Capacity

8

8

7

8

Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

41.3/62.1/41.0

40.1/62.0/40.9

40.7/61.8/43.0

41.2/59.0/42.0

Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

40.0/62.2/38.4

40.2/62.0/38.4

40.5/61.9/39.0

39.4/58.7/41.0

Third Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

38.2/57.5/33.5

38.9/57.6/31.9

38.9/54.6/32.2

36.1/55.0/27.7

Cargo Space (cu-ft.)

23.0

16.5

18.2

16.0

If you talk about core practicality, the Traverse is one of the best in the segment. Trunk space of 23 cu-ft. is offered, which is the best in its class. This space increases to 57.8 cu-ft. if the third-row seats are folded. Maximum cargo space of 98.2 cu-ft. is available once the second-row seats are also folded. Get all your clothes, bags, and extra supplies for the future, and still, there will be more space to use. Some main Traverse's cabin highlights are:

  • Power tilt & telescopic leather heated steering wheel
  • Power front leather, heated seats
  • Heated rear seats
  • Second-row captain chairs
  • Tri-zone automatic climate control
  • Cloth & leather upholstery
  • Remote engine start
  • Auto-dimming rearview mirror
  • Hands-free power tailgate
  • 7 & 8-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • 10-speaker Bose premium audio system
  • Wireless charging
  • Rear-seat entertainment system

Exterior
6.0/10

Chevy got the Traverse’s styling exactly right- Kelly Blue Book

Chevrolet built a rugged beast in a gentleman’s skin, the Traverse’s design is true to its big and bold styling. The grille design looks simple with horizontal bars. The High Country trim has a special grille that has chrome on the inside bars whereas the other trims get a blacked-out grille. The fine lines on the hood and the sides look sharp shredding the bulky SUV looks. The body design delivers more headroom and compliments the humongous look, so that works out for the Traverse. Only the Premier and High Country trims feature LED headlamps whereas other trims settle for HID projector lamps.

 Fog lamps are available from the LT Cloth trim onwards. As far as wheels are concerned, only the base two trims come with 18-inch alloys while the rest of the lineup gets 20-inch wheels. The longer wheelbase gives it a better chance to endure rocky pavements with ease. However, the wider turning radius makes it difficult to park in tight spaces. There is no other SUV in the mid-size segment bigger than the Traverse, henceforth no competition here. The rear design of the Traverse resembles the Tahoe and Equinox. A chrome strip runs in the middle and on either side are LED taillights.

Models

2020 Chevrolet Traverse

2020 Honda Pilot

2020 Ford Explorer

2020 Toyota Highlander

Curb Weight (lbs)

4,362

4,036

4,345

4,145

Length (in)

204.3

196.5

198.8

194.9

Width (in)

78.6

78.6

78.9

76.0

Height( in)

70.7

70.6

69.9

68.1

Ground Clearance (in)

8.0

7.3

7.9

8.0

Wheelbase (in)

120.9

111.0

119.1

112.2

The low ground clearance of the Honda Pilot equals better handling and agility. The Toyota Highlander's wheelbase is significantly shorter than the Traverse. This speaks for its cramped third row. The Ford Explorer's short overall length can be an advantage while parking in tight spaces. Some main Traverse's exterior features are given below:

  • LED automatic high-beam headlights
  • LED DRLs
  • LED taillights
  • Fog lamps
  • Door courtesy lights
  • Auto-dimming exterior mirrors
  • Chrome roof rails
  • Chrome grille with active grille shutters
  • Chrome door handles
  • Dual exhaust chrome tips
  • Rear roofline spoiler
  • Chrome window trim
  • 18 & 20-inch wheels

Safety
5.0/10

Unfortunately, most driver-assistance features are only available on the two highest-priced trims- CarAndDriver

The Chevy Traverse doesn't fall short in terms of safety. NHTSA gave the Traverse a full 5-star rating for its response in all crash tests. Similarly, in all six crash tests conducted by IIHS, the Traverse earned a 'Good' rating. It also received a 'Superior' rating for the front crash prevention but its headlights were rated 'Acceptable'. 

As far as safety features are concerned, this year a new feature called buckle to drive was added to Chevy's Teen Driver. This feature gives a reminder to buckle up before heading on the road. The Traverse comes with limited driver-assist features but an optional Driver Confidence II package is available for $625 that adds some of them. These include:

  • Teen Driver
  • Rearview camera
  • Rear-seat reminder
  • Surround-view camera
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Rear parking sensors
  • Lane keep assist
  • Forward collision warning
  • Rear cross-traffic alert
  • Forward automatic emergency braking
  • Front pedestrian braking
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Lane departure warning

Competition
7.0/10

2020 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2020 Ford Explorer

Although similarly powered, the Traverse retails at a lesser price than the Ford Explorer. Both the SUVs are competitive in terms of performance but the Explorer leads with a better towing capacity and fuel efficiency. The Explorer feels roomier on the inside but it seats only seven people and its cargo space is also on the lower side. Safety-conscious buyers will prefer the Explorer as it bundles more standard driver aids than the Traverse.

2020 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2020 Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot has a higher initial price than the Traverse. Despite making less power, its agility is really good and delivers a laid-back driving experience. The Pilot is also slightly better in matters of fuel economy. Both the SUVs are spacious but the Pilot's cabin feels a bit more classy. The Pilot also has an edge in terms of cargo capacity but losses to the Traverse with regards to infotainment equipment. The Pilot takes a bold step by offering more standard active safety features. 

2020 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

The Toyota Highlander is considerably expensive than the Traverse. The Highlander's V6 isn't punchier in terms of performance but is more efficient than the Traverse. One of the main drawbacks of the Highlander is its cramped third-row while its cargo room is also less than the Traverse. However, the key winning point of the Highlander is its long list of standard driver-assist features. On the other hand, the traverse offers just three standard safety features. 

Final Verdict

The bigger it is the better it gets; seems like GM truly believes in the notion with the Chevy Traverse. Being the roomiest SUV in the midsize segment, the  Traverse is one hell of a buy. You get a sonorous V6 engine as standard, acceptable efficiency, and more space than you can make use of. Some would appreciate the sweet simplistic body along with the upscale interior but would like more trailering and ergonomic numbers. Overall, the Traverse competes well and is a more sensible choice when you consider the price and the amounts of features you get.

Trims

    L
    $29,800 onwards
    • 18-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • 2 - 1st row LCD monitor
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • Cloth Seat trim
    • Heated mirrors
    • Remote keyless entry
    LS
    $32,900 onwards
    • Cloth Seat trim
    • Deep-Tinted glass
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Rear vision camera
    LT
    $35,400 onwards
    • Driver and passenger Lumbar support
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Heated Front Seats
    • Leather Seat trim
    • Parking assist
    RS
    $43,600 onwards
    • Engine: 3.6L 6cyl FWD 9A
    • Horsepower: 310 hp @ 6800 rpm hp
    • Torque: 260 lb.-ft. @ 2800 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.06 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 21 mpg
    Premier
    $45,800 onwards
    • Hands-Free liftgate
    • Sunroof
    • Ventilated front seats
    • Wireless device charging
    High Country
    $50,900 onwards
    • 1St row Sliding and tilting glass Sunroof
    • 20-inch polished aluminum Wheels

Compare to similar cars

Price

$29,800- $54,395

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

6.45

Horsepower

310 hp @ 6800 rpm

Torque

266 lb.-ft. @ 2800 rpm

Capacity

8

Read Review

$40,000- $56,100

Gasoline

7.03

310 hp @ 6800 rpm

266 lb.-ft. @ 2800 rpm

7

Read Review

$49,700- $68,500

Gasoline

7.35

355 hp @ 5600 rpm

383 lb.-ft. @ 4100 rpm

-

Read Review

$46,800- $65,700

Gasoline

7.3

355 hp @ 5600 rpm

383 lb.-ft. @ 4100 rpm

9

Read Review

$30,795- $62,995

Gasoline

6.94

293 hp @ 6400 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

$31,100- $43,265

Gasoline

7.53

250 hp @ 5550 rpm

275 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm

5

Read Review

$32,765- $58,250

Gasoline

7.2

300 hp @ 5500 rpm

310 lb.-ft. @ 3500 rpm

7

Read Review

$29,800- $48,300

Gasoline

8.01

193 hp @ 6300 rpm

188 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

7

Read Review

$49,600- $69,700

Gasoline

7.38

355 hp @ 5600 rpm

383 lb.-ft. @ 4100 rpm

8

Read Review

$31,550- $49,720

Gasoline

6.71

280 hp @ 6000 rpm

262 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm

8

Read Review

2020 Chevrolet Traverse vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    6.8 sec15.2 sec-
    5.9 sec14.4 sec142 mph
    6.1 sec14.7 sec112 mph
    6.2 sec14.8 sec-
    6.2 sec14 sec134 mph
    6.6 sec15 sec114 mph

    2020 Chevrolet Traverse vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      18 mpg27 mpg21 mpg19.4 gal.349.20/523.80 mi.
      25 mpg30 mpg27 mpg16.6 gal.415/498 mi.
      22 mpg29 mpg25 mpg18.8 gal.413.6/545.2 mi.
      22 mpg29 mpg25 mpg18.8 gal.413.6/545.2 mi.
      21 mpg28 mpg24 mpg19.2 gal.375.9/501.2 mi.
      22 mpg28 mpg24 mpg19 gal.418/532 mi.

      2020 Chevrolet Traverse vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        204.3 in.78.6 in.70.7 in.-120.9 in.
        224.4 in.80.5 in.74.4 in.7.9 in.130 in.

        2020 GMC Yukon XL

        Ranked #1

        224.4 in.80.5 in.74.4 in.7.9 in.130 in.
        208.9 in.79.9 in.75.8 in.9.1 in.121.1 in.
        205.1 in.79.9 in.77 in.9.9 in.122 in.
        204.3 in.78.8 in.69.9 in.7.7 in.120.9 in.

        2020 Chevrolet Traverse vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          23 cu.ft.96.1 cu.ft.98.2 cu.ft.
          16.5 cu.ft.115.3 cu.ft.95.4 cu.ft.
          18.9 cu.ft.-120.1 cu.ft.
          62.6 cu.ft.63.2 cu.ft.121.7 cu.ft.
          20.6 cu.ft.153.7 cu.ft.96.8 cu.ft.
          17.8 cu.ft.153.5 cu.ft.86.5 cu.ft.

          2020 Chevrolet Traverse vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            58.8 cu.ft.23 cu.ft.98.2 cu.ft.-
            61 cu.ft.15.3 cu.ft.94.7 cu.ft.98 ft.
            78.2 cu.ft.11.3 cu.ft.73 cu.ft.-
            79.5 cu.ft.16.2 cu.ft.79.5 cu.ft.-
            83.1 cu.ft.18.2 cu.ft.87.8 cu.ft.-
            131.6 cu.ft.16.5 cu.ft.95.4 cu.ft.63 ft.

            2020 Chevrolet Traverse vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              1500 lbs.1798 lbs.4362 lbs.
              8600 lbs.1720 lbs.5355 lbs.
              8500 lbs.1723 lbs.5577 lbs.
              8500 lbs.1690 lbs.5379 lbs.
              8100 lbs.1320 lbs.5815 lbs.
              7400 lbs.1405 lbs.5730 lbs.

              2020 Chevrolet Traverse SUV Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              8

              Recalls

              0

              Investigations

              171

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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              MPG Combined : 21 mpg

              0-60 : 6.8 sec

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