The 2023 Chevrolet Traverse midsize 3-row SUV has space and an efficient 310-horsepower V6 on its side. It starts at $34,520. The 2023 Chevy Traverse midsize 3-row SUV certainly has roominess on its side. After receiving a revamp last year (this second generation debuted for 2018), the Traverse’s generous space remains this Chevrolet 8-seater’s greatest attraction. That and its 310-horsepower V6. Some other members of its class are newer and hold their value better, so they grab more attention. The 2023 Traverse seems like just another SUV by comparison. But that does it a disservice. Large families going on road trips should be pleased with the amount of legroom and headroom in each row, plus the generous cargo space, while enjoying the muscular engine and noting how slowly the fuel gauge moves toward E.
2023 Chevrolet Traverse Pricing
The 2023 Chevrolet Traverse has a starting sticker price of $35,915, with the range-topping Traverse High Country kicking off at $53,345. But Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Pricing currently suggests paying $2,044 to $2,785 less than MSRP, depending on trim and equipment. These prices are updated weekly.
MSRP | KBB Fair Purchase Price (nat'l average) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
LS | $35,915 | $33,871 | ||
LT | $38,440 | $36,329 | ||
RS | $46,415 | $43,964 | ||
Premier | $48,470 | $46,094 | ||
High Country | $53,345 | $50,560 |
Driving the Chevrolet Traverse
No hybrids or turbos, but the 2023 Traverse has a strong 3.6-liter V6 making more horsepower than most rivals. It propels this midsize 3-row SUV with a confident thrust while returning tolerable fuel economy figures. The suspension tuning keeps the family comfortable, but it’s not overly soft. Active noise cancellation helps keep the cabin hushed while on the move.
Interior Comfort
Seating for eight is standard in the LS. The rest of the range has accommodations for seven, although eight seats are optional in the LT. The difference is a pair of captain’s chairs in the second row taking the place of a 3-position bench seat. This is one of the few midsize 3-row SUVs that has sufficient space for adults to sit in the rearmost row without too much grumbling. Legroom back there is 33.5 inches, with 38.4 inches in the second row. Headroom is great throughout. Chevrolet can’t quite wean itself off the occasional piece of cheap plastic in its interiors, but the 2023 Traverse has a pleasant cabin in general. Along with 10 cup holders. Cargo space is another Traverse strength, going from 23 cubic feet to a massive 98.2 cubic feet with rows two and three folded.
Exterior Styling
There’s a good reason why the 2023 Traverse SUV is so spacious inside — it’s big on the outside — a whisker over 17 feet long, about the same as most minivans. So it would be good to get a version with rear parking sensors. The lower trims have 18-inch alloy wheels, replaced by 20-inch versions from the RS and up, although buyers of any new Traverse can choose the bigger rims. Roof rails are optional in the base LS and standard elsewhere.
The LS and LT versions offer Midnight and Sport cosmetics packages with many exterior elements finished in black. Premier trim is eligible for a Redline Edition package with similar black details, plus red accents in the alloy wheels.
This year’s new paint choices are Radiant Red Tintcoat and Sterling Gray Metallic.
Favorite Features
WIRELESS APPLE CARPLAY/ANDROID AUTO DUAL SKYSCAPE SUNROOF
Although smartphone integration is standard in most new vehicles, this more convenient and standard wireless version means being able to leave the phone in a purse or jacket pocket.
Standard in the High Country, optional in the LT, RS, and Premier trims, this dual-pane sunroof accentuates the general openness of the 2023 Traverse SUV cabin. The rearmost pane has a powered shade.
Standard Features
The most affordable new Traverse SUV is LS trim, with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights/daytime running lights/taillights, keyless entry/ignition, 3-zone automatic climate control, cloth upholstery, and a rear-seat reminder. Safety systems include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, following distance indicator, automatic high beams, and a Teen Driver feature. The infotainment setup has a 7-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, satellite radio, Wi-Fi, six USB ports (two per row), Bluetooth for two devices, and six speakers.
Factory Options
All-wheel drive is one of the major options across the 2023 Traverse SUV range. A safety package for LS trim adds blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and rear parking sensors. These are standard in the rest of the lineup. LT brings a new steering wheel with audio/cruise controls, wireless phone charging, heated side mirrors, and eligibility for many more options. These include leather upholstery, heated front seats, powered liftgate, rear camera mirror, 360-degree camera system, rear pedestrian alert, navigation, 8-inch touchscreen, adaptive cruise control, remote start, 120-volt outlet, a dual-pane sunroof, and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. RS has most of those things as standard (not the dual-pane sunroof), plus 20-inch alloy wheels and perforated leather upholstery. Premier adds an 8-inch configurable driver information display, power-adjustable steering column, memory settings for the driver’s seat/side mirrors/power-adjustable steering column, heated/ventilated front seats, heated outboard second-row seats, Safety Alert Seat, and hands-free tailgate operation. The dual-pane sunroof finally makes it off the options list with the High Country model, joined by a power-folding third row. And that’s kind of it for this top trim.
Engine & Transmission
It’s looking a bit old-school in the engine bay of the 2023 Traverse, but there’s a solid 3.6-liter V6 developing 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque without the aid of turbochargers or superchargers. This makes the Traverse one of the more muscular midsize SUVs. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is the standard setup, with all-wheel drive (AWD) offered as an option at every trim level. Transmission duties are handled by a 9-speed automatic. And maximum towing capacity is 5,000 pounds. Regular gasoline is fine. These fuel economy estimates from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) relate to 2022, but we don’t anticipate any changes for 2023. 3.6-liter V6
310 horsepower @ 6,800 rpm
266 lb-ft of torque @ 2,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/27 mpg (FWD), 17/25 mpg (AWD)
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Our Expert Ratings come from hours of both driving and number crunching to make sure that you choose the best car for you. We comprehensively experience and analyze every new SUV, car, truck, or minivan for sale in the U.S. and compare it to its competitors. When all that dust settles, we have our ratings. We require new ratings every time an all-new vehicle or a new generation of an existing vehicle comes out. Additionally, we reassess those ratings when a new-generation vehicle receives a mid-cycle refresh — basically, sprucing up a car in the middle of its product cycle (typically, around the 2-3 years mark) with a minor facelift, often with updates to features and technology. Rather than pulling random numbers out of the air or off some meaningless checklist, KBB’s editors rank a vehicle to where it belongs in its class. Before any car earns its KBB rating, it must prove itself to be better (or worse) than the other cars it’s competing against as it tries to get you to spend your money buying or leasing. Our editors drive and live with a given vehicle. We ask all the right questions about the interior, the exterior, the engine and powertrain, the ride and handling, the features, the comfort, and of course, about the price. Does it serve the purpose for which it was built? (Whether that purpose is commuting efficiently to and from work in the city, keeping your family safe, making you feel like you’ve made it to the top — or that you’re on your way — or making you feel like you’ve finally found just the right partner for your lifestyle.) We take each vehicle we test through the mundane — parking, lane-changing, backing up, cargo space and loading — as well as the essential — acceleration, braking, handling, interior quiet and comfort, build quality, materials quality, reliability.
