The Chevrolet Traverse is an excellent choice in midsize family SUVs. It has three spacious rows of seats, plenty of cargo space, and an affordable price tag. Some of its top rivals include the Ford Explorer, Kia Telluride, and similarly roomy Volkswagen Atlas.
Every Traverse gets its power from the same 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. It’s linked to a smooth-shifting 9-speed automatic transmission.
Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard on every trim, and all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional on all but the base L model. The Traverse gets 18 city/27 highway mpg with FWD and 17 city/25 highway mpg with AWD, regardless of the trim.
Despite only having one engine option, there’s a lot of variety in the model range of this family SUV. Let’s take a closer look at the Traverse and find the right trim for you.
2021 Chevrolet Traverse L (Original starting price when new: $30,995)
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The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse L starts at $30,995.
The base L trim of the Chevy Traverse is simple, but that’s not a bad thing. Its generous list of standard features makes it an excellent bargain in family SUVs. However, it only has two options for paint (black or white), one option for wheels, and you can’t get it with AWD.
Standard features include 18-inch aluminum wheels, Teen Driver technology, a drive mode selector, HID headlights, power-adjustable mirrors, tri-zone automatic climate control, six USB ports, 8-passenger cloth seating, and the basics you would expect like power windows, cruise control, and remote keyless entry.
The standard 7-inch infotainment system is user-friendly, and it comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. These smartphone connectivity features make it easy to transfer your maps, music, and more from your phone to the screen in your SUV.
Who is this trim for? The Traverse L is for drivers looking for a good bargain on a family-friendly 3-row SUV with modern tech features and can do without all-wheel drive.
2021 Chevrolet Traverse L includes:
Standard V6 — The standard 3.6-liter V6 engine in the Traverse strikes a nice balance of power and efficiency
Roomy 3-row seating — The Traverse has one of the roomiest cabins in its class with a third row you can actually use, plus a big cargo hold.
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay — These connectivity features are essential for any smartphone user.
2021 Chevrolet Traverse LS (Original starting price when new: $34,395)
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The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse LS starts at $34,395.
At first, the price increase of the LS trim over the L trim seems pretty steep because the only additional standard feature is deep-tinted rear windows. However, the LS trim opens the door to many options you can’t get on the L model.
The most significant difference is available AWD. The LS trim is the cheapest Traverse with optional AWD. Other available options include more paint and wheel options, black accents, chrome accents, an interior protection package, a cargo package, running boards, splash guards, and more.
If these options aren’t important to you, the L trim is a better value.
Who is this trim for? The LS model is the most affordable Traverse for drivers who insist on an SUV with AWD.
2021 Chevrolet Traverse LS includes:
Available AWD — The LS trim is the cheapest Traverse with optional AWD.
More options — Options for the base trim are minimal. The LS model has more options for paint, wheels, appearance packages, and much more.
Deep-tinted rear windows — This feature keeps your back-seat passengers more comfortable on sunny days.
2021 Chevrolet Traverse LT (Original starting price when new: $36,895)
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The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse LT starts at $36,895.
There’s an LT Cloth and a more expensive LT Leather trim available for the Traverse. The LT Cloth model adds excellent features to the Traverse while keeping the price affordable. Standard features include a power driver’s seat, second-row captain’s chairs (a bench second-row is optional), fog lamps, roof rails, SiriusXM, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Like the LS model, the LT Cloth trim further unlocks more options. These include more paint colors, premium cloth seat trim options, and available option packages like Chevy Safety Assist and a Convenience and Driver Confidence Package.
Upgrading to the LT Leather trim adds several extra luxuries if you’re willing to pay for them. On top of leather seats, you get heated front seats, a power liftgate, remote start, an enhanced driver information center, and a universal garage door opener.
The LT Leather trim comes standard with an upgraded 8-inch infotainment system and more safety tech, including lane-change alert with blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, and an HD backup camera. These safety and infotainment features are optional on the LT Cloth model.
Who is this trim for? The LT models are for the driver looking for a family SUV with a nice balance of features and value.
2021 Chevrolet Traverse LT includes:
Second-row captain’s chairs — Captain’s chairs make the second row more comfortable and the third row more accessible.
Available leather seats — The LT Leather model adds premium features like leather seats, remote start, a power liftgate, and more.
Roof rails — Standard roof rails add some extra utility to this SUV.
2021 Chevrolet Traverse RS (Original starting price when new: $45,195)
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The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse RS starts at $45,195.
The sporty RS trim adds a stylish appearance package and several premium features to the Traverse, but it does not come with a performance upgrade.
On top of the unique appearance package, standard features on the RS model include automatic emergency braking, a surround-vision camera, a rear camera mirror, automatic high beams, navigation, a 120-volt power outlet, an automatic heated steering wheel, a following distance indicator, lane-keep assist, and Bose 10-speaker premium audio.
Who is this trim for? The Traverse RS is for drivers who want a family SUV with a sporty appearance and premium features, but don’t care much about pulse-pounding performance.
2021 Chevrolet Traverse RS includes:
Sporty appearance package — This unique appearance package includes black 20-inch wheels, black exterior accents, and a dual-outlet exhaust with round tips.
Navigation — Get to your destination with confidence.
More safety tech — Standard safety features include a surround-vision camera, automatic high beams, lane-keep assist, and more.
2021 Chevrolet Traverse Premier (Original starting price when new: $47,295)
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The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse Premier starts at $47,295.
The Premier model delivers what it promises with many luxury features without a luxury SUV price tag. It includes many of the premium features of the RS model, like navigation and safety tech features, plus a hands-free power liftgate, perforated leather seats, heated second-row captain’s chairs, a wireless charging pad, LED headlights, a memory driver’s seat, mirrors, and steering column, and chrome exterior accents.
If you want the luxuries of the Premier trim, but like the sporty appearance of the RS, consider the Redline Edition, which is the best of both worlds.
Who is this trim for? The Traverse Premier is for anyone looking for a practical family SUV with luxurious features but doesn’t want to pay for an SUV from a luxury brand.
2021 Chevrolet Traverse Premier includes:
Perforated leather seats — These luxurious seats are available in a few different color schemes. You also get heated second-row captain’s chairs.
Chrome trim — A stylish appearance package adds tasteful chrome exterior trim to the Traverse.
Wireless charging — No more fussing around with cords to charge your phone in the car.
2021 Chevrolet Traverse High Country (Original starting price when new: $52,395)
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The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse High Country starts at $52,395.
The High Country trim sits at the top of the Chevy Traverse model range. It further builds on the well-appointed Premier trim with 20-inch aluminum wheels, power-folding third-row seats, a SkySkape dual-pane sunroof, adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking, and trailer-assist guidelines.
The value proposition of the High Country model is questionable compared to the similarly-equipped Premier trim, but it’s the best of the best in the Traverse lineup.
Who is this trim for? The top High Country model is for the driver who wants the best of the best in the Chevy Traverse lineup loaded with luxury and tech features.
2021 Chevrolet Traverse High Country includes:
SkySkape sunroof — Not only do you get a power sunroof in front, but there’s also a fixed rear skylight.
Adaptive cruise control — This feature automatically keeps a safe distance from the car in front of you when cruise control is on.
Power-folding third-row seats — Turn those seats into extra cargo space effortlessly.
