2023 Traverse RS AWD

After undergoing a significant revamp for the 2022 model year, the 2023 Chevrolet Traverse will see just a minor refresh.

Traverse is a three-row SUV offering great comfort, with plenty of leg and head room aided by an 8-way adjustable driver’s seat that allows for optimal sitting posture. The Jet Black/Spice Red interior is well built, but the hard plastic console and the color selection is not very ideal on a hot summer day in Texas.

The Traverse is ready for cargo, offering 23 cubic feet of room behind the third row. This can be expanded to 57.8 feet behind second row and 98.2 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The power liftgate offer hands-free operation for easy loading and unloading. All seats are padded and comfortable, especially the front seats. The Bose premium audio system offers 10-speaker sound, and OnStar Service ensures occupant safety. Wi-Fi Hot Spot capability is also available.

Infotainment 3 Plus System living inside the 8-inch color touchscreen supports wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto, plus Bluetooth audio streaming to ensure it works with your phone. Smartphone integration is further strengthened by voice command pass-through to phone. I liked the infotainment system. It was easy to operate, with nicely colored graphics and superb physical knob controls for audio and climate adjustment.

Heated steering wheel and seats for cold winter months are complemented by Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control, which will save you in hot summer months. Great combination for year-round comfort. The camera mirror and outside heated mirror give a clear view of what is behind the vehicle.

Traverse is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine driving a nine-speed automatic transmission. The engine is capable of providing up to 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. My tester included AWD, and that tallied up a gas mileage of 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway for a combined average of 20 mpg.

Outside, my Traverse was Sterling Gray Metallic in color, escorted by power adjustable and power folding body-color side mirrors with integrated turn signal indicators. Standard LED headlights and daytime running lights illuminate the path forward, while LED tail lamps make your presence known when it’s dark. Personally, the best exterior feature was the outside black roof rails for any imaginable cargo. Even a tent.

Traverse is excellent for urban driving; passing or merging into busy traffic with ease. Or simply navigate less traveled narrow streets. This SUV is nimble and quick for its size, but inner cities often offer little parking, and then it could be quite a tight fit. The Traverse handles country roads quite nicely and can tow an impressive 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

Traverse is loaded with standard safety and security features like Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keeping Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Rear Vision Camera, and IntellBeam auto high beam. The RS trim ups the game with HD Surround Vision, Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, and more.

The 2022 Traverse has yet to be evaluated by NHTSA for safety.

The MSRP for the 2023 Traverse starts at $35,915 for the LS FWD, and the price for the RS AWD model starts at 48,440.

Warranty
3 years/36,000 miles Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty
5 years/60,000 miles Powertrain Warranty
6 years/100,000 miles Corrosion Rust-Through Warranty
5 years/60,000 miles Roadside Assistance and Courtesy Transportation

Durhl Caussey writes a car column read around the world. He may be reached at this newspaper or [email protected].