2018 Chevrolet Traverse: The ultimate family SUV

With segment-leading passenger space, expansive cargo capacity and a welcoming cabin, the new Chevrolet Traverse makes every journey a soothing one

MUSCAT: When Chevrolet reimagined the new Traverse for 2018, it wanted to create the ultimate family SUV.

While that may seem a lofty goal, it’s one that can be achieved with thoughtful design and intelligent engineering. Although great styling, agile performance and vital safety features are undeniably crucial aspects of this process, one of the biggest challenges is packaging and space management inside the vehicle. How do you maximise passenger and cargo room in the cabin, without distorting the exterior dimensions? Or, how do you make the ride quality serene without compromising handling stability in corners? Questions Traverse engineers found the perfect answers to and more.

Re-designed from the ground up, the 2018 Traverse is a revitalized version of a nameplate that has been part of the Chevrolet family for almost ten years. Bigger than the model it replaces, it also boasts a longer wheelbase to liberate extra space in the cabin. While it is still classified as a midsize SUV, the Traverse comfortably seats up to eight passengers. It offers unprecedented amounts of legroom for even third-row passengers (856 mm) which is best in class 3rd row legroom.

The new model also benefits from an improved version of the Traverse’s original Smart Slide feature with a new split-folding second-row seat. The curbside seat is capable of tipping up and sliding forward, even with a forward-facing child seat in place, to facilitate open and easy access to the third row.

However, as any great family SUV the extra room does not come with the penalty of diminished cargo capacity; another area where the Traverse shines with 2,789 litres of storage room with the rear seats folded. For perspective, that is the equivalent of 38 carryon pieces of luggage. In addition, even with all the seats up, there is more maximum cargo space on offer behind the third-row than all its main rivals. Furthermore, to enhance ease of loading cargo, the lift-over height of the Traverse is merely a shade over 760 mm.

What is equally impressive is the sheer number of storage areas – 24 to be precise – in the ergonomically optimised cabin, designed to enhance convenience and versatility. There are dedicated spots for cellphones, umbrellas and sunglasses, plus a roomy centre console and as many as 10 cup holders and 7 USB ports.

To add a completely different dimension to convenience the thirdrow seats on the top-trim Traverse High Country are power-folding. A simple press of the buttons located in the rear cargo area folds the third row up or down, depending on the requirements.

Access to the spacious boot is equally easy with the hands-free, gesture-controlled lift-gate, which operates by using a kicking motion under the rear bumper. To make its operation simpler and more precise, LED lighting projects the Chevrolet bowtie on the road to pinpoint the exact spot to kick.

Once open, the boot reveals abundant space, however, to add yet another layer of convenience, the Traverse conceals a large underfloor cargo area. Not only is it easily accessible, it makes for a great place to store valuables, much like the hidden storage behind the MyLinktouch screen on LT Leather, Premier and High Country models.

While a spacious cabin enhances practicality for family duties, the quality of appointments and materials receive the same meticulous attention to detail as the design and ergonomics of the interior. There are varieties of different interior configurations to choose from. The range-topping High Country model, a new addition to the Traverse line-up, boasts supple Loft Brown Perforated Leather appointments with Jet Black accents, premium suede inserts and a comprehensive list of safety and connectivity technologies.

While passengers enjoy ample head- and legroom in the Traverse, the driver too gets hugely comfortable 8-way power seats as standard. Premier, High Country and LT Leather models, meanwhile, also benefit from a 6-way power front passenger seat.

To alleviate the need to adjust the ventilated driver/passenger seat every time, Premier and High Country models also include a handy memory function.

The Traverse’s cabin is supremely quiet and refined, thanks to an aerodynamically honed design which keeps wind noise to a minimum. Additional features such as Active Noise Cancellation and several acoustics enhancements further shield the occupants from the vibrations and harshness of the outside world and bring an unparalleled serenity to the cabin. Standard automatic trizone air conditioning, meanwhile, guarantees that no matter how searing the summer heat, passengers in all three rows are kept cool and comfortable.

With the 2018 Traverse, Chevrolet designers set out to reimagine the next-generation family SUV and with innovations in packaging, space and comfort, alongside a full array of safety and connectivity features, they carried on a legacy that started 85 years ago when Chevrolet invented the SUV.