I’ve test driven a few in the last few months, including the 2018 all-new Chevrolet Traverse AWD Premier. It’s definitely a sweet piece of eye candy to catch the attention of SUV lovers in the market.
The Traverse TV commercials, focusing on surprise family reunions, were hitting hard around the time I test drove it. Remember the ones where an individual opens the door and is surprised to see cherished family member sitting inside. I opted for a solo trip to the foothills of Denver to get a feel for this spacious 3-row, 7-seater with a 3.6L V6 engine and 9-speed automatic transmission with available towing capability of up to 5,000.
Handling the 310 horsepower that comes with this lighter, leaner and more sculpted Traverse turned out to be a breeze, particularly taking the ramp onto the highways and escalating to pass other vehicles. For someone like me, who for nearly 20 years whipped in and out of here and there with a compact, I was pleased to find that this midsize SUV, with 20-inch argent metallic machined faced aluminum wheels and a brilliant suite of head, tail and fog lights, did not impact my spirited driving style.
Only one step down from the top trim, the High Country, this Graphite Metallic-colored SUV exudes a luxurious feel with minimal chrome accents on the exterior. Soft touches are integrated throughout the jet black interior from the armrest in the doors to the leather wrapped, telescopic steering and seating, which is heated and ventilated in the front. This came in handy on this test drive.
The second-row captain’s chairs make it convenient to walk back to the 60/40 third row. This super spacious SUV holds a lot of headroom as well as best in class maximum cargo space of 98.2 cubic feet that comes with additional room in a hidden underfloor rear storage compartment. It also features a hands-free liftgate and dual sunroof for the front and back.
Did I mention that there’s a wireless charging, a light in the storage area of the armrest and tri-zone automatic climate control? No matter what part of the SUV you’re looking at, the amenities appear to be endless.
I was particularly enamored with a couple of pretty slick designs, namely the rear camera mirror and the storage cubby with an USB port hidden behind the 8-inch touch screen monitor. Let me back up for a minute. Yes. Rear. Camera. Mirror.
With just a flip of a lever on your rear view mirror, the world in the back opens up to you. Compared to a traditional inside rearview mirror, this rear view mirror display provides a wider, less obstructed field of view to assist when driving, changing lanes, and checking for vehicles and traffic conditions. It took me a few tries to get used to this being available, but once I did, I really appreciated the visuals it provided around me.
I also appreciated the surround vision system. This system provides a birds-eye view for the driver while they are parking or driving at low speeds. With all the safety features and security piece in place, like the forward collision alert, the driver has a wealth of technology to help them maneuver this Traverse in on and off-road terrain.
For those long road trips where those cherishing feelings for family time may not be as evident, there’s available Wi-fi for up to seven devices.
Did I mention Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
2018 Traverse AWD Premier MSRP: $47,350; Combined City/Highway MPG: 20.
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