2022 Chevy Traverse

There are only a few minor updates for the 2022 model, including a few driver-assistance features and a new look to the front end. The Traverse is becoming a very popular choice among Chevrolet and SUV enthusiasts. Many of the reasons include strong engine performance, popular safety features, and plenty of tech features. People might assume that the Traverse is a great family SUV, and they would be correct in that assessment; however, the Traverse also proves to be a very versatile SUV that can be utilized to do much more than just haul the family around town. This is an SUV that you can take on camping trips, utilize for towing, and even plow through adverse road conditions.

All the Power You Need in One Engine

In a segment that sees competitors squeezing out everything they can in their standard four-cylinder engines, Chevy instead chooses to utilize a powerful V6 as the engine of choice. The standard 3.6-liter V6 is a powerful tool cranking out 310 horsepower, which bests many competitors, and is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is an option and highly recommended if you will be driving in adverse weather conditions or taking the SUV out for off-road adventures. Sure, the Traverse is billed as a family SUV, but this does not mean it can’t be utilized for fun and adventure.

While offering a standard V6 might not be a big surprise, the fact that the Traverse can tow up to 5,000 probably is somewhat of an eye-opener. Another thing that is sure to pique your interest is that the towing capabilities of the Traverse outperform many of its competitors. This is sure to put a smile on anybody who is planning on taking their three-row SUV out to the lake for an afternoon of relaxing boating. But, make no mistake about it, even SUVs fit for families will be utilized for all sorts of tasks, and it is a big bonus if your SUV can tow a trailer filled with yard waste or household trash to the landfill.

While a powerful engine is essential, so is fuel economy, especially for budget-conscious people who feel the need to shrink their carbon footprint. You can expect the Traverse to garner an estimated average of 18 miles per gallon in the city and 27 miles per gallon on the highway with front-wheel drive. This might not beat out less powerful four-cylinder engines, but considering the size of the Traverse, there should be no complaints. We also imagine you will be grateful for the powerful V6 when you are merging into traffic on the interstate during rush hour or passing a cement truck on a stretch of two-lane highway.

Three Comfortable Rows of Seating

There will be those who scoff at the notion of an SUV with a third row of seats, and we will admit they have some valid concerns. All too often, a third row of seating means having to climb through a formidable maze to get to the back of the SUV. Then, upon your eventual arrival at your destination, you realize that the only way you will ever be comfortable in the third-row seats is if you were to somehow shrink to about half your current size.

However, there is good news for the adults of the world; thanks to the roomy interior, the Traverse is big enough that the trip to the back seats does not require expert yoga maneuvers, and once you get there, you will find it to be quite comfortable. This is great news for drivers who have teenagers and those who plan on transporting several adults. So go ahead and volunteer to take the work team to the weekly luncheon; nobody will feel cramped and silly sitting in the back.

Lots of Passenger Space Also Translates Into a Lot of Cargo Room

Of course, there are other advantages in having a roomy interior besides the number of passengers you can transport and their comfort, and it has to do with all of the necessities you pack into your SUV on a regular basis. Week in and week out, there are several reasons why boasting 23 cubic feet of cargo space is a good thing. From delivering dorm room supplies to your recent graduate in college to loading up your Traverse with that great-looking secretary’s desk you discovered at a bargain price at the flea market, there is always something that you need to either transport home or to a particular location. For those times you need to stuff a 75-inch big-screen television in the SUV or a couple of surfboards, you can fold down the third row of seats for extra space.

So far, the 2022 Traverse gets excellent marks in interior space and powertrain, making it two for two. As crucial as interior space and engine power are, these points mean nothing if the rest of the SUV is lackluster. For an SUV to be a true winner, it must provide the driver with the features and safety features that they demand. There was a time when a simple AM/FM radio and automatic windows were sufficient, but that certainly is no longer the case.

Infotainment Features

Let’s focus now on the Chevy Infotainment 3 system, which boasts one of the better interfaces in the industry. Nobody is impressed with an infotainment system that boasts the latest and greatest technologies if you have to read a manual the thickness of a book and watch multiple YouTube videos just to figure out how to change the radio station. Even those who have never engaged with an infotainment system will have no trouble navigating the system, and even older folks will not have a difficult time making out the graphics. With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, smartphone synching is quite easy, and they are wireless to boot. Tech-savvy drivers will appreciate the quick response times and the sheer number of USB ports.

Chevy Safety Assist Is Standard

Chevy decided to make the Chevy Safety Assist a standard feature in all Traverse trims levels this year. This is a really big deal for many drivers as safety is always a big concern, especially if you are traveling with your family. So for no added cash out of your pocket, drivers of the Traverse now get to enjoy Front Pedestrian Braking and Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning. The latter uses a brief and gentle steering turn to alert you when you are drifting into the other lane. Other Chevy Safety Assist features include Automatic Emergency Braking, Following Distance Indicator, which keeps you from following too closely, and Forward Collision Alert.

It is unfortunate that many manufacturers choose to either only make the best safety features available on the high-level trims or force you to pay extra for them. This also holds true with some of the features you get with the infotainment system; some brands offer goodies like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as an option. So even if you are interested in the base model Traverse, you aren’t going to be stuck with a bare-bones interior.

Unique Styling

You were probably taught at a very young age that looks aren’t everything unless it is the look of the SUV you want to buy. We know that many of you think that a lot of SUVs in the market right now look very similar; there isn’t a lot that sets them apart aesthetically speaking. In a successful effort to garner a little more style for the 2022 Traverse, Chevy updated the front end, and it is amazing what a minor face-lift can do. The new appearance, with a new front facia, grille, and headlamp configuration, makes a huge difference in terms of style. You add in the updated taillamp design and new wheel designs, and the 2022 Traverse has a fresh look. There are no laws or rules that state a family SUV has to be boring and bland; the Traverse is just the opposite.