The 2013 Chevrolet Traverse may have killed the Chevrolet
Uplander, but that's a good thing. The Traverse features a standard third row,
rear view camera, and curtain airbags. How much does the Chevrolet Traverse cost?
It's fairly undeniable that the crossover utility vehicle
has made the minivan an endangered species. In Chevrolet's case, the Traverse
has made the division's minivan extinct, which is a good thing as GM's minivans
were terrible efforts compared to the rest of the industry's offerings.
No longer bedeviled by having to distract your eyes from the
world's ugliest sliding doors, Chevrolet's engineers have been allowed to focus
on their greatest strength—of throwing in ever more standard equipment for
modest price bumps. The Traverse comes with standard equipment that are options
on its competition. Standard third row seating? Check. Standard rear view
camera system? Check. Standard head curtain airbags as roll over protection?
Check.
Also standard on all Traverse models is its most powerful
available engine, a 3.6L V6 with continuously variable valve timing, producing
a healthy 288 BHP and 270 ft.-lbs. of torque. This engine represents top of the
class power figures while still returning 17/24 city/highway on front wheel drive
models and 16/23 on full time AWD versions. Front wheel driven models are rated
for 5,200 pounds towing capacity. All models feature a six speed automatic
transmission, and the 2013 models have more immediate downshifting in response
to the throttle when sudden acceleration is demanded.
While the power train is nice and the standard safety
features are great, the calling card of the Traverse is class leading space.
For it is this spaciousness that not only leaves the Chevrolet minivans of yore
unlamented, it gives the division something to crow about as world beating. The
Traverse is long, coming in at 9.9 feet between the axles. The entire vehicle,
bumper to bumper, comes in at just shy of 17 feet.
That means a decent amount of the Traverse continues on past
the rear axle. In fact, even with its third row in action, there remains 24.4
cubic feet of cargo room, roughly the equal or better than the trunk of nearly
every full sized sedan on the market. With the third row folded, there are a
cavernous 70.3 cubes available. No one is missing the Uplander van, especially
when the Traverse's third row access has been made a one touch sliding affair
that ten year olds can easily handle. The sliding door of yesteryear has been
made nearly obsolete.
As with many modern vehicles, onboard proximity radar
systems are optionally available on the Traverse. On the LTZ trim level, side
and rear blind spot proximity warnings have your back against things you can't
see, providing both audio and visual cues that a collision is imminent.
With prices beginning at just north of $30,300 before
destination charges, for the amount of space you get in return, you'd be hard
pressed to come up with more for less. The Traverse, despite its facelift, may
still not be much of a looker, but it has all of the power, safety, and
convenience
features you could reasonably need.
You only have to go to options for your wants.
