Forget the Minivan! 2013 Chevrolet Traverse Outshines with Standard Third Row

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.

Check out our Traverse Inventory!