2011
Chevrolet Traverse

Starts at:
$34,590
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New 2011 Chevrolet Traverse
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • FWD 4dr LS
    Starts at
    $29,370
    17 City / 24 Hwy
    MPG
    8
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • AWD 4dr LS
    Starts at
    $31,370
    16 City / 23 Hwy
    MPG
    8
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • FWD 4dr LT w/1LT
    Starts at
    $32,010
    17 City / 24 Hwy
    MPG
    7
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • AWD 4dr LT w/1LT
    Starts at
    $34,010
    16 City / 23 Hwy
    MPG
    7
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • FWD 4dr LT w/2LT
    Starts at
    $34,590
    17 City / 24 Hwy
    MPG
    8
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • AWD 4dr LT w/2LT
    Starts at
    $36,590
    16 City / 23 Hwy
    MPG
    8
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • FWD 4dr LTZ
    Starts at
    $38,250
    17 City / 24 Hwy
    MPG
    7
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • AWD 4dr LTZ
    Starts at
    $40,250
    16 City / 23 Hwy
    MPG
    7
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

Photo & video gallery

2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2011 Chevrolet Traverse

Notable features

Malibu-inspired styling
Three rows of seats
Standard 281-hp V-6
FWD or AWD
Related to GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave

The good & the bad

The good

Ride quality
Cargo volume
Crash-test ratings
Relative gas mileage
Cabin quality

The bad

Somewhat unresponsive transmission
Comfort of cloth upholstery
Large turning circle
Third-row comfort
Highway wind noise

Expert 2011 Chevrolet Traverse review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By David Thomas
Full article
our expert's take

Editor’s note: This review was written in February 2010 about the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse. Little of substance has changed with this year’s model. To see what’s new for 2011, click here, or check out a side-by-side comparison of the two model years.

As car buyers gravitate away from SUVs and minivans toward three-row crossovers, the Chevy Traverse has become one of GM’s biggest successes. Its good looks, winning drivability and interior quality help it compete well with the rest of the class.

For 2010, the Chevy Traverse remains relatively unchanged from the 2009 model reviewed last year, when the crossover was all-new. You can see what’s changed between the two here, or read our 2009 review here. For this review, I tested the top-of-the-line LTZ, front-wheel-drive model that starts at $37,985; the base Traverse starts at $29,224. Our tester’s MSRP, with options and destination fee, was more than $41,000.

Utility for Families
There’s no escaping it: If you’re shopping for a Traverse, there’s a good chance you have kids. If you don’t, well … you’re getting a lot of crossover for your friends. But if you’re in the parent group, there are a few things you’ll definitely want to know before you consider the Traverse.

As the parent of two kids under age 2, the Traverse isn’t a perfect fit for my family. The height of the rear passenger seats is a little too much for lifting kids in and out of their child-safety seats. While it’s not so high that young families should immediately cross it off their shopping list, there are a number of vehicles that make the task easier — for example, Ford’s low-riding Flex.

While the Traverse is available with a second-row bench, my test car was equipped with two captain’s chairs in that spot, which isn’t as accommodating for child-safety seats as the standard third-row bench. If you have older kids, they’ll likely prefer this setup, as it gives them plenty of breathing space. It also allows for an open pass-through to the third row, which is a nice feature often found in minivans. Families with dogs may also appreciate this. The Flex — and the similar Lincoln MKT — don’t feature a large pass-through like this, so it isn’t as easy to maneuver between rows.

With the captain’s chairs, you can seat a maximum of seven. To seat eight, you’ll need the second-row bench. There’s an acceptable amount of cargo room with the third row in place, but for road trips you’ll likely have to fold one or both of the third-row seats flat to make room for luggage.

There’s 24.4 cubic feet of cargo room with the third row in place, which tops competitors like the Flex, at 20 cubic feet, and the Mazda CX-9, at 17.2 cubic feet. Its overall cargo volume is a significant 116.4 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded flat, compared with only 83.2 cubic feet in the Flex and 100.7 cubic feet in the CX-9.

Performance
The Traverse is a terrific around-town vehicle. I was really surprised by how easy it was to park the three-row crossover; it handled like a much smaller car. Compared with the Flex and even the CX-9, the Traverse is the easiest to drive and navigate in tight spaces.

The Traverse comes with only one engine option: a 281-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission and either front- or all-wheel drive. Mileage is above average for the class, at 17/24 mpg city/highway with front-wheel drive and 16/23 mpg with all-wheel drive. That compares with 17/23 mpg in a front-wheel-drive Honda Pilot and 16/22 mpg for an all-wheel-drive Pilot. The front-wheel-drive Flex V-6 gets 17/24 mpg, while the all-wheel-drive model gets 16/22 mpg.

When the Traverse’s V-6 debuted in the nearly identical Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia crossovers, senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder noted a serious delay in gear changes when needing to pass at highway speeds. The problem was remedied in a swift recall, but in the 2010 Traverse I still found noticeable hesitation when needing to pass on the highway. Is it dangerous? Not likely, but it doesn’t instill confidence and remains a black mark.

There’s plenty of power for cruising at highway speeds, but the more people you load in the Traverse the less energetic it becomes. The Flex offers an optional 355-hp, turbocharged V-6 engine that’s rather expensive, but it offers a lot of performance and is unmatched in this class in terms of power. It also gets mileage identical to the non-turbo all-wheel-drive Flex. The Flex SEL EcoBoost with all-wheel drive starts at $36,595 and comes with many of the same features as our LTZ Traverse, like standard leather heated seats.

Safety
The 2010 Chevy Traverse earned the top score, Good, in front, side and rear crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. In the past, this would have garnered it Top Safety Pick status, which it had for 2009, but now IIHS requires vehicles to pass a roof strength test as well, to which the Traverse has not yet been submitted. It does have a four-star rollover rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Click here for a full list of safety features.

Traverse in the Market
It’s not the cheapest or fastest three-row crossover on the market, but Chevy is winning over customers with the Traverse’s styling. Who would have thought?

Add in its utility and relative nimbleness, and there are even more legitimate reasons to consider the Traverse. This class is increasingly competitive, though, and shoppers would do well to cross-shop the Flex, CX-9 and Pilot.

Send David an email  
Managing Editor
David Thomas

Former managing editor David Thomas has a thing for wagons and owns a 2010 Subaru Outback and a 2005 Volkswagen Passat wagon.

2011 Chevrolet Traverse review: Our expert's take
By David Thomas

Editor’s note: This review was written in February 2010 about the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse. Little of substance has changed with this year’s model. To see what’s new for 2011, click here, or check out a side-by-side comparison of the two model years.

As car buyers gravitate away from SUVs and minivans toward three-row crossovers, the Chevy Traverse has become one of GM’s biggest successes. Its good looks, winning drivability and interior quality help it compete well with the rest of the class.

For 2010, the Chevy Traverse remains relatively unchanged from the 2009 model reviewed last year, when the crossover was all-new. You can see what’s changed between the two here, or read our 2009 review here. For this review, I tested the top-of-the-line LTZ, front-wheel-drive model that starts at $37,985; the base Traverse starts at $29,224. Our tester’s MSRP, with options and destination fee, was more than $41,000.

Utility for Families
There’s no escaping it: If you’re shopping for a Traverse, there’s a good chance you have kids. If you don’t, well … you’re getting a lot of crossover for your friends. But if you’re in the parent group, there are a few things you’ll definitely want to know before you consider the Traverse.

As the parent of two kids under age 2, the Traverse isn’t a perfect fit for my family. The height of the rear passenger seats is a little too much for lifting kids in and out of their child-safety seats. While it’s not so high that young families should immediately cross it off their shopping list, there are a number of vehicles that make the task easier — for example, Ford’s low-riding Flex.

While the Traverse is available with a second-row bench, my test car was equipped with two captain’s chairs in that spot, which isn’t as accommodating for child-safety seats as the standard third-row bench. If you have older kids, they’ll likely prefer this setup, as it gives them plenty of breathing space. It also allows for an open pass-through to the third row, which is a nice feature often found in minivans. Families with dogs may also appreciate this. The Flex — and the similar Lincoln MKT — don’t feature a large pass-through like this, so it isn’t as easy to maneuver between rows.

With the captain’s chairs, you can seat a maximum of seven. To seat eight, you’ll need the second-row bench. There’s an acceptable amount of cargo room with the third row in place, but for road trips you’ll likely have to fold one or both of the third-row seats flat to make room for luggage.

There’s 24.4 cubic feet of cargo room with the third row in place, which tops competitors like the Flex, at 20 cubic feet, and the Mazda CX-9, at 17.2 cubic feet. Its overall cargo volume is a significant 116.4 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded flat, compared with only 83.2 cubic feet in the Flex and 100.7 cubic feet in the CX-9.

Performance
The Traverse is a terrific around-town vehicle. I was really surprised by how easy it was to park the three-row crossover; it handled like a much smaller car. Compared with the Flex and even the CX-9, the Traverse is the easiest to drive and navigate in tight spaces.

The Traverse comes with only one engine option: a 281-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission and either front- or all-wheel drive. Mileage is above average for the class, at 17/24 mpg city/highway with front-wheel drive and 16/23 mpg with all-wheel drive. That compares with 17/23 mpg in a front-wheel-drive Honda Pilot and 16/22 mpg for an all-wheel-drive Pilot. The front-wheel-drive Flex V-6 gets 17/24 mpg, while the all-wheel-drive model gets 16/22 mpg.

When the Traverse’s V-6 debuted in the nearly identical Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia crossovers, senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder noted a serious delay in gear changes when needing to pass at highway speeds. The problem was remedied in a swift recall, but in the 2010 Traverse I still found noticeable hesitation when needing to pass on the highway. Is it dangerous? Not likely, but it doesn’t instill confidence and remains a black mark.

There’s plenty of power for cruising at highway speeds, but the more people you load in the Traverse the less energetic it becomes. The Flex offers an optional 355-hp, turbocharged V-6 engine that’s rather expensive, but it offers a lot of performance and is unmatched in this class in terms of power. It also gets mileage identical to the non-turbo all-wheel-drive Flex. The Flex SEL EcoBoost with all-wheel drive starts at $36,595 and comes with many of the same features as our LTZ Traverse, like standard leather heated seats.

Safety
The 2010 Chevy Traverse earned the top score, Good, in front, side and rear crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. In the past, this would have garnered it Top Safety Pick status, which it had for 2009, but now IIHS requires vehicles to pass a roof strength test as well, to which the Traverse has not yet been submitted. It does have a four-star rollover rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Click here for a full list of safety features.

Traverse in the Market
It’s not the cheapest or fastest three-row crossover on the market, but Chevy is winning over customers with the Traverse’s styling. Who would have thought?

Add in its utility and relative nimbleness, and there are even more legitimate reasons to consider the Traverse. This class is increasingly competitive, though, and shoppers would do well to cross-shop the Flex, CX-9 and Pilot.

Send David an email  

Available cars near you

Safety review

Based on the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Overall rating
5/5
Combined side rating front seat
5/5
Combined side rating rear seat
5/5
Frontal barrier crash rating driver
5/5
Frontal barrier crash rating passenger
4/5
Overall frontal barrier crash rating
4/5
Overall side crash rating
5/5
Rollover rating
4/5
Side barrier rating
5/5
Side barrier rating driver
5/5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat
5/5
Side pole rating driver front seat
5/5
16.9%
Risk of rollover
Side barrier rating driver
5/5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat
5/5
Side pole rating driver front seat
5/5
16.9%
Risk of rollover

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Corrosion
3 years / 36,000 miles
Powertrain
5 years / 100,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
5 years / 100,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
5 model years or newer / up to 75,000 miles
Basic
12 months / 12,000 miles bumper-to-bumper original warranty, then may continue to 6 years / 100,000 miles limited (depending on variables)
Dealer certification
172-point inspection

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Consumer reviews

4.0 / 5
Based on 128 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.4
Interior 4.2
Performance 4.1
Value 4.1
Exterior 4.4
Reliability 4.1

Most recent

Bad engine

Bought my vehicle at 10000 miles timing went, had it fixed 50 thousand miles later same problem. So after spending 20 grand its junk!! Then was told by 6 people mechanics that all traverse engines from 2006 to 2016 are junk
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does not recommend this car
Comfort 5.0
Interior 5.0
Performance 3.0
Value 3.0
Exterior 3.0
Reliability 1.0
22 people out of 22 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Long Lasting SUV

2011 and 179,000 miles still running strong. Main repairs, some under warranty Expect your power steering pump to leak. Fixed 2x. 2nd time had to pay to replace new p. steering pump and rack assembly. $1200. Water pump leaked, needed replacing at 80k. $500 Valve cover gaskets leak. Engine runs strong, up to 21mpg highway. Transmission is smooth. Replaced all struts and shocks myself at 120k. ,$400 for all fr Amazon. Replaced all rotors and pads 2x in 179,000. Did myself at home. Rotors are $50 each doe AC Delco Silver ( Made in China) Pads are $60 for all 4 ceramic pads. YouTube has tons of videos on how to do brakes. Tuned up myself with Iridium plugs. Need a special spark plug wrench. Plugs are deep inside engine. Replaced all 6 spark coils myself for $80. Total tune-up with air & pcv filter less than $200. Interior still looks great. Most comfortable seats I've had. Exterior tricoat white pearl paint still glistening. Cooper tires last 75k on this car. Goodyear Fortrera stock tires noisy after 20k. Blowout at 30k. Auto VSC auto stabilze worked perfect. Keep car straight after blowout at 75moh.
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
Comfort 5.0
Interior 5.0
Performance 4.0
Value 5.0
Exterior 5.0
Reliability 3.0
19 people out of 19 found this review helpful. Did you?
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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse?

The 2011 Chevrolet Traverse is available in 4 trim levels:

  • LS (2 styles)
  • LT w/1LT (2 styles)
  • LT w/2LT (2 styles)
  • LTZ (2 styles)

What is the MPG of the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse?

The 2011 Chevrolet Traverse offers up to 17 MPG in city driving and 24 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse?

The 2011 Chevrolet Traverse compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse reliable?

The 2011 Chevrolet Traverse has an average reliability rating of 4.1 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2011 Chevrolet Traverse owners.

Is the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse a good SUV?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. 78.1% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.0 / 5
Based on 128 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.4
  • Interior: 4.2
  • Performance: 4.1
  • Value: 4.1
  • Exterior: 4.4
  • Reliability: 4.1

Chevrolet Traverse history

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