Competes with: Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, Subaru Ascent, Toyota Highlander, Volkswagen Atlas
Looks like: The current Traverse with a slightly more aggressive, less quirky face that resembles the freshened 2021 Equinox already unveiled
Powertrain: 310-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 and nine-speed automatic; front- or all-wheel drive
On sale: 2021
Chevrolet has delayed the light refresh of its big Traverse three-row SUV from 2021 to 2022. Going on sale in 2021, the updated Traverse will feature tweaks to its looks and, more importantly, will make standard for all models a package of safety tech that includes automatic emergency braking.
Related: 2021 Chevrolet Equinox Blazes Into New Year With Updates
The Traverse was fully redesigned for 2018 and is among the biggest of the popular three-row family haulers. It’s a competitive category full of recently redesigned or refreshed rivals, as well as all-new competition including the Kia Telluride and the Hyundai Palisade, Cars.com’s Best of 2020 winner and newest member of our long-term test-car fleet. The 2022 Traverse will go on sale in 2021, with pricing still to be announced.
Exterior
The 2022 Traverse has slightly more rugged-looking front and rear bumpers, and the grille is more like the update already seen on the freshened 2021 Equinox, looking a bit more like one big grille and less like the quirkier two-level grille on current models. The headlights and taillights are reshaped, with LEDs now standard for both. A new design combines the daytime running lights and turn signals into one integrated LED unit. There are also four new wheel designs for 2022.
Interior
The seven- (with captain’s chairs) or eight-occupant interior gets freshened upholstery and trim options. Additions to its extensive tech menu include the option of wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Another new option is an 8-inch driver information display.
Engine and Transmission
The standard Traverse powertrain carries over for 2022. It includes a 310-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 that puts out 266 pounds-feet of torque and includes a stop-start system. It’s mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission, and the Traverse offers front- or all-wheel drive.
Safety
For 2022, the Traverse will get in step with most of its rivals by making standard a safety tech package that includes a front collision system with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection. Also standard are lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams and a following distance monitor. Optional safety and driver assistance tech includes adaptive cruise control, a parking assist, a 360-degree camera system, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and the Safety Alert Seat that vibrates the driver’s seat to alert the person behind the wheel to hazards spotted by the vehicle’s various safety systems.
Editor’s note:The timing for the launch of the refreshed Chevrolet Traverse has been revised. It will now launch in calendar-year 2021 as a 2022 model.
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
