2020 Chevy Traverse Review
Price Range: $16,950 - $34,998





+504
Average
7.4
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The 2020 Traverse is one of the largest three-row crossovers in the midsize class and provides plenty of passenger and cargo space. A quiet cabin, soft ride and impressive infotainment tech add to its appeal. On the downside, budget-grade interior materials and a lack of standard safety features can make it hard to justify paying Chevy's price. Overall, the Traverse is worth a look if maximum space is a priority, but there are better choices overall.
2020 Chevrolet Traverse Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What's new
- V6 engine now standard across the lineup
- Upgraded navigation and infotainment systems
- More features added to option packages
- Part of the second Traverse generation introduced for 2018
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse L 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.97 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$168/mo for Traverse L
Traverse L
vs
$224/mo
Avg. Large SUV
See Edmunds pricing data
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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
3.5 out of 5 stars3.5/5Above Average
#22 out of 32 among Midsize SUVs
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Chevrolet Traverse from 2008-2022.$574/yr
vs. $485/yr
for Average Midsize SUV
for Average Midsize SUV
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).1.02x/yr
vs. 1.18x/yr
for Average Midsize SUV
for Average Midsize SUV
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).16.5%
vs. 13.5%
for Average Midsize SUV
for Average Midsize SUV
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
Chevrolet Traverse Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(62%)
4(12%)
3(12%)
2(14%)
1(0%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
From a Lincoln to a Chevy
5 out of 5 starsRaymond Stewart, 11/16/2019
2020 Chevrolet Traverse LT Cloth 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
If you have heard the rumor that Lincolns are a very smooth ride, with decent mileage and pretty good on service, you heard right. What you also need to know is that the Chevy Traverse is, in my opinion & experience, as comparable in the ride & the service, with one distinction, much affordable than the Lincoln!
MEETS AND EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS - UPDATE #2
4 out of 5 starsDavid S , 01/20/2021
2020 Chevrolet Traverse RS 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
After 6 months and 7,000 km, I am really happy with my 2020 RS.
PRO's:
Amazing amount of space - I keep the 3rd row of seats down most of the time, and the amount of trunk space this provides is incredible. More than any other vehicle I have owned.
Decent economy - I've averaged 8.9 ltrs/100 km so far. That compares very favourably to the 11.7 I used to get with the 2014 Jeep Wrangler … 4-door that the Chev replaced.
Comfort ride - Actually, a very comfortable ride; better than my neighbour's Toyota Highlander and another's Ford Explorer. Really awesome on the highway.
Also, good fit and finish. Plenty of helpful technology. Easy to get in and out of.
CONS:
The worst is Auto Stop. It's so frustrating in city traffic, but not a problem in the rural area I live in.
The heated steering wheel gets too hot. (I'm going to get the dealership to check this at the next service.)
That's it! So far, the Chev is a winner. Oh...and it handles the snowy conditions of a Canadian winter much better than expected. I have winter tires on, of course, but the roads in the area I live in are the last to get ploughed, but just switching the drive setting to 4x4 and even 6" of snow doesn't bother the Chev.
I guess I'll update this in a few months.
UPDATE:
After 11 months and 13,500 km, I can still report that the Traverse both meets and exceeds my original expectations. Gas consumption has averaged 9.4 litres/100 km, including several long trips with a 2,000lb trailer in tow. I have become quite used to the Auto-Stop feature and it no longer bothers me at all. That said, I still don't like it! There really needs to be an override button.
I bought a Curt Echo Bluetooth electric brake controller and despite my misgivings, it works perfectly. I borrowed a neighbour's 4,000 cargo trailer (equipped with electric brakes) and towed it for several hundred kms. The controller worked really well and using the cellphone app to adjust it is very easy.
I would give the Traverse 5 stars if it wasn't for the high purchase price and the lack of an override for the Auto-Stop. It's comfortable, very spacious and - so far - very reliable. I totally recommend this vehicle.
UPDATE December1, 2022:
It's now 26 months since I purchased the Traverse, and with 38,700 kms on the clock, it continues to be an awesome vehicle. Average gas consumption has improved to 8.6 litres/100 kms. I did have to make one tiny warranty claim... The chrome strip on the trunk, between the tail lights, started to lose its coating and was replaced by the dealership.
The all-wheel system works really well in the snowy Canadian winter, especially with decent snow tires fitted. Bottom line... I'm still happy and looking forward to several years of ownership.
UPDATE June 5, 2023
2 1/2 years and 47,000 KMS and the Traverse is purring along nicely. Overall fuel economy has improved to 7.9 litres/100 km. Summer rims & tires are back on and tire noise is a distant hum again. Hopefully, I'll be back with another update later in the year.
UPDATE December 6, 2023
After 3 yrs and 3 mos of ownership and 53,000+ kms, our Traverse is still running perfectly. Absolutely no complaints. The winter tires are back on, and while they're a little noisier than the summer tires, the ride is smoother with the smaller rims and higher-profile tires. Overall gas consumption is an amazing 7.6 lts/100 km (31 mpg), including a fair amount of towing a 3,500 lbs utility trailer. I'll be back with another update next summer.
LOVE MY CAR!!!!!
5 out of 5 starsGgutierrez43, 12/26/2019
2020 Chevrolet Traverse LT Cloth 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
This car has been amazing to my family! Love the captain seats and all of the spacious room it has! This car has a smooth ride, heated seats, heated steering wheel, heated side ,mirrors, auto start, auto locks and windows, cameras, lots of safety features, and lots of room for the whole family! Were in love with the new 2020 Traverse!
Great crossover SUV without going to a barge.
5 out of 5 starsDEF, 01/08/2021
2020 Chevrolet Traverse LT Leather 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A)
I read some of the "negative" reviews, and feel some buyers did not do their research or a proper test drive. This is a comfortable large suv with good sightlines and great road holding. Steering weight and vehicle tracking is darn near perfect. Not too light, not too heavy. And the Traverse holds a straight line without constant little adjustments, something I found very annoying in a … Hyundai Palisade I test drove. Cargo space behind the third row is good, with the third row folded, it's very large, and with a both rows folded, it's positively huge....almost 100 cubic feet. It has a real transmission, 9 speeds, and shifts effortlessly with no hesitation and no clunks. I have owned several brands of suvs including Subaru and Toyota Highlanders. Both were high quality vehicles. The Traverse is the best vehicle I have ever owned. After only two days, everything was intuitive. The infotainment/information system works very well. The Sirius/XM radio (Bose system with 10 speakers) is audio pleasure. One of the reviewers thought the Traverse was very difficult to see out of. She stated she was 5 ft 5. I'm six feet and actually believe the view out the front and all around the vehicle is excellent. I have no problem changing lanes left to right, and being able to confirm that there is nothing in the blind spot. The BSM is fine, but all of them only light up when a vehicle is very close. I can easily check visually with no problem whatsoever. Seats are very supportive and comfortable even on a long drive. Armrests are positioned properly. Remote start is a plus in our cold western NY winter, and the Traverse heats up fast and provides could climate control options. Cell phone paired effortlessly, and the garage door opener button was also easy to activate. If you are looking for an suv with a large cargo capacity, I don't think you can find better than the Traverse. You can seat 7 or 8. I have the second row captains seats. I also recommend the leather interior. Drive it and decide for yourself.
2020 Traverse Highlights
L
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $29,800 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $168/month |
Seating | 8 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 23.0 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the Traverse models:
- Teen Driver Mode
- Limits some systems, prevents safety features from being deactivated and reports driving behavior.
- Side Blind Zone Alert
- Warns the driver when a lane change may result in a collision with another vehicle.
- Front Automatic Braking
- Automatically applies the brakes to help you avoid potential collisions with vehicles in front of you.
NHTSA Overall Rating
5 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall4 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover16.9%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestGood
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedAcceptable
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
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