Chevrolet Traverse Reviews: Is the 2025 Model the Right Family SUV for You?

It’s surprising to admit, but there was a certain charm to the previous generation Chevy Traverse. It wasn’t flashy, but it was a dependable, honest family vehicle. It prioritized comfort and practicality, feeling robust and reliable in a way that resonated with drivers seeking a no-nonsense family hauler. However, the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse takes a different path, aiming for a bolder and more modern appeal.

The 2025 Traverse undeniably caters to contemporary SUV desires. It’s larger, offering ample space, packed with modern cabin technology, and boasts a tougher, more assertive design. Especially in the sporty RS trim, it’s a significant departure from the understated look of its predecessor. Yet, in its pursuit of style and modernity, the new Traverse also embodies some of the current automotive industry’s less desirable trends. It feels heavy, somewhat inefficient, and less refined in its driving dynamics. Even with the Z71 package designed to enhance its rugged appeal, its off-road capabilities remain more aspirational than actual.

For families prioritizing spaciousness and eye-catching aesthetics in their SUV, the Traverse is a viable option. However, a deeper dive into its performance and features reveals that there might be more compelling choices in the same price range that deliver a more well-rounded and effective family vehicle. The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse leans heavily towards style, potentially at the expense of substance.

Overview of the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse

Despite being a relatively recent redesign, the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse is already a common sight on roads, a testament to its immediate appeal. For the 2025 model year, Chevrolet has maintained the successful formula, carrying over the boxy and assertive exterior, the tech-forward interior, and the same powertrain.

The visual impact of the new Traverse is undeniable. It possesses a bold and butch stance that the previous generation lacked. While the older model blended into the suburban landscape, this iteration demands attention. Its design loudly proclaims a desire for a more premium SUV like the Tahoe, but within a more accessible price bracket.

The Z71 package amplifies this bold statement with its distinctive wheels, all-terrain tires, and prominent red front tow hooks. While the off-road aspirations might be somewhat overstated for its likely usage, the visual enhancements are effective. Notably, the Rubystar Metallic paint option available for the test vehicle is particularly striking.

Chevrolet seems to be adopting a design approach reminiscent of German automakers in their interior layouts. While not necessarily in terms of build quality, the consistency in design language across different Chevy models is apparent. If you’re familiar with recent Chevrolet interiors, the Traverse’s cabin will feel familiar. It features the same steering wheel, the integrated dual-screen setup for gauges and infotainment, and similar climate control interfaces. The Z71 trim adds red accents to differentiate it slightly. Functionally, the interior is well-executed and largely ergonomic. GM’s infotainment system remains user-friendly and responsive, the climate controls are straightforward, and the steering wheel buttons are logically arranged for the most part. However, the placement of volume and media controls on the back of the steering wheel is unconventional and, in the test vehicle, the left-side control malfunctioned.

Underneath the expansive hood resides what appears to be a surprisingly small engine. A 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is not uncommon in this vehicle class, but its visual presence in the vast engine bay is somewhat underwhelming. While the engine’s specifications of 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque appear respectable on paper, its real-world performance feels less impressive. It provides adequate power for moving the Traverse, but lacks a sense of energetic responsiveness. The engine note is also described as coarse and unrefined, compared to the sound of a blender at low speed.

Despite these criticisms, the Traverse has undeniable strengths, particularly in its spaciousness. The interior is cavernous, offering exceptional legroom in the second row, akin to a private tour bus. Even third-row passengers enjoy legroom comparable to a typical midsize sedan. The Traverse comfortably accommodated four adults and two children in the test, with ample room for everyone. The availability of second-row captain’s chairs further enhances third-row access, a highly desirable feature for families.

Driving Experience: Comfort vs. Control

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse prioritizes ride comfort. The suspension is tuned for a soft and compliant ride, further enhanced by the Z71’s large tires with thick sidewalls. This plush ride quality, combined with a quiet cabin, contributes to a relaxed driving experience, ideal for family transportation. Despite the “RS” badge on certain trims, the Traverse’s driving dynamics are far removed from sportier vehicles like the Camaro RS. In this context, “RS” is primarily an indicator of a more expensive trim level focused on aesthetics rather than performance.

However, the driving experience for the person behind the wheel is less impressive. The steering is a significant drawback. It’s characterized as vague, light, and slow, hindering the driver’s sense of control over the vehicle. This is particularly problematic given the Traverse’s considerable size. The large front end and high hoodline make it challenging to judge the vehicle’s dimensions, potentially posing visibility concerns, especially for shorter drivers. The lack of steering precision further exacerbates the feeling of driving a large and somewhat unwieldy vehicle.

The braking performance is also described as concerning. The brake pedal exhibits excessive mushiness at the top of its travel, with weak initial bite. This necessitates applying significant pedal pressure for effective braking, creating a somewhat unnerving experience until the driver adapts to this characteristic. The abrupt difference in braking feel when switching to a different vehicle after driving the Traverse highlights this issue, as described by the author’s anecdote about his wife’s glasses.

Pros and Cons of the Chevrolet Traverse

The strongest aspects of the Traverse align with the priorities of many crossover SUV buyers. Its spacious interior, user-friendly infotainment system, and assertive styling are likely to be key selling points. Beyond these primary features, the Traverse offers some additional benefits. Like many Chevrolet vehicles, it includes a helpful safety feature that vibrates the driver’s seat to warn of approaching vehicles while reversing, enhancing parking lot safety. Outward visibility is generally good, providing occupants with a commanding view of the road.

However, the Traverse also has notable drawbacks beyond its driving dynamics. The gauge cluster is criticized for being cluttered and displaying excessive information in a confined space. The absence of a dedicated wiper stalk on the right side of the steering column, with wiper controls integrated into the left stalk, is considered an ergonomic inconvenience. Furthermore, GM vehicles are known for their distinctive turn signal sound, characterized by an initial pause before the first click and an unusual cadence. This quirk can lead to uncertainty about whether the turn signal is properly activated, as experienced by the reviewer during lane changes.

Trim Levels, Features, and Competition

The base price of the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse, starting at $38,995, appears to offer reasonable value, considering its standard eight-passenger seating, 18-inch wheels, and large 17-inch infotainment screen. The sheer size of the infotainment screen relative to the wheel size is highlighted as a point of interest. Adding all-wheel drive increases the starting price to $40,995.

The Traverse Z71 trim, as tested, represents a significant step up in price and features. It includes an advanced twin-clutch rear differential (though its practical use for typical suburban drivers is questioned), unique 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, prominent red tow hooks, and Z71 badging. The Z71 trim starts at $47,795, reflecting a premium for its more rugged appearance and features.

Despite the Z71’s tougher aesthetic, the Traverse remains a unibody crossover in a highly competitive segment. It competes with other popular full-size crossovers such as the Honda Pilot, Toyota Grand Highlander, Hyundai Palisade, and Kia Telluride. Beyond its styling, the Traverse struggles to distinguish itself significantly from these rivals. While it may offer a slightly lower price point compared to some competitors like the Grand Highlander, the price difference becomes less significant as you move up through the trim levels.

Fuel Economy and Efficiency

A common concern with large SUVs, including the Traverse, is their fuel economy, particularly when equipped with smaller turbocharged four-cylinder engines. The all-wheel-drive Traverse has EPA fuel economy ratings of 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. The reviewer’s real-world fuel economy averaged slightly lower, between 19 and 20 mpg, likely influenced by the all-terrain tires. This fuel economy is only marginally better than a V8-powered Tahoe and comparable to the V6 Honda Pilot, according to EPA estimates, raising questions about the benefits of the smaller four-cylinder engine in terms of efficiency.

This fuel economy performance is not unique to the Traverse, as many competitors in this class exhibit similar figures. The gasoline-powered Grand Highlander achieves slightly better fuel economy, but the difference is not substantial. However, the Grand Highlander offers a hybrid powertrain option that provides significantly better fuel efficiency, a feature not currently available for the Traverse.

Value and Verdict

In its base configuration, the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse presents a compelling value proposition. For a starting price under $40,000, it offers eight seats, a spacious interior, and a comprehensive suite of cabin technology. Even with all-wheel drive, the price remains just above the $40,000 mark. For families prioritizing practicality and space over driving dynamics, the base Traverse is a solid contender. However, as you climb through the trim levels and add option packages, the value proposition diminishes.

For drivers who appreciate driving engagement, even to a moderate degree, there are likely better alternatives to the Traverse. However, the high visibility of new Traverses on the road suggests that many buyers prioritize other factors over driving enjoyment. Objectively, the Traverse has flaws, including subpar brakes, vague steering, and a somewhat unrefined and inefficient engine, especially as the price increases with higher trims. However, it excels in areas that resonate most with its target audience: bold styling, a spacious cabin, and three rows of seating.

Ultimately, Chevrolet has successfully catered to market demands by prioritizing style and space in the Traverse. While from a driving enthusiast perspective, there’s a desire for improvements in driving dynamics, the Traverse effectively delivers on its core mission as a family-oriented SUV focused on space and aesthetics.