2022 Chevrolet Traverse RS: Overview
I had and have the impression that Traverse, the big crossover of the Chevrolet Family and the “GM Tribe” is an overlooked product and deserves more attention and a bigger market share.
The Traverse, a cousin of the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Cadillac XT6 is the most affordable and subjectively speaking the most spacious one within GM’s midsize crossover family.
I drove the Traverse with two friends from Toronto to St. Jacobs in the Kitchener-Waterloo Area and back to Toronto.
2022 Chevrolet Traverse RS: Engine and Powertrain
From the beginning, Chevrolet offers only one engine option for theTraverse: The 310 hp 3.6-litre V6 is used across several models and does a good job also in this three-row crossover. As you give gas, the engine easily and linearly builds revs. The nine-speed automatic transmission is probably programmed for a sportier drive since it has some delay for upshifting. Our test drive more on the highway than in the city yielded an average of almost 14 litres. I think that by changing the shift map, Chevrolet would reach more economic values and the current combination is an intended choice.
2022 Chevrolet Traverse RS: Exterior
The mid-cycle facelift of the Traverse from last year did not bring big changes. But these changes made an already good product better and more attractive. The grille now has a stronger character and optically modified running and taillights give the vehicles a more modern outlook. The LED headlights are now standard across all trim levels. The boxy design spells more space and functionality over its cousins like the Buick Enclave.
2022 Chevrolet Traverse RS: Interior
The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse has some nice features like the umbrella holder which are worth mentioning.
More importantly, Safety Assist is now standard across all models, including automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian detection and braking, forward collision alert, automatic high beams, and lane-keeping assist. Adaptive cruise is now standard on more trims as well, including our tester, the RS.
The Traverse offers an 8.0-inch touchscreen with a “now uncovered” power-sliding panel and a “not-so-hidden” compartment behind this panel as standard. And both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard even with the base model.
The controls are easy and similar to the current-generation Chevrolet, Buick and GMC models. They are large enough even for use with a glove and well-marked.
The quality of materials is not top-notch, but this is also the reason why you have higher-end options like the Buick Enclave and the Cadillac XT6 within the GM Family.
The tall cabin provides plenty of space for anyone in all rows. The low dashboard improves visibility even for shorter drivers.
I still believe that minivans are the first choice when you need functional third-row seats. Some exceptions apply for three-row SUVs. And the Traverse is one of them. This vehicle offers enough space and comfort for the third row. Even adults (realistically two of them) with more than six-foot can comfortably ride in the third row. And this is a very important criterion when you choose this type of vehicle.
And access to the third row is easy thanks to forward-sliding second-row seats. This is a good example of how you add value and functionality to a three-row SUV.
With the second and third-row seats folded down, the Chevrolet Traverse RS offers 2,781 litres of max cargo space. The best-in-class figure excluding full-size body-on-frame SUVs like the Suburban. And with all seats in use, you still have 651 litres of cargo volume. The boxy design of the body helps to reach this capacity. An example of function over form.
2022 Chevrolet Traverse RS: Driving Impressions
The road-holding and the ride quality are very good. To be honest, I did not drive much on the minefields of Toronto but I think that potholes are more manageable with a vehicle of this size since also the chassis is very stiff and pieces of plastic in the interior are put well together.
The Traverse is relatively quiet on the road and cruising on the highway at 115 to 119 km/h is a pleasant experience. In addition to standard noise cancellation, I am confident that Chevrolet put a remarkable amount of sound isolation. As I mentioned above, the combination of the engine and the nine-speed automatic delivers pleasant and somewhat sporty driving, at the expense of the fuel economy. Turning on the AWD mode while passing on the highway is what we tried and enjoyed. We did not have an opportunity to go off-road.
Pricing
With an MSRP starting just below 40K for the base LT trim, the Traverse is an attractive alternative also from of price point. The RS, our tester and positioned below the range-topping High Country ($60,298) and Premier ($55,298) starts at $50,398 and is very well equipped with all safety features that the current technology enables.
2022 Chevrolet Traverse RS: Conclusion
Chevrolet (not the mention other GM brands) now has a very rich family of crossover and SUVs. With so many choices even a certain degree of internal competition seems inevitable. So, I ask myself why not choose the Traverse of the Tahoe with similar dimensions, especially when your towing needs are not crucial. The price difference between the base models for Traverse and Tahoe is around 20K. This is almost the MSRP of Trax, Chevy’s smallest SUV.
For more detailed and up-to-date information, please visit: http://www.chevrolet.ca
About St Jacobs, Ontario
St. Jacobs is a community and former village located in the township of Woolwich in Waterloo Region, Ontario, just north of the city of Waterloo. It is about a 90-minute drive from Toronto and is a perfect destination for a day trip. It is a popular location for tourism, due to its quaint village appearance and its Mennonite heritage. Waterloo Region is still home to the largest population of Old Order Mennonites in Canada, particularly in the areas around St Jacobs and Elmira. They are often seen on the local roads using their traditional horse and buggy transportation; many also use horses to pull the implements in their farm fields.
During our visit on a weekday and heavy rain (luckily it stopped as we arrived) the town was very quiet and finding an open restaurant was a bit of a challenge.
In the weeks ahead, expect this historic town to be full of tourists and visitors, especially at weekends.For more information, please visit: https://www.stjacobsvillage.com/
