2014 Chevrolet Traverse Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

Chevrolet released the first Chevrolet Traverse in 2009 and the vehicle quickly became a mainstay in the automaker's lineup of sport utility vehicles as a popular crossover. The vehicles main selling points are the number of passengers it can hold and the amount of cargo space available, making it a good choice for large families. The Chevrolet Traverse is one of Chevrolet's larger crossover sport utility vehicles and offers consumers a long list of positive aspects that make it a good choice for purchase. [ For the 2015 model see - Chevrolet Traverse Pros and Cons ]

In the vein of the "do not fix it if it is not broken" mantra, Chevrolet did not make any noticeable changes with the 2014 model. Instead, they added the option of more safety features that are now available in select models of the Traverse. The vehicle did go through a moderate design change with the 2013 models so this is a newer design, just not new to this years version.

• The Chevrolet Traverse offers a large amount of passenger space for large families or groups. The Traverse sits eight people quite comfortably and is a great choice for large families. The options for seating include a two bench option for the middle and back seats as well as an option for buckets in the middle seats. The two bench configuration seats eight and the bucket configuration seats seven.

• The Traverse has a 3.6 liter V6 engine that has the power to make driving a vehicle this large comfortable. The 288 horsepower make shifting and passing responsive in all driving situations, but especially highway driving.

• The car-like body platform of the Traverse allows for a good turning radius for a vehicle of this size. Navigating drive-thru windows and tight parking lot spaces are considerably easier than would appear for a vehicle of this size.

• The interior of the Traverse is spacious and the use of soft materials in the construction give it a more upscale feel. The interior and controls are designed for easy accessibility and use.

• The Traverse comes equipped with On-Star and includes a free 6-month trial period. The vehicle also comes with Chevrolet's MyLink for connecting a cell phone and features a 6.5" touch screen.

• Standard safety equipment includes a reversing camera and On-Star services. Optional safety features include rear parking assist sensors, forward collision alert and lane departure warning system on select models.

• The Traverse receives good safety ratings from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The IIHS gives the Traverse its highest ranking of good and the NHTSA gives the Traverse 4 stars on rollovers and 5 stars on all other safety measures.

• While the Traverse is not built for an off road experiene, the ride on less than optimum roads is comfortable and the vehicle handles well.

• For a vehicle of its weight and size the Traverse does well in the fuel efficiency department at 17 mph in the city and 24 mph on the highway. It compares positively against other large vehicles such as the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban.

• The Traverse has plenty of cargo space. With all three seats installed it still maintains a 24 sq. ft. cargo area. With middle and back seats removed, this jumps to 116 cubic feet of space and compares with the cargo load of the Chevrolet Tahoe.

• The large frame and heavy structure of the Traverse give it the ability to pull up to 5200 pounds. Plenty of strength for the average weekend enthusiast.

Unfortunately, not all things in life are perfect and the Traverse is no exception to this rule. While the list of negatives is considerably shorter than the positives, there are a few things that potential buyers should consider before purchasing the Chevrolet Traverse.

• While most would not call the Traverse ugly, styling is not a main focus. This is a utilitarian vehicle first and foremost. The styling is kept fairly basic but still manages to look like a family vehicle.

• The Traverse does handle well, it can be sluggish and unresponsive at times. It especially has a difficult time with standing starts and moderate to difficult upgrades on the highway. The Traverse is a very large vehicle and sometimes feels like a large vehicle.

• The Traverse boasts some of the largest cargo space, this isn't always the case. When all three seats are installed the 24 cubic feet of space can seem restrictive and is an over estimate if you wish to be able to see out the rear window.

• This vehicle makes a fine alternative to a van, but the large rear doors can make entering and exiting the vehicle difficult in parking situations. This can be a bigger issue with children who still ride in car seats, making loading and unloading difficult at times.

• Seating can be uncomfortable for some, the lumbar support bladder in the driver seat protrudes even when deflated. Also, the rear bench seats sit low and can be a problem for adults. Seat belt latches are rigid and can cause issues when loading and unloading children is safety seats.

The Chevrolet Traverse has much more going for it than it has going against it. It is definitely a vehicle that does what it sets out to do and it does it really well. While it does have a few issues that may keep some from purchasing it, the all-around ability of the vehicle is above average. The Traverse is a great vehicle for people who need to transport many people or a lot of cargo, but unfortunately for the most case, not both. The handling and safety of this vehicle are way above average for a crossover sport utility vehicle of this size and weight. Overall, the Chevrolet Traverse seems like an above average option for someone looking for this style of vehicle.