Chevrolet Traverse: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Chevrolet Traverse catalogue covers five production phases within three generations, all using the SUV 5-doors body. The choice is fundamentally between the first-generation 3.6 AT models with a 6-speed Automatic, the second-generation mix of 2.0 AT and 3.6 AT models with a 9-speed Automatic, and the third-generation 2.5 i AT range with a turbocharged engine and an 8-speed Automatic.
The Chevrolet Traverse catalogue covers five production phases within three generations, all using the SUV 5-doors body. The choice is fundamentally between the first-generation 3.6 AT models with a 6-speed Automatic, the second-generation mix of 2.0 AT and 3.6 AT models with a 9-speed Automatic, and the third-generation 2.5 i AT range with a turbocharged engine and an 8-speed Automatic. The best fit depends on whether the priority is lower fuel consumption, FWD simplicity, AWD, acceleration, or the highest power-to-weight potential. Prices, sale listings, engine problems, reliability, oil capacity, and engine life are not measured in the supplied data.
Chevrolet Traverse generations: what changed?
The first generation ran from February 2008 through March 2012 and comprised four 3.6 AT versions. Its restyling ran from April 2012 through January 2018 and added another four 3.6 AT versions. Both phases used the SUV 5-doors body, a 3564 cc Gasoline engine, a 6-speed Automatic, and a choice of FWD or AWD. Outputs were 281 hp or 288 hp, while torque was 361 Nm or 366 Nm.
The second generation ran from January 2017 through May 2021 with five versions. It retained the SUV 5-doors body but introduced a turbocharged 1998 cc 2.0 AT alongside the naturally aspirated 3564 cc 3.6 AT. Every listed version used a 9-speed Automatic. Its first restyling ran from June 2021 through April 2024 and contained four 3.6 AT versions, again with FWD and AWD alternatives. Depending on the entry, output was 310 hp or 314 hp.
The third generation began in July 2023 and has four listed versions, all SUV 5-doors models. It replaced the earlier 3.6 AT offering with the turbocharged 2.5 i AT and 2.5 i AT 4WD, using an 8-speed Automatic. Outputs are 319 hp or 328 hp, and every entry produces 430 Nm. This generation therefore has the highest stated torque in the catalogue, exceeding the second-generation maximum of 400 Nm by 30 Nm and the restyled second-generation figure of 367 Nm by 63 Nm.
Chevrolet Traverse engine options and specs
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation — 3.6 AT, 281 hp, FWD | 281 hp | 361 Nm | 3564 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First generation — 3.6 AT, 281 hp, AWD | 281 hp | 361 Nm | 3564 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First generation — 3.6 AT, 288 hp, FWD | 288 hp | 366 Nm | 3564 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First generation — 3.6 AT, 288 hp, AWD | 288 hp | 366 Nm | 3564 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First-generation restyling — 3.6 AT, 281 hp, FWD | 281 hp | 361 Nm | 3564 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First-generation restyling — 3.6 AT, 281 hp, AWD | 281 hp | 361 Nm | 3564 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First-generation restyling — 3.6 AT, 288 hp, FWD | 288 hp | 366 Nm | 3564 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First-generation restyling — 3.6 AT, 288 hp, AWD | 288 hp | 366 Nm | 3564 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second generation — 2.0 AT, 258 hp, FWD | 258 hp | 400 Nm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 9-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second generation — 2.0 AT, 258 hp, AWD | 258 hp | 400 Nm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 9-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second generation — 3.6 AT, 310 hp, FWD | 310 hp | 367 Nm | 3564 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 9-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second generation — 3.6 AT AWD, 310 hp | 310 hp | 367 Nm | 3564 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 9-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second generation — 3.6 AT, 318 hp, AWD | 318 hp | 360 Nm | 3564 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 9-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second-generation restyling — 3.6 AT, 310 hp, FWD | 310 hp | 367 Nm | 3564 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 9-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second-generation restyling — 3.6 AT, 310 hp, AWD | 310 hp | 367 Nm | 3564 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 9-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second-generation restyling — 3.6 AT, 314 hp, FWD | 314 hp | 367 Nm | 3564 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 9-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second-generation restyling — 3.6 AT, 314 hp, AWD | 314 hp | 367 Nm | 3564 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 9-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Third generation — 2.5 i AT, 319 hp, FWD | 319 hp | 430 Nm | 2500 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Third generation — 2.5 i AT 4WD, 319 hp | 319 hp | 430 Nm | 2494 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Third generation — 2.5 i AT, 328 hp, FWD | 328 hp | 430 Nm | 2494 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Third generation — 2.5 i AT 4WD, 328 hp | 328 hp | 430 Nm | 2494 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
Calculated from the supplied displacement and output figures, the early 281 hp and 288 hp 3.6 AT versions deliver about 78.8 and 80.8 hp per litre. The second-generation 310 hp and 318 hp 3.6 AT versions raise that to about 87.0 and 89.2 hp per litre. The turbocharged 2.0 AT reaches about 129.1 hp per litre, while the third-generation 2494 cc engines produce about 127.9 hp per litre at 319 hp and 131.5 hp per litre at 328 hp. These calculations compare output with displacement; they are not measurements of durability or reliability.
Chevrolet Traverse performance and mpg comparison
Among versions with complete acceleration data, the quickest stated time from 0 to 100 km/h is 7.2 seconds. That figure applies to the second-generation 2.0 AT with FWD, the 310 hp 3.6 AT with FWD, the 3.6 AT AWD with 310 hp, and both 314 hp restyled 3.6 AT versions. The second-generation 2.0 AT with AWD takes 7.4 seconds, while the 318 hp 3.6 AT with AWD takes 7.6 seconds.
The first-generation range records 0–100 km/h times from 8.0 to 9.0 seconds, depending on phase, output, and drive. The first-generation-restyling 288 hp 3.6 AT with FWD is the quickest of those entries at 7.9 seconds. Its AWD counterpart takes 8.8 seconds, a difference of 0.9 seconds. Performance for every third-generation 2.5 i AT and 2.5 i AT 4WD version is not measured.
The highest measured top speed is 214 km/h. It appears across several first-generation 3.6 AT entries and on the second-generation 2.0 AT with FWD. The second-generation 3.6 AT versions with 310 hp reach 185 km/h, while the 318 hp AWD version reaches 190 km/h. Top speed for the second-generation 2.0 AT with AWD and all third-generation versions is not measured.
For fuel consumption, the first-generation FWD entries generally record 15.8 l/100 km in the city, 9.1 l/100 km on the highway, and 13.2 l/100 km combined. AWD figures vary: the 281 hp version records 17.3, 9.7, and 14.2 l/100 km, while a 288 hp AWD entry records 17.2, 9.6, and 14.4 l/100 km in the restyled phase. The difference between 13.2 and 14.4 l/100 km combined is 1.2 l/100 km.
The second-generation 318 hp 3.6 AT AWD records 13.6 l/100 km city, 7.8 l/100 km highway, and 10.0 l/100 km combined. The 310 hp FWD 3.6 AT records 13.1 l/100 km city and 9.6 l/100 km highway; combined consumption is not measured. The 310 hp 3.6 AT AWD and the 314 hp restyled AWD version record 13.8 l/100 km city and 9.4 l/100 km highway; combined consumption is not measured. Consumption for both 2.0 AT versions and every third-generation version is not measured. MPG is not measured because the data supplies consumption only in l/100 km.
Chevrolet Traverse dimensions, weight, clearance, and wheels
External length, width, and height are not measured for any listed Chevrolet Traverse version, so a numerical dimensions comparison cannot be made from this catalogue data.
The first-generation 3.6 AT entries have a kerb weight of 2136 kg, 183 mm of ground clearance, and an 83-litre tank. Gross weight and wheel sizes are not measured. The second-generation range reduces the stated kerb weight to between 1957 and 2147 kg. Its 2.0 AT versions weigh 1978 kg, giving about 7.7 kg per horsepower. The 310 hp FWD 3.6 AT weighs 1957 kg, or about 6.3 kg per horsepower; the 310 hp 3.6 AT AWD weighs 2114 kg, or about 6.8 kg per horsepower. The 318 hp AWD version weighs 2147 kg, or about 6.8 kg per horsepower.
For the restyled second generation, kerb weight ranges from 1957 kg to 2114 kg among the 314 hp entries and from 1957 kg to 2050 kg among the 310 hp entries. The 314 hp FWD version has about 6.2 kg per horsepower, compared with about 6.7 kg per horsepower for the 314 hp AWD version. Ground clearance is 200 mm, which is 17 mm more than the first generation’s 183 mm. The tank holds 82 litres, 1 litre less than the first generation’s 83 litres. Where measured, wheel sizes are 255/65 R18 and 255/55 R20. Kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance, tank capacity, and wheel sizes for every third-generation version are not measured.
Which Chevrolet Traverse version should you buy?
Choose the second-generation 3.6 AT with 318 hp and AWD if measured fuel economy is central to the decision. It is the only second-generation entry with a complete consumption set: 13.6 l/100 km city, 7.8 l/100 km highway, and 10.0 l/100 km combined. It also offers 318 hp, although its 360 Nm is 7 Nm below the 367 Nm of the 310 hp 3.6 AT versions.
Choose the second-generation or restyled-second-generation 3.6 AT with 310 hp or 314 hp and FWD if the priority is the best measured combination of acceleration and mass. These versions reach 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds. At 1957 kg, the 314 hp FWD version has about 6.2 kg per horsepower, the strongest calculable weight-to-power result among entries with measured weight.
Choose the second-generation 2.0 AT with FWD if a smaller-displacement turbocharged engine and measured speed matter most. It produces 258 hp and 400 Nm from 1998 cc, reaches 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds, and has a measured maximum of 214 km/h. Its 400 Nm exceeds the contemporary 3.6 AT maximum of 367 Nm by 33 Nm, although its 258 hp is 60 hp below the 318 hp 3.6 AT.
Choose a first-generation 3.6 AT with FWD when comparing only the supplied consumption figures against an equivalent early AWD entry. The FWD versions record 13.2 l/100 km combined, while measured AWD figures reach 14.2 or 14.4 l/100 km. Their 183 mm clearance is 17 mm lower than the measured 200 mm of the second generation.
Choose a third-generation 2.5 i AT or 2.5 i AT 4WD if maximum stated engine output and torque are the deciding specifications. The 328 hp versions lead the catalogue for power, and all third-generation versions produce 430 Nm. However, acceleration, top speed, consumption, weight, clearance, tank capacity, and wheel sizes are not measured. Those omissions prevent a complete numerical value comparison, and the data contains no price or Chevrolet Traverse for-sale information from which to decide what any extra expenditure buys.