The 2027 Chevrolet Traverse: Built for Families

The Traverse first showed up in our showroom in 2008 as a 2009 model, when Chevrolet was entering a part of the market that was focused on the needs of families. We wanted room, but not everybody wanted or needed to drive a Suburban. They needed three rows, a place for groceries, sports equipment and luggage, and something comfortable enough to take on vacation while still being practical enough to drive every day.
The Traverse found its way home with so many of our customers over the years. During those years, we were concerned with higher fuel prices. Customers were looking for ways to get the room they needed while paying closer attention to fuel efficiency. Nearly two decades later, those basic needs really haven’t changed all that much. Family activities have changed, technology certainly has, and the Traverse itself has changed quite a bit. The 2027 Chevrolet Traverse is the latest example.
 

A Look Back at the Traverse

The first-generation Traverse ran from the 2009 through 2017 model years, and one of its biggest selling points was simple: space. You could put a family in it without immediately moving into one of Chevrolet’s larger truck-based SUVs. It offered three rows and seating for as many as eight people, giving customers another choice between the traditional SUV and the minivan.
Chevrolet redesigned the Traverse for 2018, and the second generation came with a more refined interior, a more traditional SUV appearance and updated technology. Passenger and cargo room were still important, but technology, styling, safety features and driving manners had become a much bigger part of what customers expected from a family SUV. Then came the third generation for 2024, and that was a pretty substantial change. The Traverse took on a more traditional SUV appearance, the previous 3.6-liter V6 gave way to a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder, the interior received a major technology upgrade and Chevrolet added the Z71 to the Traverse lineup.
The current trim lineup says something about how the Traverse has evolved. It isn't trying to be one particular kind of family vehicle anymore. An LT makes sense for somebody looking for a practical three-row SUV. The Z71 is there for families whose weekends might include a dirt road, campsite or boat ramp. The RS gives the Traverse a sportier personality, while High Country takes it in a more upscale direction. The choices have expanded, but the basic idea really hasn't changed much since 2009: give people room and give them useful ways to use it.

What's Different for 2027?

For 2027, Chevrolet didn't start over. The current Traverse was already working, so this model year is more about developing it further.
One of the first differences you are going to notice is color. Twilight Blue is new for 2027 and is available on the RS and High Country. We recently had one arrive here at Strosnider Chevrolet, and as quickly as Twilight Blue arrived, it was gone. Trillium Green Metallic is another new color for 2027 and is available across the lineup.
High Country gets some special attention this year, with its own badging, 22-inch wheels, Tritan Satin accents and a more upscale interior with details including microfiber suede and real wood trim. Those are the kinds of changes you'll notice when you first walk up to one, but there are also some less obvious additions that may matter more after you've owned the vehicle for a while.
One of those is the available interior camera. Anyone who has driven with children in the second or third row understands why being able to see what is happening behind you without constantly turning around could be useful. It isn't the kind of feature that necessarily sells a vehicle from a photograph. It's the kind of feature you appreciate once you're living with it.

If you are curious about the 2027 and want to come take it for a spin, come on by or give us a call. Our team would love to set up a test drive for you. 

To reach out to us, call (804) 458-9864 or click HERE.

What Does 98 Cubic Feet Actually Mean?

Chevrolet lists up to 98 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume in the Traverse. That's an impressive number, but most people don't walk around thinking in cubic feet, so I think it's more useful to put that number into everyday terms.
Saturday morning might mean kids, sports bags and everything that goes along with getting everybody to a game. Sunday afternoon could mean a big grocery run. Next month it might be suitcases for a trip to the beach, and a few weeks after that somebody decides to buy a piece of furniture. The seats you needed yesterday suddenly need to become cargo space today.
That's really the point of having this much room. You don't necessarily need eight seats every day, and you probably don't need 98 cubic feet of cargo space every day either. You need a vehicle that can change depending on what the day requires. The Traverse can seat up to eight when properly configured, and when the seats are folded, that available space changes dramatically. It's the sort of capability you may not fully appreciate during a 15-minute test drive. Six months later, when you're trying to get everybody and everything into one vehicle, you understand exactly why it matters.

Bring the family by this weekend and let's see how many you can fit in the Traverse! Click HERE to set up a time. 

A Third Row You Can Actually Use

Having a third row and having a useful third row aren't necessarily the same thing. This is an area where the Traverse continues to get attention from independent reviewers. Car and Driver, for example, has specifically pointed to the Traverse's passenger room and its ability to accommodate adults in the third row as strengths.
That's important because families don't stay the same size forever. Children grow. Grandparents come along. Your kids bring friends home from school. A family of four can turn into six people going to dinner with very little warning. If you have younger children, second-row space matters for another reason: car seats.
Just as important is how easily that space can change when you need it. The Traverse makes the fold-down seating simple to operate, so changing from passenger space to cargo space doesn't have to be a project. When you need the third row, it's there. When you need more room for groceries, luggage, sports equipment or something you weren't planning to bring home, you can quickly fold the seats down and make use of the additional cargo space.
These aren't necessarily the features that get the most attention when you're first shopping for an SUV, but they're the ones you start appreciating after you've lived with it for a while. A family vehicle should make everyday life easier, and the Traverse does a good job of making its space easy to use.

Power and Capability

Every 2027 Traverse uses Chevrolet's 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It produces 328 horsepower and 326 lb.-ft. of torque, and when properly equipped, the Traverse can tow up to 5,000 pounds. That gives families enough capability for things like certain boats, a small camper or a utility trailer.
Reviews of the current Traverse have been fairly consistent on the engine. Reviewers generally like the power and low-end response, although some have noted that you can hear the four-cylinder working when you ask a lot from it. Nobody should buy a Traverse expecting it to behave like a sports car because that isn't its job. Its job is to get the family, the luggage and everything else where you're going comfortably and confidently.

Don't Overlook the 2026 Traverse

Whenever a new model year arrives, there's a natural tendency to think the newest vehicle must automatically be the better purchase. That's not necessarily the case here. The 2026 Traverse is still an excellent option, and depending on what you're looking for, it could be the smarter choice.
Remember that the 2026 and 2027 Traverse belong to the same generation. The major redesign already happened for 2024. A 2026 still gives you the basic formula that makes the current Traverse so appealing: 328 horsepower, three rows, substantial cargo capacity, the 17.7-inch center display, available Super Cruise and up to 5,000 pounds of towing capability when properly equipped.
MotorTrend rated the 2026 Traverse 8.9 out of 10 overall and gave it a 9.0 for value, with the LT all-wheel-drive model earning their recommendation. That's worth paying attention to because buying a vehicle shouldn't become a contest to see who can choose the most expensive trim.
Start with how you actually live. If you regularly need eight seats, that's important. If you're towing or want all-wheel drive, factor that in. If you travel frequently, available Super Cruise may matter more to you than it does to somebody whose Traverse spends most of its time making short trips around town. Likewise, an LT may do everything your family needs without moving into an RS or High Country. Those are the conversations worth having before you start comparing badges and option lists.

Want to see the comparison for yourself? Click HERE to set up a test drive! 

What Are Reviewers Saying?

When car shopping, it is helpful to look beyond our own showroom when researching a vehicle. Car and Driver has given particular credit to the current Traverse's passenger and cargo space, while MotorTrend has praised its room, technology and power. Reviewers have also raised criticisms, including engine noise, ride quality in some configurations and some interior materials.
That's useful information, too. No vehicle is perfect, and I'd rather a customer know what to look for when they come in than pretend otherwise.
This is also why I encourage people to do more than take a quick drive around the block. Sit in the second row and climb into the third. If you have young children, bring the car seat and see how it fits. Open the back and think about what your family actually carries. Try the touchscreen. If you're considering a Traverse with larger 20- or 22-inch wheels, pay attention to the ride. A good test drive isn't about seeing whether the vehicle can make it around the block. It's about figuring out whether you can see yourself living with it.

Almost 20 Years Later, the Mission Still Makes Sense

Vehicles have gotten considerably more complicated since the first Traverse arrived, but family life hasn't changed nearly as much. We still have places to go. Kids still have practices. Somebody still forgets something at home. Vacations still require more luggage than you thought they would. Saturday projects turn into trips to the hardware store, and grandparents, friends and dogs all have a way of coming along for the ride.
A good family vehicle has to accommodate all of that without making everyday life harder. That's what the Traverse has been working toward since 2009. The 2027 model has considerably more technology, capability and sophistication than the original did, but after three generations Chevrolet hasn't lost sight of the reason people bought the first one in the first place: they needed room, flexibility and a vehicle capable of keeping up with family life.

If you're considering a Traverse, come drive one at Strosnider Chevrolet. Better yet, compare a 2026 and a 2027 side by side. The newest one isn't automatically the right one. The right one is the one that works for your family.

See our new Chevrolet inventory here:
https://www.strosniderchevrolet.com/new-vehicles-inventory?status=new&make=chevrolet

When you’re ready to see if the Traverse is right for your family, come see us at Strosnider Chevrolet. Compare the 2026 and 2027 models, check out the different trims and take one for a drive. We look forward to seeing you!