2013 Chevrolet Traverse Gets New Styling and Refinement

Do you like what you see in this picture? The restyled 2013 Traverse is the first Chevy to get this new corporate look, which employs a three-bar upper grille, two-bar lower grille, chrome accents, and “powerdome” hood. The styling theme will replace the current “bowtie bar” grille design on crossover SUVs, according to Chevrolet, which indicates that cars and big ‘utes like the Suburban won’t look like this. Additionally, the new 2013 Chevy Traverse receives a redesigned tailgate, flanked by restyled taillights.

2013 CHEVY TRAVERSE GETS AN UPGRADED INTERIOR

Change awaits inside the new Traverse, too. Soft-touch materials are applied to the dashboard and upper door panels, a 6.5-inch color MyLink touchscreen features hands-free smartphone integration with streaming audio capability, and new climate controls replace the old Traverse’s tiny little buttons. Chevy also adds articulating headrests for greater front seat comfort. All of these changes are welcome, but we could do without the fake wood trim that’s installed in the LT and LTZ models.

The new Traverse continues to offer eight-passenger seating with a choice between second-row captain’s chairs or a three-passenger bench seat with SmartSlide capability. Cargo volume is best-in-class, offering 24.4 cubic-feet behind the third-row seat, 70.3 cu-ft. behind the second-row seats, and a maximum of 116.3 cu-ft.

NEW FRONT CENTER AIRBAG IS STANDARD ON 2013 TRAVERSE

The 2013 Chevy Traverse is equipped with a new industry-exclusive front center airbag, which is shared only with the updated 2013 Buick Enclave and 2013 GMC Acadia. The new airbag is designed to inflate between the two front seats to better protect occupants in side-impact crashes. The Traverse is also equipped with standard OnStar telematics with a six-month subscription to Automatic Crash Notification service, as well as a standard reversing camera. The top-of-the-line Traverse LTZ comes standard with a Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert system.

NO CHANGES TO THE 2013 TRAVERSE’S ENGINE

For 2013, Chevrolet also modifies the Traverse’s suspension to provide greater roll control and better low-speed ride quality. Otherwise, the hardware remains the same. A direct-injected 3.6-liter V6 is standard, delivering power to the front or all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission with improved shift feel.

Power output depends on whether the Traverse is equipped with a single or dual exhaust; 281 horsepower with the former or 288 hp with the latter. Fuel economy ratings are not expected to change, coming in at 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive and 16/23 with AWD. The Traverse is rated to tow 5,200 lbs.

SPEEDY DADDY SAYS…

The Chevy Traverse is a very roomy and attractive full-size crossover SUV in need of little more than refinement. For 2013, it looks like it is getting exactly what’s necessary to keep it competitive.

– Christian Wardlaw