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- Car Seat Friendly Tilt. A very, very, very exciting feature. You can tilt the passenger-side seat forward and still access the third row — even when a car seat is installed with the lower anchors. It does not affect the integrity of the installation. We love to see it.
- Strong Car Seat Hardware. Lower anchors in both captain’s chairs, tether anchors in all five rear seats. If you’re installing forward-facing seats, that matters. Feeling good about that setup.
- Seats on Tracks for Customization. The second-row seats are on tracks, which gives you a little more customization. You can slide them forward for third-row space or back for more legroom. That flexibility is huge for families.
- A Third Row That’s Actually Roomy. The cabin feels great. The floor doesn’t rise so much that your knees are to your chest, and head clearance is still solid. For a mid-size, it feels more like a full-size SUV.
- One of the Biggest Trunks in Its Class. Fits a stroller with room left over for groceries — and that underfloor cubby space? Exciting. Such a safe, practical place to store all the things.
The Exterior
The Traverse has that newer body style from 2018, and I definitely prefer it. It’s still pretty boxy, but the lines are a little softer and a little more refined. The front is very Chevy, very basic — they didn’t stretch their imagination here, but it’s clean and no-nonsense. From the side, you’re seeing the box shape, some chrome accents, and body-color details that make it feel more finished. It’s not futuristic or flashy, but it feels practical, functional, and exactly what it’s trying to be.
First Row
Up front, the Traverse is all about comfort. The seats are so plush, the leather is soft, and the cabin feels tall and roomy with amazing head clearance. Tech-wise, it’s very user-friendly and gives you the features you actually use every day.
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Built-in Wi-Fi hotspot
- Wireless phone charger
- Hidden storage compartment behind the infotainment screen
- Multiple USB ports and a 12V outlet
It may not be the flashiest interior on the market, but it’s comfortable, functional, and easy to live with.
Second Row
The second row is where this SUV really starts to shine for families. First of all, the space is impressive. Even with the driver’s seat set for a six-foot driver, there’s still solid knee clearance. The seats are on tracks, so you can slide them forward or back depending on whether you need more third-row space or more legroom for rear-facing seats. It feels open, roomy, and very functional.
From a car seat perspective, here’s what you need to know:
- Lower anchors in both captain’s chairs
- Tether anchors available for forward-facing seats
- Car Seat Friendly Tilt on the passenger side so you can access the third row without uninstalling a car seat
- Ceiling vents (huge for rear-facing kids)
- USB ports, an outlet, and rear climate controls
This setup gives you flexibility. You can run rear-facing, forward-facing, or a mix, and still maintain access to the third row. For families juggling multiple car seats, that practicality really matters.
Third Row
The third row in the Traverse is surprisingly usable for a mid-size SUV. The cabin still feels open back there, and the floor doesn’t rise so high that your knees are to your chest, which is something I notice right away in other three-rows. Head clearance is still solid, and if you slide the second row forward just a bit, adults can fit back there comfortably.
Third-row access is where this car really stands out. Thanks to the Car Seat Friendly Tilt on the passenger side, you can tilt the second-row seat forward even with a car seat installed using the lower anchors, which makes getting to the back so much easier. That feature alone is huge for families who regularly use all three rows.
From a car seat hardware standpoint:
- Tether anchors available in the third row
- No lower anchors back there, so installations are done with the seat belt
- Two USB ports and dedicated ceiling vents
It’s a practical, functional third row that actually works for growing families.
Trunk
The trunk is one of the biggest wins for me in the Traverse. With the third row up, you still get a really generous amount of cargo space. I was able to fit a full-size stroller back there and still had room left over for groceries and everyday gear. For a mid-size SUV, it truly delivers.
When I talk about the overall size of the Traverse, I usually say that if this still doesn’t feel big enough, you’re looking at moving up to a Yukon, Suburban, Expedition, or even a minivan. But within the mid-size category, the cargo space here is strong and very functional for families.
And the underfloor storage? I love it. It’s deep, lined, and such a safe, practical place to store emergency essentials, diapers, sports equipment, or anything you want tucked away and organized.
Safety
When it comes to safety, the Traverse earns a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which is their highest award. That means it performed exceptionally well in crash testing and front crash prevention. On top of that, you’re getting features like forward collision alert and blind spot monitoring available across trims. For me, strong crash test ratings plus solid driver-assist technology is exactly what I want to see in a family vehicle.
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