The current Chevy Traverse version has been around since 2017, and after seeing a few upgrades in the technology category last year, it is now seeing a full refresh for 2021. The staff on hand at MotorTrend showcased the new model on their blog this past week and first recognized how the overall appearance has been sharpened with narrower headlights. The rounded nose has been squared up a bit with some block-shaped elements, and turn signal indicators have now been integrated into the daytime running lamps.
The fog lights have undergone a complete redesign, and there are brand-new LED headlights in the rear as well as 4 new wheel designs that polish off the look. Once inside you'll notice the close attention to detail that was given to the interior refresh with a new 8.0-inch driver information center, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability, and a rear power sunshade for the two-panel power sunroof. Available upholstery colors and trims have seen changes, and safety features that were optional last year will be standard on the 2021 model.
These will now include automated emergency braking with front pedestrian detection, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, forward collision alert, automatic high-beam controls, and the following distance indicator. Adaptive cruise control is now going to be available on the 3LT, RS and Premier trims, and it has greatly altered the task of driving for the better. This is an amazing and very cutting-edge intelligent form of cruise control that slows down and speeds up automatically to keep pace with the car in front of you. The driver chooses the maximum speed, and then a powerful radar sensor watches for traffic ahead and instructs the car on how many seconds to stay behind it.
The new Traverse seats up to 8 in its three rows and is slightly longer than its close competition in the form of the Ford Explorer at 204 inches from bumper to bumper. Numerous reviews claim that getting into the third row is a bit easier in the Traverse than the Explorer, and also has a car-like interior that feels fancy and immediately comfortable. The newly redesigned bumper flexes a bit of muscle along with cuts and creases, and this helps it be true to its original rough-and-tumble SUV nature.
Topspeed.com had their own unique opportunity to spend time with the new Traverse and complemented the premium look that the gear lever console now brandishes, as well as the abundance of shoulder and legroom in the first and second row. The towing capacity of the new Traverse is rated at 5,000 lbs, and the features once only available to the top trickling down to the lower trims are sure to turn many heads in the current climate. After averaging around 25 mpg on the highway with this much room at your disposal, we are fairly sure once you visit us for a test drive here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse that you'll have found your well-suited spring vehicle match!
