Finding the Right Chevy Traverse for Sale

These days, the SUV class is more crowded than ever. From small, almost sedan-like subcompacts to huge models that can fit the entire starting lineup of a baseball team, SUVs really run the gamut. The Chevy Traverse is one option that is sort of in the middle, and because of its versatility, it has become one of the most sought-after models in the class. Even though it has only just reached its 15th birthday, the Traverse has changed a lot since it first came onto the scene. First unveiled for the 2009 model year, this three-row SUV was intended to be a replacement for the Uplander minivan and the TrailBlazer SUV, although that latter model ended up coming back in 2021. The Traverse has just entered its third generation for 2025, and due to its popularity, many more are sure to follow. But if you’re interested in a used Chevy Traverse for sale, we are going to focus on the second generation, which is when this SUV really started coming into its own.

The 2018 Traverse

The second-generation Traverse was launched for the 2018 model year. After some cosmetic changes, it more closely resembled some other Chevy SUVs, like the Equinox and Blazer. Unlike those models, however, the Traverse still retained its larger size. It also kept its original 3.6-liter V6 engine, although in an updated form that generated 310 horsepower, compared to the original 288 hp. When the Traverse first came into the scene in 2009, it was only available in four trims—LS, 1LT, 2LT, and LTZ—but fast-forward a decade, and the available options nearly doubled to six. Here’s a rundown of what each trim of the 2018 Traverse offered:

Traverse L

The base 2018 Traverse L comes with numerous tech features, including a seven-inch infotainment system touchscreen, six USB ports, keyless entry, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A rearview camera, Rear Seat Reminder, and the Teen Driver monitoring system are also included.

Traverse LS

The LS trim of the 2018 Traverse is effectively identical to the L but comes with tinted glass. When shopping for a used car, you can treat these two options as virtually interchangeable.

Traverse LT Cloth

As the name implies, this trim comes with cloth upholstery, as well as an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and satellite radio. Unlike the two lower trims, it swaps out the second-row bench seat for captain’s chairs, reducing the total seating capacity to seven.

Traverse LT Leather

This trim comes with leather upholstery, along with heated front seats and a power liftgate. It also has numerous built-in tech features, including navigation, an eight-inch touchscreen, and a 10-speaker Bose stereo. In addition, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert and a Surround Vision camera system were included.

Traverse RS

The RS trim of the 2018 Traverse is the only one that comes with a different engine. It uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 257 horsepower. In addition to the different engine, it has sporty black exterior accents.

Traverse Premier

The comfort features increase with the Premier trim. It comes with heated second-row seats, ventilated front seats, and memory settings for the driver’s seat. A heated steering wheel and wireless device charging are also included.

Traverse High Country

The deluxe 2018 Traverse High Country comes standard with all-wheel drive. It is also loaded with advanced safety systems, including Forward Automatic Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, and Adaptive Cruise Control.

Changes Over the Years

The second-generation Traverse saw several changes shortly after it was introduced. In 2019, Chevy decided to drop that smaller four-cylinder engine from the lineup and made the V6 standard for all trims. Then, in 2020, the infotainment system was upgraded to be faster and more responsive. In 2022, the appearance of the Traverse was refreshed to give it a sleeker look. Inside, many tech and safety goodies became standard, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, and Automatic Emergency Braking with Front Pedestrian Braking.

Who Is the Traverse for?

Now that you know all about the second-generation Chevy Traverse, you may be wondering if it is right for you. If you have a large family—or maybe it’s growing—this SUV would be perfect for your needs. It has a huge cabin that fits eight people with the standard second-row bench seat or seven if it has second-row captain’s chairs. If your family is like most, you frequently travel with a lot of stuff, so you need plenty of space for cargo. You will have little trouble fitting in whatever you need, as the second-generation Traverse offers 23 cubic feet of room behind the third row, 57.8 cubic feet behind the second row, and an impressive total of 98.2 cubic feet behind the first row.

If you do a lot of driving every day—perhaps you have a long commute or just need to run many errands—the Traverse is designed to keep you comfortable, connected, and entertained. In addition to a spacious cabin, the seats are well-cushioned, and the upper trims have amenities like leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. It also comes with many advanced tech features, such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a user-friendly infotainment system, and satellite radio. You can even find models with goodies like in-dash navigation, wireless device charging, and a 120-volt household-style power outlet.

Another reason why the Traverse is an excellent choice for families and those who have to drive often is because it routinely gets high marks for safety. This SUV has performed well in the tests conducted by both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. For further peace of mind, it comes with numerous systems to augment your safety, including:

• Forward Collision Alert and Automatic Emergency Braking: This system will warn you if it detects a potential collision with a car or pedestrian and apply the brakes if you don’t react quickly enough.
• Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning: If you veer out of your lane accidentally, you will get an alert, and if you don’t move back where you need to be, the Traverse will do it for you.
• Teen Driver: You will appreciate this feature if you have young drivers or soon-to-be drivers in your household. In addition to letting you monitor their driving behavior, you will be able to set limits on how fast they can drive and how loud the stereo can get.
• Rear Seat Reminder: This is another feature parents will like, as it reminds them to check the back seats for sleeping kids or perhaps extra quiet dogs.

So Many Great Traverse Options to Pick From

For 15 years now, the Chevy Traverse has been an exceptional vehicle. And, as highlighted above, you can’t go wrong with a model from the second generation. Now the only question is: Which one do you go with? Here at Riverton Chevrolet, we always have the latest models in stock. But if you are looking for something a little older, we have those too. Whatever features you want, we will help you choose the right model. Plus, we have an inventory of used cars priced under $25,000, which will enable you to find a vehicle that perfectly matches your budget. In addition, we aim to make the financing process as quick and as simple as possible and can help you secure a loan even if your credit score isn’t stellar. Contact us to learn more about the Traverse, or just come down to our dealership to take a test drive!