Your Buyer’s Guide to the 2025 Traverse

With such a unique assortment of models, features, and options to choose from, it’s easy to get a little intimidated when you’re searching for a new or pre-owned Traverse with us, your local Chevy dealer near Morristown. The 2025 model’s lone 328-hp turbocharged inline-four makes it easy to select an engine, but drivers will still need to pick between the FWD, standard AWD, and twin-clutch AWD systems. This three-row SUV comes standard with seating for eight passengers, but optional second-row captain’s chairs provide a little extra comfort while still allowing the Traverse to provide a best-in-class 97.6 cu.ft. of cargo space.

Then there are the trims. Chevy has created a diverse trim ladder that runs the gamut from the affordable, well-appointed LT to the luxurious High Country, sporty RS, and a dedicated off-road Z71. That’s where the team at Rusty Wallace Chevrolet comes in. We’ve compiled a handy buyer’s guide that’s sure to help drivers narrow down their search and find the right 2025 Traverse for their specific driving needs. Read on as we explore just how versatile Chevy’s largest midsize SUV can be and learn why it’s quickly becoming the go-to option for family-focused buyers who need a spacious three-row model for everyday life.

Choose Your Drivetrain

Chevy has clearly prioritized performance when it comes to the third-generation Traverse, which isn’t always the norm in the three-row segment, where some models are sorely lacking in power. Every 2025 Traverse is equipped with a potent 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that, despite its modest cylinder count, still manages to produce 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque. That’s a significant improvement over the previous second-generation model, which was limited by its 3.6-liter V6 to 310 hp and just 226 lb-ft of torque.

A little forced induction goes a long way in upping the SUV’s output, but those shopping the pre-owned market will be happy to learn that both the second-gen and third-gen models have the same 5,000-lb towing capacity. The standard Trailering Package gives drivers all the cutting-edge equipment they’ll need to take advantage of the Traverse’s considerable pulling power. This package includes a 220-amp alternator, heavy-duty cooling system, and a Hitch View camera that gives drivers a close-up of the rear trailer hitch.

The 2025 Traverse comes standard with front-wheel drive on most trims, but if you really want to take advantage of the SUV’s go-anywhere potential, you’ll have two all-wheel drive systems to choose from. While the LS, LT, and RS trims can all be had with Chevy’s standard AWD setup, it’s the twin-clutch AWD system that really allows the Traverse to maximize its off-road potential. Standard on the rugged Z71 trim, twin-clutch AWD avoids the sort of binding common to traditional 4WD systems by employing a clutch pack on the left and right half-shafts.

In addition to reducing stress on the SUV’s drivetrain components, the twin-clutch AWD also improves the Traverse’s torque vectoring, stability, and handling when encountering challenging off-road conditions. Adding AWD does have a slight impact on the crossover’s fuel economy, with the Traverse providing an EPA-estimated 19 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway, but that’s a small price to pay for the sort of traction and utility the systems can provide. Meanwhile, the FWD model returns an impressive 20 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway to give the Traverse a real edge over some of its rivals.

Choose Your Seating

Boasting a spacious cabin with three rows of seating, room for up to eight passengers, and the most cargo room in its class, the 2025 Traverse encompasses everything there is to love about the three-row midsize segment. Whether you’re packing up the SUV for a summer camping trip, hauling the kids’ sports equipment, or just trying to accommodate a week’s worth of groceries for your hungry family, the Traverse has you covered. It provides up to 22.9 cu.ft. of rear cargo space that can be easily accessed using Chevy’s hands-free AutoSense liftgate.

Stowing away the third row ups that number to 56.6 cu.ft. while still providing comfortable seating for five passengers. If you need to make room for a kayak, a new home appliance, or some other bulky cargo, the 2025 Traverse offers as much as 97.6 cu.ft. of cargo space when both the second and third rows are folded down. That’s a pretty solid number—even in this traditionally roomy segment—and it easily makes the Traverse the most spacious three-row SUV on the market, with the Ford Explorer (90.3 cu.ft.) and Honda Pilot (87 cu.ft.) both trailing by a considerable margin.

The ability to seat eight passengers is normal in this segment, but comfortably seating them is a different story altogether. While some three-row SUVs leave riders feeling like sardines in a can, Chevy has taken a different approach with the Traverse. Third-row passengers will enjoy more than 32 inches of legroom and 38.2 inches of headroom, which can make all the difference when relegating adults or growing teens to the back seat. Those riding up front will be able to stretch out, with 44 inches of legroom and 47 inches of headroom, while second-row passengers are treated to 58 inches of hip room and as much as 62 inches of shoulder room.

Swapping the second-row bench seat for the available captain’s chairs ups those figures even further, but no matter which configuration you choose, you’ll never be hurting for space when you choose the 2025 Traverse. The RS trim also comes standard with some clever features that will make accessing every row easier than ever, including a One-Touch Fold second-row seat and a power-folding third-row seat.

Choose Your Trim

The 2025 Traverse gets off to a strong start with the LT, a well-rounded base trim that offers a generous slate of standard features. The Traverse isn’t a true luxury model (at least when it comes to the price tag), but some drivers might find themselves second-guessing its categorization when they see the standard heated front seats, heated steering wheel, and triple-zone climate control system. The tech-heavy Traverse impresses right from the outset with an 11.0-inch digital gauge cluster, 17.7-inch touchscreen display, built-in navigation system, and wireless smartphone charging pad.

The comprehensive Trailering Package comes standard, as do a full suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) including forward collision warning with automatic braking and pedestrian detection, lane keeping assistance, rear parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control. Drivers can add the Sun & Wheel Package to gain access to a panoramic sunroof and 20-inch wheels, or a Midnight Edition Package that gives the Traverse a moody makeover complete with gloss black wheels, a black grille, and black exterior accents and badging.

We’ve already discussed the Z71’s twin-clutch AWD system, but that’s just a small part of this trim’s off-road-ready résumé. The Z71 is also packed with all-terrain tires, red tow hooks, underbody skid plates, and an upgraded off-road suspension that allows the SUV to excel on tough terrain while providing an extra 1.2 inches of ground clearance. Red interior accents and black synthetic leather upholstery with red stitching lend the cabin a sporty look, but if there’s one improvement that will really make a difference when you venture off the beaten path, it would have to be the Drive Mode Control system.

This ingenious bit of software allows drivers to transform the Traverse at the touch of a button, prioritizing efficiency, torque, and traction as needed. Its six settings range from Normal Mode to Tow/Haul Mode and a Sport Mode that ups the throttle response and steering dynamic to make the most of the SUV’s 328 hp. The Z71 also has two modes that are perfect for your next off-the-grid journey: Off-Road Mode is a great all-around option that has a noticeable effect on the Chevy’s traction and stability, while Terrain Mode is designed to tackle steep inclines, intimidating obstacles, and other off-road hazards by customizing its automatic braking, traction control, and shift mapping.

The High Country trim sees the Traverse infused with some upscale amenities and exciting new tech. This opulent trim includes genuine leather upholstery, a power-adjustable steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and heated second-row seats, but it’s the High Country’s arsenal of modern safety and convenience features that really sets the 2025 Traverse apart in its competitive segment. A digital rearview mirror provides a wide-angle look at the road, enhancing safety while still allowing drivers to take advantage of the Traverse’s entire cargo area.

The Enhanced Driving Package—which leverages the latest in ADAS to deliver a smooth, stress-free ride every time you get behind the wheel—is available on the LT and Z71 but comes standard on the High Country and RS to bring automated parking, a driver attention warning, a 10-speaker Bose audio system, and Chevy’s critically acclaimed Super Cruise hands-free driving tool into the mix. The High Country is also equipped with the Driver Confidence Package, which does just what it says on the box with a 120-volt power outlet for second-row passengers and a 360-degree camera that’s sure to come in clutch when you’re struggling to squeeze into a parking spot at the annual Morristown Strawberry Festival.

RS: The Traverse caps off its trim ladder with the RS, a sporty take on this SUV that includes some high-performance details and a sinister set of styling enhancements. A flat-bottom steering wheel and red interior accents give the Traverse a track-ready look, while 22-inch black wheels, a black grille, exterior trim, and black leather upholstery bring a certain exclusivity to this three-row model. The RS also comes standard with a panoramic sunroof and all the best features from the High Country trim, including the Enhanced Driving and Driver Confidence Packages.

Find Your Own 2025 Chevy Traverse

Even in the hotly contested three-row SUV segment, the 2025 Traverse is hard to ignore. Its spacious interior provides the best cargo capacity in its class, allowing drivers to accommodate plenty of putters, drivers, and even a portable basket to help warm up for a quick round at one of Morristown’s championship-caliber disc golf courses. The Traverse Z71 might not boast the same off-road credentials as the Colorado ZR2 Bison pickup, but it’s still a standout in its segment thanks to its twin-clutch AWD, Drive Mode Control, all-terrain tires, and lifted suspension.

On the most affordable side, the Traverse LT provides a near-luxury experience without the associated cost, giving everyone the opportunity to experience exciting modern tech and vital comfort and convenience features like a heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, and a 17.7-inch touchscreen infotainment display. If you’re eager to learn more about the 2025 Traverse, take a test drive, or explore any of the other new and pre-owned Chevy models, Rusty Wallace Chevrolet is here to help.