Remember that family on your street with the super cool wood-sided Plymouth Satellite station wagon? Well, they were trendsetters. Fast forward to today, and parents are still flexing their cool factor, now with three-row SUVs like the Chevrolet Traverse RS. Keep reading to find out what makes it such a good car.
RS, Midnight, Sport, and Redline Editions
Chevrolet is all about embracing the sporty trend. It offers the RS and options like Midnight Edition, Sport Edition, and Redline Edition packages that add a touch of sportiness. Think black exterior elements galore. Other carmakers, like Ford and Volkswagen, are playing the same game with models such as the Explorer ST-Line and Atlas SEL R-Line Black. But the sporty look is more about style than substance.
Appearance and Performance
The RS comes with 20-inch wheels, power-folding mirrors, black roof rails, a black grille, black window surrounds, and black badging. Initially launched in 2018 with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The RS shares its power with the rest of the Traverse lineup—a 3.6-liter V-6 making a solid 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. You can have it with front- or all-wheel drive.
Performance and Efficiency
Acceleration-wise, the V-6 takes this hefty SUV to 60 mph in about 6.8 seconds and a quarter-mile in 15.1 seconds at 94 mph. It’s not a sports car, but it does the job. The V-6 with all-wheel drive offers EPA estimates of 25 mpg highway and 17 mpg city. In our highway fuel economy test at 75 mph, it managed just 22 mpg.
Ride and Handling
The Traverse RS handles well, thanks to Chevy’s solid chassis tuning. The ride is smooth, body motions are controlled, and the steering could be better. It’s neither too light nor too heavy. Don’t expect sports car agility; it’s more about comfortable cruising.
Passenger and Cargo Space
The Traverse is like a spacious bus with ample room for passengers and cargo. The second row is roomy with sliding seats for flexibility. The third row is surprisingly spacious, fitting even lanky teens, and it comes with USB ports and cupholders in the RS trim. With the third row up, you get 23 cubic feet of luggage space, beating many rivals. Fold all seats, and you have over 98 cubic feet—topping the segment.
The Traverse RS can’t fool anyone into thinking it’s a high-performance SUV, but it does a decent job of blending family practicality with a sporty flair. It’s the modern-day wood-sided wagon, just with a sleeker look.