2026 Chevrolet Traverse

The Traverse is Chevy's answer to the Ford Explorer, and it answers loudly. The turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder produces 315 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque — numbers that surpass the old V6 it replaced while offering marginally better fuel economy. It's the kind of trade-off that makes engineering sense even if V6 loyalists grumble. The real selling point is space. The Traverse's third row is genuinely usable for adults on medium-length trips, which is more than most competitors can claim. Cargo volume is enormous — enough for a full family road trip's worth of luggage with the third row still up. At $36,900 to start, it undercuts the Explorer and comes very close to the Highlander on pricing. What it lacks is efficiency. At 23 MPG combined with no hybrid option, the Traverse drinks fuel at a rate that feels anachronistic in 2026. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid returns 36 MPG. That's $1,500+ per year in fuel savings, which adds up to a real number over a five-year ownership period. If fuel costs are a concern, the Highlander Hybrid is the better long-term play. If maximum interior space at a competitive price is the priority, the Traverse is hard to beat.