  2014 Chevrolet Traverse LT AWD. Click image to enlarge |
The 2LT trim starts at $43,645 destination in and includes everything from the 1LT trim plus a power liftgate, auto-dimming mirrors, three-zone automatic climate control, universal garage door opener, heated front seats, second row captain’s chairs (a bench becomes optional), and a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system with MyLink connectivity, Bluetooth streaming audio capability, Stitcher radio, and independently controllable rear headphone jacks. The 2LT trim also further opens the options list, although one option that’s notably not available is push-button start – I found it rather quaint to be twisting an old-school key in a vehicle rocking leather seats and a $45K-plus price tag.
   2014 Chevrolet Traverse LT AWD centre stack detail. Click image to enlarge |
The LTZ trim, which starts at $49,845 including destination with front-wheel drive, gets everything in the 2LT trim and adds the power-enhancing dual exhaust, power-folding exterior mirrors, bigger 20-inch wheels, unique exterior trim, perforated leather upholstery with eight-way power passenger seat, dual memory settings for the driver’s seat and mirrors, heated and cooled front seats, heated steering wheel, and the previously mentioned new-for-2014 standard lane departure warning and forward collision warning. My 2LT test vehicle had these as optional add-ons, and they work as expected, beeping to alert you if you drift out of your lane without signalling, or beeping and flashing if you fail to brake in reasonable time when approaching another vehicle from behind.
My test vehicle also included a whole bunch of other optional equipment including heavy duty trailering package (the Traverse can tow up to 2,359 kg), rear-seat entertainment package, navigation system, dealer-installed running boards, and the leather seating with power eight-way passenger seat. In total this added $6,515 to its base price (which is $45,045 including destination for the AWD version), for an all-up price including destination of $51,560. That would certainly get you a whole lot of minivan with money left over, but it’s competitive with other similarly equipped crossovers out there. And let’s face it, few minivans come with AWD (the Toyota Sienna is the notable exception) or the Traverse’s good road manners, and none of them come with the Traverse’s overall sense of sturdy cool.
Pricing: 2014 Chevrolet Traverse
Base Price (2LT AWD trim): $43,345
Options: $6,515 (Leather Upholstery with Power 8-Way Driver Seat, Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning, All Weather Floor Mats, Rear Seat Entertainment System with Navigation, Heavy Duty Trailering Package, “Hit the Road” Package with Chrome Assist Step)
Freight: $1,700
A/C tax: $100
Price as tested: $51,560
Competitors:
Acura MDX
Buick Enclave
Ford Flex
GMC Acadia
Honda Pilot
Hyundai Santa Fe XL
Kia Sorento
Mazda CX-9
Nissan Pathfinder
Toyota Highlander
Crash Test Results:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
