2018 Chevrolet Traverse Priced: $1,280 Increase for the First New Traverse in a Decade

The first-generation Chevrolet Traverse was the fourth Lambda platform crossover to arrive, a value-oriented follow-up to the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Saturn Outlook.

The Outlook died with Saturn following the 2010 model year. The GMC Acadia has migrated to a slightly smaller segment — it’s now available with a four-cylinder engine and two rows of seats.

And after a lengthy first-gen run, the second-generation 2018 Chevrolet Traverse is finally upon us. We learned earlier in July that the Traverse would reach high up into GMC Acadia Denali and Buick Enclave territory. Now the configurator is live, and the $30,875 2018 Traverse L is $1,280 more costly than the most basic 2017 Chevrolet Traverse — only $1,660 more than the basic Traverse was in 2009.

Despite the array of additional equipment, fuel economy that now measures 18 miles per gallon city; 27 highway (instead of 17 mpg city; 24 highway as in 2009), and the anticipated improvements in ride, handling, and NVH, the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse’s $30,875 base price equals $27,000 in 2009 dollars.

The 2018 Traverse features seven trim levels; the two middle-rung LT models essentially being variants of one another. The Traverse L has the $30,875 price of entry. The $32,995 LS adds tinted glass and makes all-wheel drive a $2,000 option. All-wheel drive is unavailable on the base L and the RS but standard (in twin-clutch guise) on the top-spec $52,995 Traverse High Country.

In between are $35,495 LT Cloth (18-inch wheels, heated mirrors, power driver’s seat, leather-wrapped wheel) and $42,095 LT Leather (Surround Vision, blind spot monitoring, 20-inch wheels, power liftgate, remote start, Bose audio, power passenger seat, heated front seats) trims before you reach the previous Traverse’s top edition: the $45,395 Premier. The Premier adds LED headlights, dual exhaust, memory for the driver’s seat, a power tilt and telescoping wheel, perforated leather, and heated second row seats. The $52,995 High Country’s all-wheel-drive system is unique, there are auto high beams, forward collision alert and other active safety features such as lane keep assist and adaptive cruise, a fixed rear skylight, and a power folding third row.

The Traverse’s Premier trim can be made into a Traverse Redline for $2,495. The Traverse RS, not yet priced, will be the only Traverse with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder generating 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Highway fuel economy for the Traverse 2.0T is down 2 mpg (to 23) from the 3.6-liter V6, but city fuel economy is up 2 mpg to 20. The 3.6-liter V6 now generates 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. It’s linked to a nine-speed automatic at every level. The 2018 Chevrolet Traverse L and Traverse LS seat eight. All other 2018 Traverses are seven seaters.

Through the end of June 2017, General Motors had reported 894,025 U.S. sales of the Chevrolet Traverse. 2015 was its best year, with nearly 120,000 sales. At the end of the line, 2016 volume dropped off only marginally. Year-to-date, a 4-percent year-over-year increase puts the Traverse on track for its best year ever.

[Images: General Motors]

Timothy Cain is a contributing analyst at The Truth About Cars and Autofocus.ca and the founder and former editor of GoodCarBadCar.net. Follow on Twitter @timcaincars.