We’re Driving The 2020 Chevrolet Traverse RS – What Do You Want To Know?
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We’re spending the week with the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. We’re well aware that a fully facelifted Chevrolet Traverse is heading our way in 2021, but we’ll have to wait a while before it hits North American showrooms. Meanwhile, we’re bringing you the 2020 Traverse RS, which underwent an important change this year, as its turbocharged 2.0-liter LTG I4 engine – which produced 257 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque – was replaced by the naturally-aspirated 3.6-liter LFY V6 rated at 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque.
This is now the default powerplant for all Traverse variants, which was actually implemented in the RS trim in mid-2019. The engine continues to be managed by the GM nine-speed automatic transmission, driving either the front or all four wheels.
Our test unit is painted in Satin Steel Metallic and features Jet Black leather-appointed seat trim. The RS variant also boasts 20-inch Dark Android painted aluminum wheels, back accenting, black roof rails, black bow ties, gloss black window trim and a Black Ice front grille with red RS badging.
The Traverse RS also comes standard with a heated steering wheel, Intellibeam automatic high beam assist, forward collision alert, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking and front pedestrian braking.
While the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse doesn’t appear to have changed from the outside, General Motors proceeded to the deletion of the active aero shutters on all models as well as the introduction of the newly redesigned 5-digit programmable keypad, as an option. Nothing changes visually inside, but in-vehicle technologies were updated.
For instance, the last-generation infotainment systems were upgraded to the latest Chevrolet Infotainment System 3. Other features like the Rear Vision Camera and Surround Vision have been replaced with higher-resolution HD versions. The 2020 Traverse also adds Trailing Assist Guidelines along with Hitch Guidance with Hitch View.
We will have this Chevy three-row midsize SUV for an entire week, so if you would like to know more about it beyond the spec sheet, ask your questions in the comments section, and we’ll reply in a timely manner as part of the GM Authority interactive review.
Ready…. set… go!
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Love the Traverse. My question: If it has start/stop feature, can it be disabled??
Not the 2020s. It won’t be able to be defeated until the refreshed styling hits.
Put the transmission to “L” and hit the “+” button on the selector till it reads 9 on the display. Bypasses the stop/start feature and transmission still operates like normal.
Not yet. In 2021 it will.
How does it compare to the Tahoe? Both are about the same size, but quite a large price difference. How is the ride and handling?
I have the 2019 Traverse High Country. I love the car: ride, look inside & out. But I dislike the stop/start feature & it can’t be disabled. They tell me I’ll get used to it but I haven’t & I’ve had the car for 1 year. 2 more years on the lease. I previously drove the GMC Acadia Denali’s but changed to the Traverse when GM shortened the car from 200 in. To 190 in. & also the width making it smaller inside. They had a good thing going but I won’t be back.
Kathe,
Put your gear selector in the “L” position then use the +/- button to move the number to 9 on your dash. The “L” selection let’s you choose the top gear the transmission will shift to, so if you + up to 9 it will shift through all the gears, but it also defeats the start/stop.
I do this in my wife’s Envision when I don’t want the start/stop to activate.
Thanks Mike. I will try it the next time I go out. It sounds like I will have to do this each time I start the car ?
Yup each time you drive you’ll have to do that. It’s a little annoying but luckily it only takes a second to do.
Interesting, I drive the 18 Traverse and it doesn’t really bother me here in Central Florida since stops are not very common, but it’s always good to know your vehicle and how to defeat the stop/start. I’ll give it a try. I use tow mode for performance, was going to try at drag strip, but it was rained out after just one run.
go on you tube. I have a 2019 Equinox that I could not disable the start / stop. Even the dealer said can’t be done.
I found a video on you tube that tells me how to disable it. You turn on the car, foot on brake, put the gear in Low, push the + button on the shifter to gear number 9 ( or if you have a six speed trans, go up to 6). Leave the shifter in Low, drive like normal. The car shifts like normal thru all the gears, stop/start is off.
Check out youtube.com. ” how do I disable stop start on my 2019 Chev Traverse?”
Check out Range products. They offer a module that fits in the OBD port under the dash. It plugs in and can disable the start stop and Auto Stop.
It is plug and play. You can. Get it at places like Summit Racing Or Jegs.
Now see we went to the Acadia because they made it smaller. We tried to buy the larger but the wife did not like the size.
Having the two sized brought in buyers too.
We just have no need for the big model and the Terrain now is too small.
GM now has something for everyone.
Put the transmission to “L” and hit the “+” button on the selector till it reads 9 on the display. Bypasses the stop/start feature and transmission still operates like normal.
I would LOVE to see either the Acadia or the Traverse offered in the new GM 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel mated to an Allison 8-Speed Transmission in the Top-of-the-Line packages. That would be AWESOME and unprecedented with loads of power and capabilities!!!
The big question here would be packaging. Would the 3.0 Duramax fit in the engine compartment? The other question would be in regards to the transmission. In the trucks, the diesel is paired to a 10-speed, which is designed for rear-wheel drive applications, so not only would they have to develop an all-new 8-speed, Allison would also have to develop it for a front-wheel drive application. I think the costs here would be fairly prohibitive.
The 3.0 would never fit as this is a transverse fit engine platform with FWD based drive line.
No transmission for it too.
Like the Nox a Diesel is just not going to move in this class at least in America.
You want a Diesel get a Tahoe.
Hey, it’s my buddy (in my head), C8.R. You are obviously one of the Mad-Scientists over in the GM laboratories. This is a little bit off the subject, but has GM ever considered making a sports car or something using a Fully-Boxed All Aluminum Frame with 1/2 inch Diameter Bolts (with smooth rivet heads on each end) that run through the middle of the Hollow Boxed Aluminum Frame connecting the top of the box to the bottom of the box but spaced every 4 to 6 inches apart to provide a Light-Weight but durable platform?
If You mean the one with bolts That are 5 mm and hollow made of Unobtainium then the answer is yes.
We are putting them only 7.5 cm apart because we just like the number. Lol!
C8.R, that’s EXCELLENT!! (in my Mr. Burns voice from The Simpsons). See that Dr. Mad-Scientist (C8.R), it’s true Y’all Are Professional Grade!! Y’all just have to work out a couple of glitches and CHEW OUT some of the owners of the dealerships (since stuff flows downhill) that are wearing the GM name but have Poor Customer Satisfaction Records. As a business, when GM gets that #1 spot in every category across the country (and y’all will) it will be built on Quality Craftsmanship hand-in-hand with Outstanding Customer Service and not buying it through some backdoor deals like maybe some other manufacturers. Without customers or even return customers….you’ll have no business. Just sayin.
Well I hope your fever breaks soon.
Take care.
Ride and handling is considerably better in the Traverse due to its unibody construction and front-wheel-drive bias layout. It’s more suited for urban familly hauling than the Tahoe which is essentially a truck with an SUV body.
More due to the independent rear suspension. The new IRS air ride Tahoe May change that.
I have a 2018 LT3! I love the look of the 2021 Traverse. My lease is up in May of 2021. I’m worried from a previous Article I read in GM Authority that the 2021’s May not be ready by the time my lease is up! My opinion is if they are ready, they’ll be in very short supply! Please keep us posted on “everything Traverse”!
I too really dislike the start/stop feature, especially with the automatic re-start when stopped. The re-start bumps the car as if it had been rear ended slightly and is disturbing. Other manufacturers have a driver controlled switch/button that allow the feature to be disabled. Being outside the vehicle when the start/stop ignition button is depressed to shut the engine off the starter makes a engagement sound that also is concerning. As far a the Traverse being the same or nearly the same size as a Tahoe, one needs only to park next to a Tahoe to get a visual perspective of the size difference.
We owned a new 2017 Tahoe Premier and after looking at and driving a new 2018 right after they came out, we traded our Tahoe for a new 2018 Traverse Premier. Best trade we ever made. There is more room in the Traverse and it’s space is much more usable. The load height is lower and is flat, something that isn’t the case of the current Tahoe. Only if you are needing to tow a heavy load, would I suggest the Tahoe. The Traverse is more comfortable, handles far better and is much easier to live with on a daily basis. And it is about $20000 less money. We still own our 2018 and look forward to the upgrade which sounds like will be out now in 2022.
Very true when comparing Tahoe and Traverse. I researched space and convenience of both for 2 yrs before making our 18 Traverse decision. 3rd row leg room (seat to floor) is much better in traverse. It’s easy to handle on the road and my wife is not intimidated by the Tahoe width and size. I will definitely return to a Traverse. My Redline Edition turns heads everywhere I park or drive.
Put the transmission to “L” and hit the “+” button on the selector till it reads 9 on the display. Bypasses the stop/start feature and transmission still operates like normal.
how do the intelibeam headlights work is this a feature worth paying for?
With the headlights on or in auto, Intellibeam is active by default, and will work at speeds over 25 mph. If it detects headlights from oncoming traffic or taillights from a vehicle ahead that you are following, it will switch to low beams and then switch back to high beams when the lights are no longer detected. The sensor is mounted near the rear view mirror. It can be manually turned off by pressing the Intellibeam button (looks like a headlight icon with a capittal “A” in the middle) located on the turn signal stalk. It is also not active when the fog lights are on.
Now see they are not a default in the Acadia. You have to activate them to make them work or shut them off. There is no default to the lights on that model.
I can’t speak for the Acadia, as my dealership group only has Chevrolet and Cadillac so I haven’t had a chance to do a deep dive into the features of GMC or Buick. I would have assumed that the Acadia and the Enclave would have Intellibeam headlights being that they are still GM and it doesn’t make much sense for the same technology to behave differently on different brands, but given that Intellibeam activates above 25 MPH and others above 35 MPH, I suppose anything’s possible.
‘EMERGENCY BRAKE ISSUE’
Has anyone with a 2018 or newer Traverse had problems with the emergency brake sticking (Stays on after turned off) I’ve had it happen twice, first towed to dealership and tow truck driver loaded it on flat bed with emergency on, then upon arrival at dealership it was normal. Dealer unable to find a problem. 2nd time it happened, I turned on and off, turned off truck and contacted dealer service department and 20 minutes later when I restarted the vehicle it was normal, so I cancelled the towing. I stopped using the dam emergency brake when I’m out from the house. I still use it in my driveway just to keep testing it.
Yes Jose, I have a 2018 Traverse unbeknownst to me parking brake engaged on the highway and caught on fire! Looks like this is becoming a problem GET IT FIXED! Chevrolet product development department whom I dealt with “found nothing wrong” even though everything in that wheel space turned blue! Thank God the fire was small and contained and only damaged some of the brake and wheel components. The dealer was amazing and got their dealer rep involved and everything DID get replaced under warranty! They as well as I could not believe that the product development department did not want to do anything just told dealer to give car back to me that this department would not “pay” for the needed repairs! The service writer at dealer who helped me Ashley Rizzo was nothing short of compassionate and helpful and amazing! This happened on a Sunday night at about 6:30 PM on my way home from vacation at Ocean City, Md.! with my wife and two adult kids and a huge load of luggage in truck. Even the tow truck driver was amazing he drove me back to hotel after dropping truck off at dealer. Which by the way rolled off flatbed with NO resistance! Brake was then disengaged!
I would just like to once again give a HUGE SHOUTOUT to Nucar Chevrolet in New Castle, Delaware and Ashley Rizzo the service writer who took care of me! Ashley was so kind, compassionate and helpful and just cared so much about getting my family a loaner vehicle. She did that the next day Monday and we were on our way home. We had that 2019 Traverse for 7-8 weeks while Chevrolet “investigated”. Nucar Chevy never bothered me for the truck back or anything! So once again a HUGE SHOUTOUT to Nucar Chevrolet in New Castle Delaware and to Ashley Rizzo the service writer who handled my truck. And thank you to her service manager and everyone at this dealer who helped get my Traverse fixed…. Even though they are approximately 110 miles from my house and in a different state I will be looking in to getting my next Chevrolet from that dealer! I just hope sales is as amazing as service!
I do not know why my comment essentially repeated itself. I can not seem to edit it but everyone gets the picture! Any parking brake problems get them fixed so you do not have a brake fire!
Thank you for this valuable information as Don Mealey Chevrolet in Clermont FL doesn’t seem to know nothing about emergency brake issues with Traverse or maybe its cheaper to tell me that ! 🤔
Did Nucar Chevrolet tell you what was the actual emergency brake failure or defect ?
Thanks once again because I’ve been worrying about going out longer distances.
Unfortunately no they did not know what caused this problem! After having car for 7 weeks they just replaced everything in there! (Wheel hub, pads, rotors, some hardware I’m sure, sensors maybe some electrical components! I’m so sure it wouldve cost a mountain of money to repair is my truck was out of warranty! At the time it was only 18 months old in about the 23,000 mile range. I’m thinking something electrical because of the lights on dashboard indicating parking brake malfunction came on as I was pulling over! Of course they told me that no message was sent to computer so couldn’t be diagnosed that way! For all I know new product division could’ve told them to tell me no Code was sent who knows! Maybe I was the 1st or 2nd case as this happened the Sunday after Labor Day 2019! I also googled and looked inside of some chat rooms and only one person said they had an issue in their driveway but somehow got it unstuck and I haven’t actually checked back since! I also DO NOT use the parking break unless I absolutely have to and or I’m close to home! Good luck and be forceful even screen shot and show this to your dealer! Maybe even get in touch with Nucar Chevrolet!
Dear Tom. Thanks for the information.
I had already screened shot your previous reply and went as far as forwarding it to my Sales and service associates at Don Mealey Chevrolet in Clermont FL. I requested they contact GM service dept and start working on a solution before my Traverse catches on fire with my family. Emails are good record in case something happens they can’t play stupid.
In regards to the comment you might of read of this happening to someone in his driveway, 98% chance it was mine 😆
Wow stay safe! Good luck let me know how you make out! Maybe if this happens enough a recall will be issued! Of course they need to find out why it’s happening and have a repair first. I would be interested in knowing stay in touch here!!
I will note your name and attempt to update you. I plan to give service dept a few days to read and respond to the email I sent this morning due to current slow down with Covid. But I’m not letting dealership off the hook. I make timely payments and intend on using my Traverse without fear of traveling over 50 miles. 😒
Sounds good yes I agree! Again stay save during this tough time and once again good luck with your dealership!
Purchased a 2019 RS late last year, fell in love with the vehicle at the Toronto car show last year. I have been reading up on the V6 engine and it’s direct injection and have heard that you should install an oil catch can to capture any oil that exits the engine through the PCV. Have you heard of any problems related to the excessive carbon forming on the valves from the lack of gas being sprayed onto the valves because of the injector design?
Thanks, and stay healthy.
I heard of a catch can addition for performance engines LS / LSX in the Corvette, Camaro’s and Ford coyote Mustangs, but never for the 3.6. I’m interested to see if any performance mechanic’s reply to your question.
That Cadillac CT6 400 hp twin turbo would really be great. I drove a Caddy loaner and took it to the local 1/4 mile drag strip and it ran a 13.3 which is impressive considering the weight and luxury of that 4 Dr sedan.
RS doesn’t necessarily have to be AWD, my 18 Traverse Redline is FWD and does some nice burnouts with 310 hp
The problem with the 3.0 TT from Cadillac is that it is designed for platforms with rear-wheel drive applications, and as such, I don’t believe it would work in the Traverse. Performance-wise, I can see it being a great option for the Redline.
Hummm 🤔 forgot that detail of Traverse being FWD. But I bet I would really enjoy that 3.0 TT in my Redline 🚙 💨
One has to imagine that this is a top tier Chevrolet Traverse RS meaning it has AWD; but is the 310 hp V6 adequate, would a 400 hp twin-turbo 3.0L DOHC-4v V6 from Cadillac work better or possibly a 5.3 Liter V8 EcoTec3 L83 Engine that makes 355 hp from the Chevy Silverado.
It certainly seems to be adequate for its intended purpose, as there is no problem with it getting up to speed, even fully loaded. Keep in mind, it’s not a vehicle that 99% of people would think about racing, so high performance versions are not likely. The engines you mentioned would not fit in the Traverse, given the platform’s design and the design of the engines and their corresponding drive lines.
True ! Not what us old time drag racers what to admit, but true. 😁
Would like to know your opinion on the Tranny? I have a 2019 – shifting is very smooth with normal driving. However when you floor it for passing, downshifts seem to hesitate and feels lazy
I do a lot of passing and highway pulls with my 18 and haven’t felt any hestitation. I even tested on 1/4 mile drag strip.
Hope someone here can help you.
I have an Acadia (not as new as a 2019) and I believe that the Tranny is a very significant problem on ALL of the variations of this vehicle (Acadia, Traverse, Enclave, and Outlook). GM really should’ve gone over to the Mad-Scientists in their Light-Duty Truck Division to have them to develop a Compact, Front-Wheel-Drive, 8-Speed, Moderate Torque, Dependable Transmission to correct this issue that’s been a “Known Problem” since these vehicles began production in 2007. I also believe that the Body of the vehicle is just too heavy for the Engine and Transmission Combination in this vehicle. Between the Transmission and the Timing Chain Failure around 120,000 miles due to “Plastic Tensioners” instead of metal (another “Known Problem”) these should’ve both had some Serious Upgrades by now. Please don’t misunderstand me, I’ve been a GM fan for years, (although I can’t afford a newer one) but if they’re going to continue to produce a popular vehicle like this, then they really should invest in getting the “Kinks” worked out in order to Gain customers instead of getting them SO aggravated that they never want to buy another GM product. Just Sayin’
Gorilla504, this is an altogether new vehicle as of the 2018 model year in comparison to the model years you mention. Mechanically, the only similarity is that they both utilize 3.6 liter V6’s, however they are different engines. The earlier ones you mention have 6-speed transmissions, while the new ones are 9-speeds. It’s improper to judge a complete redesign like this based on the prior generation which is so different mechanically. If they shared the same platform and mechanical components, that would be one thing, however your comment is an apples to oranges comparison.
I am curious if they are going to update the 2018 and up with wireless Apple CarPlay. It does some of the things wirelessly but not the same as connecting to the Traverse. Any insight into this?
They would have to replace the radio units, as it would require more than just a software update. The refreshed Traverses will have the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, but it would be relatively intensive to update the current models.
We bought a new 2020 Traverse and less than a month after buying it the sun roof leaked. Chevy dealer supposedly fixed it and water tested it. Got it back and two days later it rained and the leak was twice as bad. Water pouring out of overhead console fron and rear. Vehicle has now been in the shop since March 19 2020. Not bad, spend that amount of money on a brand new vehicle and only got to drive it for about two weeks.
Do you have a loaner to drive in the meantime?
Would you pony up for an Enclave with the same money?