DecodedCars2026 Chevrolet Traverse
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2026 models.
- Class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV, Z71 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 22 combined · 20 city / 26 hwy
- Length
- 204.3 in
- Curb weight
- 4,793 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 20 similar 2026 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse is a standard SUV offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 204 inches long and 80 inches wide on a 121-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,793 lb (4dr SUV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (20 city / 26 highway), 1% better than the 2026 standard SUV average of 21.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 26 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2026
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2025 Traverse — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2025; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2025 Traverse →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Lansing, Michigan
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2026 Traverse configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV | 204.3 in | 79.5 in | 70.9 in | 120.9 in | 67.3 / 66.9 in | 4,793 lb | 56/44 |
| Z71 4dr SUV | 204.3 in | 79.5 in | 72 in | 120.9 in | 67.7 / 67.7 in | 4,793 lb | 56/44 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traverse FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 8-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 26 / 22 | +1% | $3,050 | 404 |
| Traverse AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 8-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 24 / 21 | +5% | $3,200 | 423 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2026 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse.
Similar 2026 standard SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Chevrolet Traverse (this car) | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser | 23 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Toyota 4Runner | 23 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Ford Explorer | 24 MPG | Not rated | 15 |
| 2026 Toyota Highlander | 35 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Ford Expedition | 19 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Nissan Pathfinder | 23 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (1)
Equipment › Other › Owners/Service/Other Manual · Feb 26, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V114000 · 5,861 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible E-Ray, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, Silverado EV, Suburban 1500, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Hummer EV Pickup, Hummer EV SUV, Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, Sierra EV, Terrain, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The radio may not have been set to the correct status to download the electronic owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, âOccupant Protection.â
- Risk
- Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic ownerâs manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-9700, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is N252540430. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 26, 2026.
Not every 2026 Chevrolet Traverse is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Other Traverse years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Traverse | 22 | – | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 Traverse | 23 | 204.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 185 |
| 2024 Traverse | 23 | 204.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 143 |
| 2023 Traverse | 21 | 205.9 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 95 |
| 2022 Traverse | 21 | 205.9 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 101 |
| 2021 Traverse | 21 | 204.3 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 92 |
| 2020 Traverse | 21 | 204.3 in | ★★★★★ | 8 | 235 |
| 2019 Traverse | 22 | 204.3 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 412 |
| 2018 Traverse | 22 | 204.3 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 465 |
| 2017 Traverse | 18 | 203.5 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 361 |
| 2016 Traverse | 18 | 203.5 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 292 |
| 2015 Traverse | 19 | 203.5 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 313 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →