DecodedCars2018 Chevrolet Traverse
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.
- Class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV AWD, 4dr SUV FWD
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline, Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 22 combined · 20 city / 27 hwy
- Length
- 204.3 in
- Curb weight
- 4,361–4,700 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
- Many owner complaints464 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 128 for similar models — most often about the power train.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 14 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2018 Chevrolet Traverse is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.6L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 204 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 121-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,700 lb (4dr SUV AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (20 city / 27 highway), 13% better than the 2018 standard SUV average of 19.5 MPG, for an estimated $3,200 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 464 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.
What changed for 2018
- New body dimensions: 0.8 in longer, wheelbase +2.0 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Engine added: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG up from 18 to 22
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 Traverse →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV AWD | 204.3 in | 78.7 in | 70.9 in | 120.9 in | 67.3 / 66.9 in | 4,700 lb | 58/42 |
| 4dr SUV FWD | 204.3 in | 78.7 in | 70.9 in | 120.9 in | 67.3 / 66.9 in | 4,361 lb | 58/42 |
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 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 26 / 22 | +13% | $3,750 | 404 |
| Traverse FWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 9-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 27 / 21 | +8% | $3,200 | 416 |
| Traverse AWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 9-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | +7% | $3,350 | 444 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Chevrolet Traverse SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 15% |
| 2018 Chevrolet Traverse SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 16.9% |
Similar 2018 standard SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Chevrolet Traverse (this car) | 22 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser | 15 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2018 Ford Explorer | 22 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
| 2018 GMC Yukon | 19 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe | 19 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2018 Ford Expedition | 20 MPG | ★★★★★ | 14 |
| 2018 Nissan Pathfinder | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
Recalls (2)
Air Bags › Critical Fasteners · Apr 8, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V246000 · 108 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
- Risk
- Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · Oct 29, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V668000 · 194,105 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
- Risk
- Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
Not every 2018 Chevrolet Traverse is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2018 Chevrolet Traverse buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Power Train — 190 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Electrical System — 98 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Engine — 85 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 32,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Traverse years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Traverse | 22 | – | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2026 Traverse | 22 | 204.3 in | Not rated | 1 | 26 |
| 2025 Traverse | 23 | 204.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 185 |
| 2024 Traverse | 23 | 204.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 143 |
| 2023 Traverse | 21 | 205.9 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 94 |
| 2022 Traverse | 21 | 205.9 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 101 |
| 2021 Traverse | 21 | 204.3 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 92 |
| 2020 Traverse | 21 | 204.3 in | ★★★★★ | 8 | 234 |
| 2019 Traverse | 22 | 204.3 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 412 |
| 2017 Traverse | 18 | 203.5 in | Not rated | 3 | 361 |
| 2016 Traverse | 18 | 203.5 in | Not rated | 5 | 292 |
| 2015 Traverse | 19 | 203.5 in | Not rated | 5 | 313 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →