2027 Chevy Traverse: What You Need to Know

The 2027 Chevy Traverse release date has already come and gone, and the redesigned SUV is sitting on the lot at Rydell Chevrolet in Waterloo, IA, right now. Chevy didn't just give the Traverse a fresh coat of paint this time around — the whole lineup got reworked, from the way it looks to the tech packed inside. Curious what's actually new? Here's the rundown.

What's New Outside and Inside the 2027 Traverse?

The 2027 Traverse got a real redesign — bolder, more truck-inspired styling outside, and a cabin built around an easy-to-use 17.7-inch touchscreen. Cargo space and seating flexibility got a bump, too. Walk around the new Traverse and you'll notice it faster than you'd expect from a family SUV — the stance is wider, the grille's more prominent, and each trim has its own look, from the rugged Z71 to the blacked-out RS.

Inside, Chevrolet leaned into function without sacrificing comfort. Smart Slide Seats make climbing into the third row less of a chore, and power-folding second- and third-row seating (standard on RS) means loading up for a Target run or a lake trip doesn't turn into a workout. A panoramic sunroof is available if you want the cabin to feel bigger than it is. And with 98 cu. ft. of max cargo volume — best-in-class for the segment — there's room for strollers, hockey bags, and whatever else life throws in the back.

A Few Standout Design Details

What Are the 2027 Traverse Trims and Prices?

The 2027 Traverse trims break down into three: LT starting at $40,800, Z71 starting at $49,100, and RS starting at $55,800. The 2027 Traverse price climbs with the off-road gear or sport styling you want, but all three share the same core capability underneath.

Every trim rides on the same 2.5L turbocharged engine, producing 328 horsepower and 326 lb.-ft. of torque through an 8-speed transmission, and every trim shares the same Chevy Traverse towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. with the included trailering package — Hitch Guidance, Hitch View, and a Trailering App all come standard. Where the trims really separate is what's built around that shared foundation.

Traverse LT

Family-friendly comfort starting at $40,800 with 7- or 8-passenger seating.

Traverse Z71

Rugged off-road design with Twin-Clutch AWD and raised ride height.

Traverse RS

Sporty blacked-out style with 22-inch wheels and standard Super Cruise.

The LT keeps things straightforward and family-friendly, and the Z71 adds a Twin-Clutch AWD system, Terrain Mode, Hill Descent Control, and an off-road-tuned suspension for weekend trail runs. The RS goes a different direction with 22-inch wheels, blacked-out trim, and standard 2027 Traverse Super Cruise. Fuel economy lands around 20 city/26 highway on FWD models, which is respectable for a three-row this size.

Traverse Z71 vs. High Country: How Does the New Lineup Compare?

Chevy actually dropped the High Country name for 2027 — the lineup is simpler now, with Z71 taking over as the rugged, capability-focused option instead of a luxury-badged trim.

If you've shopped a Traverse before, you might remember High Country as the top-of-the-line trim, loaded with chrome accents and plush interior touches.

For 2027, Chevy took a different approach. Instead of ranking trims by luxury, the lineup is built around personality — LT for everyday comfort, Z71 for capability, and RS for a sportier look. So when people search for Traverse Z71 vs. High Country, they're usually trying to figure out whether they'll lose anything by switching. The honest answer: not really. Z71 picks up genuine off-road hardware — Twin-Clutch AWD, Hill Descent Control, all-terrain tires — that older High Country trims never had. It trades some of that chrome-and-leather feel for real trail capability, which is a fair swap for many Iowa drivers who actually use their SUVs.

What Tech and Safety Features Come on the 2027 Traverse?

Every 2027 Traverse comes with a 17.7-inch touchscreen, an 11-inch driver display, and more than 20 standard safety and driver assistance features. 2027 Traverse Super Cruise comes standard on RS and gives drivers a true hands-free option on the highway. The 2027 Traverse Super Cruise system lets drivers take their hands off the wheel on compatible highways, using cameras and GPS mapping to keep the SUV centered and paced with traffic — it's the kind of feature that makes a long haul to Cedar Rapids or Des Moines noticeably less tiring.

Beyond that, Google Built-In becomes available, bringing Google Gemini along as a voice assistant that can handle directions, calls, and more without touching the phone. On the safety side, standard features include Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian and Bicycle Braking, Blind Zone Steering Assist, and Rear Cross Traffic Braking — the stuff that actually matters when kids are in the back seat. Combined with a Traverse seating capacity of up to 8, it's built to carry a full house and look out for everyone in it.

Why the 2027 Traverse Is Worth a Look

Whether it's the redesigned styling, the trail-ready Z71, or the tech packed into every trim, the 2027 Traverse checks a lot of boxes for families who need room to grow. It's not the same SUV that's been on the lot for years — Chevy rebuilt it around what drivers actually asked for: more capability, smarter tech, and a lineup that's easier to shop. If any of this has you curious about how it drives, Rydell Chevrolet in Waterloo, IA, is a good place to find out.

Ready to see the 2027 Traverse in person? Stop by Rydell Chevrolet in Waterloo, IA, to take one for a spin, or browse current inventory online to compare trims before you visit.

Frequently Asked Questions