Chevy went big with changes to the 2026 Traverse High Country. The three-row family hauler now runs on a turbocharged four-cylinder that actually makes more power than the old V6, comes with that giant 17.7-inch touchscreen everyone’s been raving about, and includes Super Cruise as standard equipment. But the real question families need answered is simple: does it work better for hauling kids, gear, and a week’s worth of groceries?

• The new 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder produces 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque, beating the old V6’s numbers but introducing more engine noise during acceleration.
• Family-friendly features shine with second-row doors that open nearly 90 degrees for easier car seat installation, the ability to fit three car seats across the second row, and power-folding seats on High Country trim.
• Starting around $57,100 for the High Country AWD, the Traverse faces stiff competition from vehicles like the Hyundai Palisade that offer similar features with quieter engines and lower prices.

What Changed Under the Hood

The biggest news is what’s missing. That familiar 3.6-liter V6? Gone. Every 2026 Traverse now gets a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder instead. On paper, this looks like an upgrade. The turbo four cranks out 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque, compared to 310 horses and 266 pound-feet from the old V6. Walk into any Chevy dealership and they’ll probably emphasize those power gains.

Drive one though, and you’ll notice something interesting. The extra torque hits you immediately when pulling away from stoplights or merging onto highways. Less downshifting when climbing hills too. But there’s a trade-off that keeps coming up in reviews and owner complaints: the engine sounds rough when you push it. People describe it as “unrefined and loud” during acceleration. One owner even compared it to a lawnmower. The old V6 ran smoother and quieter, even if it made less power.

The Interior Gets Serious Upgrades

Climb inside the High Country trim, and that massive 17.7-inch touchscreen immediately grabs your attention. It actually works well too. The menus respond quickly, Google integration does its job without issues, and Chevy kept physical buttons for climate control. Thank goodness, because nobody wants to dig through menus to adjust the temperature.

The front seats on the High Country get leather upholstery, ventilation, and heating. Materials look nice up front, with soft-touch surfaces and decent stitching. Walk toward the back though, and things get cheaper looking. The second and third rows use harder plastics, and you’ll hear some rattles over bumps. An 11-inch digital gauge cluster sits in front of the driver, wireless charging comes standard, and USB ports are scattered throughout all three rows.

Family Features That Actually Matter

Here’s where the Traverse earns its keep. Those second-row doors swing open almost 90 degrees, turning car seat installation from a wrestling match into something manageable. Got multiple young kids? You can squeeze three car seats across the second row. The Smart Slide feature tilts and slides the second row forward easily, even with a car seat strapped in.

The third row actually surprised people with real adult-size space. At 32.1 inches of legroom, it beats most competitors. Those small windows back there make it feel a bit cave-like, but passengers get their own cupholders, USB-C ports, and air vents. Behind the third row sits 22.9 cubic feet of cargo space. Fold everything flat, and you’re looking at nearly 98 cubic feet, which puts it near the top of this class.

High Country models add power-folding for the second and third rows. Push a button in the cargo area, seats drop flat. No crawling around inside pulling levers.

Super Cruise Comes Standard

The High Country trim includes Super Cruise as standard equipment, which is GM’s hands-free highway driving system. It works on over 585,000 miles of compatible roads across the U.S. and Canada. A steering wheel camera tracks your attention, and the system handles lane changes when you tap the turn signal. You still need to pay attention, but it makes long highway trips less tiring.

How the Traverse Stacks Up Against Competitors

This is the tough part. At $57,100 for a High Country AWD, you’re spending serious money. The Hyundai Palisade offers a smoother V6 engine, nicer interior materials, and more features for less cash. The Honda Pilot still gives you a V6 as standard equipment. The Mazda CX-90 drives circles around it and feels more polished. Even the Ford Explorer, which also uses a turbo four as its base engine, lets you upgrade to a V6 on higher trims.

What the Traverse has going for it is space. You get more cargo room than most rivals, and the third row actually works for adults on longer trips. But that noisy engine in a $57,000 SUV? Feels like settling.

Real-World Driving Experience in the Traverse

Acceleration to 60 mph takes about 8.4 seconds in testing, putting the Traverse toward the back of the pack. The ride feels firm, especially on High Country models with those big 22-inch wheels. Potholes and rough pavement? You’ll feel them more than you’d expect. Steering is slow and there’s lots of body lean in corners. But nobody buys a three-row family hauler expecting sports car handling.

Fuel economy lands at 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway with all-wheel drive. That’s barely better than the old V6, despite switching to a smaller turbo engine. Towing capacity hits 5,000 pounds with the included trailer package.

Should Your Family Get a Chevy Traverse?

The 2026 Traverse High Country does its main job well. It hauls people and cargo with room to spare. The tech works, the third row is actually usable, and Super Cruise makes highway driving easier. But that rough, noisy engine in a vehicle pushing $60,000? That’s hard to swallow.

Families who need maximum space on a budget should skip the High Country and look at the base LT trim instead. It starts around $42,695, includes most useful features, and you won’t feel as bad about the engine compromises.

If you’re willing to spend High Country money though, do yourself a favor and test drive a Palisade or Pilot first. They offer quieter, smoother power and better overall execution for similar or lower prices. The Traverse isn’t bad. It just isn’t the clear winner it should be.