For many, the dream of a sleek sports car often clashes with the reality of family life. Cramming kids, car seats, and all the associated gear into a compact sedan can quickly become a daily struggle. While the allure of a sporty ride is strong, sometimes practicality and space need to take precedence. Enter the 2023 Chevrolet Traverse Rs, a three-row SUV that might just bridge the gap between necessity and a touch of sporty flair. This review dives deep into whether the 2023 Chevrolet Traverse RS is the right choice for families seeking a spacious, comfortable, and subtly stylish vehicle.
2023 Chevrolet Traverse RS: Specs and Performance
The Chevrolet Traverse RS is built to handle the demands of daily family life without sacrificing a composed driving experience. Let’s look under the hood and at how it performs on the road.
Engine and Powertrain
Powering the 2023 Chevrolet Traverse RS is a robust 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with a smooth-shifting 9-speed automatic transmission. While front-wheel drive is standard, all-wheel drive is available for enhanced traction and control in various weather conditions, as equipped on the test model. The Traverse RS delivers a 0-60 mph acceleration time of around 6.9 seconds, providing ample power for everyday driving and highway merging.
Ride and Handling
Despite its size as a three-row SUV, the 2023 Chevrolet Traverse RS offers surprisingly confident and planted handling. The steering has a reassuring weight to it, and body roll is well-controlled for a vehicle in this class. It manages to feel solid and stable on the road, exceeding expectations for a front-wheel-drive based SUV. However, the ride can be a touch firm, especially over rougher road surfaces. While not jarring, passengers might notice bumps, though the comfortable seats help to mitigate this.
Braking and Visibility
Braking in the 2023 Chevrolet Traverse RS is reassuring, providing a sense of confidence when you need to stop quickly. The brake pedal feel is initially soft but firms up progressively, allowing for controlled and effective braking. Visibility can be a challenge, particularly forward visibility around corners due to the thick A-pillars. The sheer size of the Traverse RS can also make it feel wide in tight spaces like drive-throughs and parking lots. Thankfully, the standard surround-view parking cameras are invaluable, providing a comprehensive view to aid in maneuvering and parking, especially in tight spots.
Design and Interior of the 2023 Chevrolet Traverse RS
The 2023 Chevrolet Traverse RS trim offers a unique aesthetic that sets it apart from the more standard Traverse models. Let’s explore the design elements and interior features.
Exterior Styling: RS Trim Enhancements
The standard Chevrolet Traverse design is often described as somewhat understated or “vanilla,” blending into the crowd of family SUVs. However, the RS trim level injects a dose of sporty visual appeal. The 2023 Chevrolet Traverse RS distinguishes itself with black exterior accents, including a black front badge, black window trim, and distinctive 20-inch black wheels. These black elements, especially when contrasted with a vibrant paint color like Radiant Red, give the Traverse RS a more dynamic and modern look. While it doesn’t completely overhaul the base design, the RS trim certainly represents the Traverse at its most visually appealing.
Radiant Red 2023 Chevy Traverse RS front quarter view, showcasing black grille and accents
Interior Comfort and Practicality
Inside the 2023 Chevrolet Traverse RS, the interior is appointed in black with sporty red stitching, a theme consistent with the RS designation. The overall design is functional and straightforward, prioritizing ease of use over extravagant styling. While material quality includes some hard plastics, this is typical for a three-row SUV in this price range and doesn’t detract significantly from the overall comfort and practicality. Ergonomics are a strong point, with user-friendly physical buttons for most controls and clear, easily readable physical gauges. The interior is designed to be welcoming and stress-free, focusing on functionality and ease of use. The cabin is exceptionally spacious, offering generous room for passengers and cargo, making it ideal for families. Ample storage compartments and cupholders are strategically placed throughout the cabin, further enhancing its practicality.
Chevrolet Traverse RS interior view, highlighting spacious second row with captain's chairs and red stitching
Family-Friendly Features of the 2023 Traverse RS
The 2023 Chevrolet Traverse RS truly shines when it comes to family-oriented features, designed to make everyday life easier for busy parents.
Second and Third Row Seating
One of the standout features for families is the availability of second-row captain’s chairs in the 2023 Chevrolet Traverse RS. These chairs provide easy access to the third row and create a convenient aisle, making installing and accessing car seats significantly simpler. Even young children can easily climb into the second row captain’s chairs independently. The third row is also surprisingly accommodating, even for average-sized adults on shorter trips. For families with children, the third row is perfectly suited, comfortably seating three kids. Access to the third row is made easy with second-row seats that conveniently fold out of the way.
Open door of 2023 Chevy Traverse RS, showing easy access to spacious interior and captain's chairs
Cargo Space and Utility
The 2023 Chevrolet Traverse RS boasts impressive cargo space, essential for families hauling groceries, sports equipment, luggage, and more. It offers 23 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 57.8 cubic feet with the third row folded. The cavernous cabin and flexible seating configurations make it easy to adapt to various cargo and passenger needs. Multiple USB ports and charging outlets throughout the cabin ensure that devices stay powered up, keeping kids entertained on long journeys.
2023 Chevrolet Traverse RS: Pros and Cons
Like any vehicle, the 2023 Chevrolet Traverse RS has its strengths and weaknesses. Understanding these can help you decide if it’s the right fit for your needs.
The Highs
- Spacious Cabin and Family-Friendly Features: The Traverse RS excels in providing a roomy and practical interior, loaded with features designed for family convenience.
- Easy to Use and Practical: From the user-friendly controls to the flexible seating and cargo space, the Traverse RS prioritizes practicality and ease of use in daily driving.
- Good Technology: Features like the surround-view cameras are genuinely useful and well-executed, enhancing safety and convenience.
- Value for Money: For its size, features, and capabilities, the Traverse RS offers strong value in the three-row SUV segment.
The Lows
- Engine Refinement and Fuel Economy: While powerful enough, the V6 engine can sound somewhat coarse at higher RPMs and is less fuel-efficient compared to some turbocharged competitors.
- Interior Design Blandness: While functional and comfortable, the interior design may lack excitement and could become monotonous over time for some owners.
- Ride Firmness: The ride quality, while controlled, can be firmer than some competitors, especially on rough roads.
Competition in the Family SUV Segment
The 2023 Chevrolet Traverse RS competes in the highly competitive midsize three-row SUV segment. Key rivals include models like the Honda Pilot Touring, Jeep Grand Cherokee L Altitude, and Hyundai Palisade Limited. While the Traverse RS is an older design compared to some of these competitors, it remains a strong contender, particularly in terms of interior space and value. Shoppers in this segment will need to weigh the Traverse RS’s strengths against the newer designs and features offered by its rivals.
Chevrolet Traverse RS parked on city street, showcasing its size and black wheels
Fuel Economy and Sustainability
Fuel economy is an area where the 2023 Chevrolet Traverse RS could see improvement. Its naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6 engine, while reliable and powerful, is less fuel-efficient than some of the turbocharged four-cylinder engines found in newer competitors. The EPA fuel economy ratings for the Traverse RS are 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined. Competitors with turbocharged engines often offer better fuel economy, which is an important consideration for many family SUV buyers. A future update with a more fuel-efficient engine option could enhance the Traverse RS’s appeal in this area.
Value and Verdict: Is the 2023 Chevy Traverse RS Worth It?
The 2023 Chevrolet Traverse RS, with an as-tested price around $50,000 for the all-wheel-drive model, presents a compelling value proposition in the three-row SUV market. It offers a significant amount of space, practical features, and a comfortable ride for the money. While it may not be the flashiest or most fuel-efficient option, it excels in delivering on its core mission: providing a capable and family-friendly SUV that simplifies daily life.
Rear view of 2023 Chevrolet Traverse RS, highlighting taillights and RS badging
The 2023 Chevrolet Traverse RS is like a dependable, comfortable sweater – familiar, practical, and always ready to get the job done. For those who prioritize space, functionality, and a touch of sporty styling in a three-row SUV, the Traverse RS is definitely worth considering. It’s a grown-up choice for grown-up responsibilities, making it a practical and sensible option for families.
