2011 Chevrolet Traverse

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(4.2) 96 reviews
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2011 Chevrolet Traverse
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Key Specs
Our Take
Overview
Photos
Reviews
Safety & Recalls
Warranty & CPO
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Key Specs

of the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. Base trim shown.

Our Take

From the Cars.com Vehicle Test Team

The Good

  • Ride quality
  • Cargo volume
  • Crash-test ratings
  • Relative gas mileage
  • Cabin quality
  • Towing capacity

The Bad

  • Somewhat unresponsive transmission
  • Comfort of cloth upholstery
  • Large turning circle
  • Third-row comfort
  • Highway wind noise
  • Price of loaded models

Notable Features of the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse

  • Malibu-inspired styling
  • Three rows of seats
  • Standard 281-hp V-6
  • FWD or AWD
  • Related to GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave

2011 Chevrolet Traverse Overview

By Cars.com Editors
Vehicle Overview
The Chevrolet Traverse offers distinctive styling and a purportedly sportier driving experience than its GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave siblings. Competitors include the Toyota Highlander, Mazda CX-9 and Hyundai Veracruz.

Under the Traverse's hood is a 3.6-liter V-6 with direct fuel injection. Three-row curtain airbags and an electronic stability system are standard, and all-wheel drive is optional.

The Traverse comes in LS, LT and LTZ trim levels.

New for 2011
There are no significant changes.

Exterior
The Traverse sports the same stacked grille as the redesigned Chevy Malibu. The high belt line and tall roof are typical of most large crossovers, while the taillights recall Chevy's Camaro. Exterior features include:
  • Standard 17-inch wheels, with 18- or 20-inch wheels for uplevel models
  • Four-wheel-independent suspension
  • Optional panoramic moonroof


Interior
Like its siblings, the Traverse's interior has bright gauges and plenty of beveled plastics. The door handles reside on their own raised cutouts, and the dashboard stacks contrasting materials atop one another. Parking assistance comes in the form of rear proximity sensors or a backup camera. Interior features include:
  • Seats seven or eight
  • Optional captain's chairs or three-seat bench in the second row
  • Standard cloth seats with optional leather
  • Optional heated and cooled seats
  • Optional navigation system


Under the Hood
GM's 3.6-liter V-6 has direct injection and makes 281 horsepower. An optio...
Vehicle Overview
The Chevrolet Traverse offers distinctive styling and a purportedly sportier driving experience than its GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave siblings. Competitors include the Toyota Highlander, Mazda CX-9 and Hyundai Veracruz.

Under the Traverse's hood is a 3.6-liter V-6 with direct fuel injection. Three-row curtain airbags and an electronic stability system are standard, and all-wheel drive is optional.

The Traverse comes in LS, LT and LTZ trim levels.

New for 2011
There are no significant changes.

Exterior
The Traverse sports the same stacked grille as the redesigned Chevy Malibu. The high belt line and tall roof are typical of most large crossovers, while the taillights recall Chevy's Camaro. Exterior features include:
  • Standard 17-inch wheels, with 18- or 20-inch wheels for uplevel models
  • Four-wheel-independent suspension
  • Optional panoramic moonroof


Interior
Like its siblings, the Traverse's interior has bright gauges and plenty of beveled plastics. The door handles reside on their own raised cutouts, and the dashboard stacks contrasting materials atop one another. Parking assistance comes in the form of rear proximity sensors or a backup camera. Interior features include:
  • Seats seven or eight
  • Optional captain's chairs or three-seat bench in the second row
  • Standard cloth seats with optional leather
  • Optional heated and cooled seats
  • Optional navigation system


Under the Hood
GM's 3.6-liter V-6 has direct injection and makes 281 horsepower. An optional dual exhaust system boosts horsepower to 288. Mechanical features include:
  • 281-hp, 3.6-liter V-6
  • Six-speed automatic transmission
  • Standard front-wheel drive, optional all-wheel drive


Safety
Safety features include:
  • Standard front and side-impact airbags, plus side curtain airbags for all three rows
  • Standard all-disc antilock brakes
  • Standard electronic stability system



View 20 Photos

Latest 2011 Traverse Stories

See all 2011 Chevrolet Traverse articles >

Consumer Reviews

4.2
96 reviews
Exterior Styling
(4.5)
Performance
(4.3)
Interior Design
(4.3)
Comfort
(4.5)
Reliability
(4.3)
Value For The Money
(4.2)

What Drivers Are Saying

(4.0)

Good car road noise was bad

by Justin from New London on October 6, 2018

Fir the amout these sell for and the amout of room they look like great cars. However, the road noise was alot loader than expected for the price you pay you would think it would be siund proofed ... Read full review

(5.0)

Loved it so much I bought it twice

by Grendelsrage from Warner Robins,ga on September 29, 2018

Bought a 2009 and had it for a year, it got tboned. First thought was I'm getting a newer one and got a 2011 Best car I've owned in years Read full review

Safety & Recalls

Recalls

The 2011 Chevrolet Traverse currently has 4 recalls

IIHS Crash and Rollover Test Ratings

Based on 2011 Chevrolet Traverse LS

IIHS rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal, or poor.

Head Restraints and Seats

Dynamic Rating
good
Overall Rear
good
Seat Head/Restraint Geometry
good

Moderate overlap front

Chest
good
Head/Neck
good
Left Leg/Foot
good
Overall Front
good
Restraints
good
Right Leg/Foot
good
Structure/safety cage
good

Other

Roof Strength
good

Side

Driver Head Protection
good
Driver Head and Neck
good
Driver Pelvis/Leg
good
Driver Torso
good
Overall Side
good
Rear Passenger Head Protection
good
Rear Passenger Head and Neck
good
Rear Passenger Pelvis/Leg
good
Rear Passenger Torso
good
Structure/safety cage
good
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is a nonprofit research and communications organization funded by auto insurers.

Manufacturer Warranties

Backed by Chevrolet
New Car Program Benefits

  • Bumper-to-Bumper

    36 months / 36,000 miles

  • Powertrain

    60 months / 100,000 miles

  • Roadside Assistance

    60 months / 100,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned Program Benefits

  • Maximum Age/Mileage

    5 model years or newer/up to 75,000 miles

  • Basic Warranty Terms

    12 months/12,000 miles bumper-to-bumper original warranty, then may continue to 6 years/100,000 miles limited (depending on variables)

  • Powertrain warranty

    6 years/100,000 miles

  • Dealer Certification Required

    172-point inspection

  • Roadside Assistance

    Yes

  • View All Program Details

Have questions about warranties or CPO programs?

See Warranty FAQs or visit the manufacturer's website .

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Cars.com Car Seat Check

Certified child passenger safety technicians conduct hands-on tests of a car’s Latch system and check the vehicle’s ability to accommodate different types of car seats. The Traverse received the following grades on a scale of A-F.*
* This score may not apply to all trims, especially for vehicles with multiple body styles that affect the space and design of the seating.

Warranty FAQs

What is a Bumper-to-Bumper warranty?

Often called a basic warranty or new-vehicle warranty, a bumper-to-bumper policy covers components like air conditioning, audio systems, vehicle sensors, fuel systems and major electrical components. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free-maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising. Bumper-to-bumper warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties.

What is a Powertrain warranty?

Don't be misled a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn't promise a decade of free repairs for your car. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, like the driveshaft and constant velocity joints. Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don't cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations.

What is included in Roadside Assistance?

Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump-starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs like motel rooms (if you have to wait for repairs).

What other services could be included in a warranty?

Some automakers include free scheduled maintenance for items such as oil changes, air filters and tire rotations. Some include consumables including brake pads and windshield wipers; others do not. They are typically for the first couple of years of ownership of a new car.

What does CPO mean?

A certified pre-owned or CPO car has been inspected to meet minimum quality standards and typically includes some type of warranty. While dealers and third parties certify cars, the gold standard is an automaker-certified vehicle that provides a factory-backed warranty, often extending the original coverage. Vehicles must be in excellent condition and have low miles and wear to be certified, which is why off-lease vehicles feed many CPO programs.

See also the latest CPO incentives by automaker