The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse is a three-row midsize SUV with a single turbocharged powertrain: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 328 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic. It seats seven or eight, holds up to 97.6 cubic feet of cargo, tows up to 5,000 pounds, and starts around $40,800 before destination. This page lays out every number that matters and translates the important ones into plain terms.

If you are cross-shopping three-row SUVs across Northwest Arkansas, the spec sheet is where the Traverse earns its place. The team at George Nunnally Chevrolet keeps the full lineup on the lot in Bentonville, so once the numbers make sense you can see them in person. For trim-by-trim equipment, the trims comparison breaks down what each version adds.

Engine

Engine and Performance

Every 2026 Traverse, from LT to High Country, runs the same engine: a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four rated at 328 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 326 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 rpm. It uses direct injection and a dual-overhead-cam, 16-valve design, and it runs on regular 87-octane fuel. That output replaced the old 3.6-liter V6 while adding low-end torque and efficiency. An eight-speed automatic is standard. Front-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive is available for about $2,000 on LT, RS, and High Country, and comes standard on the off-road Z71.

Engine	2.5L turbocharged inline-4, direct injection, DOHC 16-valve
Horsepower	328 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque	326 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm
Transmission	8-speed automatic
Drivetrain	FWD standard; AWD available (standard on Z71)
Fuel	Regular unleaded, 87 octane

Fuel Economy

EPA Fuel Economy

The drivetrain you choose sets the EPA numbers. Front-wheel drive is the efficient pick; all-wheel drive trades about one to two combined mpg for traction. The 2026 ratings came down a hair from 2025 on the FWD highway figure.

Drivetrain	City	Highway	Combined	Tank
FWD	20	26	22	19.4 gal
AWD	20	24	21	21.7 gal

EPA estimates. A FWD Traverse on its 19.4-gallon tank covers roughly 425 highway miles between fill-ups, enough for a long I-49 highway run without a stop; the AWD tank is larger to offset the lower rating.

Dimensions

Exterior Dimensions

At 204.5 inches long on a 121-inch wheelbase, the Traverse is a full midsize three-row, longer than a two-row crossover but shorter than a full-size Tahoe. Folding the mirrors drops the width from 87.9 to 79.6 inches, which is the number that matters for a garage.

Length	204.5 in
Width (with / without mirrors)	87.9 in / 79.6 in
Height	69.6 in
Wheelbase	121.0 in
Ground clearance	6.8 in
Turning circle	39.0 ft

Interior

Seating and Cargo

The Traverse seats seven with second-row captain's chairs, or eight with the no-cost second-row bench. Behind the power-folding third row there is 22.9 cubic feet of cargo; drop the third row for 56.6 cubic feet, and fold both rows for a maximum 97.6 cubic feet, among the most in the segment. Front legroom is a generous 44.3 inches; the second row gets 41.5.

Seating	7 (captain's chairs) or 8 (bench), 3 rows
Cargo behind 3rd row	22.9 cu ft
Cargo behind 2nd row	56.6 cu ft
Max cargo	97.6 cu ft
Front / 2nd-row legroom	44.3 in / 41.5 in

Capability

Towing and Weights

Properly equipped, the Traverse tows up to 5,000 pounds, enough for a small boat, a utility trailer, or a light camper for a Northwest Arkansas weekend. With a 4,504-pound curb weight and a 6,173-pound gross vehicle weight rating, payload works out to roughly 1,669 pounds of people and gear.

Max towing	5,000 lbs (properly equipped)
Curb weight	4,504 lbs
GVWR	6,173 lbs
Payload (approx.)	~1,669 lbs

Technology

Technology and Wheels

Every Traverse comes standard with a 17.7-inch diagonal touchscreen running Google Built-In, an 11-inch driver display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and a six-speaker audio system, with a Bose system available. Chevrolet Safety Assist is standard. Hands-free Super Cruise is available for compatible highways. The base LT rides on 18-inch wheels with 255/65R18 all-season tires; larger 20- and 22-inch wheels are available higher in the lineup.

In Practice

What These Numbers Mean in Practice

Spec sheets are easier to use once they map onto real life. Around here that means tight garage bays, gravel county roads, and the climbs on the way to the lakes. Here is how the key dimensions translate:

Spec	Figure	What it means
Width w/o mirrors	79.6 in	Fits a standard garage bay with the mirrors folded and room to open a door
Length	204.5 in	Needs a full bay; leaves little overhang in a compact deck space like the one at Crystal Bridges
Turning circle	39.0 ft	Mid-pack for a three-row; fine in a parking deck, wider than a compact SUV
Ground clearance	6.8 in	Clears gravel roads and snow near Devil's Den, not rock-crawling; the Z71 adds off-road tuning

The short version: the LT covers most needs, AWD is worth it if you regularly face weather or gravel, and the Z71 is the pick for genuine trail use. See how each trim is equipped in the trims comparison, or browse the Traverse inventory.

Questions

2026 Traverse Specs FAQs