Your Trim Level Guide for the 2025 Chevy Traverse
People don’t talk about the Chevy Traverse often enough. It’s not like nobody knows about it or it’s not popular; it certainly is. But with Chevy offering such an abundance of high-quality SUVs, the Traverse sometimes gets lost in the mix. It’s one of the more capable and versatile three-row SUVs on the market. Most three-row vehicles are designed for basic family functions, and while the Traverse is certainly well-suited to that, it’s also designed to be a true off-roader, among other personalities.
The 2025 Traverse is offered in some of Chevy’s premiere off-roading trims, making it a good year to get this practical and adventurous SUV. With great options for off-roading, style, and flexibility, we thought it might be helpful to provide a trim guide for the 2025 Chevy Traverse. With four great options, there’s a Traverse trim for every type of driver, but you’ll want to know which one is best suited to your needs and desires before moving forward. So, let’s take a look at the four trims the Traverse is offering for 2025…
The LT: Versatile Capability for the Family
Sometimes, you don’t need or even want every possible feature, but you do want the right features; sometimes, you just want a nice, capable vehicle that keeps things simple while still delivering comfort and convenience. That’s exactly what you’ll find in the 2025 Traverse LT. As the baseline trim of the 2025 lineup, the Traverse LT provides everything you need and nothing you don’t need. That said, the Traverse LT sets the bar higher than most baseline trims.
With a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, drivers have more capability than they do in competing three-row SUVs, getting up to 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque. This just goes to show that the Traverse seeks to do more than provide functionality; it seeks to inspire you to explore at a higher level. Even in the baseline LT trim, that 2.5-liter turbocharged engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, giving you the capability to do some light off-roading.
The Traverse LT is available as both a 7-seat and 8-seat model. With the 8-seat model, you’ll have a second-row bench seat, whereas with the 7-seat model, you’ll have captain’s chairs in that row. If the number of people in your family dictates that you have the 8-passenger model, that’s your deciding factor. That said, many owners tend to prefer the 7-seat model, as the captain’s chairs make for a more comfortable second-row experience, especially for adults.
The Traverse comes standard across all trims with a 17.7-inch multimedia touchscreen. Many touchscreens that would be considered generously sized are in the 12-inch range; standardizing a 17.7-inch screen is, truthfully, an amazing offering for the Traverse. That huge touchscreen is equipped with Google Built-In and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so connectivity and entertainment are at the forefront of this baseline trim.
While the LT may be the baseline trim, keeping things simpler than the rest, it provides outstanding performance, technology, and design. If you’re looking for the lowest price and the highest value, there’s no doubt that the Traverse LT will provide that for you.
The Z71: New Territories for the Traverse
The Z71 is a well-known trim within Chevy’s lineup. However, many people don’t realize how significant it is that this trim is available for an SUV like the Traverse. The Z71 trim became popular on Chevy’s trucks, the midsize Colorado and the full-size Silverado 1500. Offering some of the best off-road performance capability, the Z71 trim takes the Traverse into territories beyond that of most other three-row SUVs.
The Traverse Z71 is equipped with an Advanced Twin-Clutch all-wheel-drive system. Right off the bat, this gives the vehicle advanced precision when navigating unconventional trails. Drivers can further increase off-road precision by flipping on Terrain Mode for more nimble off-roading excursions. If the terrain is mountainous and you need to make a steep descent, Hill Descent Control will help you go downhill in an easy and well-balanced fashion. The Traverse Z71 definitely provides the capability necessary to hit the trails, but off-roading performance without off-roading hardware can be problematic, so the Z71 covers that as well.
With an off-road-tuned suspension, the Z71 is ready to absorb the impact from any rough maneuvers, making sure you’re able to enjoy the ups and downs of the trails. Of course, no off-road vehicle is complete without skid plates to protect the underbody from the elements, and the Z71 has those ready to go. When it comes to tackling the elements, your wheels serve as the foundation and the first line of defense. It’s fitting, then, that the Traverse Z71 offers 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires.
The Traverse Z71 is a true off-roader. Some SUVs with off-roading trims offer a feature or two for light off-roading or even just lean into the off-road style without offering any real capability. However, the Traverse Z71 has the actual capability needed to hit the trails in a legitimate way. Any driver looking for an affordable off-road solution that still provides space and comfort for families will love the combination of fun and functionality offered in the Traverse Z71.
The High Country and RS: Luxury and Style
Any Chevy vehicle would be remiss if it did not offer a nice luxury trim. In the classic Chevy spirit of going beyond what’s necessary, the Traverse offers two different ways to experience such luxury. The Traverse High Country offers all of the LT’s features with a little extra and goes for a lighter, more ethereal aesthetic with a focus on gray color schemes. The RS serves as the premiere luxury trim with an athletic focus and an edgy red-black color combination with dark, sporty accents throughout.
The High Country is well-suited to those who want something that feels high-class and refined, while the RS caters to those who like a spark of ferocity. Because the LT sets such a strong foundation of performance and tech features, the real differentiation point between the LT, the High Country, and the RS is the design aesthetics. In light of that, the difference is less about objectively “better” or “worse” features and more about personal taste and preference.
The Traverse provides two different luxury options so drivers can have the kind of extravagance that appeals to each individual. With baseline high performance, versatile functionality, and exceptional tech and comfort features, both the High Country and RS trims are sure to appeal to anyone with a taste for high-end driving.
Traversing the Trim Lineup
The 2025 Chevy Traverse offers a trim lineup that checks off boxes for each type of driver. Whether you’re looking for a durable, reliable family vehicle with nice tech features and flexibility, an exciting off-road vehicle for camping trips, or a luxury outfit to make your drives more enjoyable, the Traverse has you covered in all directions.
The Traverse is an SUV that doesn’t get enough credit. While there are many strong SUVs on the market, few are as versatile as the Traverse. If you want something that goes above and beyond, you may have found your perfect match in this midsize model.