24 Jan 29th-Feb 4th, 2026 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Questions? Feedback? Email me at [email protected] • Follow me on RATING (out of 5 McFly’s) 2026 CHEVY TRAVERSE: BUILT FOR PHOENIX FAMILIES, COSTCO RUNS, AND SURVIVING SUMMER 2026 CHEVY TRAVERSE The 2026 Chevy Traverse The 2026 Chevy Traverse feels like it was engineered feels like it was engineered specifically for life in Phoenix specifically for life in Phoenix — where your SUV needs — where your SUV needs to haul kids, groceries, patio to haul kids, groceries, patio furniture, and the emotional furniture, and the emotional weight of another 117-degree weight of another 117-degree day. It’s big, comfy, and day. It’s big, comfy, and unapologetically practical, unapologetically practical, with a starting price hovering with a starting price hovering around the mid-$30Ks, which around the mid-$30Ks, which feels downright reasonable feels downright reasonable when you realize how much when you realize how much stuff this thing can swallow. stuff this thing can swallow. Under the hood, the V6 has Under the hood, the V6 has enough juice to merge onto enough juice to merge onto the 101 without drama, panic, the 101 without drama, panic, or a whispered prayer to the or a whispered prayer to the automotive gods. automotive gods. Inside, the Traverse Inside, the Traverse is basically a rolling air- is basically a rolling air- conditioned refuge. Three conditioned refuge. Three rows, tons of cargo space, rows, tons of cargo space, and cupholders everywhere — and cupholders everywhere — because hydration is a lifestyle because hydration is a lifestyle here. The tech is easy, the here. The tech is easy, the seats are comfy, and the ride is seats are comfy, and the ride is smooth enough that potholes smooth enough that potholes and expansion joints don’t ruin and expansion joints don’t ruin your mood before you even hit your mood before you even hit the drive-thru. It’s not trying to the drive-thru. It’s not trying to be sporty or fancy; it’s trying to be sporty or fancy; it’s trying to make sure everyone survives make sure everyone survives the school pickup line without the school pickup line without losing their minds. losing their minds. The Traverse isn’t flashy, The Traverse isn’t flashy, and that’s kind of the point. and that’s kind of the point. It’s the SUV equivalent of flip- It’s the SUV equivalent of flip- flops and a cold drink — not flops and a cold drink — not exciting, but absolutely clutch. exciting, but absolutely clutch. If your daily routine includes If your daily routine includes sunscreen, iced coffee, and sunscreen, iced coffee, and saying “it’s a dry heat” to out- saying “it’s a dry heat” to out- of-towners, the 2026 Chevy of-towners, the 2026 Chevy Traverse fits right into the Traverse fits right into the Phoenix lifestyle. It just works Phoenix lifestyle. It just works — and sometimes, that’s the — and sometimes, that’s the biggest flex of all. biggest flex of all. Comfort: Value: Fuel Economy: Looks: The Drive: Safety & Security: Overall: Sound System: Bells & Whistles:
