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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 8 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $28,044–$36,158 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.2/10, the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse earns a Good rating among the suvs we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.1/10, while Performance at 6.7/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We rate reliability at 6.8/10 — below the segment average in our scoring. Budget for potentially higher maintenance costs and check the recall record below before buying. On safety it earns 8.1/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.7/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.8/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $28,044–$36,158, 15 MPG, seating 8, the Chevrolet Traverse sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. Value lands at 7.4/10 — you get what you pay for, no more and no less, with a few rivals offering slightly better per-dollar returns. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, but it needs the right buyer. Its reliability and technology and performance scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2016 Chevrolet Traverse ranks #1611 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 34% of the segment. Its 7.2/10 overall score is 0.2 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $28,044 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 22%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $35k →
Across the Traverse model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.6/10 | $38,007 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.6/10 | $38,007 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.6/10 | $36,900 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.5/10 | $35,793 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.6/10 | $34,686 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.4/10 | $33,579 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.4/10 | $32,472 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.2/10 | $31,365 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.3/10 | $30,258 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.3/10 | $29,151 | Read review → |
| 2016 (this review) | 7.2/10 | $28,044 | |
| 2015 | 7.2/10 | $26,937 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Visibility / Windshield wiper/washer / Motor 29/09/2015 · 15V609000 | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured August 18, 2015 to September 24, 2015. Due to a manufacturing defect, the windshield wiper motor may overheat when used. |
|---|---|
| Seats 11/12/2015 · 15V833000 | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured November 6, 2015, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that may have… |
| Air bags / Frontal 07/10/2021 · 21V782000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect. |
| Air bags / Critical fasteners 08/04/2021 · 21V246000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached. |
| Air bags / Frontal / Driver side / Inflator module 10/05/2023 · 23V334000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect. |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse's reliability 6.8/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
5 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.2/10 overall, ranking #1611 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 34% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2016 Chevrolet Traverse starts at $28,044 and ranges up to $36,158 across trims (MSRP when new). At 15 MPG, expect roughly $3,500/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Chevrolet models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.