When I found out that SoFabCon was in Bentonville, Arkansas, I thought it would be fun to get a group of my blogging friends together for a road trip there. We reached out to Chevrolet to see if they’d consider sponsoring our trip, and they gracious agreed to provide a 2013 Chevrolet Traverse to take us there in style.
Last December, I had the chance to test drive a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox, and I currently drive a 2008 Equinox, so I was excited to try out the Traverse. The Equinox is a great vehicle, but with seating room for only 5, I’ve often thought it’d be nice to have something larger.
The Chevrolet Traverse we drove seated 7, but the back seat easily stowed to add more cargo space. With four women headed to Arkansas for four days, we knew we’d need that extra space. I was impressed, though, by how easily our bags fit once the seats were stowed.
I drove most of the five-hour trip to Bentonville and I can tell you — the Traverse drives really smoothly. It didn’t feel like we were going as fast as we were, and at times, I had to slow down. The cruise control easily managed my speed with the flip of a switch.
It rained most of the way, and the Traverse easily handled the mountain inclines, even on the wet roads.
We had several more bags on our way home (woohoo swag!), but everything still easily fit in the cargo area.
This time, I got to sit in the back seat and let me tell you, it was comfy! I had ample leg room and the leather bucket seats were really comfy. I know Jamie, who drove us home, really enjoyed the heated leather seats. Did I mention that it snowed while we were in Bentonville?
The built-in navigation system guided us home. Jamie got it set up and had us on our way in no time.
This is what happens on the way home from a blogging conference — blogging! Luckily, the Traverse was spacious and the ride was smooth so we could get some work done, thanks to the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE hotspot!
Here are just a few of my favorite features in the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse:
- Built-in dashboard navigation
- Chevrolet MyLink that syncs with your smartphone to provide hands-free calling
- A compartment in the dash to store away your phone while its connected to the car — no temptation to text and drive!
- Sirius XM Satellite radio let us listen to old school country tunes on our way home
- Heated and cooled leather seats
- Ample cup holders
- Memory settings for the drivers seat allow you to reset its position with the push of a button
- Side Blind Zone Alert with Rear-Cross Traffic Alert lets you know when there’s something you can’t see
- Rear thermostat allows passengers to control their own temperature
- Built-in DVD player (with headphones!) would be perfect for a family road trip
Plus, it had great gas mileage. We only had to fill up twice (once on the way there, and again on the way back) during our 10-hour trip. And we had fuel to spare when we got home.
The 2013 Traverse is a great vehicle, and as our family grows, it’s definitely one that I’ll look to add to our family.
What’s important to you when choosing a vehicle?
See anything in the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse that you like?
Disclosure: I was provided use of a 2013 Chevrolet Traverse to travel to Bentonville, Arkansas and facilitate this review. All opinions and photos are my own.
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Jana Kitts
I love my traverse though I wish I could have got the 2013. It has just a bit more space in the back then the 2012, but it wasn’t ready when I bought mine.
Arena Blake
Aw, that’s too bad, Jana. Glad to hear that you love the Traverse!
Emma
The 2013 Traverse is widely regarded as a great vehicle, especially for families that are expanding or have a need for more space. Its features and capabilities make it an appealing option for those seeking a reliable and versatile family betterfleet vehicle. One of the notable strengths of the 2013 Traverse is its spaciousness. It offers ample room for passengers and cargo, making it suitable for accommodating a growing family or carrying various items such as strollers, groceries, or sports equipment. The three-row seating configuration allows for comfortable seating for up to eight people, depending on the specific model and trim level.
anna
My family and I also often go on road trips for holidays or weekends. We have a large family, so we have to rent a comfortable car that can accommodate all of us. We also have a dog, but now we have no problems finding a company that allows pets in rental cars. There are a lot of companies that allow this, the main thing is to know all the rules, which you can read in the Rental24h Blog