The Traverse is GM's maximum-space-for-minimum-money play, genuinely the roomiest three-row at this price, with a third row adults don't hate. The catch: pre-2024 models earned a brutal reputation for 9-speed transmissions that slip and fail between 40k and 60k miles, a pattern too consistent to ignore, while the 2024 redesign's turbo-4 is already drawing early complaints about powertrain and electrical issues in its first year. If you need cavernous space on a budget and plan to trade before 100k, it delivers; if you're keeping it long-term, the Pilot and Highlander cost more for a reason.
Subaru built this three-row hauler for families who prioritize crash protection and winter capability over fuel bills, and the tradeoff is real. The turbo four moves 4,500 pounds with surprising punch, standard AWD handles snow confidently, and the safety structure is legitimately impressive (owners walk away from nasty wrecks). But 17 mpg in mixed driving will hurt every week, and the 2019-2020 models had CVT failures serious enough to warrant full transmission swaps at 40-70k miles. The third row barely fits kids, let alone adults. If you're shopping used, the 2019-2020s are a hard pass, aim for 2023+ when Subaru finally debugged the powertrain. Buy this if you need the safety, the AWD, and can stomach premium gas at SUV-worst efficiency. Skip it if you actually need three usable rows or want a vehicle that won't punish you at the pump, the Honda Pilot does both jobs better.