2019 Chevrolet Traverse LT AWD â?" Black on Black, 3.6L V6, 3-Row Family Hauler Why This Car Is Special The 2019 Chevrolet Traverse represents the second generation of Chevrolet's full-size crossover, a platform that debuted for 2018 after a complete redesign. That redesign moved the Traverse off the older Lambda platform and onto GM's C1XX architecture, which the Traverse shares with the Buick Enclave. The result was a longer wheelbase, more passenger and cargo space, and a significant weight reduction compared to the first-generation model â?" all while keeping the proven 3.6-liter V6 under the hood. For 2019, Chevrolet refined the Traverse lineup with minor updates to infotainment and available safety features, making it one of the more complete years of the second-generation run before further changes arrived. The VIN on this truck confirms it is an AWD-equipped unit, which is a meaningful distinction in this lineup. Not every 2019 Traverse left the factory with all-wheel drive â?" front-wheel drive was the standard configuration on lower trims. The presence of AWD here, combined with the leather interior and the feature set listed, places this Traverse in the LT Leather or higher trim territory, which added real content over the base and LS configurations without climbing to the Premier or High Country price points. That positioning makes this a well-equipped truck that doesn't carry the highest depreciation hit of the top-tier trims. The 3.6-liter LGX V6 in this Traverse is the same basic family of engines that has powered a wide range of GM vehicles for over a decade. In the 2019 Traverse, it is rated at 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. It breathes through variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust camshafts â?" that's what the VVT designation means â?" which helps it balance reasonable fuel economy with a useful power band across a broad RPM range. Paired with the 9-speed automatic transmission, this drivetrain is competent and composed on the highway, where the extra gear ratios allow the engine to cruise at lower RPM and stretch fuel mileage. The Traverse's towing capacity with the 3.6L V6 and AWD in this configuration is rated at 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, which is a practical number for a boat, a utility trailer, or a small camper. The factory trailer hitch receiver on this truck means it is ready to work without any additional installation cost. Features List - 3.6L LGX V6 with Variable Valve Timing (VVT), 310 horsepower - 9-Speed Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission - All-Wheel Drive - Leather-Appointed Seating - 3-Row Seating Configuration - Touchscreen Infotainment System - Tilt and Telescoping Steering Column - Cruise Control - Power Windows and Power Door Locks - Roof Rails - Fog Lights - Dual Exhaust Tips - Trailer Hitch Receiver - Chrome Grille Accents - Black Exterior - Black Interior Mechanical The heart of the 2019 Chevrolet Traverse is the 3.6-liter LGX V6, an all-aluminum engine displacing 3,564cc across a 60-degree V configuration. It produces 310 horsepower at 6,800 RPM and 266 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 RPM. Variable valve timing on both camshafts allows the engine management system to optimize intake and exhaust timing across the entire operating range, which contributes to both performance and efficiency. GM rated this combination at approximately 17 MPG city and 25 MPG highway in AWD form, numbers that are reasonable for a vehicle of this size and weight. The 9-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission was a newer addition to this platform. Nine speeds allow closer gear spacing in the lower ratios for stronger acceleration off the line, while the taller upper gears reduce engine speed during highway cruising. The transmission is programmed to hunt for the highest gear appropriate to the driving condition, which helps with fuel economy on longer drives. The AWD system in the 2019 Traverse is an active unit that normally drives the front wheels and can distribute tor