Two less expensive trim levels slot in below the Traverse 2LT, but it offers the best tailgating accessories and options.

Seating: As many as seven passengers can stretch out in comfort. The second row is comprised of twin captain's chairs, while the third row is a split bench seat.

Cargo: There is more than 24 cubic feet of hauling room behind the third-row seat. With the second- and third-row seats folded flat, it can carry up to 118 cubic feet of cargo.

Convenience: Also standard on the 2LT is a power lift gate and rearview camera to aid in backing into tight spaces.

Features: Three-zone climate control lets passengers in the rear adjust the temperature to their liking. A Bose 10-speaker audio system provides the tunes. It has a CD player and auxiliary input jack. Upping the ante by $1,470 gains the Rear Seat Entertainment System with its Bose 5.1 surround sound, DVD player and an eight-inch color monitor, as well as a 110-volt household outlet. Every Traverse is powered by the same 3.6-liter V-6 engine that's married to a six-speed driver-shiftable automatic transmission. This combination delivers 281 horsepower.