Quick answer
- The LT is the only Traverse you can order with a second-row bench, which makes it an eight-seater. Z71, RS and High Country seat seven with captain’s chairs.
- If you need three across in the second row, the bench is the configuration to ask for. Captain’s chairs give you a walk-through instead.
- Cargo is 22.9 cu ft behind the third row, 56.6 behind the second and up to 98 cu ft with the rows folded.
- One engine across the range: a 2.5L turbocharged four making 328 hp and 326 lb-ft, returning 20/26/22 mpg in front-wheel drive.
- Traverse starts at $40,800, tows up to 5,000 lbs properly equipped, and every trim gets a 17.7-inch screen.
If you need three car seats across the second row of a Tulsa Traverse, order the LT with the available second-row bench: it is the only trim that offers it, and it is what makes the Traverse an eight-seater. The Z71, RS and High Country come with second-row captain’s chairs and seat seven, which is the better answer if you would rather have a walk-through to the third row than a third seatbelt in the middle.
This one detail causes more confusion on our lot than anything else about the Traverse, because the trim you would instinctively reach for if you have three young kids is not the top one. It is the LT. Our Chevrolet Traverse research hub has the rest of the detail. The seating decision is the one that trips people up.
Bench or captain’s chairs in Tulsa
The Traverse seats seven as standard. The available second-row bench, offered on the LT, takes it to eight. That sounds like a small difference and it is not, because it changes what the second row can physically do.
- The bench (LT only) gives you three second-row positions. This is what you want when you have three car seats or boosters that need to sit side by side, or a carpool where the passenger count genuinely varies.
- Captain’s chairs (standard on Z71, RS and High Country, and an option on LT) give you two second-row seats and a clear aisle to the third row. That aisle is a genuine daily convenience, you can get a child into the back row without unbuckling anyone or tipping a seat.
Neither is the better seat. They solve different problems. Families with two kids and a lot of third-row traffic almost always prefer the captain’s chairs. Families with three in seats almost always need the bench. The trim-by-trim breakdown is on our 2026 Traverse overview, and the Traverse FAQ answers the configuration questions we hear most.
Cargo, once the seats are full
The number that matters with a full car is behind the third row, and the Traverse holds 22.9 cubic feet there. That is a genuine grocery run plus a stroller, or a weekend’s bags for a family of six. Fold the third row and you have 56.6 cubic feet; fold everything and it is up to 98 cubic feet.
For scale, the Traverse is 204.5 inches long. It is a big three-row that still parks like a family vehicle rather than a full-size SUV, which is exactly why it suits people who need the seats but do not need to tow much. Speaking of which: 5,000 lbs properly equipped, which covers a small camper, a utility trailer or a pair of jet skis.
The daily-driving part in Tulsa
Every 2026 Traverse runs the same 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder, 328 hp and 326 lb-ft, so there is no engine decision to make. In front-wheel drive it is EPA-rated at 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined, and 20/24/21 with all-wheel drive. Ratings for every configuration are at fueleconomy.gov.
What that means in practice is that the school run up through Owasso and the commute down US-169 feel the same in a base LT as in a High Country. The money above the LT buys equipment and appearance, not acceleration. Worth knowing if your daily loop is Collinsville to midtown and back, or a weekend out toward Skiatook with the whole family and a trailer: this is a mid-size three-row that behaves like a smaller vehicle most of the time.
On technology, every trim gets the 17.7-inch touchscreen. Super Cruise hands-free driving is standard on the High Country and RS through the Enhanced Driving Package and available on the LT and Z71, genuinely useful on a long interstate haul with a full car. Our Traverse tech features guide covers what each trim includes.
See which Traverse configurations we have on the ground, because bench versus captain’s chairs is the first thing we will check for you, because it is not something you want to discover after delivery.
So which Traverse should you order in Tulsa?
Pick the second row first and the trim follows:
- If you need three across in the second row, the LT with the bench. It is the only way to eight seats, and at $40,800 to start it is also the most accessible way into the lineup.
- If two kids need easy third-row access, captain’s chairs on any trim, and the walk-through will pay you back every single day.
- If you want the technology without the top trim, the LT or Z71 with Super Cruise added is the value move.
- If gravel, weather or a boat ramp is part of your year, the Z71 comes with all-wheel drive standard.
- If you want the full package, RS for the blacked-out look or High Country for the finish, both with Super Cruise standard.
If you are cross-shopping the segment, we put the two side by side on our Traverse vs Ford Explorer comparison. And once you own it, the interval schedule and warranty terms live on our Traverse maintenance and service guide, with our team ready to schedule service when you are due.
Frequently asked questions
Can you fit three car seats in a Chevy Traverse?
In the second row, you need the available bench, which is offered on the LT and makes the Traverse an eight-seater. The Z71, RS and High Country come with second-row captain’s chairs and seat seven.
How many people does a 2026 Traverse seat?
Seven as standard, or eight on the LT with the available second-row bench.
How much cargo space does a Traverse have?
22.9 cubic feet behind the third row, 56.6 behind the second row, and up to 98 cubic feet with the rows folded.
What engine is in the 2026 Traverse?
A 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder making 328 hp and 326 lb-ft, on every trim. It is EPA-rated at 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined in front-wheel drive.
How much can a Traverse tow?
Up to 5,000 lbs properly equipped.
Bring the car seats to Memorial Drive
Seriously, bring them. Installing your actual seats in the actual second row takes ten minutes and settles the bench-versus-captain’s-chairs question permanently. We are at 4924 S Memorial Dr in Tulsa.
Browse the new Traverse inventory, schedule a test drive, or call 918-921-4885. To keep the visit short, value your trade and get pre-approved first. Our contact page reaches the team directly.
Starting MSRP excludes destination freight charge, tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment. Towing figures are maximums for a properly equipped vehicle. EPA estimates; your mileage will vary. Confirm current pricing, configuration availability and ratings with our team.
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