See 2013 Chevrolet Traverse Full Photo Gallery

Chevrolet also took the wraps off the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse, its crossover utility vehicle that seats eight. The 2013 model has a new, more athletic look, with a new front end that pulls its design elements from Chevy's passenger car line-up. The new face features sculpted corners with a powerdome hood, three-bar upper and two-bar lower grille design, new headlamps and chrome accents. There is a new rear liftgate featuring a redesigned license plate pocket and taillamps. The new look will be incorporated into the rest of the crossover line-up as models are redesigned.

See 2013 Chevrolet Traverse Full Photo Gallery

Part of the way the Chevrolet Traverse has established itself in the segment is due to its class-leading passenger and cargo space, with room for adults in its standard third row. Indeed, this attribute, along with its smooth ride and nimble handling are what gave the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse a Total Car Score of 82.39, substantially higher than the segment average of 75.68. For 2013, Chevrolet has decided to kick the interior up a notch. Materials have been upgraded throughout with soft-touch surface on the instrument panel, contrasting stitching, chrome and silver accents and available ambient blue lighting. The center stack has been redesigned with easier-to-use climate controls that are larger and illuminated. At the top is the 6.5-inch color touch screen for the audio system and available MyLink infotainment system.

See 2013 Chevrolet Traverse Full Photo Gallery

Like the current model, the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse is powered by a 288 hp, 3.6-liter V6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that utilizes direct-injection to produce V8-like power yet uses regular unleaded gasoline. For 2013, the transmission has been revised to shift more quickly and consistently, while new shock valving and front strut rebound springs have been added to improve ride and handling.

For safety, the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse gets GM's new front center airbag, an industry first. Located in the inboard side of the driver's seat, it deploys between the driver and front passenger to reduce the two occupants impacting each other in a side-impact crash.

The 2013 Chevrolet Traverse goes on sale later this year.

Here's what others are saying:

Autoblog: "The big crossover has abandoned the company's corporate grille in favor of a new design that's expected to eventually make its way to the rest of the Chevrolet utility vehicle stable. With three chrome-finish bars across the upper grille inlet, more expressive headlamp arrays and a new foglight design, the 2013 Traverse looks a bit more conservative and polished than it did before, at least from up front."

Automobile: "The new digs eliminate hard, poorly-grained plastics that plagued the old interior. Now, buyers will find the Traverse's cabin abounding with soft-touch materials on almost every surface, premium cloth and leather coverings, and tasteful wood and chrome trim."

Cars.com: "One of our chief complaints about it, though, was its interior. If the show car -- a top LTZ trim level -- is any indication, Chevy has stepped it way up. Soft-touch surfaces appear where you want them, such as on the window sills where you might rest your arm."

Chicago Tribune: "Nonetheless, the Traverse, for what it is, actually looks good with the new mug. Like the recently refreshed 2013 GMC Acadia, we could almost be convinced that this was a complete redesign, even though it is most certainly not."