2018 Chevy Traverse High Country Priced From $52,995

When it goes on sale this fall, the 2018 Chevy Traverse High Country will be one of the most expensive SUVs in its class. That's according to recent order guides that put its price at a rather eye-watering $52,995 with destination.

So how does this compare to the previous year? How expensive is it compared to other models in its segment? And what kinds of features will you get for the money?

Here's what you need to know.

New Kind of High

The new Traverse High Country will be $4,700 more expensive than the next-highest trim, the $48,295 Premier with all-wheel drive. Next to the previous year, the vehicle is on a completely different level.

At the moment, the priciest Traverse that you can buy is the $44,940 Premier with all-wheel drive. The High Country comes in $8,055 higher than that — literally a new high for this model.

Key differences when opting for the High Country include a unique Loft Brown leather interior, 20-inch polished wheels, ventilated front seats with heated rear outboard seats, a dual-pane sunroof, wireless device charging, a power folding 3rd row, hands-free power liftgate, LED headlamps and a unique twin-clutch AWD system.

Safety is also an area in which the High Country has an advantage over other versions. Although low-speed automatic emergency braking is standard on the Premier with all-wheel drive, the High Country is the only version with the latest front automatic braking system with collision avoidance braking.

Near The Top

First introduced in 2013 with the Silverado pickup, the High Country was meant to offer "rugged luxury" and a premium flavor akin to the GMC Denali. But are shoppers ready to pay $52,995 for a Traverse? GM seems to think so, and there are already some pricey competitors.

At the top, the Ford Explorer Platinum 4x4 is currently the most expensive non-luxury SUV in this class, ringing in at $54,180. That's bordering on luxury territory. In base form, an Audi Q7 3.0T starts at $56,450 while the BMW X5 starts at $57,595. However, prices can skyrocket once you start adding options and additional tech.

But will SUV shoppers be willing to pay GM's price? We suspect so, especially once we start to see financing and lease promotions. After all, there's already a slew of top-spec models available with names like Platinum, Elite, Signature and Limited Ultimate.

Here's a quick look at what the Traverse is up against.

Note: Prices reflect 2017 all-wheel drive models with optional safety gear