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Chevrolet and BraunAbility debut an accessible Traverse
Chevrolet and mobility specialist BraunAbility have teamed up to deliver a wheelchair-accessible version of the Chevrolet Traverse, offering an SUV alternative to traditional converted vans. The collaboration was highlighted by a special build created to honor U.S. Army Sergeant Nick Koulchar, a veteran who lost both legs after an IED blast in Iraq and who continues to pursue hunting, weightlifting, marathons and handcycling with the Achilles Freedom Team.
"I don’t see missing legs as a disadvantage — it’s a superpower," Koulchar said, embodying the resilience the new adaptive Traverse aims to support. The veteran recently drove his modified Traverse to a Nashville event that honored military service, demonstrating how the vehicle keeps active owners connected to everyday life and special occasions.
What makes the BraunAbility Traverse different?
Built from the Traverse LT platform, the BraunAbility conversion focuses on accessibility without sacrificing style or SUV capability. Key features include:
- A fully lowered floor and integrated in-floor ramp for smooth wheelchair access.
- Vehicle kneeling function to reduce the slope of the ramp on entry and exit.
- An extra-wide, extra-tall glide door opening (31" x 54.5") with generous interior space and removable front seats.
- The MayfinderTM illuminated side entry ramp — the first application of this technology on an SUV — improving visibility and user confidence at night.
These design choices let wheelchair users occupy the driver’s position, the front passenger seat, or a second-row seat, expanding flexibility for active lifestyles and adaptive drivers.
Tech, safety and customization
BraunAbility will offer the modified Traverse through its nationwide mobility dealer network starting in 2026. Buyers can specify accessibility options to match individual needs, while retaining many of the Traverse’s modern comforts and tech:
- 17-inch infotainment touchscreen
- 11-inch digital instrument cluster
- A suite of 20 standard safety and driver-assistance features
- What Chevrolet and BraunAbility describe as best-in-class cargo capacity
Trim choices include the standard conversion and two visually distinctive packages: a Sport trim and a Midnight Edition with all-black accents, 20-inch black-painted wheels, black grille and badging.
Manufacturing and market positioning
The baseline Traverse leaves Chevrolet’s Lansing Delta Township Assembly Plant in Michigan and is then upfitted by BraunAbility at its Winamac, Indiana facility. This two-stage production process lets Chevrolet preserve factory fit-and-finish while BraunAbility completes accessibility-focused engineering and certification.
For many buyers with disabilities, the BraunAbility Traverse targets a growing demand for more dynamic, stylish mobility vehicles. Rather than choosing a minivan conversion solely for function, drivers now have an SUV option that blends capability, on-road presence and adaptive features.
How the Traverse compares
Compared with converted minivans and purpose-built mobility vans, the BraunAbility Traverse emphasizes:
- SUV styling and higher ground clearance
- Modern infotainment and digital cockpit technology
- Multiple wheelchair-access positions, including the driver’s seat
It won’t replace all van conversions — large families or heavy-duty commercial mobility needs may still favor full-size vans — but it opens an alternative for drivers who want SUV aesthetics and mainstream feature sets.
Why it matters
The BraunAbility Chevrolet Traverse represents both a technical step forward in adaptive vehicles and a cultural shift toward more inclusive design in mainstream models. By offering a factory-based platform that’s professionally upfitted, Chevrolet and BraunAbility are making accessible mobility feel less like a retrofit and more like an integral vehicle choice.
For veterans like Nick Koulchar and thousands of others, that means greater freedom to pursue work, family life, sports and travel in a vehicle that reflects personal style as much as practical need.
- "Accessible SUV" and "adaptive vehicle" are no longer oxymorons: they’re a viable segment for automakers and upfitters to serve.
As the BraunAbility Traverse rolls into the market in 2026, expect more buyers to weigh the benefits of an accessible SUV when shopping for mobility solutions.
Source: autoevolution
Comments
Reza
Is this even true? Cool idea but how does the lowered floor affect ground clearance, towing, snow? Will insurers cover it or is it gonna be a wallet hit?
mechbyte
Wow didnt expect an SUV like this, kinda powerful seeing vets get that freedom. Looks legit, stylish and practical, but hope pricing isnt crazy. excited
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