Good things come in time, and the Chevrolet Traverse is proof of that. When the Traverse first hit the streets nearly 20 years ago, it caused some confusion due to its minivan appearance. The second-generation Traverse, out in 2018, cleared that up as it showed that it was an SUV through and through. Now for 2024, the Traverse is all-new yet again - and now it's grown and takes styling cues from other Chevys. This week let’s look at the all-new 2024 Chevrolet Traverse.
Slotted between the Blazer and the Tahoe, the all-new Traverse is slightly larger than the model it replaces, although it retains the same wheelbase. With its blunt new front end and squared-off shoulders, it not only looks more like a rugged SUV, but it has become more Tahoe-like and the family resemblance among other Chevys is shown.
The new Traverse is available in four different trim levels (LS, LT, Z71 and RS), with the LS being the base model, the LT adding some luxury features like power seats and a wireless phone charger, the Z71 being the off-road version coming standard with all-wheel drive and all-terrain tires and the top-trim RS being the sporty model. Word has it that for 2025, the base LS trim level will be dropped, and the upmarket High Country will be added.
The tester is a top-of-the line RS done in a beautiful Lakeshore Blue exterior with a Jet Black interior. It has an MSRP of $57,495. Along with being all-wheel drive, it is equipped with SuperCruise - GM's hands-free driving system - a first in the Traverse.
As the size of the Traverse has grown, engine size has dropped. The 3.6-liter V6 that was found in the previous model is gone, replaced by a new turbocharged 2.5 liter inline four-cylinder. Like the 2.7-liter turbo four found in GM's pickup trucks, this engine puts up big numbers — 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque, which beats the old V6 by 18 hp and 60 lb-ft of torque. This turbo four-cylinder along with an 8-speed automatic transmission is used on every 2024 Chevy Traverse
Enter the Traverse and you'll see that it’s all about space, functionality and versatility. There is quite a lot of cargo room, even behind the third row. If you don't need the third row, it can fold flat to open to even more cargo space. All three rows of seats offer good space for their occupants, making the Traverse great for people-hauling duty.
Up front, there is an 11.0-inch digital gauge cluster and a 17.7-inch central touchscreen. The infotainment system is easy to use and thankfully the climate controls are physical buttons under the touchscreen. The cabin is set up nicely - with my only complaint being that there is no longer a shifter in the middle console - it is now a little stalk coming off the steering column.
On the road, the Traverse feels and drives every bit as big as it looks - a characteristic found in most GM vehicles. It corners well enough, and has good body control, but the steering is slow, making you feel its heft. Power from the turbo four doesn't feel quite as strong as its numbers suggest, but it still has plenty of get-up-and-go, being able to hit 60 mph in about 7.0 seconds, making it slightly slower than the old V6 model. But the new Traverse does get the nod when it comes to fuel economy as the EPA estimates the front-wheel-drive model at 23 mpg (up from 21 mpg for the old model) and the all-wheel-drive model now gets 21 mpg combined, an increase of 1 mpg.
The 2024 Traverse lineup now includes a Z71 off-road trim for the first time. Standard equipment on the Z71 includes all-terrain tires, ZF frequency-based adaptive dampers, a twin-clutch all-wheel-drive system, underbody skid plates, and a 1.2-inch suspension lift for extra ground clearance. It also has off-road-specific drive modes, and while not meant to be a rock-crawler, it should be able to tackle most of the terrain its driver may encounter.
The new Traverse is ideal for those that like the styling and room of the Tahoe, but don't want the Tahoe's grand size and feel. With the Traverse's unibody construction, it is more maneuverable thanks to its carlike manners. The boosted four-cylinder isn't as smooth as the old V6, but its more fuel efficient. Overall, the all-new Traverse continues in the right direction for Chevy's midsize SUV. Pricing for the Traverse starts at $38,9995.