Sleek, Stylish, and Smart: What’s New & Noteworthy in the 2024 Chevy Traverse

One of the top-selling SUVs in our lineup here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse in Linn, Missouri is the Chevy Traverse, and it’s getting a complete redesign for 2024. Moving into its third generation after its 2009 introduction, the Traverse is our 3-row midsize SUV, slotted comfortably in between the Tahoe and Blazer. It’s clear that Chevrolet listened to drivers who wanted a more truck-like look, as the redesigned Traverse has a much more rugged look.

The larger grill features a bar that spans the width of the vehicle and a prominent Chevy bowtie. Distinctive LED headlights and taillights are now standard, as well as dual exhaust. It has been thrilling to witness all the many unique ways in which trims have developed to brandish their own personality, and the Traverse RS sweeps onto the scene with a sportier look. It offers 22-inch high-gloss black aluminum wheels, gloss black trim, and Jet Black leather seats with red accents. 

The Z71 trim level has been added to the Traverse lineup, drastically boosting the SUV’s off-road capability. It roars in with an extra inch of ground clearance, 18-inch gloss black wheels fitted with all-terrain tires, a twin-clutch AWD system, off-road suspension, and the incline-conquering hill descent control. Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance technology is now offered as well, which is an amazing technology boasting over 34 million hands-free miles driven. There’s also an aluminum skid plate to protect the front, and red tow hooks to tie things together. 

Chevy VP Scott Bell excitedly claimed that the new Traverse was specially designed to perform more like an SUV and as a result would be in many more garages than the 2023 model year. All variants of the 2024 Traverse come standard with the all-new 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, cranking out 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic transmission is standard, and all-wheel drive is an option on all trim levels. The all-new Traverse is also equipped with a 5,000-lb towing rating. 

Another significant update, this time to the interior, is the XXL 17.7-inch touchscreen as standard, and an 11-inch digital driver’s display. The instrument panel has also been lowered, which offers better direct outward visibility. Six USB ports are now standard, and the new Traverse offers the convenience of available wireless phone charging. There’s also a new pass-through design for the underside of the console and the heated steering wheel. 

Higher-level trims now have second-row captain’s chairs with seating for seven, and the new “SmartSlide” feature that provides easier access to the third row. When all seats are folded flat, the new Traverse has up to 98 cubic feet of space, with the third row featuring a 60/40 split for added functionality. Anyone with young ones to haul around will find the Traverse ideal. We love the added Harvest Bronze and Lakeshore Blue exterior colors!

Budget-Friendly Brilliance: The 2024 Chevy Equinox Defies Over-Hyped SUV Expectations!

Finding the lowest-priced SUV here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse is poised directly at the top of many of our customers’ wish lists! As we approach the 4th quarter, and after seeing an inflationary uptick during July, busy families and young professionals nationwide are on the hunt for an affordable vehicle that provides the features most important to them. Another sought-after trait is a model that allows a bit of much-needed breathing room for their other financial commitments. It is so very important to have a rock-solid warranty, favorable reliability ratings, and a viable resale value making things easier when it’s time to switch up.

Chevy has long understood the importance of affordability, and the 2024 Chevy Equinox boasts a thorough trim lineup, class-leading warranty, and reliability ratings that make for repeat buyers. Our best-selling SUV not only offers a competitive price, but also a long-lasting value proposition that gives back repeatedly during years of ownership. The bonus of class-leading fuel economy and some of the lowest maintenance costs in the industry are common traits throughout the Chevy lineup, but even more commonly present in our crossover SUV offerings.

Many compact SUV buyers are busy recent grads and commuters that are needing to save at the pump, along with growing families who are faced with the task of stretching the budget as far as possible. After scanning the most relevant data found on websites such as Consumer Reports and Kelley Blue Book, dealers everywhere have learned that car owners become very frustrated and distrustful when the fuel economy rating for their new vehicle turns out to be lower after real-life usage.

Inclement weather, elevation, and the ways drivers choose to go about their daily drive all are factors affecting fuel economy rating. The Equinox has fared so well in this department thanks to its very efficient 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, which is mated to a smooth-shifting 6-speed automatic transmission. Not tipping the scales too terribly at all with a 3,400-lb weigh-in, the Equinox does not suffer from the very common problem of being bogged down by architecture type. Industry experts Nerd Wallet found that the average cost of driving a single mile is around 17 cents, which Chevy used as a benchmark while undergoing development.

Selecting a vehicle such as the 2024 Equinox quickly sees you far ahead of the curve, since the EPA’s “fuel efficient” rating is reserved for vehicles with a fuel rating of 22 mpg or more. As we watched the digital newswires for more post-test-drive findings from the Equinox, Car and Driver chimed in and was very pleased with its “easy to drive” demeanor along with very precise steering. We have long made new owners incredibly happy with our factory warranty coverage: here you can rely on a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty covering the transmission and engine.

Our first free maintenance visit will see you covered at the most important “Getting acquainted with your car” interval with an oil change, tire rotation, and multi-point inspection. More than 200,000 buyers chose to drive off the lot with a brand-new Equinox last year, and additions such as the Driver Confidence II Package made the decision that much easier. This adds lane-change alert, rear-cross traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors, along with the very useful blind spot monitor. The three top trims also offer heated front seats as standard, while the Premier includes heated outboard rear seats along with a heated steering wheel that will be very appreciated during the cold weather now just a few months away!

Powerhouse’s “Summer of the Sensible Driver” Future Watch: Chevy Equinox Overhaul Coming for 2025

Many of the drivers we talk to during the summer months here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse are looking for a practical, economical crossover that is still loaded with current features and looks great.

The Chevy Equinox will soon be receiving a complete overhaul, with the 2025 model year enjoying the milestone of the crossover’s fourth generation. There is a long list of awesome updates and changes, and the hard-working media pros on duty at GM Authority rounded up the most vital intelligence for one of their latest blog posts.

The trim level lineup will remain the same as currently, with the LS, LT, RS, and Premier along with the potential for a new off-road Activ or Z71 arriving soon in the ranks. The styling will be completely overhauled, offering brand-new wheels, a more upright greenhouse, and a front end with Chevy’s signature two-tier “highbrow” headlights. These are like what is seen on the Equinox’s relatives in the form of the Blazer and Traverse, and dual exhaust outlets along with horizontally oriented taillights are on tap as the rear fixtures.

Inside, things will be even more comfortable and ergonomically ideal, and a new digital gauge cluster will be situated directly behind the wheel. GM Authority also reports that there will be a new infotainment system with a larger infotainment screen, along with new active safety features and the revolutionary hands-free GM Super Cruise system. Front-wheel drive will be standard with all-wheel drive optional, and the gas engine will be paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The 2025 Equinox will ride on the GM D2-2 platform, which is like the GM D2 platform currently under the 2023 model.

At a glance, it looks like Chevy is following the trend of boxier, more rugged SUV designs, with still a bit of room left for the unique flavor of the Equinox EV to claim its own persona within the lineup. There is a possibility that there may be a brand-new powertrain in the mix for the Equinox, and currently, it stands with the 1.5-liter 4-cylinder making 175 horsepower for all trim levels. This year’s model, you can check out and test drive this summer here at the Powerhouse, received praise from Edmunds.com for its stable and precise handling, along with its very intuitive infotainment system and the addition of Midnight and Sport edition packages as options.

There is absolutely no shortage of appealing small SUVs on the market, it takes some polished chops and personable appeal to stand out in a crowded field. Stylish design with flowing surface lines, standard LED headlights and a classic front-end look offer a bit more polished yet edgy feel that will appeal to those on the hunt for their post-graduation set of wheels. The Midnight and Sport packages both provide the sweet bundle of gloss black wheels and blacked-out exterior trim, and the Safety and Infotainment package adds a larger touchscreen along with adaptive cruise control.

The Premier trim takes things up to a well-equipped and on-the-town-ready level with 18-inch wheels, a hands-free liftgate, very cool ambient cabin lighting, a wireless charging pad, a 120-volt power outlet, an 8-inch touchscreen, an upgraded backup camera, leather upholstery, front and rear parking sensors, and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning. During the JD Power auto satisfaction survey for 2023, the Equinox ranked #2 in satisfaction for its class with its higher fuel economy than average, and stellar experience of using voice assistance on the road.

Check out the spy photos HERE.

2023 Chevy Blazer “Redefines Sporty Crossover Segment” W/ Muscle-Car Dynamics, Striking RS Trim

Here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse, we think the 2023 Chevy Blazer is the perfect balance between a practical daily driver and an envy-inspiring ride, with its attractive looks, engaging drive, and top-notch features. The Blazer is poised for competition, doing battle against the likes of the Ford Edge, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Honda Passport.

Even though the Blazer has strayed a bit from its roots, it is still one of our most popular nameplates. The 2023 model enjoys a few minor visual updates along with several enhancements to its comfortable cabin. There is now a 10-inch infotainment display, along with the convenient addition of adaptive cruise control. 

The Blazer’s Camaro-inspire looks always resonate well with anyone who likes a little muscle in their vehicle, and the Autoblog staff claimed after a test drive that the Blazer’s infotainment offerings are superior for the segment. The inclusion of Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G LTE in-car WiFi along with Onstar and 4 USB ports sweeten the deal for any driver or passenger who is healthily tech-obsessed. The touchscreen is simple to use and boasts very clear icons along with the “from business conference to the campsite” friendly bonus of wireless device charging. 

The back seat slides enough to easily bring little ones closer for those up front, or quickly free enough space for a home improvement or after-school sports practice haul. The base engine is the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four that cranks out 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, with front-wheel drive as standard. Eagerly on standby next in line is the 2.6-liter V6 that cranks out 308 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, rendering the Blazer as one of the quickest crossovers on the market with a 6-second 0-60 mph time. The RS trim is available with the highly advanced all-wheel-drive system that offers a torque-vectoring rear differential to improve traction. 

Even the four-cylinder model provides excellent power for everything from commuting to celebratory end-of-week cruises with great handling, and not too much roll. The RS trim offers the benefit of the sport-tuned suspension, which will assure that you enjoy even the impromptu grocery run with a corner-hugging and satisfying grin! The Chevy Safety Assist package is included on all trims, adding the protective benefits of forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, a forward distance warning, and automatic headlights.

Perfect five-star crash ratings are quite a bragging right, and the Blazer scored them in all five categories, offering more incentive to let this killer example of the bowtie brand be your next choice! The Edmunds.com team praised the Blazer for being “more playful in turns than its competitors”, and for being rich with styling that consistently counts as the leader of its exciting class.