Since the very first Chevy Traverse was launched in 2009, the 3-row crossover market has changed drastically. We’ve watched intently here at Mid-Missouri Powerhouse as this segment has wholeheartedly pulled ahead of the family-toting minivan category to become a replacement of sorts for the nearly Winnebago-esque family truckster! Crossovers have enjoyed a good deal of success with a form of very squared-off styling while going all-in to emulate body-on-frame characteristics.
The big story for this year’s Traverse is the turbocharged 4-cylinder, which dusts its cleats off and steps eagerly up to the plate with more power and better fuel economy than the outgoing V6. If that’s all not quite exciting enough to make you seriously consider a test drive, there’s also the inclusion of the hands-free Super Cruise system. The amazing 2.5-liter 4-cylinder cranks out 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque through an 8-speed transmission, with the choice of all-wheel or front-wheel drive. The EPA fuel rating is 23 mpg for the front-wheel drive trim.
That’s a notable improvement of 2 mpg city over the outgoing model, with the Autoweek staff claiming that the new 4-cylinder offers an exciting sense of power that is more than adequate. Anyone paying close attention to the way things behave directly off the line will agree that things feel quicker than the old model in all ways. Every Traverse will have driver tech such as rear automatic braking, blind-zone steering assist, and adaptive cruise control.
One of the coolest new features that modern technology has offered busy commuters is stop sign recognition, which uses advanced forward-facing cameras to detect and then classify signs. The addition of Super Cruise has also beefed up its automatic lane changing feature, which offers excellent performance and a very smooth transition after the job is done back to hands-on driving. This year’s model offers the Z71 package for the first time, with the whole trail-ready assembly coming with 18-inch wheels wrapped in 265/65 R18 Goodyear Wranglers.
There’s a set of very capable protective skid plates added to the mix, on duty to protect the many valuables underneath during frequent grass, brush, and incline assaults. There’s also a dedicated “Terrain” drive mode, which takes over brake-holding duty and allows you to fully control the throttle to help conquer hills. While the toughest and most jagged inclines of locations such as Moab may not be quite etched onto the itinerary, the Traverse’s new Z71 trim is perfect for the spur-of-the-moment flex on hillside gravel, or gleefully ripping through a previously occupied and half-treacherous quarry!
The 2024 model is now 79.5 inches wide, which has grown almost an entire inch from 2023. This will ultimately mean that longer road trips will become more comfortable, as it has now created more room in the cabin. During expeditions that aspire to see much further than “the next town over”, the third row offers easy access thanks to the flipping second-row captain’s seats. There’s a 17.7-inch touchscreen greeting you during the first glance of the interior, which is paired nicely with a standard 11-inch digital driver display handling monitoring duty for the performance necessities.
This effort is an amazing example of putting an aggressively best foot forward in a very competitive segment. With the added new tech features, XXL display, and the addition of the adventurous Z71 trim to the mix, this year’s Traverse should sway any demographic rightfully towards the “mid-large” category!
