Autoblog’s First Drive of the 2024 Traverse

It is hard to beat a 3-row crossover when you have a family, not just a large one. Consider a family with a couple of kids when a set of grandparents visit or a family outing in which each kid wants to bring a friend. Kids also bring kid activities, which may fill your vehicle with soccer players, scouts, or the school’s saxophone section. The Traverse has always delivered generous space and seating, but its 2024 redesign brings significantly improved power, technology, style, and safety. Autoblog took their first look and drive of the new Traverse, and this post by Chevrolet of Spring Valley summarizes their report.

Smaller Engine Begats More Power

Replacing the 3.6-liter V6 is a new 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-4, which is the exclusive engine in the model line. Cranking out 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque, this new engine produces 18 more horsepower and a full 60 more lb-ft than the previous engine. Combined with the 8-speed transmission, it also provides greater city efficiency, with an EPA estimated city/highway/combined mpg of 20 / 27 / 23 with front-wheel drive and 19 / 24 / 21 with AWD. The former V-6-powered Traverse was rated at 18 / 27 / 21 and 17 / 25 / 20, respectively.

As Big as Ever

The Traverse interior remains just as spacious as ever. Autoblog’s 6-foot author found he could set his driver’s position in the 1st row and then sit comfortably in the 2nd and 3rd row. Cargo space starts with 22.9 cubic feet behind the 3rd row to a class-leading 97.6 cubic feet with the 2nd- and 3rd-row seats folded. The Traverse is also rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds.

A Major Tech and Safety Upgrade

The elegant instrument panel features a best-in-class standard 17.7-inch touchscreen. The big screen is operated by the intuitive and powerful GoogleBuilt-in system, which includes standard Google Maps and other available apps. Wireless smartphone compatibility is standard, and both wireless charging and a Wi-Fi hotspot are available. Six standard USB ports allow your passengers to charge their devices.

As a family vehicle, the new Traverse has an even greater concentration in safety. The standard Chevy Safety Assist system includes:

• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Forward Collision Alert
• Following Distance Indicator
• Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
• IntelliBeam® High Beam Assist
• Front Pedestrian Braking

Other standard safety systems on the Traverse include:

• Rear Park Assist
• Safety Alert Seat
• HD Rear Vision Camera
• Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert
• Rear Cross Traffic Braking
• Blind Zone Steering Assist
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• HD Surround Vision
• Speed Limit Assist
• Traffic Sign Recognition
• Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking
• Side Bicyclist Alert
• Rear Pedestrian Alert
• Reverse Automatic Braking

Since it is a long list, we don’t want you to miss the fact that HD Surround Vision is standard on all models, which is very rare in this segment. GM’s industry-leading Super Cruise system is standard on the RS and available on the LT and Z71 trims. With over 400,000 highway miles mapped in North America and a goal of 750,000 miles by the end of this year, you will be surprised at the places Super Cruise will go. Autoblog was surprised to see the system operable on a simple 2-lane highway.

It Does All this with Style 

The 3rd-generation Traverse now has a muscular squared-off stance that more closely resembles the brand’s trucks. The front end carries on Chevrolet’s crossover design language, which was inspired by the Camero’s design. It is a look that fits with both the street-focused RS trim and the off-road capable Z71.

The Z71 Gets Off-Road Serious

The off-road capable Z71 is more than an appearance package. It rides on large sidewall all-terrain tires mounted to 18-inch wheels. Ground clearance is raised by 1.2 inches, and an aluminum skid plate up front and a steel plate protect the engine. 

The Z71 AWD system also includes a dual-clutch at the rear to enable torque vectoring, improving dexterity on and off the pavement. Unique dampers with hydraulic rebound control enhance off-road capability. Hill Descent Control and the addition of a terrain mode assist the driver, enabling one-pedal driving to help you slowly crawl over obstructions in your path. 

Autoblog drove a Z71 on rutted dirt two-tracks, and lumpy grass, where they felt comfortable keeping a 40 to 45 mph pace. They found the Z71 more than capable of handling “the sort of conditions you’d encounter on your way to a cabin or a campsite deep in the woods.” The above-mentioned standard HD Surround Vision does not just help you park perfectly but also allows you to spot obstructions to avoid. Autoblog appreciated that it wasn’t limited to crawling speed as on Toyota systems. 

Autoblog Approves

Autoblog’s first driving impression left them eager for more time, so we can probably expect a full road test from them. In the meantime, they conclude: “It drives well, it’s roomy, the tech is good, it’s far more stylish than before and its new trim levels cater to a greater variety of tastes. It’s much more worthy of your consideration than before…”

The redesigned Traverse needs to be on the consideration list of anyone interested in a 3-row crossover. Models are just now starting to enter the inventory of Chevrolet of Spring Valley and other dealers. Visit Chevrolet of Spring Valley and have your own first drive of the 2024 Traverse.