The 2024 Chevy Traverse 3-row SUV Gets a Huge Makeover – And Outfitted for Even More Adventure
With seating for 8, a 315 HP 4-cylinder turbo engine and a Z71 sport trim, the 2024 Chevy Traverse 3-row SUV goes classic with a boxier shape and modern details.
Connie Peters
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This powerful, roomy, stylish SUV has long been the one to beat. Now, even more.
Chevrolet introduced a new Traverse this week for 2024, and along with a better overall design and tech-forward interior, this popular 3-row SUV also adds new off-road and sport trims to the lineup. We got a chance to see the Chevy Traverse in the studio for an up-close crawl-through before it rolls onto assembly lines in early 2024.
I love the all-new boxier design, which feels more substantial, like a more muscular SUV than prior models. It just looks a bit tougher all around on the outside, taking style cues from the rest of the renewed Chevy SUV lineup; see a bit of Tahoe and Blazer in that face?
The RS Trim is so sporty looking. Photo: Connie Peters
Traverse Is Built for Those Who Need Adventure and and Athleisure
Traverse will be available in 4 editions, and for 2024 the iconic Z71 off-road model is new, taking the top of the line spot and replacing the High Country and Premier editions. “Z71” designates Chevy’s adventure legacy and is a first for Traverse. It is more assertive and capable than the other trims and brings off road capability with a terrain management drive mode selector, skid plates and red tow hooks, but still delivers luxury with leatherette seating, captains chairs and a full suite of premium features.
The RS is sporty and sleek look and feel with 22″ wheels, black exterior details and inside, leather seats with red sport stitching and a flat-bottom steering wheel. I love them both, but it really depends on what you’re looking for in your next 3-row SUV: off-road or sporty. Chevy will also offer less expensive LS and LT models.
If you’re wondering how the Traverse is different from its sister SUVs, Tahoe and Suburban, while it’s smaller on the outside it’s actually larger on the inside, with nearly 100 cubic feet of cargo space with center and 3rd row seats folded down.
That’s because it’s built from unibody construction rather than body-on-frame, the platform for most trucks and 4WDs. Unibody construction (which is what makes this technically a crossover instead of an SUV) allows less of the actual frame of to impede on passenger space, and gives more flexibility in seating configuration and interior space.
Related: See How the 2024 Chevy Traverse 3-Row SUV differs from the 2023 model
We also get a Z71 Off-Road Trim for the new Traverse. Photo: Connie Peters
The 2024 Chevy Traverse Gets More Power From a Smaller Engine
Traverse remains among the most powerful and spacious –even if by just a few inches – in the 3-row SUV category. Toyota tagged Traverse as the one to beat when they designed the Grand Highlander.
The new powertrain in the Traverse is a 2.5L 4 cylinder turbo which will generate 315 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. The Traverse can still tow up to 5,000 lbs and has an 8-speed automatic transmission. It can be had in both two-wheel and all-wheel drive.
And, the quad exhaust on the back looks really sporty. I can’t wait to get behind the wheel to take this for a drive.
Related; How to Choose the Best Family SUV: Chevrolet Equinox vs Traverse
The new screens in the 2024 Chevrolet Traverse are huge. And, in this RS Edition buyers will get sporty interior stitching and the exterior paint color on interior accents – a nice touch! Photo: Connie Peters
The Tech-forward Interior is Where it’s At. And it Has Super Cruise!
A HUGE new driver display and multimedia screen anchor the dash –and the multimedia screen is so big everyone in the car can see it. This touchscreen is a massive 17.7″ and it’s one of the largest – perhaps the largest of stand-alone multimedia screens – in any car right now, even bigger than the screen in the Tesla Model X. And, it has a volume dial on the screen, a detail we can all appreciate.
The Traverse will also feature a wireless phone charge pad, a WiFi hot spot and 6 USB ports.
The driver display is is also big, 11″ across, and there’s a lot to display: all trims will now have the option of Super Cruise which is SUPER. Super Cruise is GM’s semi-autonomous driving system with advanced adaptive cruise control and hands-free driving, which works on most major divided highways in North America.
Related: We Tried out Super Cruise in the Cadillac Escalade V Luxury 3 Row SUV
The RS trim gets its sporty look from a lower profile and larger wheels. Photo: Connie Peters
Safety is a Key
Chevrolet added a new safety feature called Buckle to Drive. This means that when the sensors know there is a passenger in the front seat, it will not drive without both driver and passenger are seat-belted in.
It is also equipped with Chevy Safety Sense as standard which includes:
- Automatic emergency braking and alert
- Follow distance indicator
- Lane keep assist with lane departure warning
- Automatic high beam headlights
- Front pedestrian and cyclist braking
And, upgraded safety features in optional packages include:
- Rear park assist
- Safety alert seat
- HD rear view camera
- Lane change and blind spot alert
- Rear cross traffic braking
- Blind spot steering assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- HD surround view camera
- Speed limit assistance
- Traffic sign recognition
- Rear pedestrian alert
- Reverse automatic braking
The same great third-row space and power seats in the Chevy Traverse RS trim. Photo: Connie Peters
Seating for 7 or 8 – Depending on the Model – And Lots of Space for Car Seats
Of the 4 Traverse models, LS, LT, Z71 and RS, the LS comes with a standard 3-seat center bench and 3-sear 3rd row bench; the LT offers the option of center row captains chairs or a bench, and the Z71 and RS each offer captains chairs in the center row. And, all center row seats are slide-and-tilt, designed to be able to move forward with a child passenger car seat LATCH installed for 3rd row access.
The LS model will still be equipped with cloth upholstery, though the LT and Z71 will feature Chevy’s Evotex leatherette upholstery. The RS model comes with leather standard.
Scheduled to be built in Michigan in early 2024, pricing will be released closer to the production date, though if the current pricing is any indication, we expect the 2024 Traverse to range from about $40K (maybe just under) for the entry LS model to about $55K for the top of the line Z71 – but we’ll have to see.
With room for everyone and everything, the Traverse has been a favorite for families who also need the sporty capability of an SUV. We can’t wait to take it for a test drive!
Disclosure: I was a guest of Chevrolet for this test drive. Travel and accommodations were provided but all opinions are my own. Additionally, A Girls Guide to Cars may earn a commission from affiliate links in this story.
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