THE CHEVY TRAVERSE IS A GREAT FAMILY RIDE WITH ONE ANNOYING FLAW

Aside from being the largest vehicle in its class, the outgoing Chevrolet Traverse was far from a "segment leader." Now in its third generation, the 2024 Chevrolet Traverse sports notable improvements that should make it more competitive with rivals like the Kia Telluride, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, Toyota Grand Highlander, and Volkswagen Atlas. As before, the Traverse is one of the largest vehicles in its segment, though it actually shrinks by 1.4 inches compared to the previous model.

After attending the First Drive event for the 2024 Traverse, I spent a week driving the top RS trim level to see how it functions as a family vehicle. In a week that included a trip from Central to South Florida, I had ample opportunity to test the Traverse's road trip abilities. If you have a big family that loves to drive on vacation, the Traverse makes an excellent companion except for one feature that I hated.

What I Loved

It Looks Cooler Than Before

It's not easy to make a three-row family hauler look "cool," but the 2024 Traverse is far more visually pleasing than the outgoing model. Chevy ditched the "minivan without sliding doors" design of the previous Traverse, ushering in a new "baby Tahoe" look. I tested the sporty RS trim, which ups the curb appeal with 22-inch black wheels and several black accents, including the Chevy bowties. Those black accents pair especially well with my tester's Radiant Red Tinccoat paint, which costs $495. The more muscular appearance is now one of the more interesting in the class, a huge upgrade over the forgettable 2023 model.

If you prefer a rugged look, the Traverse Z71 gets a one-inch lift kit and smaller 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires with more sidewall. I've driven the Z71 before, and those chunky tires give it a slightly softer ride than the RS. It may not be the most off-road capable SUV on the road, but it does get a few capable upgrades like underbody skid plates and tow hooks. We haven't seen any pictures yet, but the 2025 Traverse will offer a High Country trim that should blend the luxury of the RS trim with the capability of the Z71.

Bigger Than The Competition

If space is your number one priority, which is highly likely when shopping for family vehicles, the Traverse shines as one of the biggest. The cargo area boasts best-in-class 97.6 cubic feet of storage with both rear seats folded. Even with the second row in place, there is a healthy 57.8 cubic feet and 22.9 cubes behind the third row with additional storage under the floor. The GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave are the only two vehicles that match the Traverse in space because they are essentially the same vehicle with different styling.

The Traverse's passenger space is equally impressive. There are 44.3 inches of legroom up front, 41.5 inches in the second row, and 32.1 inches in the third row. These are improvements over the outgoing Traverse in all except the third row. Some competitors have a more spacious third row, but the Traverse is one of the best for combined legroom. Getting into the third row is easier than before with a quick-release button that tips and tilts the second row forward. The upper trims have a power-folding third row that goes up and down with a single button press.

Big Space, Big Screens

The only thing bigger than the Traverse's cargo area are the screens. A 17.7-inch touchscreen comes standard, delivering more screen real estate than any other crossover in the segment. Unlike GM's electric vehicles, the Traverse keeps its wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The user interface is well-organized with the ability to drag and drop key features (like the 360-degree camera view) into a favorites bar at the top for quick access. Speaking of the 360 camera, it comes standard, making the Traverse easy to park for owners who aren't used to such a large vehicle. There are also additional towing views available, which is handy when utilizing the 5,000-pound tow rating.

Drivers also get an 11-inch digital gauge cluster, which offers several different style modes. There's a traditional gauge screen, a simplified mode, a safety-focused setup, and a full Google Map view. The Traverse's infotainment system is powered by Google, meaning it also has built-in Google voice search that can be used to control various car functions or even ask random questions like you would on a Google Home.

Hands-Free Relaxation

During my time with the Traverse, I needed to attend the Miami International Auto Show, requiring a four-hour highway stint on Florida's I95. Thanks to the RS trim's standard hands-free Super Cruise technology, the drive was the most leisurely I've ever had going down to Miami. Super Cruise is available in all but the base model, and it keeps improving with each new iteration.

This current version can now execute lane changes automatically, moving into the left lane, passing slower traffic, then moving back into the middle lane with no input from the driver. I noted a few instances where a vehicle was approaching too quickly in the passing lane, and I felt it safer to cancel the lane change. You can also tell the Super Cruise system to stay in one lane and only change when you tell it to using the turn signals. Aside from a few weather and construction-related disengagements, the system allowed me to relax for most of my drive in both directions. Aside from the refreshed Ford Explorer with the newly added BlueCruise function, the only other vehicles in this segment available with hands-free driving also come from GM.

What I Didn't Like

The Four-Cylinder Is Rough

When an automaker decides to downsize the engine in a vehicle, especially a family car like the Traverse where the engine isn't the key selling point, I'm usually the one defending the move. Not in this case. The outgoing 3.6-liter V6 engine was among the best in its class, spitting out a strong 310 horsepower and a sweet, Camaro-like exhaust note. This new 2.5-liter four-cylinder, on the other hand, sounds like it belongs in a mail van. It's related to the 2.7-liter motor used in the Colorado and Silverado (also the Cadillac CT4-V), and it makes the same loud rumbling found in the trucks. Pickup truck owners may enjoy having their four-cylinder engine try to mimic the sound and feel of a V8, but in a family crossover, it's just annoying.

On a positive note, the four-pot outproduces the old V6 in every metric. It produces 328 hp, 18 hp more than before, and the torque jumps from 266 to 326 lb-ft. Even with so much more torque on hand, the engine always seems to rev to an unpleasant level, filling the cabin with unwanted noise. Mixed with substantial road noise on the highway, the Traverse's lack of sound insulation disturbs what is otherwise a stellar family vehicle.

The new Traverse should be quicker than the old model on paper, but I clocked it at 7.41 seconds to 60 mph, well behind the 6.8-second manufacturer's estimate of the outgoing V6 one. Fuel economy has improved by dropping two cylinders, but only marginally so. Front-drive models get 20/27/23 MPG city/highway/combined, slight improvements over the V6's 18/26/21 rating. Opting for all-wheel-drive drops the efficiency to 19/24/21 (17/25/20 in the outgoing Traverse). I managed 24.1 MPG on a drive to Miami, and an overall rating of 21.5 MPG. Chevy should consider making a Traverse Hybrid to rival the Toyota Grand Highlander.

2024-09-05T07:02:21Z dg43tfdfdgfd