2024 Chevrolet Traverse Gets Meaner Looks, Z71 Model, Huge Screen
Chevrolet's other three-row SUV looks tougher and adds lots of standard safety features.
Chevrolet on Monday revealed the third generation of its large Traverse crossover SUV. The three-row SUV is getting a fresh injection of tech and chunkier, Tahoe-esque look outside—including a new Z71 off-road-oriented trim.
The Z71 joins three returning trims—LS, LT, and RS—and all 2024 Traverses feature the same engine underhood. A 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder follows the downsizing trend of the class, but the payoff is more power. General Motors estimates 315 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, all funnelled through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-drive is once again standard, with available all-wheel drive on all trims. The Z71 features its own unique twin-clutch AWD setup, which Chevy calls "off-road capable." Maximum tow rating is once again 5,000 pounds (2,268 kilograms) when properly equipped.
While some other unnamed competitors are fine to throw a set of all-terrain tires on their "rugged" mid-sized SUVs and call it a day, it certainly reads like Chevy has put more thought into the Traverse Z71. In addition to the new rubber and the 18-inch wheels that accompany it, the Z71 features a suspension lift of over an inch (25 millimeters), a wider track, unique dampers along with a Terrain Mode drive mode, a different front fascia with improved approach angle and red tow hooks, and the afore-mentioned AWD system.
It certainly looks more like an SUV, too. Especially in Z71 trim, you'd be forgiven for mistaking the new Traverse for a Tahoe, with its gaping grille and stacked headlight design. The latter are now standard LEDs across all trims. There are more pronounced fender flares along the sides and a fun shark fin-like treatment for the C-pillar. Move around back and the new taillight design has a lot of Blazer EV influence—or, if you're less generous, quite a bit of Toyota Sequoia. The range-topping RS now sits on huge 22-inch alloy wheels. It's a handsome upgrade to our eyes, especially in one of the three new hues: Lakeshore Blue, Stardust, or Harvest Bronze.
The big changes continue inside, where Chevrolet has fit a positively enormous 17.7-inch touchscreen. It shares a frame with an 11.0-inch digital driver instrument panel, sitting atop a slimline dashboard with bits of contrasting trim for a burst of color. Chevy has cut down on physical controls, with a single row of buttons and dials for climate controls. The American brand has also made the switch to a column-mounted electronic shifter to make for a more commodious center console. A redesigned steering wheel sits ahead of the driver's seat, with a flat-bottomed item in the RS. There's also a wheel with a light-up top section; yes, Super Cruise is coming to the Traverse.
Chevrolet's optional hands-free, Level 2 highway driving assist headlines a large lineup of safety features, many of which are now standard. The usual suspects are all here—automated emergency braking, lane-keep, auto high beams, adaptive cruise control—and so are upgrades like blind-spot monitoring with lane-change alert and rear cross-traffic alert (with braking), traffic sign recognition, intersection emergency braking, side cyclist alert, and more. Chevy is particularly proud of its Buckle To Drive feature, which requires both driver and front passenger to be buckled up before the vehicle will shift.
Other available family-friendly features include one-button, power-assisted folding second row seats, six USB ports (standard), a Wi-Fi hotspot, auto-sensing tailgate, and power-folding third row seats. Of course, the Traverse is still a load-lugger, with up to 98 cubic feet (2,763 liters) of storage space when the rear two rows are folded flat.
The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse will come in both seven- and eight-passenger forms. It will arrive in dealerships early next year; expect more details on trims and pricing closer to its on-sale date.
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Kyle began his automotive obsession before he even started school, courtesy of a remote control Porsche and various LEGO sets. He later studied advertising and graphic design at Humber College, which led him to writing about cars (both real and digital). He is now a proud member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), where he was the Journalist of the Year runner-up for 2021.
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This seemed somewhat interesting until "all trims will come with 2.5L 4 cylinder. I like 4 cylinders - in a VW Golf or similar sized vehicle. But for a vehicle of this size and weight - NOPE!