Remember the Chevrolet Traverse? Especially back when we had it in the local market, it wasn’t exactly a vehicle that gets the ol’ blood pumping, yet it’s still hugely important for the brand. Three-row SUVs are hot commodities, and this week, Chevrolet introduced a vastly improved version of its bread-and-butter Traverse that’ll make it more appealing to all sorts of folks—especially outdoorsy types.
If you’re in North America, at least.
Yes, the Traverse now has a Z71 off-road package like other Chevy trucks, with all-terrain tires, a one-inch ride-height increase, an aluminum skid plate, hill-descent control, and a standard towing kit. There are a few meaningful mechanical changes, too, like a twin-clutch all-wheel-drive system and unique damper specifications. Will this vastly change the way a Z71 feels compared to a standard Traverse? Probably not. But hey, it's better than just some all-show-no-go trim-and-tape job.
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Rugged good looks not your jam? Then maybe you’ll be into the Traverse RS. Chevy says the RS has “sportier ride-and-handling characteristics,” which we’re immediately skeptical of, as well as special 22-inch wheels. Not exactly a performance SUV, this, but who knows—maybe it’ll scoot.
Rather than offering a choice of four- and six-cylinder engine options, every Traverse comes with a new 2.5-liter turbocharged straight-four, with 315hp, 429Nm of torque, and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Option your Traverse with a tow package and it can pull a maximum of 5,000 pounds (around 2,270kg). Not bad.
Despite its midsize classification, the Traverse is absolutely massive, with as much as 2,775 liters of cargo space with the second- and third-row seats folded flat. There’s a bunch of tech inside the Traverse, too, including an 11-inch digital gauge cluster, a 17.7-inch multimedia screen, and more USB ports than you’ll ever need.
Speaking of tech, Chevy is finally giving the Traverse ‘Super Cruise,’ the company’s awesome hands-free highway driving aid, though it’ll likely be reserved for the most expensive trim level only, because that’s just how General Motors rolls. Even so, a bunch of other standard driving tech will help you pilot this large lad, including lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, a 360-degree camera system, and pretty much every other modern technological convenience.
Think the nameplate should make a comeback on local roads?
More photos of the Chevrolet Traverse 2024:
NOTE: This article first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
