Solid choice: 2024 Chevrolet Traverse Z71

Chevy’s mid-size crossover got a major makeover for the 2024 model year. The exterior now looks a lot like its big brother Tahoe.

The V6 engine has been replaced by a more powerful turbocharged four and the number of available trim levels has been halved. The three-row interior gets a pair of large screens for the driver and the infotainments systems. A full suite of safety items is now standard.

Chevy Traverse is gaining on big brother Tahoe

While it now looks a lot like the bigger and boxy Tahoe, your eyes do not deceive you. The Traverse and Tahoe have the same wheelbase – the distance between the front and rear wheels.

The shorter Traverse gives up a little legroom in the third row but has similar cargo space behind it compared to the $25,000 more expensive Tahoe.

Where it does differ more significantly is beneath the hood.

The Traverse uses a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine where the Tahoe has a V8 that is more than twice as large. But don’t assume the Traverse is the weakling.

Thanks to turbocharging, that four-cylinder produces 328 horsepower and a hefty 326 lb.ft. of torque. That is 18 more horsepower more than the 3.6-litre V6 offered in the last generation Traverse, and only 27 less than the V8 in the Tahoe. The new four-cylinder Traverse is rated for towing up to 5,000 lbs.

Every Traverse comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a full-time all-wheel-drive system.  As we expect from a GM transmission, it works seamlessly slipping between gears all but unnoticed, but always in the right one for the job at hand.

The engine is smooth and relatively quiet but gets a bit harsh under full throttle conditions. It is certainly not as pleasant sounding as the old six or any V8.

The good news is that you swap that engine note for much improved fuel economy compared to the old V6. Transport Canada says you should expect 11.3 litres/100 km in a mixture of city and highway driving. I actually got near that on a tank of regular, although most of that was at highway speeds.

A pleasant tech-forward experience awaits inside the 2024 Chevrolet Traverse

You spend a lot more time inside a vehicle than looking at it. Accordingly, the interior of the 2024 Traverse has been extensively redone to make that experience more pleasant.

As expected, technology is the key feature. The new Traverse comes with a 28-cm digital instrument cluster for the driver and 45-cm screen for the infotainment system. They replace 18-20-cm screens used previously.

The infotainment system is based on GM’s Google-based software suite. Onboard WiFi and a wireless smartphone charging pad are standard.

There are a myriad of storage provisions for both large and small items throughout, including a deep underfloor storage in the rear. The base (LT) trim offers seating for seven with a bench in the middle row. Others come with a pair of captain’s chairs there making it a six-person conveyance.

Visibility is generally good thanks to tall side windows. The third-row head restraints hinder view to the rear but an excellent surround view camera takes the worry out of tight confines.

Entry to the front seats is eased by wide-opening doors, a flat roof and low floor.  There is lots of head and elbow room up front. Second row occupants fare well too. The third row can be a bit confining for large adults and getting in and out requires some flexibility.

2024 Chevrolet Traverse is Off-Road Ready with a Z71 trim, a first for Traverse

The tester was in Z71 trim. That will be familiar to GM followers as denoting enhanced off-road prowess. It appears for the first time on the Traverse for 2024.

In addition to cosmetics, it includes a variety of suspension and equipment upgrades including skid plates, tow hooks and off-road-ready rubber. The AWD system has been tuned for enhanced handling and stability in off-road environments.

Despite this, the ride quality is pleasant. Road blemishes are dealt with ease. But this is no sports car. Perhaps because of the knobby and noisy off-road tires, understeer is prevalent and sets in early should you attempt to take a corner or exit ramp too quickly.

The Traverse comes with Chevrolet’s Safety Assist suite of active and passive safety features. Lane departure and blind spot warning, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear cross traffic alert are all standard.

The Traverse slots in between the Equinox and Tahoe in the Chevrolet lineup.

For 2024 it gets a major makeover inside and out. It joins the majority of mid-size crossovers in ditching the V6 engine in favour of a turbocharged four. The new Traverse is a solid entry in a crowded mid-size segment.

FACTS & FIGURES – 2024 Chevrolet Traverse Z71 AWD

PRICE

Base: $53,999

As tested: $63,984 including freight

SAFETY

LED headlights, rear park-assist, following distance indicator, forward collision alert, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, enhanced automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian and bicyclist braking, intersection automatic emergency braking, rear cross traffic braking, reverse automatic braking, blind spot steering assist

INFOTAINMENT

Satellite radio, wireless phone charging, 44-cm advanced colour LCD infotainment display with built-in Google

STANDARD EQUIPMENT

Advanced twin-clutch AWD, hill descent control, tilt & telescope steering wheel, power liftgate, eight-way power driver seat, heated steering wheel and front seats, 18-in aluminum wheels, all-terrain tires, trailering equipment including hitch view, heated power mirrors with integrated turn signal indicators, adaptive cruise control, tri-zone automatic climate control

SIGNIFICANT OPTIONS

Enhanced driving package, (Super Cruise driver assistance technology, Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist, Driver Attention Assist, 10-speaker Bose® premium audio system, rear camera mirror), $4,325; power dual glass sunroof, $1,695; jet black Evotex seat trim with torch red accents, $1,150; floor liner package, $520; engine block heater, $195

MECHANICAL

Turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder, 328 horsepower, 326 lb.-ft. of torque, regular fuel, eight-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive. NRCan rating (litres/100km city/highway): 12.4/9.9

DIMENSIONS

Length, 5,200 mm; width, 2,031 mm; wheelbase, 3,073 mm; weight, 2,000 kg

COMPETITION

Ford Explorer, Hyundai Palisade, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Kia Telluride, Mazda CX-90, Nissan Pathfinder, Subaru Ascent, Toyota Grand Highlander