2024 Chevrolet Traverse First Drive Review: Big family hauler gets a lot more interesting

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. — The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse marks the start of the three-row crossover’s third generation. While it still serves the same general purpose as before, it does so with actual style this time. It gets new looks, which align more with the body-on-frame side of the Chevy family tree, giving this family hauler a beefier and sportier character. The interior gets a makeover, too, with dual screens on the dash providing a tech-inspired focal point. Chevy also introduces the rugged-looking Z71 and street-savvy RS trims at the top of the lineup, providing a bit of spice on top of the Traverse’s fresh flavor. It was those two trims that we got to experience on our brief drives outside of Atlanta.

The changes are beyond skin deep. Gone is the 3.6-liter V6 that made 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, along with its nine-speed automatic transmission. It’s replaced by a new 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder sending 328 hp and 326 lb-ft to either the front or all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic. The Traverse’s 2.5-liter is a new engine, but it’s based on the 2.7-liter turbo first seen in the Silverado but adapted for the Colorado. One of the goals for the 2.5 was improved fuel economy, and to achieve this, the engine employs a new-to-GM “ePhaser” to adjust the camshaft on the fly to advance and delay the spark according to power and efficiency needs (the ePhaser also allows for smoother reignitions from the stop/start system). The new Traverse gets 20 miles per gallon city, 27 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined with front-wheel drive, or 19/24/21 mpg with all-wheel drive. Compare that to the 18/27/21 with FWD and 17/25/20 with AWD from the year prior.

The list of standard safety equipment has expanded considerably, and is, frankly, impressive. New for 2024 is the buckle-to-drive feature, which locks the car out of drive for 20 seconds after ignition unless the driver buckles their seatbelt. If that makes you irrationally angry, it can be completely turned off in a settings menu. Other standard safety features that are typically optional or not available at all on competitors: a teen driver feature, haptic safety alerts through the seat, an HD