GM unveils redesigned 2024 Chevy Traverse with more power, bigger technology, bold look
General Motors revealed a redesigned 2024 Chevrolet Traverse midsize SUV on Monday, saying it has more "SUV-like" proportions, additional family safety features and an all-new engine with higher horsepower and torque.
GM unveiled the SUV at the plant where it is assembled: Lansing Delta Township Assembly. Company leaders believe the new Traverse gives the brand a chance to dominate the competitive midsize SUV market, attracting new customers because of a new off-road capable Z71 model.
“Our new Traverse is designed and engineered to act and look more like an SUV,” Chevrolet Vice President Scott Bell said in a statement. “Led by the all-new Z71, the 2024 Traverse builds on the success of its predecessor and will undoubtedly enable us to be in more customer driveways.”
Midsize SUVs the 'Goldilocks' of car industry
The 2024 redesigned Traverse will go on sale early next year, and Chevrolet will release its price closer to that time.
But the gasoline-powered Traverse is a crucial vehicle for GM even as the automaker segues toward its goal of selling all-electric cars by 2035.
"Even as GM has all new exciting EV launches around the corner that are in the limelight, vehicles like the Traverse hold up GM's bread and butter of the business," said Ivan Drury, director of Insights at Edmunds. "A solid seller, competing in one of the most competitive segments within the industry. Loyalty is built with vehicles like Traverse that allow levels of all-round box checking; getting Traverse right can lay solid groundwork for cousins GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave and Cadillac XT6."
The Traverse is Chevrolet's bestselling midsize SUV behind the Equinox. In the first half of this year, GM sold 68,681 Traverses — a 55% gain compared with the year-ago period — and 105,851 Equinox midsize SUVs— a decline of 9.3% compared with the year-ago period.
For the auto industry as a whole, midsize SUVs are the second-largest-selling segment of cars in the United States behind small SUVs, Drury said. Year-to-date, the top-selling segments are: compact SUVs, which made up 18.3% of the new cars sold; midsize SUVs, which made up 17.7%, and followed by large trucks at 10.5%. The pricing for midsize SUVs is also in a sweet spot, Drury said, noting the average transaction price year-to-date for a midsize SUV is $48,663 compared with $35,957 for compact SUVs and $62,383 for large trucks.
"Midsize SUVs (are) the Goldilocks of the industry, not too big, not too small, not too cheap, not too expensive," Drury said.
The new features of 2024 Traverse
Here are some key takeaways of the upcoming redesigned 2024 Traverse:
There will be four trim levels: The LS, LT, Z71 and RS. They all include enhanced safety features and technologies.
All trims will have a new 2.5L turbocharged engine that delivers a GM estimated 315 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, a 19% increase in torque over the current model.
The new Traverse has a maximum trailering rating of up to 5,000 pounds.
The engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive is available — including an off-road-capable twin-clutch AWD system unique to the Z71.
The new off-road capable Traverse Z71 will have more than 1-inch greater ground clearance along with increased track width for added stability and handling. It will come standard with all-terrain tires and 18-inch wheels designed exclusively for the Z71.
The new 2024 Traverse trims also offer more safety and driver assistance technologies. Among them: the standard Chevy Safety Assist, which includes safety features and driver assistance technologies such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, following distance indicator, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, IntelliBeam high beam assist and front pedestrian and bicyclist braking.
GM's hands-free driving technology, Super Cruise, will be available on the 2024 Traverse.
Bold new look and new colors
The styling of the 2024 Traverse is a mix between crossover and truck-inspired design. The wheels are set wide to give it a more athletic appearance.
“The bold exterior of the all-new Traverse helps redefine its role and capability for customers,” said Phil Zak, executive design director for Global Chevrolet. “It is as versatile as ever, but with an increased focus on capability that reflects the spirit of its owners.”
Each trim has unique styling accents and the following:
Midnight/Sport Edition available on LS and LT.
All-new front and rear lighting, including standard LEDs.
Walk-up lighting animation that greets owners as they approach their vehicle (with an enabled key) on RS.
Standard true dual-exhaust system in bright chrome.
Available AutoSense Liftgate, a first for Traverse.
New panoramic dual-glass sunroof with power sunshade is available on LT, Z71 and standard on RS.
Two all-new exterior colors: Lakeshore Blue and Harvest Bronze.
The RS trim has premium and sporty features that include new 22-inch, high-gloss black aluminum wheels, unique suspension tuning for sportier ride-and-handling characteristics and blackout accents on the grille, roof rails and moldings, Zak said.
Bigger technology and lots of leg room
No matter the trim, the standard infotainment display screen on the instrument panel is 17.7 inches diagonal, which is 75% larger than the largest available screen in the previous model and is the gateway to the Traverse’s connectivity. There is wireless phone charging with a Wi-Fi hot spot also available; six USB ports are standard.
There is also a larger, 11-inch-diagonal configurable driver information center on the new model. Its pass-through console design provides more storage room. Heated front and second-row outboard seats are available as well as heated steering wheel and outside mirrors.
The new Traverse will have multiple flexible second- and third-row configurations. On the LS trim, eight-passenger seating is standard with second- and third-row bench seats.
On the LT, Z71 and RS, seven-passenger seating is standard with the eight-passenger configuration available on LT trim. The seven-passenger configurations include second-row captain’s chairs with SmartSlide, which allows access to the third row, even with a child seat installed. One-touch folding second row and power-folding third-row is standard on the RS trim.
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Contact Jamie L. LaReau: jlareau@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan. Read more on General Motors and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2024 Chevy Traverse: GM unveils redesign with new features, bold look
