2024 Chevrolet Traverse review: a 2-day epic all-terrain test drive

The best way to decide if a car is for you is to drive it, not just around the block, but everywhere you might want to take it. From highways, to dirt tracks, if you want to see what it can do, you need to get hands-on…. Or in this case… hands off! I had the chance to spend two days with the 2024 Chevy Traverse just outside Atlanta Georgia. In this review I’ll experience the on and off road driving so I’ll talk about what it’s like, plus I’ll try out some of the key features of this mid-sized SUV, like the hands-free Super Cruise. I’ll dive into the infotainment system with it’s huge touchscreen, and look at some of the handier features.

I’ll wrap things up with the pros and the cons and I’ll let you know if I think I can recommend this vehicle for you. A quick word about how I’m going to do this review. I’m not going to get deep into things like horsepower and torque and if you’re looking for the nitty-gritty on the specs, you won’t find that here. I’m approaching this review as an average car shopper… Someone who’s interested in a comfortable but peppy ride, how the main features work, and what it feels like to drive. If you are looking for more of the gear-head nitty-gritty I do recommend my pals Zack and Andrea over at MotorMouth on YouTube who can take you deep inside this vehicle.

Let’s put the pedal to the metal…

Watch my hands-on driving review of Chevy Traverse

2024 Chevrolet Traverse: What you get

Chevrolet Traverse was introduced way back in 2008. The 2024 model keeps its image as a family SUV, but there have been some improvements and upgrades.

It’s a three-row SUV with great emphasis on cargo capacity, and comfort, but I’m here because it has a few tech-savvy features.

Its main competitors include the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Pallisade and Ford Explorer.

There are 4 models of Traverse; the base model LS and LT as well as RS and Z71. While those just sound like a bunch of random letters, RS once stood for Rally Sport, and this model is about more comfort, little luxuries and speed. Anything Chevy labels Z 71 will have off-road chops.

Let’s start with the looks since in all honesty, many of us at least start our search at face value.

The front grill looks more pronounced, with a flatter hood while the rear looks noticeably different with the tail lights curving sharply down to the sides. But the bulk of the enhancements are within the interior as well as the features you can only experience while driving .

Hop inside the 2024 Chevrolet Traverse and you’ll immediately see one of the biggest improvements and that’s the massive 17.7-inch touchscreen display situated right next 11-inch all-digital driver dashboard.

Like other recent Chevrolet vehicles, the infotainment display uses an Android-based OS peppered with Google services including Google Assistant, Google Maps, and access to the Google Play store. You still have the option to connect the CarPlay interface from your iPhone or use Amazon Alexa if you prefer those ecosystems.

Perhaps the best part of this big new feature is the fact that you get this extra-wide display in all Traverse models!

You’ve got options for cargo: folding down the second and third rows of seats gives you about 98-cubic feet of carrying capacity.

Loading up the back with stuff is also a very pleasant experience thanks to the AutoSense Power Liftgate feature which uses a proximity sensor to detect your presence and open the rear door automatically, as long as the key is on you. So handy if you’re approaching with a full load.

Even if you plan on trekking with other passengers, you can still create some extra space with the third row 60/40 split bench. With all seats propped up, the Traverse can carry up to eight passengers,.

Inside I tried out the back rows and found there’s plenty of headroom and legroom –less so in the third row but still a good amount of space and comfortable raked seats. The third row is still best for younger folks, but the redesigned interior makes getting in and out a lot more accessible.

You’ll actually notice  Chevy engineers designed the folding 2^nd row seat to also slide, so if you have a car seat on it, you don’t need to remove it to let someone hop in.

Refined Power Profile

If you care a lot about specs, particularly the machinery under the hood, you will notice the 2.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine which is vastly different than the 3.6-liter V6 engine within last year’s model. While this might feel off-putting for some SUV enthusiasts, the new engine has more advantages, including the reduced size and weight which contributes to better fuel efficiency and lower emissions. Because of its turbocharging technology, 2.5-liter displacement, power and torque aren’t sacrificed at all boasting 328 horsepower and 326 lb. ft of torque mated with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The Chevrolet Traverse has GM’s Super Cruise driver assistance technology. It lets you drive hands free, and it will manage the steering for you. I tried this technology…for the first time –ever.

How does it work?

For that I brought in Vehicle Chief engineer Joel Hofman to explain it…

“Supercruise is a feature that really allows the driver to relax. It’s a hands off the steering wheel  feature that uses a combination of map data and cameras and radar on the vehicle to essentially place the vehicle i the center of the lane.” Hofman shares. “It’s like adaptive cruise in that it will follow the speed you set and if you come upon a vehicle in front of you that’s going slower it will adapt. it will monitor your face to ensure you’re paying attention, since it is still an obligation to pay attention.

Chevy has mapped thousands of kilometers of road so the car will recognize where you are. When driving on a compatible road, enabling Super Cruise activates the Traverse’s built-in cameras, GPS, and LiDAR data, and sensors to keep the SUV centered in the proper lane.

The technology can detect a slow vehicle up front and respond automatically with a turn signal and lane change to overtake all without driver input. Using the turn signal can instruct the vehicle to change lanes on demand as well.

The Traverse Z71 and RS variants come with a Super Cruise plan that covers more than 400,000 miles of compatible roads across the US and Canada. To enable this in the entry-level LT model, you must opt for the Enhanced Driving Package.

Now Super Cruise isn’t completely self driving technology, like you’d find in something like a Tesla, you could think of it as enhanced cruiose control that does a bit more and means you can relax and enjoy the drive a bit more.

I feel like this would be an ideal car for someone who wants to balance daily city driving with the need for occasional off road use; things like camping, or getting to a cottage.

At the testing site just outside Atlanta, I got a chance to meet the engineering team behind the vehicle. I heard time and again that Safety is really important to them.

All Chevrolet Traverse models come with an HD rear vision camera which is essentially a live video feed of what’s behind you. It’s kind of cool but also trippy, so you can flip this back to a regular mirror if you like.  The Traverse can also recognize bikes and pedestrians that might come up beside you, and it will alert you to their presence. Anothr cool feature is that if you start to leave your lane, your seat will vibrate on that side reminding you to centre up. This is way better in my opinion than a jerky automatic oversteer or beeping alarms.

And if you have a young driver in the house, Chevy has added features for them… and for you.

Teen Driver mode is also available. When a key assigned to a teen driver is used, it activates certain safety^† systems, it can limit top speed, and mutes the radio until those in the front-seat occupants do up their seat belts. Chevy says this mode helps encourage better driving habits for teens by providing an in-vehicle report card; like when your  teen tried to drive too fast.

So what was driving the 2024 Chevy Traverse like?

I have to say that I came away with the overall impression that it is a supremely comfortable ride. We hit some pretty big potholes on our off-road driving and had to climb over a lot of rough terrain. The whole time, both as a driver and as a passenger I felt extremely comfort and the ride was never jarring. Switching over to street and highway driving, the traverse is extremely quiet and offers a very comfortable smooth ride. I think the dash screen with all its controls and options is actually well designed and easy to navigate to find what you need.

The fact I can ask Google Assistant to do a lot of things while I’m driving means I feel safer too. Plus, There’s also a lot of nice touches like plenty of storage, cupholders and just plain comfortable seats.

The 2024 Traverse seems powerful and peppy both for deriving and passing.

Overall Review: 2024 Chevy Traverse

Overall 2024 Chevy Traverse seems like nothing but good news for buyers who want a spacious and feature-rich SUV but don’t have the budget for the larger Tahoe and Suburban models. Now granted, I’ve only had the chance to test drive a handful of new SUVs over the last year while I’ve been shopping for a new car, so could this be a case of I don’t have much to compare it with or don’t know enough to find fault with this one? Maybe

But on its own merits, new engine feels powerful and peppy and the improved interior feel roomy and comfortable and should mean better traveling with cargo and family.

Plus the convenience of Super Cruise and that awesome 17.7-inch screen means those with a tech itch can get it scratched by the Traverse too.

I have to say I’ve been really impressed with the 2024 Chevy traverse and have no hesitations recommending it as a comfortable, safe, powerful, and pretty fun vehicle.

Learn more about features, pricing and options from Chevrolet.