Fun with families . . .

By Gary S. Vasilash

One of the things that gets far less attention than it deserves is the family vehicle, the type of transportation that provides three rows of seats and room to accommodate plenty of stuff when just two of the rows are needed.

Consider the Chevy Traverse. During the first quarter of this year–as the current generation of the crossover was being sold down as it is now being replaced by a reengineered model, the 2024 third-gen that is rolling out to dealers–there were 17,475 units delivered. Or alternatively calculated as a 44.6% decline from Q1 2023.

That may be a cause for gasps, but it shouldn’t be: let’s realize that when an existing vehicle is being replaced by a new one, the switchover means there are fewer of the current one being built, so a large decline is simply a natural consequence.

But keep that 17,475 figure in mind.

However, staying within the Chevy showroom, it is interesting that the models that seem to garner the most attention are not those that are powered by a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque mated to an eight-speed transmission, like the new Traverse, but those with electric propulsion systems.

Vehicles including the Chevy Blazer EV, the Bolt EV/Bolt EUV, and Silverado EV.

While those all have their roles, it should be pointed out that in Q1 2024 the sales of those models were, respectively, 600, 7,040 and 1,061.

That’s a total of 8,701 vehicles, or almost precisely half of the Traverse sales.

So even with the changeover, the Traverse racks up solid numbers, which means solid interest. And should absolutely be more interesting with the new model.

Spatially Aware

The 2024 Traverse is a vehicle that should be top-of-mind, particularly for those who are looking for something that is capacious without being as maneuverable as an ocean liner.

(As we will get to in a moment, the Traverse can be precisely controlled.)

Here’s something to know about the third row in the Traverse, which makes it a bona-fide vehicle for the fam. In far too many three-row vehicles, the third row is something that would make toddlers feel uncomfortable due to the limited space. But the Traverse offers 32.13 inches of legroom, 38.27 inches of headroom, 57.72 inches of shoulder room, and 48.62 inches of hip room.

Or said another way: It offers reasonable room for those who sit way in the back, so the claim that it seats up to eight is real, not a statement that is factual but lacking in actual functionality.

And as previously mentioned, if you fold that third row down, there’s 56.6 cubic feet to accommodate all of that stuff you picked up at Costco, and if you fold the second row, too, then there’s a massive 97.6 cubic feet of cargo room, which means you can stop at Home Depot on the way back from Costco, too.

“Roughing” It

One of the things that has become increasingly popular as Covid led people to wanting to do partake of activities in the great out-of-doors is adventuring off of paved roads. So to that end, the ’24 Traverse is available with Z71 trim, which makes it more capable of handling those sorts of dirty, gravelly conditions.

Going that route brings features including 1.2 inches of increase ground clearance (although this in not something that will have you reaching for purchase to climb into the vehicle), 18-inch wheels wrapped with all-terrain tires, specific tuned shocks from ZF, skid plates below (both steel and aluminum protectors), a Terrain mode that modulates performance for the conditions, and a twin-clutch AWD system that allows torque distribution to where it is needed.

Having taken a Z71 Traverse on route that merely suggested being drivable, I can attest to its ability to (a) not only go there but (b) do so in a way that provided considerable comfort (I know that the shocks were doing their job, but I must say that I found the driver’s seat excellent in all conditions).

One of the things that made maneuvering through trees far more manageable is a 360-degree camera system that provided an image on the 17.7-inch display so that it was clear where not to go. (To describe this as “threading a needle” would be a bit of an exaggeration for something that is 204.5 inches long and 87.87 inches wide (with mirrors extended).)

And a shout-out to the electric steering system is deserved, as well, because it could do the work at low speeds—which people are more likely to commonly experience in the parking lots of the aforementioned shopping centers—while not requiring constant adjustment at higher speeds. Let’s not kid ourselves: manuevering large vehicles can be trying. The Traverse setup makes it easier.

Sleek Look

For those who are looking for something that looks sportier and premium, the 2024 Traverse is also available in the RS trim. This puts the ute on 22s (black high-gloss aluminum) and even provides a flat-bottomed steering wheel (yes, the sort of thing you’d find in a Corvette). Black and red accents both inside and out telegraph the sporty style of the RS. And from the ride and handling standpoint, the engineers tuned the shocks to accommodate what one can experience while on road (paved) that are other than rectilinear.

Regardless of the trim, the styling of the ’24 has a contemporary look that echoes the sheet metal found on the Chevy pickups—the Silverado and the Canyon.

While that might seem questionable, consider that—to go back to where this began—in Q1 ’24 Chevy delivered 129,987 Silverados (including the 1,061 EVs) and 14,922 Canyons, so clearly people find the design language appealing.

But a good vehicle is more than the sum of its parts, more than the styling of the sheet metal, more than the available technologies.

It is an entire package. And the 2024 Traverse wraps it all together and delivers.