Drive Notes: 2024 Chevrolet Traverse RS AWD

Chevrolet's large-but-not-largest three-row family SUV is redesigned, getting truckier looks, a new engine, and a screen-centric interior.

Normally I'd give a redesign the full review treatment, but I just didn't get a ton of mile on this one because I had to head out of town on some personal business -- that happens sometimes. Still, I got enough seat time to get a sense of this one's strengths and weaknesses.

Underhood is a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. It mates to an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive is available -- my test unit was so equipped.

Four trims are available -- LS, LT, Z71, and RS, which is the version I drove. The "sporty" RS (can anything in this class be sporty?) gets special badging, 22-inch black aluminum wheels, a suspension tuned for sportier handling, trim-specific interior and exterior accents, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and one-touch power-fold second-row seats.

Other standard features included a remote start, adaptive cruise control, Bose audio, satellite radio, SuperCruise, six USB ports, built-in Google compatibility, Wi-Fi hot spot, power liftgate, 17.7-inch LCD screen, active noise cancellation, power-folding third-row seats, heated and cooled front seats, heated second-row outboard seats, heated steering wheel, power tilt/telescope steering wheel, ambient interior lighting, power panoramic sunroof, wireless device charging, LED lighting, HD surround vision, parking assistance, forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, and intersection automatic emergency braking. The only option was $495 Radiant Red paint. So the base price was $56,200 with an as-tested mark of $57,990 after D and D and a $100 credit.

Let's get on with the pros and cons.

Pros

• This was one smooth-riding beast. Whether it was highway, suburban surface roads, or neighborhood streets, the ride was pleasant, though some occasional float and wallow snuck in.
• Smooth also applies to this powertrain -- I'd have never guessed it only had four cylinders. It felt torquey, too.
• The inside is comfy and so spacious that I question why anyone needs to go up in size to the Tahoe or Suburban.
• I found the large screens easy to read. Easy to use, however, is another matter.
• The cabin was nice and quiet.
• Not only that, but the interior was thoughtfully set up.
• I didn't get the chance to use SuperCruise this go-round, but it's nice to see it available here.

Cons

• While the engine felt torquey, the Traverse felt a bit pokey due to weight. Americans appetites demand size, which means more weight -- I get that. But press down on the throttle and you can feel the heaviness.
• A lot of the infotainment menus were easy to use, but I struggled with the gauges. It looked like you could flip between tiles of info, but I could never figure out how to do it.
• The column shifter was a pain when trying to shift from park to reverse to drive in short order while leaving a parking lot.
• Handling merely exists.
• While I dig the "trucky" looks, I sorta miss the rounded-edge design of the older Traverses. This one looks a bit like a baby Tahoe, for better or worse.
• Fuel economy won't be wallet friendly at 19/24/21.

The redesigned 2024 Chevrolet Traverse is quite easy to live with, but weight is an enemy here. On the other hand, the interior is roomy enough that you probably don't need to up-size even if you are often using the third row.

Despite an infusion of trucky machismo, the Traverse remains what it always has been -- a generally pleasant but slightly flawed people mover.

[Images: Chevrolet]

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