2018 Chevrolet Traverse: Truck-like redesign revealed at Detroit auto show
Chevrolet unveiled a redesigned 2018 Traverse this morning that beefs up its SUV design elements to make it more truck-like as the brand aims for a slightly more affluent, family buyer.
The vehicle, which will be assembled at General Motors' Delta Township plant near Lansing, will go on sale this fall.
The full-size crossover SUV segment continues to grow throughout the industry. This is the first complete redesign of the Traverse since its introduction in 2009.
"This all-new Traverse offers the ultimate in style and convenience with the versatility customers need and a thoughtful, spacious design," said Alan Batey, president of GM North America and global brand chief for Chevrolet.
The base engine will be a 3.6-liter variable valve V6 paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission that Chevrolet claims will deliver a 10% improvement in fuel economy. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has not yet certified the vehicle's miles per gallon rating, but GM estimated it will be about 25 in highway driving for the V6. The 2017 Traverse rated 22 m.p.g. in highway driving.
The RS package, one of two new trim levels along with the High Country version, will be powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with black chrome grille, 20-inch wheels and the same nine-speed transmission as the 3.6-liter V6.
Safety features include Surround Vision, LED headlights (on the High Country and Premier levels), lane-keep assist, front pedestrian braking, forward collision alert and forward automatic braking at low and high speeds.
While the outgoing Traverse is a core part of GM's SUV lineup, it is outsold by a number of other midsize SUVs, including the Toyota Highlander, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot.
With the new model, Chevrolet is hoping to increase both sales and the average transaction price. GM executives said the outgoing Traverse typically sells in the low $30,000 range. With the new High Country trim level, Chevrolet will be aiming for the upper end of the $30,000 range and the low $40,000 mark.
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"We just believe there is more volume out there for us in the middle of that transaction price curve,” said Steve Majoros, director of Chevrolet Marketing.
The new Traverse has a wheelbase that is two inches longer (120.9 in. inches) than the 2017 model, and the bumper-to-bumper length is 0.6 inches longer, and the body is 0.8 inches taller.
The slightly larger dimensions and the more substantial, truck-like profile should help distinguish from the midsize Equinox, which also debuts a new design this spring. The new Equinox is slightly smaller than the 2017 model it replaces.
"The new Traverse blends Chevrolet's characteristic SUV cues with capability and refinement," said John Cafaro, Chevrolet's executive director of design. "It offers style with a purpose."
Cafaro said the new Traverse now has more third-row leg room than any competitor in the midsize segment, allowing it to seat eight instead of seven, like many competitors.
Through use of lighter-weight steel, aluminum and other materials, Chevrolet product developers shaved 594 pounds off the curb weight of the current model. (4,362 pounds for the 2018 model vs. 4,956 for the 2017 model year).
For those more interested in bandwidth than horsepower, the new Traverse will continue to provide a 4G LTE wireless hotspot, and the ability to support both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on a choice of either a 7-inch or 8-inch diagonal MyLink Infortainment system. There also are USB charging pots in all three seating rows.
“It’s really family friendly” and with an “aspirational look and craftsmanship, it’s more than expected," Cafaro said.
Contact Greg Gardner: 313-222-8762 or ggardner@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregGardner12. Staff writer Brent Snavely contributed to this report.
