- Chevrolet
- Chevrolet Traverse
- auto shows
- Detroit Auto Show
- 2017
- crossover
- fullsize cars
General Motors is slaying the 2017 Detroit Auto Show with new metal, including the all-new 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. This three-row crossover continues the Traverse’s reign of family-friendly utility, but adds a high-class exterior and upper middle-class interior to the mix, finally reliving the Traverse’s ageing design that’s been around since 2009.
Although a mid-cycle refresh for the 2014 model year kept the hot-selling Traverse moving off Chevy showrooms, the 2018 Traverse marks the first generational change in the nameplate’s history. This new second-generation Traverse now has a far more upscale exterior that shares design cues with the Tahoe and Suburban, along with Chevy’s smaller crossovers and sedans.
The 2018 Traverse rides on GM’s new C1XX platform. Though this is the same platform that underpins the 2017 GMC Acadia, the Traverse’s footprint is larger, allowing for more interior space. Its eight-passenger seating remains, making it one of the segment’s most versatile contenders. Optional second-row captain’s chairs reduce seating to seven, but provide an easier third-row entrance while giving second-row passengers more personal space. Chevy says it has 98.5 cubic feet of cargo room and 33.7-inches of third-row legroom. Both figures are expected to be best-in-class for 2018.
Chevy is introducing a new engine inside the 2018 Traverse. Acting as the standard engine, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder comes mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The engine makes 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, which is more twist than the Traverse’s optional 3.6-liter V-6 produces.
Speaking of the V-6, it’s the same carryover 3.6-liter as before. It does get a power boost to 305 horsepower, but torque remains at 260 pound-feet. It comes mated to the same nine-speed automatic as the four-cylinder.
Two new trim levels arrive for 2018. A new RS trim acts as the entry-level model and is exclusively paired with the 2.0-liter turbo-four. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Traverse gets Chevy’s High Country trim with the same saddle-leather style seating found in the Silverado High Country. Suede accents in the seats, 20-inch wheels, D-Optic LED headlights, and a trim-exclusive dual-clutch AWD system set the High Country apart.
Chevy expects the 2018 Traverse to hit showrooms in the fall of 2017. Assembly will happen at GM’s Lansing Delta Township plant.
Continue reading for more information.
Why It Matters
Chevy has done an amazing job reinventing the Traverse. Gone is the bubbly look from before, replaced with a sharp, angular design that ties the Traverse with the Tahoe and Suburban. The look is far more upscale than before. Impressively, the Traverse appears to have an impressive amount of ground clearance for a crossover. This could help attract buyers looking for something more rugged than the average minivan replacement can muster.
While the 2.0-liter turbo-four does have more torque than the 3.6-liter V-6, the latter is the one to choose. It provides more horsepower and a higher towing capacity (5,000 pounds). The new nine-speed automatic will certainly help with fuel economy, as well. Chevy estimates the V-6 Traverse with FWD will achieve 25 mpg highway.
Chevy has done an amazing job reinventing the Traverse. Gone is the bubbly look from before, replaced with a sharp, angular design that ties the Traverse with the Tahoe and Suburban.
Safety wise, the 2018 Traverse gets some upgraded equipment. Optional is a Surround Vision camera system, the D-Optic LED headlights (standard on High Country and Premier trims), Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Front Pedestrian Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Low and High-Speed Forward Automatic Braking, and Teen Driver.
Technology equipment includes 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a pair of new infotainment screens. Coming standard is a seven-inch unit, while upper trim levels get an eight-inch unit. Both come loaded with Chevy’s latest MyLink software. All three rows come with USB charging ports, and a slew of pockets and cubby holes help keep “stuff” from piling up. A total of 10 cup/bottle holders are scattered throughout the cabin, as well. The upper trim levels also avail of a power-folding third-row bench.
Pricing, of course, has not been announced, but Chevy will break that news closer to the 2018 Traverse’s on-sale date in the fall of 2017. Stay tuned to TopSpeed for a more detailed review on the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse in the coming days.
2018 Chevrolet Traverse - Drivetrain Specifications
| 3.6L V-6 VVT DI | Available Ecotec 2.0L Turbocharged I-4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement (cu in / cc): | 223 / 3,649 | 122 / 1,998 |
| Bore & stroke (in / mm): | 3.74 x 3.37 / 95 x 85.8 | 3.39 x 3.39 / 86 x 86 |
| Block material: | cast aluminum w/ cast-in-place iron bore liners | cast aluminum w/ cast-in-place iron bore liners |
| Cylinder head material: | cast aluminum | cast aluminum |
| Valvetrain: | DOHC, four valves per cylinder, continuous VVT | DOHC, four valves per cylinder, continuous VVT |
| Fuel delivery: | high-pressure direct injection and electronic throttle control | high-pressure direct injection and electronic throttle control |
| GM-est. Horsepower | 305 HP @ 6,800 RPM (est.) | 255 HP @ 5,500 RPM (est.) |
| GM-est. Torque | 260 LB-FT @ 2,800 RPM (est.) | 295 LB-FT @ 3,000 RPM (est.) |
| GM-estimated fuel economy (city / hwy): | 18 / 25 (FWD) | 20 / 23 (FWD) |
| Transmission: | Hydra-Matic 9T50 nine-speed automatic | Hydra-Matic 9T50 nine-speed automatic |
Press Release
Chevrolet today introduced the all-new 2018 Traverse. Wrapped in bold and refined styling, the completely redesigned Traverse offers technologies to help keep passengers of all ages and lifestyles comfortable and connected.
Traverse will deliver what is expected to be best-in-class third-row legroom, maximum cargo room and passenger volume with an enhanced roster of available active safety features.
“The all-new Traverse offers the ultimate in style and convenience for the segment, with the versatility customers need and a thoughtful, spacious design they’ll love,” said Alan Batey, president of GM North America and brand chief, Global Chevrolet. “It’s the midsize SUV designed to help keep you safe, comfortable and connected.”
When it goes on sale this fall, the 2018 Traverse will be the fourth updated crossover or SUV from Chevrolet within a year, joining the Trax, Bolt EV and 2018 Equinox, further strengthening the brand’s crossover and SUV lineup.
“Nobody in the industry offers a broader, fresher lineup of SUVs and crossovers than Chevrolet,” said Batey. “From the all-electric Bolt EV to America’s longest-running nameplate, Suburban, we’ve got something for every customer and lifestyle.”
Bold and refined
The 2018 Traverse has a new look inspired by Chevrolet’s full-size SUVs, with purposeful proportions complemented by premium cues such as chrome accents, LED signature lighting and available D-Optic LED headlamps.
Chevrolet is adding two new trim levels for the 2018 Traverse — the sporty RS and luxurious High Country — to offer customers more choices for a personalized appearance.
The new RS package includes unique, blacked-out exterior cues with a black chrome grille, black bowtie, 20-inch wheels and more.
The High Country trim features premium content and technology, including a unique interior trim featuring Loft Brown leather appointments with suede accents, 20-inch polished wheels, High Country badging, D-Optic headlamps, standard twin-clutch AWD and power-fold third row seats.
“The all-new Traverse blends Chevrolet’s characteristic SUV cues with capability and refinement,” said John Cafaro, executive director, Global Chevrolet Design. “Inside and out, it offers style with a purpose.”
With available seating for up to eight and a longer wheelbase than the current model, the Traverse has few peers when it comes to capacity and roominess. In fact, the new Traverse is expected to offer best-in-class passenger volume as well as max cargo room at 98.5 cubic feet (2,789 liters), while greater storage options and larger bins throughout the ergonomically optimized cabin are designed to enhance convenience and versatility.
Loading the Traverse is a breeze with a new Chevrolet bowtie logo lamp feature illuminating the ground to show where drivers need to place a foot to activate the available hands-free power liftgate.
A new split-folding second-row seat improves on the Traverse’s original Smart Slide® feature. The curbside seat is capable of tipping up and sliding forward, even with a forward-facing child seat in place, to provide open and easy access to the third row. Third-row legroom is expected to be the most spacious in the segment at 33.7 inches (856 mm).
Connected and protected
The 2018 Traverse offers purposeful technology designed to help keep passengers safe, comfortable and connected.
Chevrolet’s latest connectivity technologies include available 7- and 8-inch-diagonal MyLink infotainment systems designed to support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as an available OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are products of Apple and Google and their terms and privacy statements apply. Requires compatible smartphone and data plan rates apply.)
Passengers will have access to USB charging ports in all three seating rows, available wireless charging and steering wheel-mounted phone and audio controls. Chevrolet’s Rear Seat Reminder feature is standard on all trim levels.
When it comes to helping to protect passengers, a comprehensive suite of available safety technologies and adaptive crash-avoidance features offers ease of use and added peace of mind, with new available features including:
Surround Vision
D-Optic LED headlamps (standard on High Country and Premier)
Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
Front Pedestrian Braking
Forward Collision Alert
Low and High-Speed Forward Automatic Braking.
Teen Driver is standard, allowing parents to set certain controls and review performance in order to help encourage better driving habits, even when parents are not in the vehicle.
Performance and efficiency
A new 3.6L V-6 and nine-speed automatic transmission form the standard propulsion system, expected to offer nearly 10 percent more horsepower than the current model and a GM-estimated 25 mpg highway (FWD). The combination also supports an estimated 5,000-pound (2,268 kg) trailering capacity when properly equipped.
Sporting the new RS trim, the Traverse will exclusively feature a 2.0L turbocharged engine that provides a unique driving experience, with more maximum torque than the V-6. It is also paired with the nine-speed automatic transmission.
Both engines feature new intelligent stop/start technology that determines the best times for fuel-saving engine-stop events, based on a variety of driving factors.
New Traction Mode Select is standard on all models and allows the driver to make real-time adjustments to the vehicle’s driving mode to account for varying road conditions. On available AWD models, it also allows the system to be completely disconnected from the rear axle, which helps save fuel and enhances refinement.
High Country’s exclusive Advanced AWD system employs twin-clutch technology that optimizes traction for every condition it encounters. It is engineered for optimal performance in wet, snowy and icy conditions, while also providing enhanced stability in dry conditions.
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