Chevrolet has redesigned the Traverse full-size crossover for the 2018 model year, representing the second generation of the Traverse nameplate after selling the first-generation model for nine years.
The new Traverse delivers what an expected best-in-class third-row legroom, maximum cargo room and passenger volume, along 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.”
Chevrolet describes the exterior styling of the new Traverse as “bold and refined”. The new full-size crossover adopts a look inspired by the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban full-size SUVs, with purposeful proportions complemented by premium cues such as chrome accents, LED signature lighting and available D-Optic LED headlamps.
“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.”
The new Traverse features a longer wheelbase than the current model, enabling for even more interior space for passengers and cargo.
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 2018 Chevrolet Traverse will offer seating for up to eight. Thanks to a longer wheelbase than the outgoing model, the new Traverse has few peers when it comes to capacity and roominess. In fact, the new Traverse offers best-in-class passenger volume and maximum cargo room of 98.5 cubic feet (2,789 liters); greater storage options and larger bins throughout the ergonomically-optimized cabin are designed to enhance convenience and versatility.
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).
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.
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.
To protect passengers, the 2018 Traverse employs a comprehensive suite of available safety technologies and adaptive crash-avoidance features that 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.
A new 3.6L V-6 and nine-speed automatic transmission form the standard propulsion system, which is 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.
When
In the U.S., the 2018 Chevy Traverse will go on sale in the fall of 2017.
Where
We expect the 2018 Chevy Traverse to be available in the following markets:
- North America
- United States
- Canada
- Mexico
- South America
- Select markets
- Middle East
The 2018 Chevy Traverse will be manufactured at GM’s Delta Lansing Township Plant in Michigan.
The 2018 Traverse rides on the long-wheelbase variant of GM’s new C1XX platform.
These specifications are preliminary.
Overview
| Model: | Chevrolet Traverse |
| Body style / driveline: | crossover SUV / front-engine; front-wheel drive and available all-wheel drive |
| Construction: | body-frame integral |
| EPA vehicle class: | sport utility vehicle |
| Manufacturing location: | Lansing Delta Township, Michigan, USA |
| Key competitors: | Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer |
Propulsion
| Engine: | 3.6L V-6 VVT DI | Ecotec 2.0L Turbocharged I-4 |
| Displacement (cu in / cc): | 223 / 3649 | 122 / 1998 |
| GM production code: | LGX | LTG |
| 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 (hp / kW @ rpm): | 305 / 227 @ 6800 (est.) | 255 / 190 @ 5500 (est.) |
| GM-est. Torque (lb.-ft. / Nm @ rpm): | 260 / 351 @ 2800 (est.) | 295 / 400 @ 3000 (est.) |
| GM-estimated fuel economy (city / hwy): | 18 / 25 (FWD) | 20 / 23 (FWD) |
| Transmission: | Hydra-Matic 9T50 9-speed automatic | Hydra-Matic 9T50 9-speed automatic |
Chassis & Suspension
| Suspension (front): | MacPherson strut independent with hydraulic control arm ride bushing and hollow stabilizer bar |
| Suspension (rear): | Five-link independent with auxiliary spring aids and hollow stabilizer bar |
| Steering type: | electric variable-effort power steering with Active Return Assist |
| Turning circle (ft / m): | 39 / 11.9 |
| Brakes: | four-wheel-disc, variable brake system with power assist; Duralife brake rotors and low-drag brake calipers |
| Wheel size and type: | 18-in. aluminum and 20-in. aluminum |
| Tires: | P255/65R18 all-season or P255/55R20 all-season |
Exterior Dimensions
| Wheelbase (in / mm): | 120.9 / 3071 |
| Overall length (in / mm): | 204.3 / 5189 |
| Overall width (in / mm): | 78.6 / 1996 |
| Overall height (in / mm): | 70.7 / 1795 |
| Front track (in / mm): | 67.3 / 1709 |
| Rear track (in / mm): | 67 / 1702 |
| Curb weight (lb / kg): | 4362 / 1978 (base) |
Interior Dimensions
| Seating capacity: | up to eight passengers, depending on model/configuration |
| Front headroom (in / mm): | 41.3 / 1049 (without sunroof) |
| Second row headroom (in / mm): | 40 / 1016 (without sunroof) |
| Third row headroom (in / mm): | 38.2 / 970 |
| Front legroom (in / mm): | 41 / 1042 |
| Second row legroom (in / mm): | 39 / 990 |
| Third row legroom (in / mm): | 33.7 / 856 |
| Front shoulder room (in / mm): | 62.1 / 1577 |
| Second row shoulder room (in / mm): | 62.2 / 1580 |
| Third row shoulder room (in / mm): | 57.5 / 1460 |
| Front hip room (in / mm): | 58.1 / 1475 |
| Second row hip room (in / mm): | 56.9 / 1445 |
| Third row hip room (in / mm): | 48.5 / 1232 |
| Cargo volume behind third row (cu. ft. / L): | 23 / 651 |
| Cargo volume behind second row, third row folded (cu. ft. / L): | 58.1 /1645 |
| Cargo volume second and third rows folded (cu. ft. / L): | 98.5 / 2789 |
Following were GM Authority’s expectations prior to the official announcement.
We expet the 2018 Traverse to receive a complete overhaul (redesign and re-engineering), obtaining a new platform, new design inside and out, as well as a new range of engines.
Following are our expectations of the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse:
- Completely overhauled (redesigned and re-engineered)
- Full-size dimensions measuring in at 200 inches in length with three rows of seating
- Unveiled in 2017 as a 2018 model
- All-new exterior design in line with Chevrolet’s latest design language
- All-new interior that is of a higher quality and is also more space-efficient than the first-generation Traverse, resulting in more interior room from similar exterior dimensions
- Based on the long-wheelbase variant of GM’s new C1XX platform shared with the all-new, next-generation 2018 Buick Enclave. The regular-wheelbase variant of the C1 architecture underpins the 2017 GMC Acadia and 2017 Cadillac XT5.
- Transverse engine orientation, front-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive
- Thanks to the C1XX architecture, we expect the 2018 Traverse to shed roughly 300 pounds (136 kg) over its predecessor, thereby assisting it in improving fuel economy and driving characteristics such as acceleration, braking, and handling
- All-new engine lineup consisting of GM’s 2.5L LCV inline four-cylinder engine and 3.6L V6 LGX mated to a either a six- or eight-speed automatic transmission
- The latest MyLink infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- The latest active safety/driver assistance systems
- Starting price in the high-$30,000, higher than the first-gen Traverse since an all-new midsize Chevy crossover is expected slot between the 2018 Traverse (full-size) and 2017 Equinox (compact)
The 2018 Chevy Traverse made its debut at the 2017 North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 9, 2017.
Prior to the unveiling, the Chevrolet released the above teaser image of its 2018 Traverse on December 19, 2016. The brand also stated that the 2018 Traverse is expected to have the best third-row legroom in its class and that it will feature Chevrolet’s recently-introduced trim hierarchy, one of which will include more upscale interior trimmings and D-Optic headlamps that “provide a natural daylight effect with a seamless light quality.”
