The recently launched third generation Chevy Traverse enters its second model year with the 2025 Chevy Traverse, carrying forward the rugged, eye-catching truck-inspired styling and Bow Tie’s “High Brow” design language, standard 17.7-inch diagonal color infotainment touchscreen, and many other all-new features.
Now, however, GM is dropping two trim levels from the 2025 Chevy Traverse lineup, including the affordable entry-level LS trim and the fleet-only 1FL trim level.
Removal of the LS trim leaves the 2025 Chevy Traverse with only three consumer trim levels, the LT, off-road Z71, and RS. However, the return of the High Country trim for 2025 maintains the number of available trims at four, though the High Country is somewhat unusually positioned below the sporty-looking RS. The new trim is a moderately premium variant sharing some, but not all, of the features with the RS.
In fact, the 2025 Chevy Traverse High Country is missing three aesthetic features typically found on the trim level among other Bow Tie nameplates. These include body-color wheel arch moldings and High Country logos on the headrests and front quarter panels. There is also a notable lack of chrome, all of which is due to GM switching to the High Country moniker at the last minute instead of using the originally planned Premier trim level name.
Elimination of the LS and 1FL trims is likely part of the GM Winning with Simplicity initiative, designed to save hundreds of millions of dollars annually by reducing trim levels, color options, components, and the like. The automaker has removed 2,700 parts from its production process, or about 10 percent of the components used. However, as we’ve noted, reducing choices while prices continue to rise could alienate customers in the future.
The 2025 Chevy Traverse offers less standard safety features than its 2024 forerunner. As for pricing, the now base-level FWD LT starts at $41,995 while a starting MSRP of $58,795 applies to the AWD RS trim. These figures include a $1,395 destination freight charge. New options for 2025 include the Z71 Adventure Package tagged with RPO code PCM, for the Z71 trim. The official configurator is live.
As a reminder, the Chevy Traverse draws standard motivation from the turbocharged 2.5L I4 LK0 gasoline engine generating 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. The GM C1-2 platform underpins the crossover, which is produced at the GM Lansing Delta plant in Michigan.
Comments
Winning with Simplicity by dropping the base trims is about to backfire horribly, once Donald takes over again.
DJT GOAT POTIS
Drill baby, Drill!
Are they trying to kill if too?
Might save money for GM but will lose customers too. Very short sighted strategy.
How is forcing higher trims wining simplicity? Sounds more like sending customers to Kia. Winning simplicity would be dropping the CVT tranny on the CUV’s and making the 8 speed the standard transmission, or removing the turbo 3’s and giving them the 2.5 with the turbo removed for “simplified production” this is just the removal of their “simplest trims”
I see Traverse now only has a four cylinder (turbo) engine, instead of a proper V6. In spite of what the horsepower ratings suggest, it still means stressing a small engine moving a 5k lb. + vehicle. GM is deselecting the V6 to make up for the CAFE requirements fleetwide, allowing them to maintain eight cylinders in their Tahoe and Silverado. Why should I have to suffer with a dinky engine so that others can still have a V8? I am a long-time Traverse owner and that V6 I have has been bulletproof. New Traverse looks awesome but no way am I pulling the trigger on pushing a new one around with that dinky motor!
Only reason I would disagree is because there probably is less stress in terms of actual stress in the engine because the CR is dropped from almost 12 to barely 10. Thus efficiency has dropped, 🤦♂️ besides that there is definitely more to break, and a big intercooler built into the intake manifold ready to flood it with coolant 😈. IMHO, the FWD imala SS has a 5.3, winning with simplicity would be dropping the 5.3 in the traverse as well 😏. If the C7 Corvette could get 28-29mpg with the 6.2+wide sticky tires+ massive grill and aero package, the traverse can maintain 25mpg or better witg the smaller 5.3.
Not digging that shark fin