The last time I spent a week with a Chevy Traverse the year was 2022 and the model was the 2023 RS. Normally when I get the next year’s model, I let it pass with very little fanfare, one year after all doesn’t usually make much of a difference. Usually.
Chevy though decided to throw in a bit of a curve ball.
A bit of a refresher on the Traverse. The very name suggests a journey, an adventure across vast landscapes—or for most of us a lumbering trip to Costco. So here we are, comparing the 2024 Traverse RS to its predecessor, the 2023 model, which is sort of like comparing two similar toasters: yes, they both get the job done, but one has slightly shinier knobs.
Chevy claims the 2024 is a new generation; that it’s “refreshed.” I’m not sure what Chevy’s idea of “refreshing” is, but if it’s akin to a slightly cooler cup of coffee from yesterday, then yes, it’s very refreshing.
They’ve added a rugged new Z71 off-road trim that comes with a slightly lifted suspension, a twin-clutch all-wheel drive system, all-terrain tires, and unique 18-inch wheels. Doesn’t mean you’d ever actually try and join a group of Jeep enthusiasts for a weekend in the woods, but if you needed to cross the berm in the Costco parking lot, I suppose you could. The RS is now the top of the line replacing the Premier and High Country trims for reasons known only to GM. I mean sure the RS has 22-inch wheels, a sportier suspension tune, and black exterior trim, but if you wanted something that looked a bit classy, you’re out of luck, I guess. But then again—if you’re shopping for a Traverse, you’re not here for luxury; you’re here because you need a vehicle that can swallow a small village worth of cargo and haul your screaming offspring across state lines.
The exterior has been given a touch-up, which translates to some sharper lines, a more aggressive grille, and headlights that look like they’re ready to scowl at anyone daring to cut you off. It’s like they tried to turn this family hauler into a hulking SUV of doom but ended up with something that looks mildly irritated.
The interior of the 2024 Traverse RS has had a few tweaks as well. The 2023 model was about as exciting as a beige wallpaper convention, with plastics and fabrics that felt like they were selected for their ability to endure a nuclear apocalypse. The 2024 version has spruced things up a bit with some faux leather that’s almost convincing and a slightly better infotainment system with a larger 17.7-inch infotainment screen.
And that interior is a bit smaller as is all of this new 2024. Not much, but like going back to the shore after a year, the beach has eroded some. Yes, there is the claim that the Traverse has seating for seven and a power-folding third-row seat. But let’s be honest, the thought of trying to squeeze three grown adults in the rear seat is like something out of a Stephen King novel, or a short story. And they also added the Super Cruise hands-free driving system; sorry Satan I’m still not ready to leave my driving to a satellite.
The biggest change, at least to me, came under the hood. You see, Chevy decided that the old 3.6-liter V6, with its 310 horsepower and decent grunt, was a bit too much like a comfortable old armchair—reliable, familiar, but perhaps not as trendy as it once was. So it’s been sent to the curb and swapped for a new 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder.
Now, on paper, this sounds like progress. The turbo four churns out 328 horsepower, which is a slight bump over the old V6. Chevy will have you believe that this new engine is a modern marvel, offering both improved fuel efficiency and more torque lower in the rev range. But here’s the thing: while the new engine might be more “efficient,” it’s also robbed the Traverse of its old-school muscle car charm—if you can call a family SUV charming.
Driving the 2024 Traverse RS now feels a bit like drinking diet soda. It’s not bad, but you can’t shake the feeling that something’s missing. The turbo kicks in with a little surge, but it’s not the same throaty roar you got from the V6. Instead, you get this sort of muted whoosh, like the sound of a deflating balloon. The acceleration is decent, but it’s not exactly thrilling. The old V6 had a certain lazy confidence about it, whereas this new four-cylinder feels like it’s trying a bit too hard to prove itself.
The whole driving experience feels like Chevy engineers were aiming for “adequate” rather than “exciting.” The 2023 model, with its V6, had a more straightforward, unpretentious nature. It wasn’t fast, but it didn’t pretend to be either. The 2024 version, on the other hand, seems like it’s trying to be something it’s not—a sporty crossover with a turbocharged heart, but without the soul to match. It’s like your kid screaming, “Hey dad look at me!”
At the end of it all, the Traverse is still the ultimate Dad car. It’s the modern-day version of the minivan that we dads were once forced to buy. Yes, it is better than a minivan, we don’t need to hide our faces in shame, but we can still dream about that Corvette we really want.
So, what’s the verdict? The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse RS is, in many ways, the perfect sequel to the 2023 version. It’s the Hollywood reboot that didn’t really need to happen, with just enough changes to justify its existence but not enough to make you care. If you own the 2023 model, keep it. If you’re in the market for a new family hauler, the 2024 Traverse RS will do the job—but don’t expect it to make your pulse race or your neighbors jealous. In the end, it’s a Traverse. It’ll get you where you’re going, but it won’t make you particularly excited to get there.
The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse RS
MSRP: $53,614
MSRP (as tested): $56,200
Engine: 2.5 liter 4-cylinder 328 horsepower @ 5500 rpm, 326 lb.-ft torque @3500 rpm.
Transmission: 9-speed shiftable automatic
Fuel Mileage (EPA): 19 city, 24 highway, 21 combined
Fuel Mileage (as tested, mixed conditions): 25 mpg
Exterior Dimensions
Length: 204.5 in.
Overall width with mirrors: 87.9 in.
Overall width without mirrors: 79.6 in.
Height: 69.6 in.
Wheelbase: 121.0 in.
Ground clearance: 6.8 in.
Interior Dimensions
Front head room: 40.7 in.
Front leg room: 44.3 in.
Front shoulder room: 62.3 in.
Front hip room: 58.7 in.
Rear head room: 38.2 in.
Rear leg room: 41.5 in.
Rear shoulder room: 62.2 in.
Rear hip room: 58.6 in.
Cargo capacity, all seats in place: 22.9 cu.ft.
Maximum cargo capacity: 97.6 cu.ft.
Warranty
Basic: 3 yr./ 36,000 mi.
Drivetrain: 5 yr./ 60,000 mi.
Rust: 6 yr./ 100,000 mi.
Roadside assistance: 5 yr./ 60,000 mi.
Free maintenance: 1 yr./ unlimited mi.
Greg has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.
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