When Chevy originally introduced the Traverse, it was pretty exciting news around the dealership.
We had been waiting for a vehicle like that for a long time and didn’t have a mid-sized SUV with a third row seat that we could offer to customers. At that time we didn’t even have a minivan to offer customers so if someone was looking for a vehicle with a 3rd row seat we had to talk about the Tahoe and/or Suburban. Don’t get me wrong, the Tahoe has always been an awesome vehicle and everyone wants one, but not everyone can afford one so it was not always the best solution. The Traverse provided an affordable vehicle capable of hauling up to 8 passengers and came with an AWD option which was highly sought after due to Iowa’s winters and the road conditions that come along with that.
In early 2010 my wife and I found out that we were having twins and quickly realized that the small crossover we were driving was not going to work for us anymore. So we went on the search for a new Black Traverse with AWD, 2nd row bucket seats and running boards and soon had a vehicle we felt safe and comfortable in while commuting with our family that would soon double in size.
Traverse was a great vehicle for us and we quickly put 85,000 miles on it. It was convenient, practical, and got around great in the winter. When it was time to replace it though, we wanted something different and made the plunge into the minivan world. After working in the automotive industry for 15 years I have found myself getting bored with vehicles sooner than I should and my wife mentioned the possibility of getting a minivan which was intriguing to me just because it was different. Nothing against the Traverse models that were available at that time, they just didn’t really get my attention.
That all changed today. Chevrolet finally provided images and details of the all new 2018 Traverse and this one got my attention. From what I have seen in the pictures and read online, this looks like a vehicle that I would drive even if I didn’t have three little girls to transport with me. It looks more aggressive, has truck like qualities and is packed with cool safety and tech features.
5 Things That Got My Attention:
- It is larger. Not substantially larger but it is a little longer and taller and almost every interior dimension is slightly larger than the previous body style.
- Two engine options, that has never been available in a Traverse and I would like to drive the 2.0L turbo and see how that performs on a vehicle of that size.
- 9 Speed Transmission. This allows for more precise gear selection and improves fuel mileage and driving experience
- Safety features. There are so many I do not even know where to start but they spared no expense on what you can get for safety features for 2018.
- The addition of a High Country and RS package. I am guessing the High Country will have similarities of the High Country package found in the Silverado but it will be interesting to see it in a Traverse. The RS appears to be an exterior only upgrade but from what I have read and should be just enough to make it look amazing.
For more information on the 2018 Traverse, order dates, arrival dates, pricing, please contact our Chevrolet Sales team at 319-774-5814