Chevrolet’s Traverse has long been a cornerstone of GM’s family SUV lineup. Since its debut in 2008, the midsize 3-row SUV has served as a reliable and spacious option for American families. A second-generation redesign in 2017 kept the model relevant, and now we’re in the midst of the Traverse’s third generation—just in time for some of the fiercest competition the segment has ever seen.
Still Going Strong in a Crowded Market
Even in its final year, the second-gen Traverse proved its staying power. In 2023, Chevrolet sold over 116,000 units of the outgoing model—outperforming the highly praised Kia Telluride by about 6,000 units. That’s no small feat in a segment that also includes newer entries like the Mazda CX-90, Toyota Grand Highlander, and soon-to-be-refreshed Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride.
With those numbers, it’s clear that American buyers still value the Traverse’s combination of space, comfort, and versatility.
What’s Next? Likely a 3-Row All-Electric Traverse
As GM pivots toward a fully electric future, it’s not hard to imagine that an electric version of the Traverse is already in the works. GM has already launched EV variants of the Chevy Blazer and Chevy Equinox, both built on the Ultium platform. Meanwhile, Cadillac’s luxury division has unveiled the 2026 Cadillac Vistiq—a premium 3-row electric SUV.
That leaves one obvious gap in the GM lineup: a family-friendly, three-row electric SUV from Chevrolet, and the Traverse name would be a natural fit. It’s a well-known badge with solid brand equity and would appeal to traditional SUV buyers looking to go electric without switching brands.
Competition Is Heating Up
If Chevrolet moves forward with a Traverse EV, it’ll enter a market that’s just beginning to grow. The Kia EV9 is already on the streets, and Hyundai’s Ioniq 9 is expected to follow soon. Volkswagen has teased a 3-row EV for the U.S. market, but timelines remain vague. And while Ford and Lincoln are also developing larger electric SUVs, those models have been pushed back by at least a year.
That gives GM a chance to capitalize on this emerging segment—especially if they can learn from the rocky start of the Blazer EV and replicate the strong reception of the Equinox EV. By fine-tuning its EV approach and delivering a price-competitive 3-row SUV, Chevrolet could hit a sweet spot for families ready to go electric without sacrificing space or performance.
The EV Race Is Just Getting Started
As one Baton Rouge local might say: “It’s not a real party until everyone shows up.” And right now, all the major automakers are RSVPing to the 3-row EV party. But with its proven success in the midsize SUV segment and its growing EV lineup, Chevrolet may just be one of the hosts.
