2018 Chevrolet Traverse Spy Photos

What It Is: Chevrolet’s second-generation Traverse three-row crossover, spied here while testing in swirly camouflage duds. Until now, the Chevrolet Traverse three-row crossover has been the same as the GMC Acadia, at least underneath. That changes with the new Traverse, which for the first time will ride on a longer wheelbase than its Acadia sibling. Besides that, the two crossovers will be very similar under the skin.

Why It Matters: Everyone—us included—applauded GMC for stripping a bunch of weight from its second-generation Acadia when that crossover debuted earlier this year, but part of that savings came from making the rig notably smaller. Perhaps in an attempt to cater to families likely to use its standard third-row seat—a market segment for whom the 2017 Acadia is just a smidge tight—Chevrolet appears to be going longer for the Traverse, with extra wheelbase relative to the GMC Acadia. It’s likely the new Chevy will be roughly the same size as the current Traverse; since the market for three-row crossovers is robust, a new Traverse can only build on the outgoing model’s surprising sales resilience despite being nearly a decade old.

Platform: The old Traverse, as well as its Acadia and Buick Enclave siblings, rode on General Motors’ Lambda platform, while the new model transitions to an architecture with a new name: C1. At least, that’s GM’s internal shorthand for the component set that underpins the new GMC Acadia, Cadillac’s XT5, and this new Traverse; the company is moving away from official platform names. In any case, the 2018 Traverse should enjoy weight savings just as the Acadia and the XT5 did (the latter relative to its SRX predecessor), although not the 700 pounds GMC claims to have cut from the former. Since we can’t see a single uncovered body panel on these Traverse prototypes, we can’t speak to the crossover’s design, but if you imagine the new Malibu sedan, only taller and with a liftgate, you’d probably not be far off the mark.

Powertrain: A V-6 engine is a near certainty for the new Traverse. The Acadia’s base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is unlikely to make the cut due to the Chevy’s longer wheelbase and, we assume, extra curb weight. As for the V-6, the same 310-hp 3.6-liter unit found in the GMC should fill the bill perfectly. (The current Traverse offers a single engine, a 281-hp V-6.) A six-speed automatic transmission is likely, but the nine-speed transmission General Motors is developing for front-drive applications could slide in if it’s ready in time. Front-wheel drive will be standard, with all-wheel drive optional.

Competition: Ford Explorer, GMC Acadia, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-9, Nissan Pathfinder.

Estimated Arrival and Price: We don’t expect these Traverse test mules to transform into shiny, dealership-ready wares until later this year. If it doesn’t appear at this fall’s Los Angeles auto show, expect a Detroit-show debut in early 2017, with base pricing holding around the same $30,000 mark as today’s Traverse.