If you caught my last rant about automakers turning family haulers into off-road showboats, you’ll recognize the pattern here with the latest Chevrolet Traverse that now wears the Z71 Off-Road badge. Something here however, finally starts making a little sense.

The Z71 has long lived on full-size trucks and SUVs long before I came into to this world, so it’s no surprise Chevrolet has stretched the badge to its crossover lineup as we saw on the smaller compact Equinox earlier last year . The aim is clear as it competes similar with the semi-rugged crowd like the Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro and many others pretending to be a dirt-bound off-roader. However, the Z71 package brings beefier all-terrain tires, ZF adaptive dampers, a twin-clutch all-wheel-drive system, a modest 1.2-inch lift, off-road drive modes modes, skid plates, and the confidence that you can venture off the unpaved roads… within reason.

Visually, the Traverse already wore its footprint proudly, but the new model looks tougher, more Tahoe-esque with a blunt front end and squared-off back end. Among the trims, the Z71 wears its ruggedness with a smile as it sits in the mid-range, starting at $50,895 just under the High Country. The RS returns as the top-tier option, beginning at $59,395.

Powering the Traverse is a shift that mirrors the changing tide in mainstream SUVs. No more naturally aspirated V6’s unfortunately. Chevrolet pivots to a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, producing 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. On paper, that number feels generous, and EPA tallies suggest better efficiency than the previous model as we saw over 21-mpg’s – 3-mpgs more than our previous 2018 Traverse test. In practice, however, the performance figures don’t quite feel as ambitious as the sound implies.

Weight could be a spoiler here. This latest Traverse weighs more than its predecessor, roughly 250 pounds heavier and the turbo four doesn’t quite translate power to performance. Throttle response feels sluggish at first poke, and the eight-speed automatic can lag in quick acceleration, getting to 60 mph in around 7.5 seconds. When heavy footed to the floor, there’s a noticeable engine note that betrays the effort, especially at higher revs.

That said, the chassis does its job well. The Traverse handles with a composed demeanor, offering solid body control and confident braking. With the off-road package, it begins to shed its car-like roots and behave more like its Tahoe-based kin. Even on the chunky tires, ride quality remains commendable, enough suppleness for long highway stints and stability for less forgiving pavement.

Inside, the Traverse has always prioritized space and durability over premium materials, a stance that persists with the Z71. The interior is functional and roomy, with red accents that punctuate the otherwise restrained design. It’s not luxurious, but it feels purposeful. The cabin remains open and airy, with generous space across all three rows. Impressively, even adults fit in the third row.

Size-wise, the latest model is nearly indistinguishable from the previous generation in dimensions, and the cargo area remains generous behind the third row. A practical touch is the deep storage bin under the load floor. The third row folds flat to expand cargo space.

Tech continues to evolve with a finesse that feels less experimental and more enduring. Our tester boasted a 360-degree camera setup and a digital rearview mirror. The new Super Cruise hands-free driving tech performs admirably, turning long hauls and congested traffic into a more relaxed proposition. Even the automatic lane-change feature felt surprisingly responsive. Super Cruise is standard on the RS but is  a $5,160 option on our Z71 example.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse isn’t trying to reinvent the off-road wheel here as its Z71 package serves more as a credible convenience. While it may not redefine the segment, it earns its place as a roomy and capable family hauler that doesn’t mind getting a little dirt under its nails.