Will Chevy Traverse and Buick Enclave Stay Big in 2017?

[Gorehamj]

John Goreham
Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com
1/21/2016

The recently revealed 2017 GMC Acadia gets smaller, lighter and more fuel efficient for 2017. With such close model alignment between GMC, Buick, and Chevy one would assume that the 2017 models of the Traverse and Enclave would follow suit. However, Automotive News (AN), a publication we hold in very high regard, is reporting that it thinks otherwise. This is based partly on a short comment by GM's Mark Reuss (who our own Zane Merva interviewed recently and who was kind enough to spend some time with this writer chatting off the record). In the context of whether the Chevy and Buick large crossovers would follow this smaller design of the GMC, Reuss is quoted as saying “The brand separation in size and mission and the positioning of these vehicles has never been more differentiated.” This makes Automotive News think GM will not keep the three amigos aligned. AN further speculates that GM will create a new crossover to slot in between the Equinox/Enclave. The problem with that logic is that Buick has just launched the new Envision, which is smaller than the Equinox by a little bit.

 

Our take on the crossovers from GM is that they will be changing and they will be more aligned with the competition's model sizes. It is too early to tell how it will all shake out.