My family is still talking about it.
From the design to the comfort to the optional amenities, the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse got the Ciminillo family seal of approval during the Christmas holidays. They even liked it better than the Suzuki XL-7 that I brought home at Thanksgiving.
2009 Chevrolet Traverse
Engine: 3.6-liter V-6
Transmission: six-speed automatic
Drivetrain: FWD (AWD opt.)
Horsepower: 281
Torque: 266 lb.-ft.
Wheelbase: 118.9 inches
Length: 205 inches
Width: 78.4 inches
Height: 72.8 inches
MPG (city/hwy): 17/24 (FWD); 16/23 (AWD)
Base price: $29,990
As-tested price: $39,170
My family includes six adults who range in height from 6 feet tall to 5 feet tall, and remarkably we all found comfort in our respective seats. The test vehicle was a front-wheel drive 2LT model with seating for seven. It had a minivan-like seating chart with captain’s chairs in the front and middle rows and a bench seat for three (yeah, right) in the third row.
The captain’s chairs in the middle opened up the space and added the feeling of more room for the third row. While the Traverse seated the six of us nicely, seven would be pushing it unless that last person was a small (read: very small) child.
A middle bench seat is standard at the base LS and LT1 levels, and at the 2LT level the eight-passenger seating configuration (2-3-3) is a $495 delete option. The top-level LTZ model is only available as a seven-passenger model.
The front-wheel-drive 2LT test vehicle had a base price of $35,190. It added about $4,000 in options, including the rear-seat DVD entertainment package ($2,010), the trailering package ($495), the dual Skyscape sunroof ($1,400) and the engine block heater ($75). So the as-tested price came in at $39,170.
Entry pricing for the Traverse is a little more attractive at $29,990. And you get a lot for that price, including automatic headlight control, XM radio with a three-month trial and one year of OnStar with the Directions and Connections Plan.
Upgrading to the 1LT ($32,470) model brings 18-inch wheels, blind-spot side mirrors, rear parking assist, a power driver’s seat, steering-wheel mounted audio and cruise controls and mirror-mounted turn signals.
The 2LT ($35,190) model adds luxurious standards such as a power lift gate, rear camera display on the rearview mirror, tri-zone climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, rear audio controls and a 10-speaker Bose sound system.
The LTZ ($40,700) is incredibly well stocked with 20-inch wheels, leather seats, navigation, heated-and-cooled memory seats, XM NavTraffic with a three-month trial and a dual exhaust. If you want a completely decked out LTZ all-wheel drive model with every possible option, you’re looking at a topped-out price of $47,490.
Two of my favorite features on the test vehicle happened to be standard. One was the rear camera display and the other was OnStar’s Turn-by-Turn Navigation included with the Directions and Connections Plan. This was my first experience for any length of time with both features, and I found that they added to the driving experience rather than distracting or taking away.
The rear camera display was small but clear in the left corner of the rearview mirror. It was supremely helpful in tight holiday parking lots and when trying to avoid the trash can at the bottom of the driveway.
The Turn-by-Turn Navigation was surprisingly easy without the plethora of dials, buttons and knobs you’d need with a regular navigation system. Simply push the blue button, connect to a real person and give them the address or name of the location you’re trying to reach. They push all the buttons and then send the directions directly to the car. You can simply follow the voice directions, or you can get visible directions to show up on your audio LCD. With this feature, there’s really no need for the mapped nav systems that cost around $2,000.
While I’ve never had the need for an optional rear-seat entertainment package, I can now attest to its necessity in a family vehicle – even an older family like mine. We used the Traverse for several road trips during the holidays, and we discovered that when we forgot to bring a DVD with us, well, we argued.
Where were we going? What entrance would we go to? How long did we want to stay? Where were we going to eat? Which roads were we taking to get there? And so it went.
But when we plopped in the DVD we had a blissfully peaceful ride to the mall, to tourist treks, to wherever we happened to be heading that day. Now I get it, and all I have to say is that the $2,010 option is a small price to pay for a slice of familial nirvana.
As far as interior styling is concerned, the Traverse took a cue from the all-new Malibu, which was a wise move. The interior is clean and simple. It’s inviting to driver and passengers alike. The standard cloth seating surfaces were attractive yet durable. The test car had the beige interior, but I’d probably opt for gray as I think it would hide a little more dirt. From cup holders to arm rests, the Traverse had everything I needed exactly where I wanted it. However, I should point out that my mother would like a pocket on the back of the front-passenger’s seat.
I found an excellent driving position, but I do have one small complaint. With the way the behind-the-wheel gauges are set up, the top of the steering wheel covers the top of the speedometer. I had my brother-in-law sit behind the wheel and adjust, and he said he had the same problem.
Exterior styling on the Traverse is attractive, and I really liked the nose of the vehicle with the bold Chevrolet grille. A nice touch that you might not notice is the Bowtie emblem etched in the headlights. Kudos to my brother-in-law for finding that one.
The Traverse comes equipped with a 3.6-liter V-6 engine. In the LS and LT models with a single exhaust it delivers 281 horsepower, while the LTZ with the dual exhaust ekes out an additional 7 horsepower. All models have a six-speed automatic transmission. I thought the power output in the 2LT test vehicle was perfect for the 4,720-pound vehicle, and acceleration was just right for both city and highway driving.
Fuel economy is rated at 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway in the front-wheel drive models. During the nine-day test I averaged 17.1 mpg with a higher percentage of highway driving. All-wheel drive models are rated at 16/23 mpg.
The sleek shape and lower profile give the Traverse a more carlike ride, and this crossover is able to take curves and corners at a quicker clip than a regular SUV. The overall ride in the Traverse is amazingly smooth and comfortable in all rows, and the interior quietness is par for the course with a vehicle of this size.
The Traverse was introduced last year at the Chicago Auto Show, and it is built off the same platform as the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave. As the fourth vehicle on this platform, I couldn’t then and still can’t say that I think this is a particularly significant vehicle for General Motors. But it is a darn nice one. And I’d say I like it better than the Outlook and the Acadia – but it’s about even with the Enclave.
The Traverse is a great family vehicle that’s both stylish and functional. It’s comfortable for short jaunts around town as well as hauling the family out on a road trip. It’s nimble yet flexible, carlike yet capable. And it’s definitely worth a look if you’re in the market for a crossover.
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