The new Traverse crossover vehicle couldn't go wrong if it tried because it's the first Chevrolet version of the similar, widely applauded Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook.
Timing of the Traverse introduction might leave some wondering why it's at least a year late to the Chevy lineup. The Outlook and Acadia were 2007 models, while the Enclave arrived for 2008.
Chevrolet Traverse
Likes: Stylish. Roomy. Carlike manners. Decent acceleration. OK highway fuel economy.
Dislikes: Rather tight third seat. Heavy. Low rear cupholders. Hard-to-find outside hood release.
The Traverse isn't all that different from the Outlook, Acadia and Enclave. All feel solid and have the precise body fits once found only with Japanese cars. They share underpinnings and look slick, although each has distinctive front styling and interiors.
Front-wheel drive is standard, while all-wheel drive is available. There's seating for seven or up to eight with a third-row seat. Sliding second-row seats allow fairly easy access to the third-row area, which is fine for kids but tight for long-legged adults.
If introduced last year, the Traverse could have anchored this crossover lineup -- with the Saturn in the middle, the Acadia near the top and the Enclave at the summit. Perhaps General Motors wanted to give its GMC unit and newly aspiring Saturn divisions a leg up? As for the Enclave, it's said to have nearly single-handedly revived Buick.
Whatever. The Traverse comes as the entry $28,255 LS, $30,810 LT and $39,075 LTZ.
Standard LS items include six air bags with a rollover sensor, electronic stability control system, GM's OnStar assistance system and 17-inch wheels. The LT adds an ultrasonic rear parking assist, rearview camera for safer backing up, automatic dual-zone climate control and 18-inch wheels. The LTZ adds heated/cooled front seats and 20-inch wheels, besides added power and dual exhausts.
This is a family-oriented vehicle so the variety of options include a rear DVD entertainment system. Also offered is the inevitable power sunroof.
The Traverse 3.6-liter V-6 gets direct fuel injection (the latest rage) to feed cylinders better for more punch and better fuel economy. It has more horsepower -- at 281 or 288 with dual exhausts -- and torque than the 2008 Outlook, Acadia and Enclave.
However, the 2009 versions of that non-Chevy trio share the same V-6 and also get direct injection to match the 288-horsepower rating of the sportiest Traverse version -- the dual-exhaust LTZ. The 281-horsepower Traverse V-6 has 253 pound/feet of torque while the higher-horsepower engine has 270 pound/feet.
Horsepower and torque are important because these are large, heavy crossovers that will be asked to work hard, hauling kids, cargo, etc. The Traverse weighs 4,720 pounds with front-wheel drive and 4,925 pounds with all-wheel drive. Towing capacity is 5,200 pounds.
Fuel economy is an estimated 17 mpg in the city with front-drive and 16 with all-wheel drive, which offers bad-weather prowess. Highway economy figures are much higher: 24 with front-drive and 23 with all-wheel drive. Only regular unleaded fuel is needed.
Power is transmitted through a modern, responsive six-speed automatic transmission.
As with its "companion" crossovers, the Traverse drives in a carlike manner, like a big, nimble sedan. The weight can be felt holding you back above 60 mph, but 65-75-mph passing times are pretty good. In town, this Chevy moves out energetically and is a smooth interstate highway cruiser.
The Traverse goes where you point it, with no hesitation or steering "slop," although some might feel the steering is a little heavy. It rides comfortably, with an all-independent suspension shrugging off road imperfections, and handles decently. The brake pedal has a user-friendly feel, and stopping distances are comfortable.
Occupants sit high, and large outside mirrors enhance driver visibility for this 205-inch-long vehicle. Sliding in and out just calls for moderate effort because the floor isn't high and doors open wide. The interior is quiet and the backlit gauges -- which all vehicles should have -- can be read at a glance, even in bright sunlight. Controls are a mixed bag -- some large, others small. All can be easily reached, though.
Front seats provide good side support and the large sliding front armrest can be locked in various positions. A deep center console storage bin with a cover, large glove compartment and storage/bottle holder pockets in all doors provide decent space for odds and ends. The nicely positioned front cupholders have a sliding cover. But second-row cupholders are a stretch, being near the floor behind the front console.
The cargo area is large enough to provide decent room for a large number of grocery bags or other reasonably sized objects without flipping third-row seatbacks forward to enlarge the cargo area. Both second- and third-row seats fold forward to provide an especially spacious area. The tailgate has an interior pull-down handle, and the optional power tailgate is handy.
The engine compartment is nicely laid out, but you might win bets by asking others to find the outside hood opener in a reasonable time period.
In happier times for GM, Chevrolet had such a large share of the vehicle market that GM feared the government would force it to divest itself of that division. It's virtually impossible for Chevy to repeat that act, but a vehicle such as the Traverse promises to help it become a stronger player.
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