With the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse, General Motors adds another vehicle to its Lambda build foundation. The other cars using the Lambda build are the Saturn Outlook, the Buick Enclave, and the GMC Acadia. The Traverse is in some good company, wouldn’t you say?
The Traverse offers much of the same functionally as its cross-brand cousins, giving Chevrolet an entry in the segment of crossovers without relying on a truck foundation like the TrailBlazer of previous years.
According to reviews of the Traverse, this new Chevrolet car features a quiet engine pushing out 288 horsepower with the newest version of GM’s 3.6L DOHC V-6 making things happen under the hood. The vehicle drives on a six-speed automatic transmission, including a manual toggle for shifting through the gears should the driver desire it.
Fuel economy appears to be one of the vehicle’s weaker points, with EPA fuel economy estimates at 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. One test reported achieving worse fuel economy than that after a “hard drive,” reporting a mere 12.1 mpg.
In terms of the vehicle’s interior, early reports say that the Traverse does a good job matching comfort and function. The controls are durable and easy-to-use, while some reported having a less than desirable amount of legroom in the second row and almost none to speak of in the third row. Adults will have trouble sitting in those locations in the Traverse.
With Chevy cars working overtime to drum up a new customer base, one wonders just how well a heavier duty vehicle like the 2009 Traverse will do in today’s market.
