Driving Impressions

For years, buyers have sacrificed fuel economy and driving pleasure for size, ride height, and cargo capacity. Now, you can have it all, or at least most of it. Riding a 118.9-inch wheelbase and running about 201 inches in length, the Chevy Traverse is among the largest in the midsize SUV class, and it approaches the full-size Chevrolet Tahoe in overall size. It is also among the heaviest midsize SUVs, but it weighs 600 pounds less than the Tahoe. That's a big difference, and less weight means better fuel economy, better handling, better braking. Anyone coming out of a full-size SUV or a truck-based midsize SUV, will find the Traverse much more pleasant to drive. Despite its two-and-a-half ton curb weight, the Traverse is surprisingly nimble. It handles more like a family sedan than a Chevy Tahoe. While the steering is somewhat light, it is direct and responsive, not flaccid and slow like in the Tahoe, Yukon and Suburban. The ride is comfortable and stable, and it lacks the floppiness and bounding common in truck-based SUVs. The Traverse does not pound over bumps, even with the available 20-inch wheels. The brakes are easy to modulate and provide worry-free emergency stops. Still, the Traverse sits fairly high and weighs a lot, so occupants notice some head toss in turns and the highway ride is less stable than in a family sedan or a smaller, sportier crossover. The overall size also makes it somewhat bulky in parking lot and parallel parking maneuvers. Power comes from GM's best V6 engine, the "high feature" dual-overhead cam 3.6-liter, which it puts out 281 horsepower. In the LTZ, the engine breathes better thanks to dual exhaust, which raises output to 288 horsepower. Coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission, the V6 motivates the Traverse quite ably. Throttle response is linear, with smooth tip-in. Shifts are also smooth, but the transmission is sometimes too willing to shift to the next gear, leaving you wanting for power when that blue-haired lady moves over to let you pass. The 3.6-liter V6 also provides better fuel economy than you'll get in most truck-based SUVs. EPA fuel economy ratings for front-drive models are 17 mpg city and 24 highway. With all-wheel drive, those numbers drop to 16/23 mpg. By comparison, the Ford Explorer is rated at 13/19 with a less-powerful V6, and the least powerful Tahoe (a 295 horsepower V8) gets 15/20 mpg. Towing capacity is 5200 pounds, which means light boats, maybe a car. Truck-based SUVs such as the Chevrolet Tahoe or TrailBlazer, Explorer or Expedition, Nissan Armada, or Toyota Sequoia can tow up to 9000 pounds, making them superior for bigger boats, heavier car trailers, and enclosed trailers. Given the Traverse's pleasant road manners and efficient use of interior space, the extra towing capacity is the main reason to buy one of those larger truck-based alternatives.

Final Word

The Chevy Traverse and its Saturn, GMC, and Buick cousins are excellent family vehicles, and the Traverse is the most reasonably priced of the bunch. If you're buying a family mover, these vehicles are cooler than a minivan and more practical and efficient than a truck-based SUV. In fact, they make truck-based SUVs practically unnecessary for anyone who doesn't need the extra towing capacity. NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Kirk Bell filed this report from Chicago.