Sunday Sun ~ February 8, 2009

Glen Woodcock ~ Victoria B.C.

For critics of General Motors, the 2009 Traverse could be the poster vehicle to illustrate one of the automaker’s chief woes: namely too many products competing for the same customer.

The Traverse seems to be a holdover from GM’s long standing strategy that each of its marques must offer something for everyone.  Because its main rivals pursued the same goal, this led to overproduction and a glut in the North American marketplace.

The Traverse which went on sale in the fall 2008, is based on the same Lambda platform as the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave. Why the General needed a Chevrolet version is a good question, especially when Chevy dealers already had an extensve line-up of SUV’sfrom the Equinox (starting at $27,655), to the Trailblazer ($39,795), the Tahoe ($47,650) and the Suburban (($50,795).

With a base MSRP of $35,620 the Traverse would seem to be slotted into the price gap between Equinox and Trailblazer, but consider its top end MSRP of $60,345 and it also competes against Tahoe and Suburban.

So my first reaction to this week’s test vehicle was, “Oh boy, another big Chevrolet sport-utility. Just what GM needs to get it out of this economic slump.”

In a way, I’m right: too many vehicles that are basically the same. And in another way I’m wrong: of all its big SUV’s maybe this is the keeper.

Because whether in a base form or optioned to the hilt, the Traverse can be all things to all people. In fact, it’s even been speculated that Traverse is meant to appeal to both SUV buyers and those customers who used to drive one of Chevrolet’s now defunct mini-vans. With seating for up to eight people, you can see the rationale behind this thinking.

Of course, to handle as many people as a Venture van used to, the Traverse has to be hig - and with a wheelbase of 118.9 inches and an overall length of 205, it is. We’re talking three inches longer than Tahoe here.

Traverse isn’t available with a hybrid powertrain-yet-but the only engine, a 3.6 litre V6, is surprisingly economical when propelling a vehicle that tios the scales at 4,925 lbs.

With single exhaust, this V6 creates 281hp at 6,300 rpm and 266 l.-ft of torque at 3,400. that’s enough to give the big rig some zip off the line while allowing it to tow up to 5,200lbs. An optional dual exhaust increases horsepower to 288 and torque to 270 lb.-ft. The only transmission is a modern six-speed automatic with overdrive, which especially helps highway fuel economy.

Traverse is available in four trim levels from LS to LTZ and front-wheel drive is standard. Our 2LT model with all-wheel drive was priced in the middle range at $44, 255 before options were added.

Even in the base form, Traverse is well equipped with air bags and other safety related features such as anti-lock disc brakes and traction control. OUr 2LT also included useful features such as a power liftgate and tri-zone automatic climate control. How far you want to load it up depends entirely upon your bank account or line of credit.

Our tester had utilitarian cloth and viyl interior that was well done, although not as classy as other recent GM offerings such as Enclave. The dash layout is straightforward and although there are lots of buttons and switches, they’re relatively intuitive and easy to operate.

Outward vision is good, except through the smallish rear window when the third row of seats is upright and their head restraints further impede the driver’s view.

The large side mirrors have small inserts to extend your field of vision, but they are next to useless in grungy weather, as is the rear-view camera.  Our test vehicle had an optional double sunroof (fixed in back) that helped to brighten the interio and add to the feeling of spaciousness.

Although seating for eight is available when the middle row is a three-person split bench, our Traverse had twin captain’s chairs in the centre row. As well as being more comfortable than a bench, they also made for easier access to the third row. Cargo space is incredible - up to 116.4 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. It has the kind of interior room that smaller SUV’sand crossovers can’t offer and which many larger families still need.

Many consider big SUV’s to be the automotive equivalent of dinosaurs. Even if they’re right, the Traverse should be new enough, versatile enough and economical enough to be a survivor.

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