2008 Chicago Auto Show: 2009 Chevrolet Traverse

• Competes with: Mazda CX-9, GMC Acadia, Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot
• Looks like: Chevy’s new big-mouth look is spreading to every new release
• Drivetrain: 286-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 with six-speed automatic
• Hits dealerships: Late 2008

If you’re a long-time reader or otherwise know your way around the GM family, you might be surprised to hear that Chevrolet is rolling out its own three-row crossover — one that’s nearly identical to the Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia. It also shares a lot with the more upscale Buick Enclave. The average person would ask why there’s a need for such a similar vehicle. The answer is simple: Chevy loyalists don’t have a large crossover option.

Dealers demanded a three-row crossover, and GM delivered. The Traverse does bump up the power in the same V-6 shared with the other three crossovers. The Traverse gets 286 hp — versus 270 in the Outlook and 275 in the Acadia — through some slight tweaking of the engine. GM is also saying it will get better mileage than any other vehicle in its class, but because of the long wait before it goes on sale there are no official numbers yet. The Outlook and Acadia get 16/24 mpg city/highway. 

The Traverse comes with stability control, rollover mitigation, a tire pressure monitoring system, side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags and 17-inch wheels standard. IIHS hasn’t crash-tested any of the GM three-row crossovers, but NHTSA has given them five-star awards for crash tests and four-star rollover ratings.

Did we mention the Traverse’s looks? Oops. The silver car in these press images really doesn’t help us come to a final conclusion. The new Chevy grille doesn’t look as good here as it does on the new Malibu, but slightly better than it does on the Aveo. The profile is totally boring but borrows its wavy shape from the Enclave, not the Acadia and Outlook. The backside is interesting, including taillights inspired by the upcoming Camaro. Still, we want to see another color. See what you think of the photos below. We’ll have more on the Traverse from the floor of the Chicago Auto Show on Wednesday.

Comments

[Mike B.]

Amongst the three downmarket versions of the vehicle, I personally like this one the best.

[Adam]

I actually like this the least. I think the GMC and Saturn are better looking.

[cody]

wow, very sharp... not in the market for a huge suv though. look forward to seeing chevy's new design theme spread to the smaller, more efficient vehicles (other than the aveo).

[Big Jim]

Let me know when the SS version arrives - I'll buy one!

[Ken]

Wow - I really like it! I think the chevy "face" looks really good here. Not 100% sold on the back, but it will probably grow on me. But what worries me is that this is now the 4th vehicle on this platform, and all 4 have basically the same engine and same size and shape, though with styling differences. GM was so thoroughly criticized for badge engineering for decades, isn't this just more of the same? Shouldn't the different brands have types of vehicles? As nice as the Enclave/Envoy/Outlook/Traverse are, I think they will steal sales from each other.

[andy]

I have to say, the American makers are doing a phenominal job with the rebadging. I like that GM, especially, has given each of these crossovers its own personality. I have never looked at American brands the way i look at them now. Good Job!

[Dee]

I think it looks nice, but the interior looks almost exactly like all other GM SUV's. Speaking of rebadging...I just found out that VW has a minivan coming that is just a VW front & rear of the Dodge Caravan?! Hmmm... Watch out 4 the Routan!

[Dave T.]

Dee,
VW hasn't officially released the minivan info yet. Come back in a few hours and we'll have tons of images and the full details. Or stick around and we'll have much, much more before then. I wouldn't get too excited though.

[bilbo]

I've spent time in both the GMC and Saturn and this interior quality doesn't look quite as nice.

[bilbo]

I've spent time in both the GMC and Saturn and this interior quality doesn't look quite as nice.

[ziggy]

I kinda like it. But does it doesn't seem to make much sense to have a version for every brand you make? GM is the king or rebadging. I like the GMC model the best out of all of them.

[Tony]

Loooks like a mix of Enclave and Passat.

[Todd P.]

That big mouth face is as awful looking as the Ford Gillette razor grill. It's a shame as just with the Malibu it's a fine looking auto outside of the front. I personally would not buy GM as the constant rebadging is just like Ford-Merc. It fools no one.

[cody]

I don't know Todd, yours is the first post I've seen complaining about the look. Most people really like it.