GM Crossovers to Get Improved Mileage, More Power

At the Chicago Auto Show today, GM officials said to expect the automaker's three-row crossovers to receive similar engineering improvements as the just-introduced Chevrolet Traverse. That means slight gains in power and gas mileage for the Saturn Outlook, Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia.

The improvements come thanks to GM's direct-injection V-6, a potent engine we've driven in the new Cadillac CTS. In the Traverse, the engine makes an estimated 286 hp, slightly more than in the other crossovers. Vehicle line executive Anna Kretz said she expects it to migrate to the Outlook, Enclave and Acadia, though she didn't specify a timetable. We imagine it will happen for the 2009 or 2010 model year.

Gas mileage should also improve, though GM has yet to release exact figures.

"Any time you do a direction injection [engine], you're going to improve your efficiency," Kretz said, adding that she expects the mileage gain to be "certainly one that is noticeable."

With front-wheel drive, the Outlook, Enclave and Acadia get 16/24 mpg city/highway. In the CTS, gas mileage is slightly lower for the direct-injection V-6 versus its port-injected equivalent, but that engine makes 304 hp. If the Traverse's variant can raise highway mileage to 25 or 26 mpg while providing a bump in passing power, it should be a win-win for all.

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.