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Chevy Traverse

Published 2:01 pm Wednesday, December 31, 2008

The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse LTZ is a well-equipped crossover vehicle engineered to create versatility and functionality for its owners.

Five short days and I was sold.

Traverse delivers people-hauling and cargo-carrying capability typically reserved for larger sport utility vehicles.

Add front- and all-wheel drive options, a 3.6-liter V6 engine that leaves power in reserve for towing, and a pleasing-to-the-eyes look, and Chevy has assembled the key ingredients needed to create value – the new buzzword in this challenging economy.

During a busy week in December the Traverse was put to the test. The cargo area, in and of itself, is not overly generous. But when the second- and third-row seats are folded flat — a task that takes seconds — the Traverse transforms into a cavernous beast.

Sixteen Les Schwab tire bags, destined for Christmas House, were easily loaded.

These rolls are big and bulky, and I’m guessing close to 50 pounds each. No problem. The Traverse wasn’t even taxed. Maneuverability and braking were virtually uncompromised.

On the trek to a new home out in the dingleweeds between Monroe and Snohomish for a feature in this newspaper, Traverse’s all-wheel drive and suspension easily handled pothole-riddled gravel roads en route to the seven-acre estate.

Of course several trips to the mall were required, and the push-button rear liftgate was a godsend as armfuls of Christmas bags were easily loaded into the vehicle, with more than enough room for passengers to ride in posh, cozy comfort. Seating is provided for seven, although in my mind that would be a stretch.

Sorry to say I didn’t get around to testing Traverse’s towing traits, but what are you gonna do? Traverse provides 5,200 pounds of towing capacity, and has an EPA rating of 23 miles per gallon on the highway.

Three trim levels are offered: LS, LT and LTZ. The LTZ adds a 115-volt three-pronged outlet, touch-screen navigation, rear camera system, XM satellite radio, heated windshield washer system, heated and cooled front bucket seats, dual exhaust and 20-inch wheels. These amenities are heaped-on above standard features that include the power liftgate, a DVD entertainment system, OnStar, anti-lock brakes, and power and heated folding outside mirrors with integrated turn signals.

The only three options on this bad boy were a second sunroof ($1,400), second-row center console ($300) and engine block heater ($75).

The Traverse interior pampers with the best of them. Leather appointed seats (front buckets, second-row captain’s chairs and third-row split-bench seating), tri-zone climate control, two separate sunroofs, and a Bose audio system are but a few of the highlights. A two-tiered storage console positioned between the two second-row seats provides a wealth of space for storing iPods, PSPs and even old-fashioned CDs.

The 3.6-liter direct-inject engine is rated at 288 horsepower, with 90 percent of the engine’s peak torque available from approximately 2,500 rpm to more than 6,000 rpm. The engine is combined with a six-speed automatic transmission equipped with an advanced clutch-to-clutch shift operation. The transmission also provides automatic grade braking, shift stabilization and precise shift control.