[Jonathan_N]

http://www.caranddriver.com/autoshows/14591/2009-chevrolet-traverse.html

So, the long-rumored Chevy Traverse is finally here, thanks to the demands of Chevy dealers that they get a piece of the Lambda pie.

Okay, so I'm not exactly sold on some elements of the exterior styling; The grille isn't bad, but the shape of the headlights doesn't sit with me well, the 3rd row side windows seem a little long, and those VW-esque taillights are a little weird; too small as well. Overall though, the shape of the body looks good. The interior looks very nice though, and is an interesting take on the Malibu's interior theme. Overall though, appearance wise it's well differentiated from it's siblings inside and out: If you must badge engineer, this is the way to do it.

The real news however is that the Traverse will be the first of the Lambdas to get the direct injected version of the 3.6L engine (other Lambdas will get it as well), in this application it's estimated to get 281 hp with single exhaust, 286 with dual: At this rate, I wonder how long before the direct injection version of the 3.6 V6 completely replaces the port-injected version?

GM boasts the new engine will allow best in class fuel economy, quite a claim to be sure: to do that, the FWD version would have to get at least 18/26 mpg (up from 16/24 currently). That'd be impressive if they can pull it off in a nearly 5000lb vehicle, but we'll just have to wait and see if they actually can.

 

[eurohazard]

Wow, I really like it! The back end need work though. But that front 1/4 view is damn amazing!....better than Saturn Outlook, BUick Enclave, and GMC Acadia (which aren't ugly themselves).

 

[CheeseHead91182]

So when does Pontiac get their cross over?

Snow they have 4 vechilces that over lap with eachother, way to go GM! Seriously this is stupid, Chevy should have had the cross over to beigin with, give Cadillac a luxury version and call it a day. Saturn, GMC and Buick don't need this car. Buick has never had success with SUVs and GMC is supposed to be real trucks, not car based trucks. GM keeps saying how they are trying to change but 4 brands with the same vehicle seems like the same old GM to me.

 

[Sulu]

So when does Pontiac get their cross over?

Snow they have 4 vechilces that over lap with eachother, way to go GM! Seriously this is stupid, Chevy should have had the cross over to beigin with, give Cadillac a luxury version and call it a day. Saturn, GMC and Buick don't need this car. Buick has never had success with SUVs and GMC is supposed to be real trucks, not car based trucks. GM keeps saying how they are trying to change but 4 brands with the same vehicle seems like the same old GM to me.

My thoughts also. Will it kill the Saturn Outlook? Consider this...

The ultimate irony of this vehicle is that GM not only chose to build the Saturn Outlook before the Chevrolet Traverse, which - thanks to anticipated better pricing and a far larger dealer network - would have far outsold the Outlook for the past few years, but also that it will actually be built in Spring Hill, Tennessee, in the old Saturn factory. The factory has been idle for nearly a year after Ion production ended and Vue production moved to Mexico, while the plant re-tooled to build large crossovers. If the Chevy built in the Saturn factory ends up striking a fatal blow to the Saturn version of the same vehicle - which is not entirely out of the question - it certainly would be interesting.

Full article available at: http://www.autosavant.net/2008/02/chevrolet-traverse-large-crossover.html.

 

[engineer]

So when does Pontiac get their cross over?

Snow they have 4 vechilces that over lap with eachother, way to go GM! Seriously this is stupid, Chevy should have had the cross over to beigin with, give Cadillac a luxury version and call it a day. Saturn, GMC and Buick don't need this car. Buick has never had success with SUVs and GMC is supposed to be real trucks, not car based trucks. GM keeps saying how they are trying to change but 4 brands with the same vehicle seems like the same old GM to me.

I agree, to an extent. Four of the same vehicle is a little excessive. I say drop the Outlook, but keep the Enclave (still a hot seller, and the 2nd best looking of the 4), and the Acadia rounds out GMC nicely (and it sells well too). The Outlook is a slow seller (though I prefer its look to the Acadia), and does not really fit in with the "European" feel of Saturn.

I really like the Traverse and think GM did a great job differentiating it from the other four. The interior is totally different (minus the steering wheel and GM cooperate radio), and the exterior is the sharpest of the four. Nice upgraded powertrain (to an already great powertrain, the 3.6 HF), great price, and most of the kinks (which were few) have already been worked out.

I think this was GM's intention. Release the low volume sellers to gage customer reaction and resolve any issues that may arise, and then hit the market with the volume seller at a lower price. . . . . . Drive up volume and minimize any quality issues. Smart plan.

Great looking vehicle, it should sell well (if the other Lambda's are any indication).

 

[engineer]

Slowly but surely GM is shedding the image of junky interiors. . . . VERY NICE!!

 

[Jonathan_N]

So when does Pontiac get their cross over?

They won't. Pontiac is going to be cars-only from now on, leaving the crossovers to GMC. Their only crossover at the moment, the Torrent, is soon to be replaced by a GMC crossover called the Terrain.

On a side note, the Acadia was actually intended to be a Pontiac originally, but after it was decided to make Pontiac a car-only marque, it was redone as a GMC (you can still see some Pontiac cues inside and out, such as the red instrument lighting, the shape of the headlights, and of course the optional HUD, which so far is exclusive to the Acadia).

I seriously hope they don't try to make a Cadillac lambda though.

 

[CheeseHead91182]

They won't. Pontiac is going to be cars-only from now on, leaving the crossovers to GMC. Their only crossover at the moment, the Torrent, is soon to be replaced by a GMC crossover called the Terrain.

On a side note, the Acadia was actually intended to be a Pontiac originally, but after it was decided to make Pontiac a car-only marque, it was redone as a GMC (you can still see some Pontiac cues inside and out, such as the red instrument lighting, the shape of the headlights, and of course the optional HUD, which so far is exclusive to the Acadia).

I seriously hope they don't try to make a Cadillac lambda though.

LOL! I was just joking, but don't be so sure that Pontiac won't get one.

 

[RningOnFumes]

Hey, that's some handsome sheet metal. Much better looking than it's cousins.

 

[JustAnotherAsian]

If you must badge engineer, this is the way to do it.

:thumbup: good line. i agree.

i agree on dropping the outlook. it's not that hot of a seller. as for gmc's stake in the lambdas- sure it would be great if they were 100% trucks. but on the other hand, that suv is quite a looker in gmc form and it's apparently a hot seller (i see about one-a-day).

first the malibu, then this... props to gm for once. :thumbup:

 

[Dana_15]

Not bad, but it looks like a cheap RX350...then again don't all suvs look the same?

 

[CarGuyLee]

I was disappointed that they used the rear of the Enclave for the Chevy version....the Buick needs to look like it's all it's own. But I think it looks good. All in all I think they should have only stayed with 3 versions. I think even though the outlook isn't selling the best Saturn needed it more than GMC. Just my opinion

 

[ECHOKnight2000]

THink the Buick Enclave is one of the best vehicles they had in a long time. The Arcadia is good looking too.

This car is handsome I'll give it that. I know its bigger cause I watched the revealing and it said it can carry 7 people. THe Venza 5. Probably different demographics but they are similar in principle for the most part.

 

[100$ GUY]

Yes, looks good, very nice grille . ON the back, not so sure, those taillights... Interior, dont like it a 100%, but finally, chevrolet is listening to the auto media and changing on their ugliest aspects of the recent past.

Direct injection for an increase of 11 hp? thats it, only 11hp and 4lb-ft of torque???

 

[nyscene911]

This is why I hate GM. Get something good, then dilute it.

Chevy should NOT be able to bitch and moan about not having their own version of everything until everyone is allowed to have their own version of the Corvette.

 

[wutang_0110]

Same old General Menace (GM) crap:Bruce:

 

[deezeejoey]

looks like the ford edge.... then again... they all look the same.

 

[Z28Wilson]

Chevy should NOT be able to bitch and moan about not having their own version of everything until everyone is allowed to have their own version of the Corvette.

Chevy is GM's volume brand. Of course they were going to get a Lambda eventually, especially when the writing is on the wall for the Trailblazer.

I think this one does enough to differentiate itself from the others. It has the Malibu-esque interior and front fascia and should be the least expensive of the four. I think they could effectively kill the Outlook (Saturn version) now and no one would miss it.

 

[EchoHoLiK]

This is why I hate GM.

I call :bullshitz on that, unless you're some other dude infiltrating nyscene911's TN account...:lol:

 

[nyscene911]

I call :bullshitz on that, unless you're some other dude infiltrating nyscene911's TN account...:lol:

Its kinda a love-hate thing. Sameway I am with the Mets, Islanders and Jets, only on a much lesser scale.