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2014 Chevrolet Traverse Review By John Heilig


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2014 Chevrolet Traverse


THE AUTO PAGE
By John Heilig
Senior Editor
The Auto Channel


2014 Chevrolet Traverse Specs

Reviewed Model: 2014 Chevrolet Traverse AWD LTZ

Engine: 3.6-liter V6

Horsepower/Torque: 288 hp @ 6,300 rpm/270 lb.-ft. @ 3,400 rpm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Wheelbase: 118.9 in.

Length x Width x Height: 203.7 x 78.5 x 69.9 in

Tires: P255/55R20

Cargo: 24.4/70.5/116.3 cu. ft. (behind 3rd row, 2nd row. 1st row)

Economy: 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway/11.4 mpg test

Fuel capacity: 22.0 gal.

Curb Weight: 4,956 lbs.

Sticker: $46,465 (includes $875 destination charge, $3,210 in options)

The Bottom Line: There is not much else you would want from a full-size SUV. The Chevrolet Traverse is either a crossover or a standard SUV, depending on what you read, but whatever, it does everything very well that you’d want from a SUV.

It’s easy to be fooled by the Chevrolet Traverse. It looks like a crossover – a smaller car-based SUV. In fact, the Chevy web site calls it a crossover. But in fact, the Traverse (according to the EPA) is a ”standard SUV,” with more Blazer/Trailblazer in its DNA than sedan. It has all the bells and whistles of a standard SUV and makes good music with all.

Under the hood is a GM-standard 3.6-liter V6 that delivers 288 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque, enough to get the job done. If the going gets tough, you can opt for four-wheel drive with all the options, including Low-Low.

Handling is good, but realize that SUVs are not noted for their handling. We drove the Traverse on Interstates and winding roads, in urban streets and Christmas parking lots (the toughest of all). I was well pleased with the way the Traverse comported itself. Ride quality was good.

Both front seats are powered and are fairly flat. They are comfortable nonetheless. Both are heated and cooled. The cooling is very good. Once, I pushed the wrong side of the toggle switch and instead of heat, I had cool. We drove the Traverse in some sub-20 degree weather and both my wife and I were pleased with the heat the HVAC threw out.

As with several Chevrolet models this year, there’s a thin blue ambient light running across the dash.

Entry is relatively easy. There are assist handles on the passenger side of the A pillar and both sides of the B pillars. My daughter and son-in-law have the GMC version of the Traverse and constantly have three children of assorted sizes scrambling into the rear seats. Like my daughter’s car, the Traverse has individual captain’s chairs in the second row and a bench in the third. Like the front seats, the second row seats are fairly flat. Access to the third row is easy by either going between the two second row seats or sliding one of them forward and entering that way.

In the center of the dash is an audio/navigation screen The audio part directs a good sound system. The navigation aide is easy to program with clear operational instructions.

The center console has a pair of cup holders. There are also spaces for water bottles in the doors. The center console/arm rest is deep, but also has an insert for multiple uses.

To me, cargo is one of the prime requisites of a SUV, perhaps this is because we often fill them up on trips to our daughters’ houses in Virginia. Well, the Traverse is a winner. There’s a ton of cargo room behind the third row (24.4 cubic feet), nearly triples to 70.3 cubic feet behind the second row and a whopping 116.3 feet behind the front seats. You can carry almost anything in there.

Crossover or standard SUV, the Chevrolet Traverse is a solid utility vehicle that can double as a family car without embarrassment.

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