Chevy Traverse First Drive

[supraracer]

Jalaopnik has the first drive of the Chevy Traverse that I have seen:
http://jalopnik.com/397026/2009-chev...se-first-drive

Chevy's rationale makes sense: Soccer moms across the country are about to turn in their leased Trailblazers and Yukons. They've seen budgets battered by gas prices, but they still have to have something that can tote the brood around. With 7 or 8 passenger seating, a tall ride height, generous cargo room, and a fairly low load floor, the Traverse attempts to give them a reason to drive back out of the Chevy dealership in something new — something new that isn't a minivan. Chevy needs the Traverse pretty badly, considering they don't have squat between Malibu and Trailblazer

[Hitman1970]

As long as they price it like they do Malibu relative to Aura, then Chevrolet will be fine. Finally, their biggest network gets one of their best platforms.

[mgescuro]

...and now there are 4 of them...

just watch traverse eat into sales of Acadia and Outlook.
GM hasn't learned its lesson.

[GMfan1111]

Not a bad review The styling of the Traverse is not for everyone and some will like it and some won't but I think Jalopnik hit the nail on the head with the targeted demographic of this vehicle.

[HoosierRon]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

...and now there are 4 of them...

just watch traverse eat into sales of Acadia and Outlook.
GM hasn't learned its lesson.

Who cares if someone buys a Traverse or an Outlook? As long as the overall sales increase, it is good.

[supraracer]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

...and now there are 4 of them...

just watch traverse eat into sales of Acadia and Outlook.
GM hasn't learned its lesson.

I predict that the Outlook's days are numbered. Saturn should have a smaller MPV type of vehicle like the Madza 5. Maybe a version of the Provoq concept?

[dindak]

Pricing will be so key here. If GM wants the volume, they will need a very aggressive base MSRP. The trick will be to not kill off Outlook and Acadia demand in the process.

GM needs some very strong marketing to get the volume also!

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by supraracer

I predict that the Outlook's days are numbered. Saturn should have a smaller MPV type of vehicle like the Madza 5. Maybe a version of the Provok concept?

As coaster.n3rd has said, GM has no plans for the Outlook after some date, and rumors are the the Opel Zafira will be brought over to replace it, thus leaving the Traverse as the cheapest Lambda, the Acadia as the mid-grade, and Enclave as top of the line luxury.

By the way, this article said that they thought the styling was hurried...not really IMO. I think it looks pretty well refined for the lowest priced model. It looks really good in that red color. Plus, Chevy did say that the Malibu's design elements would be used on future models, so the chevron-shaped front grille design was expected.

[eurohazard]

Too bad the Outlooks looks much better than this Traverse. And what is up with GM overstyling their side view mirrors (Lambdas, G6 and others)? It looks ridiculous, just give me a large usable mirror so I can see blind spots. Sheesh.

[Hitman1970]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

As coaster.n3rd has said, GM has no plans for the Outlook after some date, and rumors are the the Opel Zafira will be brought over to replace it, thus leaving the Traverse as the cheapest Lambda, the Acadia as the mid-grade, and Enclave as top of the line luxury.

By the way, this article said that they thought the styling was hurried...not really IMO. I think it looks pretty well refined for the lowest priced model. It looks really good in that red color. Plus, Chevy did say that the Malibu's design elements would be used on future models, so the chevron-shaped front grille design was expected.

I do not see the MSRP being much lower if at all based on the quality of the materials used on the interior. It is not like they cheapened it out or anything.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by HoosierRon

Who cares if someone buys a Traverse or an Outlook? As long as the overall sales increase, it is good.

Funny thing is.. the 3 Lambdas, though selling quite well, haven't met initial sales goals.
Sure, there's an overall increase, but what percentage of that will come from GMC and Saturn?

I'd love Outlook to die at this point, replaced with smaller alternatives from Opel... like the Meriva.

[leelander]

Originally Posted by eurohazard

Too bad the Outlooks looks much better than this Traverse. And what is up with GM overstyling their side view mirrors (Lambdas, G6 and others)? It looks ridiculous, just give me a large usable mirror so I can see blind spots. Sheesh.

i have to disagree with you, the outlook looks way cheaper than the Acadia. i thinks that the traverse looks really good imo, the only thing that i'd change are the taillights. they seem somewhat out of place. but you're right the mirrors are a joke.

[63GrandSport001]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

...and now there are 4 of them...

just watch traverse eat into sales of Acadia and Outlook.
GM hasn't learned its lesson.

There should only be 2 of them maybe 3 of them

Luxury: Enclave
Work: Acadia
mainstream: Traverse

[Lichtronamo]

If GM cuts GMC, so goes the Acadia...

[Lichtronamo]

I would have liked more comment about their impressions of the 3.6L direct injection engine compared to the other Lambdas.