First Look: Traverse enters crowded crossover field
Thursday, July 03, 2008
By Don Hammonds, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Being late isn't always a bad thing.
Chevy just introduced its all-new crossover, the Traverse, quite a bit after a number of other crossovers had hit the pavement. Edmunds.com lists a whopping 73 crossovers on the market -- and the list is growing.
There's room for more in the hot crossover segment, said Jack Nerad, editorial director for Kelley Blue Book.
"The Traverse is a good product -- all the crossovers from GM are really good. … [Crossovers] are the vehicle type that has the most momentum in the marketplace, and there's room for one that is priced like a Chevrolet would be. I think they can do some really significant volume with that vehicle."
An advantage to coming to market later means you have a chance to see what the competitors are doing -- and it looks as if Chevy did its homework.
First, the Traverse has a distinctive appearance -- a tapering roofline and an overall athletic look -- which sets it apart from both other GM products on the same platform -- the Buick Enclave, Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia -- as well other crossovers on the road. That's no easy feat when you consider that the shape and layout of most crossovers are pretty much alike.
The Traverse comes with StabiliTrak electronic stability and traction control; 17, 18 or 19 inch wheels; room for up to eight adults; a second row Smart Slide feature to make getting in and out of the third row seats easier; OnStar with Turn by Turn navigation; and either a 281- or 288-horsepower V-6, both 3.6-liter in size. Three models, LS, LT and LTZ, are available.
Fuel mileage ratings are 17 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway for the front-wheel-drive model and 16/23 for the all-wheel-drive model.
The Traverse feels a lot lighter on its tires than it really is. The presence of a sporty instrument cluster, ****pit-like interior and nifty looking floor gear shifter complete the performance ambience.
Handling is stable; it snaked its way through the grueling GM proving grounds test track, maintained its composure over potholes and bricks, and generally did everything asked of it.
Cargo room is a definite plus; you easily can get a stroller or several golf bags into the Traverse with the third row seat up.
Emergency handling and sudden stopping also were strengths of the Traverse, with the anti-lock braking system and traction and stability control bringing the car to a safe stop without any severe skidding or loss of control.
I suspect that the Chevy Traverse's only problem will lie not with the car, but with the price.
Base price will be $28,255. The Ford Flex comes in at $28,295, the Toyota Highlander starts at $27,500 and the Saturn Outlook starts at $28,625. All prices came from Edmunds.com and don't include destination charges. Although the Saturn Outlook costs a few hundred dollars more, it looks more expensive inside and out.
But analysts are less worried about the cost of the Traverse than I am.
"I'm not sure it's a matter of Saturn being more upscale. But Saturn is GM's import fighter, and Chevy is its rock-solid domestic brand," Mr. Nerad said.
In other words, he added, it will be marketing and image that will drive who buys the Traverse and who buys the Outlook, not price points.
Article continued at link.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08185/894452-97.stm
Thursday, July 03, 2008
By Don Hammonds, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Being late isn't always a bad thing.
Chevy just introduced its all-new crossover, the Traverse, quite a bit after a number of other crossovers had hit the pavement. Edmunds.com lists a whopping 73 crossovers on the market -- and the list is growing.
There's room for more in the hot crossover segment, said Jack Nerad, editorial director for Kelley Blue Book.
"The Traverse is a good product -- all the crossovers from GM are really good. … [Crossovers] are the vehicle type that has the most momentum in the marketplace, and there's room for one that is priced like a Chevrolet would be. I think they can do some really significant volume with that vehicle."
An advantage to coming to market later means you have a chance to see what the competitors are doing -- and it looks as if Chevy did its homework.
First, the Traverse has a distinctive appearance -- a tapering roofline and an overall athletic look -- which sets it apart from both other GM products on the same platform -- the Buick Enclave, Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia -- as well other crossovers on the road. That's no easy feat when you consider that the shape and layout of most crossovers are pretty much alike.
The Traverse comes with StabiliTrak electronic stability and traction control; 17, 18 or 19 inch wheels; room for up to eight adults; a second row Smart Slide feature to make getting in and out of the third row seats easier; OnStar with Turn by Turn navigation; and either a 281- or 288-horsepower V-6, both 3.6-liter in size. Three models, LS, LT and LTZ, are available.
Fuel mileage ratings are 17 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway for the front-wheel-drive model and 16/23 for the all-wheel-drive model.
The Traverse feels a lot lighter on its tires than it really is. The presence of a sporty instrument cluster, ****pit-like interior and nifty looking floor gear shifter complete the performance ambience.
Handling is stable; it snaked its way through the grueling GM proving grounds test track, maintained its composure over potholes and bricks, and generally did everything asked of it.
Cargo room is a definite plus; you easily can get a stroller or several golf bags into the Traverse with the third row seat up.
Emergency handling and sudden stopping also were strengths of the Traverse, with the anti-lock braking system and traction and stability control bringing the car to a safe stop without any severe skidding or loss of control.
I suspect that the Chevy Traverse's only problem will lie not with the car, but with the price.
Base price will be $28,255. The Ford Flex comes in at $28,295, the Toyota Highlander starts at $27,500 and the Saturn Outlook starts at $28,625. All prices came from Edmunds.com and don't include destination charges. Although the Saturn Outlook costs a few hundred dollars more, it looks more expensive inside and out.
But analysts are less worried about the cost of the Traverse than I am.
"I'm not sure it's a matter of Saturn being more upscale. But Saturn is GM's import fighter, and Chevy is its rock-solid domestic brand," Mr. Nerad said.
In other words, he added, it will be marketing and image that will drive who buys the Traverse and who buys the Outlook, not price points.
Article continued at link.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08185/894452-97.stm
