2011 Chevy Traverse Test Drive
Finding a vehicle these days that has all of the room you need, still looks stylish, and has entertainment and technology features isn’t an easy task. Here is a look into my test drive of the 2011 Chevy Traverse – what made me drool and what made me scratch my head.
Roomy and Comfortable Interior
Nobody wants an SUV that feels like you are sitting on a worn out couch, and the Chevy Traverse doesn’t disappoint. The model that I drove was equipped with quite comfortable cloth seats, although an upgrade to leather is available for an additional charge. The three rows of seats were all easy to access and there were no obvious deficiencies from my first impression. The middle seats have a sliding rail that they move forward on in order to access the rear seats. Rear seating legroom was adequate for adults, something that isn’t always the case in 7 or 8 passenger SUVs.
From the Driver’s Seat
Gauges and controls were within my comfort zone and easy to operate. Steering wheel mounted cruise control and radio buttons help to keep your hands on the wheel instead of reaching and visually searching for a button. The easy to adjust dial climate control can be set to let the other rows of occupants keep the tempature to their own liking, or it can be overridden by the driver to keep tempature uniform as set. This feature is especially helpful if you have young children who sometimes like to try their hands at the controls.
Convenience and Technology
The model that I tested was equipped with remote start, a three channel garage door transmitter, a GPS system with CD, DVD, MP3, USB, and SiriusXM(tm) and NavTraffic(tm) capabilities. Another gotta have feature is Bluetooth ™. So it looks like the Traverse has you covered with all of the latest and greatest features to keep everyone happy. Available in an upgraded package is dual headrest video monitors in order to keep those back seat passengers occupied during long trips.
On the Road
One of the best things about the 2011 Chevy Traverse is when you get it out of the parking lot and onto the road. The 3.6l engine is responsive and smooth, along with a 6 speed transmission that makes shifts feel non-existent. Power from a stop was adequate for a vehicle of this size, but it balances that with fuel efficiency in order to appeal to most customers. Available is an LTZ package that adds an additional few (only 8 GM?) horsepower and helps the Traverse get up to speed a little faster. As an 8 passenger SUV, you won’t be winning any drag races – but it has enough cargo room and towing capacity that you can definitely bring a crew and bbq supplies to whatever race you wish to attend. Braking, cornering and suspension were all in-line for a vehicle in this segment. The road feel is definitely there, but it is not loud or invasive into the cabin. Things feel like they should and hitting a small pothole or cornering a little sharply didn’t set off any mental alarms for me. All said, it feels great on the road.
The Purchase
I normally purchase used cars that are a few model years old, so purchasing this won’t be on the calendar for me until two to three years from now. But, for anyone who is in the market for a new SUV that fills many family requirements, this is definitely at the top of the list of contenders. Other vehicles in this market segment include the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, and Ford Explorer. According to the Chevrolet website, the MSRP on the Traverse is around $30,000. Since it is fall and dealers are trying to get rid of 2011 stock in order to get the 2012 model year in inventory, now might be your best time to buy. So take the 2011 Chevy Traverse for a spin like I did and see what you think and you just might be driving one home sooner than you think.