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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2009 Chevrolet Traverse

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2014 Chevrolet Traverse

Overview

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2009 Chevrolet Traverse Review

By KBB.com Editors

Although the once-thriving SUV business is in a sales downturn, GM is keenly aware that many Americans still have a need for seven-passenger transportation. With this in mind, GM has created a new line of crossover SUVs offering maximum interior space, mid-level towing capability and fuel economy numbers that reach into the mid-twenties. The latest iteration of this well-conceived platform is the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse, a vehicle that combines contemporary styling, one of the best accident-avoidance systems in the business and an interior worthy of a high-end luxury car – all at a Chevrolet price.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're looking for a big family vehicle with excellent safety ratings, the ability to tow 5,200 pounds and reasonably good fuel economy for its size, the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse may be the best game in town.

You May Not Like This Car If...

Those who absolutely must have a V8 won't find one offered on the Traverse. Styling is a bit more contemporary than its stablemates at Saturn and GMC, but resale values fall below those held by the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot.

What's New for 2009

While closely related to the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave, the Traverse puts Chevrolet's own spin on the popular platform and represents the company's first foray into the full-size crossover segment. GM's most visible brand hopes to draw in loyalists as well as new customers looking for that unique Chevrolet combination of affordability, reliability and sportiness.

Driving the Traverse

Driving Impressions As with the Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia, the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse delivers a surprisingly smooth ride, has adept handling and offers strong acceleration with very respectable gas mileage. We...

tested our Traverse on an enclosed track running a series of obstacle-avoidance tests. Driven back-to-back against the Toyota Highlander, the Traverse exhibited superior capabilities in almost every situation. In one test, we accelerated to 45 miles per hour and, without braking, executed a quick left-right maneuver on wet pavement around an orange pylon strategically placed to represent a sudden obstacle in the road. The StabiliTrak stability control system worked so efficiently it made small work of the test, allowing us to return immediately to our lane without any loss of control.

Favorite Features

StabiliTrak Stability Control with Rollover Mitigation Technology
Although you'll never know it until you have to use it, this technology could very well save your life. It drastically improves the Traverse's ability to remain composed in even the most radical emergency maneuvers.

Smart Slide Second-row Seat
This easy and convenient feature allows the second-row seat bottom to flip up and the seat to slide forward, creating a wide pathway to the third-row seat.

2009 Chevrolet Traverse Details

Interior

Tasteful design, high-quality materials and one of the most accommodating interiors in the class are the hallmarks of GM's newest crossover SUV. Second-row seats that slide fore and aft improve leg room while permitting easy entry into the third-row seat. And, unlike many third-row seats, the Traverse's can actually accommodate two adults in comfort while affording them full side-curtain airbag protection. Storage bins and cup holders abound, and there is enough room behind the third-row seat to accommodate two golf bags. Chevrolet has also gone to great lengths to silence the Traverse's cabin, which is remarkable quiet, even at highway speeds.

Exterior

The most noticeable difference between the Traverse and its sister vehicles can be found up front, where Chevrolet's new Malibu-inspired split-grille face is prominently displayed. The rear quarter window is also different, sharply angled upwards at its bottom edge. With its big wheels pushed to the outer edges, the Traverse presents an image of size and stability. Wide rear door openings make it easy for passengers to enter and exit the third-row seat, and an available electrically-powered rear hatch aids access to the cargo area. Available convex insets built into the upper corner of each side mirror help expose objects ordinarily masked by blind spots.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Every 2009 Chevrolet Traverse comes standard with six airbags, including full-length side-curtain airbags, front side-impact airbags and front-passenger airbags. Also standard are StabiliTrak stability control with rollover mitigation technology, a one-year subscription to OnStar with Turn-by-Turn navigation, AM/FM stereo with CD and XM Satellite Radio, power windows, mirrors and door locks, rear wiper/washer, cruise control, 17-inch wheels, Smart Slide second-row seat and flush-folding third-row seat.

Optional Equipment

Options vary by trim, which includes 1LT, 2LT and LTZ. Available features on most trims include remote start, a power rear liftgate (both standard on 2LT and LTZ), Bose 10-speaker Surround Sound audio system, DVD navigation, rear-seat DVD entertainment system, all-wheel drive, second-row captain's-chair seating, Ultrasonic Rear Park Assist, 110-volt three-prong outlet, two different rearview backup cameras (one for vehicles with navigation, the other for those without), heated windshield-wiper fluid, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, tri-zone climate control, HID headlamps, heated front seats (heated and cooled front seats standard on LTZ) and a dual-panel glass moonroof.

Under the Hood

The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse is powered by a sophisticated 3.6-liter V6 engine with variable valve timing and direct injection technology for improved performance and fuel economy. While most owners will be just fine with the 281 horsepower found on the LS and LT trims, the LTZ features a dual exhaust which bumps the horsepower to 288. All trims feature a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift mode and can be equipped with Chevrolet's excellent intelligent all-wheel-drive system. Unlike many of GM's other vehicles, however, the Traverse is not E85-compatible.}

3.6-liter V6
281 horsepower @ 6400 rpm
288 horsepower @ 6300 rpm (dual exhaust)
266 lb.-ft. of torque @ 5500 rpm
270 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3400 rpm (dual exhaust)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/24 (FWD), 16/23 (AWD)

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Chevrolet Traverse vehicles for sale near you.

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2009 Chevrolet Traverse Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.5

Out of 10

Based on 192 Ratings for the 2009 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

8.5/10

Quality

8.6/10
Reliability

8.8/10

Performance

8.8/10
Comfort

9.0/10

Styling

8.9/10

Very confortable and quiet ride

By Boricua (International) on Tuesday, June 04, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 3,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Quiet ride and very confortable"

Cons: "Long transmission shifts and fuel economy"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"This vehicle has a spectacular road handling, and is very comfortable. Gasoline yield in the city is below 17mpg. The transmission shifts are too long even though it has 6 shifts, especially from first to second as it reaches three thousand revolutions when you switch to second shift,resulting in lower fuel economy. The engine responds very well when you need to pass another auto and the ride is very quiet. Overall I am well pleased with the performance of this SUV."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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Can't wait for lease to be over

By Eric (NJ) on Sunday, June 02, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 24,000

10 3.0

overall rating 3 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 3/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 5/10
Quality: 2/10
Performance: 2/10
Styling: 5/10
Comfort: 7/10

Pros: "Cargo space"

Cons: "Too many to mention in 50 characters"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"I loved this vehicle new. Great drivability for a 3 row SUV. Still like the ability to haul stuff around, and the handling is not bad, but it has started being significantly less reliable and enjoyable to drive. Sometime I step on the gas and it hesitates before moving. Same thing for accelerating in traffic. Doesn't feel as tight as it did new. Also makes funny noises sometimes. I have taken it to the dealer for service and they say it operates normally. Also has this ticking sound when it is started which GM had a preprinted story to explain, which must mean I am not alone in being concerned. They recently had a recall to bring the vehicle in to the dealer to check coolant levels as the coolant system apparently leaks at some point. You would think they would correct the problem but instead they are having you come in to refill the coolant. What does that say about GM. This thing only has 24,000 miles but it definitely is not aging well. Next time I will try the Explorer, Pathfinder, CX9, MDX or maybe an X5 but definitely not another Traverse, and likely not another Chevy."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Best vehicle ever, love it, love it, love it

By c-los (TX) on Monday, May 20, 2013

I own this car
Reason: Sales - My approximate mileage is 5

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "great room, good gas milage, beautiful"

Cons: "dont have it in pink for the wife"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"love it love it love it love it love it love it love it love it love it love it love it..... you get the picture :D"

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Drives good has plenty of power,

By tee (AZ) on Monday, May 13, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 53,500

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "driveability & power & inside space & looks good."

Cons: "worm air coming from air vents."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"when it is not hot enough to use the ac. with the heater controls complete off front and rear the air is hotter coming through the air vents than the outside air. And water pump failed and was replaced under a recall. Over all it is a very nice car. Inside features are handy and lots of cargo space when the seats are laid down."

4 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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I love the vehicle. But has defroster issues

By Michelle (MI) on Tuesday, May 07, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 35,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 7/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 5/10
Comfort: 10/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"I bought the vehicle in the summer. If I would have bought during the winter this would not have been a vehicle I would have purchased. The design of the defroster is a major issue. It is in the center of the dash and is very difficult for it to reach the drivers or passenger side of the vehicle. On most icy days I have to scrape the ice.I have taken the vehicle to service several times for this concern thinking there was an issue . Upon the completion of the service , each time the service department reported that this was the design of thr defroster. Other than this major defrost issue I love the vehicle. My sister sold her 2010 Traverse for the same reason after one winter season."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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solid value

By materialman (LA) on Tuesday, April 30, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 29,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "room, comfort, ride, mpg"

Cons: "steering could be a tad better"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"The Traverse is a solid value and continues the tradition of Chevrolet of providing good value for money spent. The vehicle is quiet at highway speeds and will get you 24 mpg on the highway. All passengers have room and sit well. There is ample space for cargo. The V-6 does a good job of moving the vehicle when passing. I feel I got my money's worth and have had no issues of any kind so far."

1 person out of 2 found this review helpful

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See all 192 reviews