Filed under: Car Buying, Crossovers/CUVs, Chevrolet, GM
2009 Chevy Traverse priced from $28,990
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Chevy Traverse
The fourth addition to General Motors' lineup of Lambda CUVs, the 2009 Chevy Traverse, has officially been priced from $28,990, which includes a $735 destination charge. As with most Chevy models, the Traverse can be had in LS, LT and LTZ models. It will be the first and only Lambda CUV to be equipped with the direct-inject version of GM's 3.6L V6, which must irritate Buick Enclave owners who have paid a lot more for their Lambda sans DI, that will be mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The 3.6L DI V6 produces 288 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque in the Traverse, and can power the front wheels or all four in AWD models. The Traverse can also carry eight people if you opt for the second-row bench, though we imagine those several passengers stuffed in the way back will not be your friends anymore upon arrival. Unfortunately, Chevy has not released any more detailed pricing information, so we can't say just how expensive the 2009 Traverse can get if you load it up an LTZ model with all of the bells and whistles. Regardless, with the best engine among all the Lambda CUVs, it'd be our choice of the lot.
Gallery: 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
[Source: GM]
PRESS RELEASE
Chevrolet Announces Pricing For The 2009 Traverse
DETROIT – Chevrolet announced the 2009 Traverse crossover will carry a MSRP of $28,990, including a $735 destination charge, for the 2WD LS model. It goes on sale this fall.
"With its great styling, leading fuel economy and comprehensive roster of equipment, the Traverse is a great expression of Chevrolet value," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager.
The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse is an expressively styled, well-equipped crossover that delivers people-hauling and cargo-carrying capability typically found in larger SUVs. It is offered in LS, LT and LTZ models, in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations. Product highlights include:
- Expressive styling inspired by the 2008 Malibu
- Optimized aerodynamics that enhance fuel economy and reduce wind noise
- Four-wheel independent suspension system
- StabiliTrak electronic stability control system
- Family of 17-, 18- and 20-inch wheels
- Seating for up to eight adults
- Second-row Smart Slide seat feature, for easy access to the third-row seats
- Rear-seat entertainment system with second-row controls
- Six standard air bags, including side curtain air bags that deploy over all three seating rows
- OnStar with Turn-by-Turn Navigation and Direction Download and eNav (with navigation system)
- XM Satellite Radio including NavTraffic real-time traffic feature (with navigation system)
- Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Nick 11:07AM (6/27/2008)
What is the mpg?
Reply
rwcmick 11:26AM (6/27/2008)
No favorites...All 2009 Lambda's get DI
http://media.gm.com/us/buick/en/product_services/r_cars/r_c_enclave/09index.html
http://media.gm.com/us/saturn/en/product_services/r_cars/r_c_outlook/09index.html
http://media.gm.com/us/gmc/en/product_services/r_cars/r_c_acadia/09index.html
Keat 11:28AM (6/27/2008)
It's not been posted yet, but I think it should get better than the Acadia and Outlook because of the Direct Injection.
LMBVette 11:35AM (6/27/2008)
According to Edmunds it's 17/24 for the DI engine.
rwcmick 11:39AM (6/27/2008)
Wow, I guess my previous post had too many links. In any case, all 2009 Lambda's have DI, not just the Chevy.
You can verify here.
http://media.gm.com/us/gm/en/product_services/vehicles/2009/2009productinfoindex.html
Cheers,
rwcmick
All Cars, All the Time
carlbolt 11:09AM (6/27/2008)
Doesn't make sense to make another one of the "same" thing. Why don't they make one car but with different level of trims and powertrains?
Reply
BlackEmblem 11:22AM (6/27/2008)
>>the first and only Lambda CUV to be equipped with the direct-inject version of GM's 3.6L V6,
why not the LS2LS7? 11:50AM (6/27/2008)
Because of brand loyalty. Because the different cars project different images. Because there are differences between the vehicles it can be difficult to see (it's tough to sell NVH reduction as a trim level). Because they want to sell the platform in as many dealerships as possible, and Chevy dealers don't sell Buicks.
In the end, it doesn't cost them much, don't sweat it.
MJL 11:11AM (6/27/2008)
You know, even leaving aside the typical mind-blowing stupidity of offering the best engine in the cheapest model, and not bringing it out until a year later (proof that GM only cares about the Chevy brand..."Let's try it out on GMC and Saturn!"), why are they even making a Chevrolet version of this car? I can barely justify the existence of a Saturn version priced within $1200 of a GMC verson. Now I have to wrap my head around a Saturn version priced within $400 of a Chevy version?
There are two conclusions here:
GM hates the Saturn brand and wants it to fail (which doesn't bother me particularly, but they should just kill it instead of drawing this process out)
and GM still has a lot to learn about the pitfalls of brand engineering.
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VP 11:13AM (6/27/2008)
If i was ever in the market for one of these things, i would still get the Enclave even sans the DI engine. That thing is such a good looking car. They tried to emulate the enclave in the traverse but it didn't come out that great.
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Alex 11:17AM (6/27/2008)
I forgot this car existed before it even went on sale.
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Tool 11:20AM (6/27/2008)
Now GM has four CUVs based on the Lambda platform. This one looks to be the best one yet, which raises the question of why they need the Saturn or GMC versions.
The other problem is that these GM CUVs are still big heavy monsters that are not all that much more fuel efficient than the big heavy SUVs they replace.
Reply
why not the LS2LS7? 11:54AM (6/27/2008)
You haven't looked at the fuel economy of the vehicles they replace lately. A 2WD Tahoe gets 14/20 (the most efficient model). That means it uses 20% more fuel. That's a big difference.
This gets almost the same HP as an AWD Audi A6. That doesn't seem decent to you?
R50_COOP 12:18PM (6/27/2008)
I saw these in Vietnam back in February. It is pretty nice looking. The fit and finish was impressive for a Chevy. It boggles my mind that they would send these overseas before we got them first here in the States.
Adam 12:23PM (6/27/2008)
@R50_COOP: does Chevy even exist in Vietnam?
Judy Zik 1:10PM (6/27/2008)
These vehicles and the Flex are GM and Ford's answer to getting out of the Minivan game. They get mileage on par with the best Minivans (okay 1 mpg less on the Highway than the Odyssey with Cylinder deactivation). You can still carry a load of people and their stuff but you get the option of AWD and the look of an SUV. When you look at it they are miles and worlds above the Minivans they replace.
psarhjinian 2:02PM (6/27/2008)
Judy,
The Oddyssey and Sienna hold more people in better comfort, more stuff (along or instead of people), handle just as well better, rides just as well or better and gets about the same mileage or better.
Other than having a big nose, are these better than minivans?
styleguy 11:24AM (6/27/2008)
Isn't this one supposed to be cheaper than the 2008 Outlook (29,360)?
Reply
BLS 11:27AM (6/27/2008)
I guess that is the point. What will the outlook cost next year?
Bob-omb 10:27AM (6/28/2008)
It is cheaper! No haggling on the Outlook. Plenty of haggling/discounts on the Chevy. It's GM, after all.
The three of these for Chevy/GMC/Saturn are now way beyond redundant, but Chevy *does* need one of these. Will Saturn lose their model, then? Probably.