VIDEO: Chevy Traverse takes on Toyota Highlander inside and out
Click above for a gallery of high-res pics.
When the 2009 Chevy Traverse goes on sale in September, it will be the fourth, eight-passenger Lambda-based crossover to come from GM. The bow-tie CUV will carry the lowest starting MSRP of the quartet, and it will also carry the most power, with 288 hp and 270 lb.-ft. of torque, along with the highest towing capacity of 5,200 lbs.
Hit the jump to view several comparison videos that pit the Traverse against one of its main competitors, the Toyota Highlander. The first video is a walk-around of the Traverse to point out unique styling points, and from there it's all competition. We judge everything from the interior volume to the driving experience, and then take the two CUVs into uncharted territory -- the track. Enjoy!
Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
Streetfire's embedding is acting wonky, so click the links below the videos to check out our Traverse vs. Highlander clips.
Design walk-around of the 2009 Chevy Traverse
Chevy Traverse vs. Toyota Highlander interior spac
Chevy Traverse vs. Toyota Highlander on the cones
Chevy Traverse vs. Toyota Highlander hit the wet c
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
rouse42 3:43PM (7/02/2008)
every time i hear Lambda i cant help but think of the Revenge of the Nerds. lol
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icu812ru469 3:47PM (7/02/2008)
:) ha ha... but in this case, it's Lamda Lamda Lamda Lamda...
SNIFFDAR 4:16PM (7/02/2008)
When I hear the word lambda, it makes me think of the Volvo Lambda Sensor. Or rather... the lambda light.
Ligor 3:52PM (7/02/2008)
i bet some toyota fanboy will come here and tell you that with price of gas the Highlander is the better choise
just get a wagon and skip all these large CUVs
And I definitely think the Highlander is about half the size of the Traverse so they are aiming at the wrong audience
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psarhjinian 4:08PM (7/02/2008)
The Highlander is the better choice. There, howzabout that?
Actually, the Sienna is probably a better choice than either, unless you "need" a big nose or a high load floor.
RJ 7:26PM (7/02/2008)
We just need to get those stupid lawyers and executives at Toyota to raise the Sienna's tow rating to 5500 lbs. There's absolutely no reason why the van is limited to only 3500.
15 years ago, a severely underpowered and much lighter Caravan with insufficient brakes (all by today's standards) could tow 3500 lbs as well. No reason why modern vans can't double that.
aqsmith 4:13PM (7/02/2008)
I enjoy the videos but whoever thought it was a good idea to use their 'fender squier strat pack', crank the little crate amp up to eleven, palm mute a power chord, and call it intro music probably should stick to journalism or that individual suckered autoblog into buying some lame intro music.
If you want I could use my computer microphone to record myself singing chocolate rain and mix it down into a 5 second intro for your next video.
:)
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Ryley 3:56PM (7/02/2008)
Video not working so much.
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slider912 4:07PM (7/02/2008)
So for the wet track/stability control segment, for the Traverse we see only the road ahead, but for Highlander, we see footage taken from the back seat, which shows steering angles, and more dramatic side to side/body roll motion.
Why not shoot the video from the same vantage point?
Just curious.
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Harrison 7:11PM (7/02/2008)
They need to do whatever it takes to make the GM choice look the most appealing. It's not supposed to be an objective competition - it's like asking Anheuser-Busch who makes the best beer.
Johnny 4:20PM (7/02/2008)
If anyone is intrested in the June GM breakdown in sales here is the link:
http://www.streetinsider.com/Press+Releases/GM+Reports+265,937+Deliveries+in+June/3785983.html
What stands out is the paltry 888 sales of Astra. I feel bad for GM.
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AngeloD 5:41PM (7/02/2008)
""What stands out is the paltry 888 sales of Astra. I feel bad for GM.""
Why? overall sales for GM last month were only down 8% vs. 21% for Toyota.
And a sizeable chunk of that decline can be attributed to GM swearing off of fleet and rental sales.
GM did really well last month all things considered.
AngeloD 5:42PM (7/02/2008)
The front looks a lot like the Isuzu Axiom. Not a bad thing.
johnny 5:54PM (7/02/2008)
Angelo why do u have to lie and spread false information?
If you go by selling rate GM fell 8.6% vs 11.5% for toyota.
If you go by raw rate GM fell 18.7% to 21% for toyota.
Why take the best of one with the worst of the other? Overall the GM sales fell less than Toyota in percentage terms but dont exagerate.
BOB 4:28AM (7/03/2008)
A-- I am THRILLED that GM is doing better, but don't forget that they are only reversing a trend of sending their loyal customers away, and have a long way to go before getting their position back.
B-- ASTRA???? Every Yay-hoo that writes in swears that Ford and GM ought to bring their cool European products over. Of course, just because a car is pretty good, little things like model and brand identity help to sell it --- Does anyone know what the hell Saturn stands for since they moved away from plastic crap boxes for the granola set???
nomatta 4:36PM (7/02/2008)
uh look here at these windswept headlights and uh this air dam with its kickout just like on the sports cars, we added some more drama on this part... what a frickin dork. all of the videos have some yuppy golfer on it. hire some real car people not tiger woods. put it out there and let it speek for itself. I think it looks good but listening to you talk about it kind of thinking twice.
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TriShield 4:51PM (7/02/2008)
They really couldn't come up with a better name than Traverse?
Nomad would have been better, but the styling of this vehicle doesn't really do the name justice. Then again, I guess the looks don't really do the entire brand justice either.
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Snowdog 4:51PM (7/02/2008)
USA only video server? I get nothing here. How about just using something universal.
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alfredo 5:36PM (7/02/2008)
universal? i dont think people from mars will need to watch this video.. they have ufo's
Thedevil 6:29PM (7/02/2008)
GM should realy reconsider their entire lineup.
how bad does it have to get before they wake up?
maybe this bad?. http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080702/AUTO01/807020428/1148
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