2011 Chevy Traverse: A Review

[Apex Motorsports]

Back in June, the wife and I purchased a 7 passenger 2011 Chevy Traverse LT. Yesterday we rolled over 8000 miles and was considering my impressions of the vehicle so far when I decided to write a review. Not as an automotive journalist but just as an owner who knows a little about cars.

We bought the Traverse as a daily family hauler. After having our second child last year we found that we had outgrown our previous car. About the time we started looking for a replacement my wife and a friend of her's went on a day trip and she had the opportunity to drive her friend's 2010 Traverse for about 70 miles. When she got home that evening she had a lot of good things to say. She really liked that it had the kind of room we needed but it didn't feel like she was driving a truck. With that, I started doing some research and we made our purchase.

Our driving is a mix of in town and interstate and the Traverse does very well in both environments. It is no Lotus but it handles surprisingly well for a large vehicle and the ride is very smooth. Overall, it feels like you are driving a large high riding sedan. The seats, while obviously designed for someone considerably wider than I am, are comfortable and the interior is well laid out and nicely appointed. That is coming from a guy that is very picky about interiors. Everything feels solid and sturdy, much more than could have been said for my 2002 Camaro SS. The 3.6 liter direct injection V6 delivers 288hp, more than enough to get up to speed or overtake lollygaggers. Power delivery is smooth and responsive and I have yet to be in a situation where it felt underpowered.

In October we took a 2000 mile road trip to Louisiana that we have taken many times in many different vehicles. Driving that much in a week will always take a toll, but it was much less taxing this go round. The seats provided enough support that I could run 6 hours straight without having to stop and stretch my back. The range on a single tank also impressed me. On our first leg we left our home approximately 20 miles east of Louisville Ky. with a full tank and I didn't stop until I was about 40 miles west of Memphis Tn. and well into Arkansas. We covered over 450 miles in one shot and even then the gas light was not on. I filled up there and rolled into Shreveport, La. with about 1/4 tank.

Overall, we are very happy with the vehicle and would definitely recommend the Traverse to a friend. It is a very nice vehicle. Keep up the good work GM!

[jasonsk287]

Very nice. The Traverse is a really nice SUV.

[Comiskeybum2]

Originally Posted by jasonsk287

Very nice. The Traverse is a really nice SUV.

But its not an SUV. Its a 4 door minivan. Dont get me wrong, its a nice vehicle. But in no way is it a true SUV. I would never try to go off road with that thing.

Its just a minivan made to look like an SUV. Great family vehicle though.

[Apex Motorsports]

Originally Posted by Comiskeybum2

But its not an SUV. Its a 4 door minivan. Dont get me wrong, its a nice vehicle. But in no way is it a true SUV. I would never try to go off road with that thing.

Its just a minivan made to look like an SUV. Great family vehicle though.

Somewhere in the middle. It is classified as a crossover. The Traverse is not a good candidate for an off road rig but it is definitely not a minivan either.

[91Z28350]

Good review(impressions?) and I agree. Our 2010 now has 24k on it, and it has been a really nice, quality vehicle so far.

[jasonsk287]

Oh yeah, I know it's not an off-road vehicle at all. It's really intended for family use of course. But I guess it would be classified as a crossover SUV.

[Scrappy Doo]

It's the wagon queen family truckster, rebadged of course..... LOL.

Nice review!

[Brokinarrow]

Yeah, I think the traverse is a fairly nice vehicle and all... but the side profile of it just LOOKS too much like a mini-van for my tastes. For comparison:




The wife and I are eyeing future family haulers, but both of us are quite vehemently opposed to owning a minivan Still looking at the Durango, or possible the new Trailblazer when it comes stateside (being optimistic there). Anyway, glad the Traverse is working out well for you guys.

[AutoAgenda]

Good review! Been considering this. Currently have a 2002 Escalade as a family hauler that is preparing to fall apart and has terrible gas mileage.

How much do you think a used 2010 and 2011 would go for?

[Scrappy Doo]

Originally Posted by AutoAgenda

Good review! Been considering this. Currently have a 2002 Escalade as a family hauler that is preparing to fall apart and has terrible gas mileage.

How much do you think a used 2010 and 2011 would go for?

2010s around here in AWD LT trim with about 10,000 miles go for about 26000 or so. But winter is coming too, after the first big storm, the prices usually go up a bit, or are more firm.

[Apex Motorsports]

Originally Posted by Scrappy Doo

2010s around here in AWD LT trim with about 10,000 miles go for about 26000 or so. But winter is coming too, after the first big storm, the prices usually go up a bit, or are more firm.

Good point. High $20k range is probably about right for a nice used one.

[Apex Motorsports]

Now that we are well into our first winter with this vehicle I have noticed something. The sensor for the automatic headlights is located inside the windshield defroster vent on the far left edge. This creates an area on the windshield that does not want to clear of ice or fog. That area happens to be the area directly in front of the driver. The entire windshield and side windows will be crystal clear except directly in front of the driver. Not a big deal but something that could use some attention.

Overall we are still very happy with the vehicle. We are now over 11,000 miles and have still not had any issues. The vehicle still feels very "solid", it hasn't loosened up gotten rattly like some cars do once the new car smell wears off.

[DaBears]

I'd rather have the Acadia just because of the looks. Traverse does indeed look like a minivan from the side. and who the heck designed the back end? Odd looking. But still a very nice CUV.

[MEDISIN]

I spent two days driving an AWD traverse LT as a rental in DC last week. It was quiet, easy to drive, good visibility and felt higher-up off the road than I expected. But I couldn't shake the feeling that I was driving a lifted minivan. Makes a fine people hauler but every time I walked up to it in a parking lot, I cringed.

I have yet to drive the smaller equinox/acadia but I do like the look of them better, especially the acadia.