Chevrolet knows first-hand that many people simply won’t drive a minivan. For almost 20 years, Chevy dealers peddled minivans that generated unimpressive sales numbers: the Lumina APV, the Venture, and the Uplander never quite caught on with families looking for lots of space combined with decent fuel economy. Today, the new 2009 Chevy Traverse, a large crossover SUV with three rows of seats and conventional rear doors, arrives to cater to folks who still want space and fuel economy, but in a more appealing package styled like an SUV. Effectively serving as a replacement for the Uplander and cancelled three-row TrailBlazer EXT, the Traverse is based on the same platform and powertrain and its corporate siblings – the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Saturn Outlook – but is tailored in unique Chevy sheetmetal with different interior detailing.

Here is a summary of the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse:
• 3.6-liter V-6 engine making as much as 288 horsepower
• Six-speed automatic transmission
• Front- or all-wheel drive
• Three-row seating for up to 8 passengers
• Maximum towing capacity of 5,200 pounds
• Maximum cargo capacity of 116.4 cubic feet
• Rated to get as much as 24 mpg on the highway

The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse is available in LS, LT or LTZ trim. The Traverse LS is equipped with the basics: air conditioning, stereo with CD player and three free months of XM satellite radio, cruise control, power windows, power mirrors, power door locks with remote, privacy glass, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, and 17-inch steel wheels.

The LT is expected to be the most popular model, and is offered with 1LT and 2LT packages. The 1LT model is equipped with premium cloth seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an integrated blind spot mirror, heated side mirrors with integrated turn signal indicators, a driver information center with trip computer, an auxiliary input jack for the stereo, additional body-color and chrome exterior trim, an Ultrasonic reverse sensing system, an 8-way power driver’s seat, variable-effort power steering, and 18-inch machined aluminum wheels. The 2LT adds triple-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth wireless cell phone pairing, a Bose 10-speaker audio system with rear audio controls, a power rear liftgate, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a rearview camera system, remote vehicle starting feature, seven-passenger seating with second-row captain’s chairs, and a programmable Universal Home Remote system.

The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse LTZ is the most luxurious model. It has a navigation system, XM NavTraffic with real-time traffic reporting, dual exhaust with chrome tips, projector beam headlights, a 110-volt power outlet, memory settings for the driver’s seat and side mirrors, heated and cooled front seats, a power-adjustable front passenger’s seat, express functionality for the driver and front passenger windows, metallic interior décor, and 20-inch machined ultrabright wheels.

Access to Traverse options is dictated by the selected trim level. Traverse LS buyers can outfit their new SUV with an engine block heater, a trailering package, and a full-size spare tire. Opt for the Traverse 1LT, and there are more colors to choose from as well as second-row captain’s chairs, a panoramic sunroof, a rearview camera system, a Bose audio system, a navigation system, and an onboard entertainment system (in addition to LS options). When the Traverse 2LT is purchased, buyers can equip the SUV with all those features plus leather upholstery and a remote vehicle starting system. California residents buying either of the LT models can also get the California Edition package, which includes the 20-inch wheels and dual chrome-tip exhaust system from the Traverse LTZ bundled with a Bose audio system. Since the Traverse LTZ comes well equipped, the options list is short: engine block heater, trailering package, remote vehicle starting, panoramic sunroof, and rear seat entertainment. The LTZ can also be ordered with a center console between the second-row captain’s chairs. Additional features can be added to all models through the local Chevy dealer.

The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse is powered by a 3.6-liter V-6 engine driving the front wheels or all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. The Traverse’s engine features direct fuel injection and makes 281 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 266 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,600 rpm. With the available dual exhaust system on LT and LTZ models, the V-6 generates slightly more horsepower and torque, measuring 288 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 270 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,400 rpm. Fuel economy ratings are 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway for front-wheel drive models and 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway for the Traverse AWD. Our review vehicle, a Traverse LTZ AWD, averaged 14.8 mpg in mostly city driving.

Standard safety equipment on the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse includes dual front airbags, side-impact airbags for the front seat occupants, and side-curtain airbags for outboard occupants in all three rows of seats that remain inflated for an extended period of time depending on information gathered by the Traverse’s rollover sensing system. Additionally, the Traverse comes standard with four-wheel-disc ABS with Dynamic Rear Proportioning, Hydraulic Brake Boost and Panic Brake Assist; stability control with rollover mitigation technology; and traction control.

OnStar 8.0 is standard, and includes Bluetooth wireless cell phone connectivity for hands-free calling and communication on 2LT and LTZ. OnStar is also equipped with Advanced Crash Response, which automatically contacts a live operator if the Traverse’s airbags have deployed so that emergency personnel can be summoned and sent to the car’s location.

The Traverse is also available with side mirrors that have an integrated blind spot convex mirror, as long as LT or LTZ trim is ordered. Optional safety features include Ultrasonic reversing sensors embedded into the back bumper, and a reversing camera that can display what’s behind the Traverse on the rearview mirror or on the available navigation system screen.

J.D. Power and Associates says the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse competes against other midsize multi-activity vehicles such as the Ford Flex, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Veracruz, Mazda CX-9, Subaru Tribeca, and Toyota Highlander.