2009 Chevrolet Traverse LT

This 2009 Chevy Traverse LT is loaded with options and looks and runs like a new one. Comfortable ride, confident performance, generous passenger and cargo capacities, strong crash test score and at 25mpg this super roomy SUV is unmatched. Under the Traverse's hood is a 3.6-liter V-6 with direct fuel injection to achieve slightly better power and gas mileage than the engines in the Outlook, Acadia and Enclave. Three-row curtain airbags and an electronic stability system are standard, and all-wheel drive. Performance Our 2009 Chevrolet Traverse LT2 was powered by the stout, direct-injected 3.6-liter V6 that's standard across the Traverse lineup. Matched to a six-speed automatic transmission, this V6 pumps out 281 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Our Traverse recorded a 0-60 time of 8.6 seconds and a quarter-mile sprint of 16.4 seconds, more than adequate for a 5,000-pound, full-size crossover. In real-world driving, the 3.6 moves the Traverse around with reasonable gusto, but doing so requires a heavy foot. Calibrated for maximum fuel-efficiency, the smooth-shifting tranny is quick to upshift and slow to downshift. As such, the Traverse can feel a bit sluggish unless you either shift it manually (by thumbing the button on the shifter's side) or are aggressive with the gas. We don't recommend being as aggressive as we were — against EPA fuel-economy estimates of 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined, we averaged 16 mpg in mostly urban driving. With a stopping distance of 135 feet from 60 mph, the Traverse is about 10 feet worse than the class standouts in this area, the Flex and CX-9, but nearly 15 feet better than the class dunce, the Honda Pilot. We noted that pulsation from the ABS system kicks in rather soon during panic stops. Given its mission as a comfortable family cruiser, the 2009 Chevy Traverse makes a strong showing in terms of its ride and handling balance. The refined suspension swallows up bumps and ruts with ease, yet it evinces none of the wallowing you might expect from such a big rig. Steering is precise, if somewhat numb, and the generally light effort builds up nicely while cornering. Thanks to its well-sorted underpinnings and slop-free steering, the Traverse feels sure and steady — indeed, smaller than its considerable size — when you're bending it through a curvy road. Comfort In addition to the plush ride, the Traverse provides cushy seats, at least up front. The pilot and co-pilot chairs are pleasingly soft, yet supportive on long trips. The seats' ample size and a tilt-telescoping steering wheel enable drivers of all sizes to get comfortable behind the wheel. The second-row seats don't rate as high — they're just not as well-shaped as the fronts. We're guessing that their flatter cushions are what allow them to fold down flush with the folded third-row seats and rear cargo floor. The third row is easy to access (thanks to a fold-and-slide feature for the second-row captain's chairs), and there's enough room back there for two adults to ride in relative comfort. The Traverse LT2's seating capacity is seven with the standard second-row captain's chairs and eight if you opt for a 60/40-split bench (which comes with a $495 credit). Function Most of the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse's controls are intuitive and simple. The center stack buttons are on the small side, though this is mitigated somewhat by the steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. The back-up camera (which is displayed on the left side of the rearview mirror) and reverse park assist feature make parking the big Chevy easy. Thanks to the roomy second row's rather flat cushions, installing a child seat — facing front or rear — is a snap. With 118 cubic feet of maximum cargo space, the Traverse can transport most anything short of a small condo, though it's still not quite up to minivan standards. Our large rollaway suitcase and golf bag easily fit behind the third-row seat. There is a generous below-floor compartment ba