2011 Chevrolet Traverse

Starting at $29,370 the prices go up to $40,250 for the top-of-the-line AWD version. The Traverse is feature-rich, with a lot of amenities to keep you engaged even from the base trim. It competes against the likes of Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer, and Dodge Durango. Let’s see how good the Chevy Traverse stands against the rivals.

The 2011 Chevy Traverse is offered in three trim levels - LS, LT, and LTZ. The LT trim is again divided into 1LT and 2LT. All the trim levels are equipped with the same 3.6L V6, with FWD and AWD options. The basic trim itself comes equipped with a lot of features like cruise control, keyless entry, automatic headlights, navigation with telematics, cloth seats, and so on. With the 1LT trim, you would get a remote engine start, integrated turn signal narrative, heated mirrors, rear parking aid, etc. 

Climbing to the 2LT trim, you get remote trunk release, a power liftgate, electrochromic rearview mirror, premium sound system, etc. The top-of-the-line LTZ trim gets power-folding mirrors, a cooled driver seat, a mirror with memory function, and so on.

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Chevrolet has offered a decent package of features with each trim level, making every choice worthy. However, we would strongly recommend the top-of-the-line LTZ trim as it gets some cool features that make it more than a regular utility car. Cooled seats and memory function on mirrors are notably good features.

The 2011 Chevy Traverse is equipped with a standard 3.5L V6 engine that churns out 281 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission unit with an overdrive facility and a manual shifting mode. One shall opt for either to send the power to the front wheels or all the wheels. The FWD version is powerful and sufficient enough. However, AWD improves the overall ride quality and refinement.

The powerful V6 drags the Traverse to 60 MPH from a perfect standstill within 7.7 seconds. The SUV hits the quarter-mile mark within 16 seconds, which is also impressive for a heavy SUV. The big hefty vehicle has difficult handling characteristics. Steering and transmission units work well to ensure a smooth and composed ride throughout.

The 2011 Chevy Traverse is neither the fastest nor the most powerful pick in the segment but still, the acceleration is quick for its size. For the best power figures, you have the Dodge Durango and the Ford Explorer, while the Toyota Highlander comes out to be the fastest in the race clocking 7.2 seconds. The 2011 Explorer manages similar timings as the Chevrolet and averages a top speed of 108 MPH. 

The V6 under the hood of the 2011 Chevy Traverse is a very thirsty unit and, needless to say, it offers only an average fuel economy rating. The vehicle offers 16 MPG in the city, 23 MPG on highways, and 19 MPG combined. It gets a decent 22-gallon fuel tank, which offers a practical range of 352 miles on the city and 506 miles on highways.

Coming to the competition, the efficiency figures aren’t as good as those with the rivals. The Dodge Durango with its massive fuel tank and impressive economy figures offers the best-in-class range of 443 miles in the city and 615 miles on highways. Though the efficiency figures of Explorer come first, the smaller fuel tank of 18.6-gallons affects its range figures. 

The impressive ride quality of the Chevrolet Traverse compliments well with the interior layout. The cabin feels premium and feature-rich, which makes you feel comfortable even during longer drives. The passengers are not to be exposed to the noise when inside the cabin. The materials are soft to touch and reflect quality. Chevy offers one of the best cabins in the segment with its big and bold Traverse.

The cabin seats 8 passengers comfortably. The seats are spacious, even in the rear row. One shall opt for a 7-seater interior layout as well, which comes with the second-row captain’s seat. The roomy and airy cabin gives out a pleasant ambiance to the passengers. The top LTZ trim gets tri-zone climate control, which sets the cabin to the most appropriate temperature. Apart from all these, Traverse offers you the best-in-class cargo capacity of 24.4 cubic feet, which shall be increased to 68.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 116.4 cubic feet with both second and third row folded.

The vehicles in this segment are all tightly competitive when it comes to the space offered. However, Chevy gets the best shoulder room in all three rows, thereby letting 8 people sit comfortably. It also gets the class-leading cargo capacity, while the Toyota Highlander lurks at the bottom with a trunk volume of 10.3 cu.-ft. The interior is nice and some of the highlighting features are:

• Leather upholstery
• Heated and ventilated power front seats
• Eight-way power driver seat with driver memory settings
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel 
• Full power accessories

How intuitive is the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse’s infotainment unit?

The 2011 Chevrolet Traverse is equipped with a standard OnStar infotainment system paired with a standard 6-speaker sound system. The system includes AM/FM stereo, CD Player, and satellite radio as standard. It would offer you turn-by-turn navigation, letting you get out of the hassles of routes in cities. The LTZ trim gets a BOSE premium sound system and also offers a screen-based navigation system, which makes it more usable and efficient. That said, some of the standout infotainment features are:

• OnStar Infotainment System
• CD/MP3 player with an auxiliary audio jack
• Turn-by-turn navigation
• Satellite Radio
• Optional navigation system
• Optional rear-seat DVD entertainment system

There have been no notable changes with the exterior design of the Traverse. Chevy has kept it the same, which is quite a point for the buyers to get disappointed. While the rivals offer stylish looks and attractive elements in the exterior, the engineers at Chevrolet haven’t brought any touch of modern to the exterior. The outdated and old design makes the overall appearance uninspiring.

In terms of dimensions, Chevy Traverse is the longest, tallest, and heaviest in the segment. It is 205 inches long, 78.4 inches wide, and 70.4 inches tall. It gets 7.2 inches of ground clearance as well. The hefty design with larger dimensions makes it difficult to drive and handle especially in heavy traffic. The vehicle offers an optional sunroof, which is a feel-good feature.

The Traverse is the heaviest in the segment followed by the Dodge Durango that gets the highest ground clearance of 8.1 inches. The dimensions of the Traverse are proportionate to the segment, and the rivals, but handles way better than the others while maintaining the cabin ambiance as well. While the Dodge Durango sports the longest wheelbase of 119.8 inches, the Ford Explorer is the widest measuring 78.9 inches.

It looks and drives like a Traverse should, and some of the highlighting exterior features on it includes:

• Rear Spoiler
• Rear parking aid
• Remote trunk release
• Automatic headlights
• Power liftgate
• Power-folding mirrors with memory function

The 2011 Chevrolet Traverse is one of the safest cars in the segment. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave a 5-star rating for the Traverse after their crash tests. The long list of safety features including the post-collision safety system, rear parking aid, stability and traction controls, etc. makes it a preferable choice for those who are in search of a safe SUV in the segment. That said, some of the standout safety features are:

• Post-collision safety system
• Rear Parking Aid
• Engine immobilizer
• Power-folding integrated turn signal
• Tire-pressure Monitoring System

The 2011 Chevrolet Traverse is a feature-rich and practical SUV in the segment. The Traverse ought to be the perfect pick for the price with impressive safety scores and composed ride quality. Offered at a variety of trim levels, the vehicle would fit any pocket with immense and plentiful features. However, uninspiring exterior design and unimpressive fuel efficiency are where you opt-out from the Traverse. The handling characteristics seem to lack with the vehicles in this segment, especially with the Traverse.