2008 was the birth of Chevrolet Traverse when it was first introduced in 2008 at the Chicago Auto Show and is still in its first generation. Two years back, it received a major facelift featuring some astonishing enhancements which made it popular in the Middle East. Like most of the Chevrolet SUVs, the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse is also one of the favorites of motorists here. The 2016 Chevy Traverse is offered in 4 trim levels:
Chevrolet Traverse LS, Four Wheels Drive
Chevrolet Traverse LT with optimal Four Wheels or All Wheels drive
Chevrolet Traverse 2LT, All Wheels Drive and the top of the line Chevrolet Traverse LTZ with All Wheels Drive, which we tested.
Walk Around
If you compare the Traverse that was first launched in 2008 with the new 2016 model, you will notice a huge difference. The 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, like all other Chevrolet crossovers, boasts a stunning persona. The front fascia comprises of a redesigned front grille, dual cavity halogen headlamps and fog lamps integrated on the bumper. Although the base model is fitted with 17 inch steel wheels, but the Chevrolet Traverse LTZ trim which we tested comes with splendid 20 inch alloys. The rear is fairly simple with elegant tail lamps and dual exhaust tips
Having driven both, Honda CRV and Infiniti QX60 which are popular crossovers in the UAE, I can conclude that the Traverse is definitely more attractive than these in terms of styling.
Cockpit Impression
As you enter, you are surprised to see the roominess of the interior. It is perhaps, the most spacious crossover we have driven until now, with an overall 5 meters Long x 2meter width. The cabin is not just spacious, but has luxury fee, featuring premium 8 way powered leather seats with memory functions. It has a seating capacity of 8 people and offers 3,293 liters of cargo space with the seats folded down.
The attractive two-tone front dash renders soft touch details and intuitively placed controls for maximum convenience. Open the SkyScape Sunroof and you can enjoy the phenomenal view of Dubai while driving this amazing crossover.
Engine Specifications
Let’s open the hood to check what kind of powertrain the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse has to offer. All the trims carry the same 3.6L V6 SIDI DOHC VVT engine is combined with a 6 speed automatic transmission. This LTZ trim delivers 277 horsepower and 359.1 Nm of torque.
Driving Impression
Let’s take this crossover for a spin and see if the performance is also as good as the interior and the exterior. As we started the ignition, we heard a pleasant engine sound and the front display screen turned on. We noticed it did not make any unnecessary noise on both low and high speed. The cabin is almost close to being sound proof as no noise from the outside world gets inside. For such a large vehicle, it is astonishing to see Traverse offering a smooth handling especially on tight edges, thanks to its StabiliTrak stability control system.
Although I did face some problems in downshifting and while aiming for maximum acceleration, but that can be ignored, as for a family crossover, speeding won’t be necessary. Flooring the pedal, I was able to hit the 100 km/h mark in around 8.3 seconds.
The fuel efficiency we achieved was close to 7 km/L in the city and 10 km/L on the highway, with a full tank is of 83 liter which is not bad considering the regulated fuel prices in the UAE.
Technological Overview
This top of the line LTZ trim is equipped with some of the modern facilities which will keep you engaged during long trips. The front panel features MyLink 6.5 inch color touch display mounted in the centre with Bluetooth streaming technology. Making phone calls or streaming music is definitely very convenient with this. The GPS navigation system allowed us to search for locations easily, set points of interest and save favorite destinations. For music lovers, the phenomenal 10 speaker BOSE surround system is all they desire.
Safety Features
Safety of the vehicle and the passenger is ensured through front and side airbags, rear vision camera, side blind zone and rear cross traffic alert, forward collision alert, lane departure warning, tire pressuring monitoring system, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and keyless entry system.
Verdict
Having driven a number of crossover SUVs, I can safely conclude that the 2016 Chevy Traverse is by far the most spacious crossover vehicle you can buy. It is a perfect crossover for families due to its impressive fuel efficiency, eye-catching design, advanced safety features and most importantly, a brilliant performance. The base trim starts at AED 123,000, while this range topping LTZ trim can be bought for AED 181,000
You can also check:
2016 motoraty car buying guide for the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse
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