Major Options / Build: Acoustical Package, Navigation System, Alloy Wheels, Third Row Seating, Steel Wheels, Bluetooth, Backup Camera, Convenience Package

Additional Description: Expert Review:With its stylish good looks spacious cabin car-like ride and handling plus decent fuel economy the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse has much to offer SUV owners looking to downsize.Vehicle overview:Over the past couple of years a lot of people have come to the realization that even though they like the practicality that a traditional SUV provides they're not particularly fond of how unwieldy these lumbering truck-based behemoths can be. If you're one of these people we'd encourage you to check out the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse.As a large crossover the Traverse combines the people- and cargo-schlepping strengths of an SUV with the carlike ride and handling of a minivan. Granted by choosing a crossover you'll be giving up the heavy-duty towing capacity of those old-school sport-utes and the ultimate practicality of a minivan. Still at the end of the day the benefits offered by crossovers like the Traverse make them smart choices for many drivers.While the Traverse is the least expensive of GM's three large crossovers built on the same underpinnings (the other two are the Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia) it's appealing in ways that go beyond the bottom line. Families will appreciate the roomy interior that offers comfortable seating for up to eight passengers; they'll also likely warm to the surprising number of upscale features found on the upper trim levels. Relatively decent fuel economy and high marks in government and insurance industry crash tests are also part of the deal.2011 Chevrolet Traverse models:The 2011 Chevrolet Traverse is a large crossover SUV available in LS LT and LTZ trim levels. Standard equipment on the LS includes 17-inch steel wheels eight-passenger seating split-folding second- and third-row bench seats a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel air-conditioning full power accessories OnStar and a six-speaker CD/MP3 player with an auxiliary audio jack and satellite radio.The midrange LT trim level is actually comprised of a choice of two sub-trims: the well-equipped 1LT and the more upscale 2LT. The 1LT package offers 18-inch alloy wheels heated sideview mirrors an eight-way power driver seat a trip computer a leather-wrapped steering wheel and rear parking sensors. Select the 2LT package and you'll get all that plus tri-zone automatic climate control a 10-speaker Bose system (with USB port) rear audio system controls seven-passenger seating (featuring second-row captain's chairs) a power liftgate and a rearview camera integrated into the rearview mirror.The Traverse LTZ ups the luxury ante with 20-inch wheels leather upholstery heated and ventilated power front seats (with driver memory settings) Bluetooth connectivity and remote ignition. Many of the standard features on upper trim levels can be added to the lower ones via option packages. Other highlights from the add-ons list include a trailer-towing package a navigation system (with real-time traffic a rearview camera and a USB port) dual sunroofs and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system (with USB port).2011 Highlights:Aside from the audio system's relocated USB input and the addition of heated cloth seats to the options list for LT models the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse remains largely unchanged.Performance & mpg:There is only one engine/transmission combination available for the Chevrolet Traverse -- a 3.6-liter V6 mated to a six-speed automatic with manual shift control.In the LS and LT trims the V6 produces 281 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. In the more upmarket LTZ output jumps to 288 hp and 270 lb-ft thanks to a dual-outlet exhaust. In our performance testing a Traverse LT2 posted a sufficiently quick 0-60-mph time of 8.6 seconds.EPA fuel economy estimates for the front-wheel-drive Traverse are 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined. All-wheel-drive Traverse models are very close at 16/23/19 mpg. Properly equipped the Traverse can tow up to 5200 pounds.SafetyAntilock disc brakes traction and stability control front seat side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags for all three rows are all standard on the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse as is one year of GM's OnStar service including turn-by-turn navigation and hands-free phone connectivity. In Edmunds brake testing its Acadia twin came to a stop in 135 feet -- the Flex and CX-9 perform better.In the government's new more strenuous crash testing for 2011 the Traverse earned a top five-star rating for overall performance with four out of five stars being given for front-impact protection and five stars for side-impact protection. The Traverse also aced the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests where it got the highest rating of "Good" in both the frontal-offset and side-impact tests.Driving:While the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse rides more smoothly and handles better than most traditional SUVs it won't exactly make you forget you're driving a plus-size vehicle.Buyers looking at the top-of-the-line LTZ version should also bear in mind that its larger 20-inch wheels have a somewhat adverse effect on ride quality. The 3.6-liter V6 under the hood delivers wiling performance in a wide range of driving situations.Read our Chevy Traverse Long-Term 20000-Mile TestInterior:While the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse has a number of good qualities its interior is the real selling point. The design is attractive with an eye-catching two-tone color scheme brushed aluminum and chrome trim and simple easy-to-read gauges. There are a few low-quality plastics used in spots and the audio and climate controls use too many small and similar-looking buttons but overall the Traverse's passenger cabin gets good marks for both style and function.Depending on which trim level you choose the interior offers seating for either seven passengers with the second-row captain's chairs or eight with the 60/40-split-folding second-row bench seat. Either way first- and second-row passengers enjoy comfortable accommodations. The third row is much more adult-friendly than the ones you'll find in most traditional SUVs though the Ford Flex still bests the Chevy in this regard.There's also plenty of room for stuff including 24.4 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third-row seat. Fold both the second and third rows down and you get a nice flat load floor with room for 116.4 cubic feet of cargo.Visit Mr. Care Auto online at www.mrcareautoin.com to see more pictures of this vehicle or call us at 317-834-3172 today to schedule your test drive.Axle$COMMA 3.16 ratio,Battery$COMMA high capacity 660 cold-cranking amps,Brakes$COMMA 4-wheel antilock$COMMA 4-wheel disc,Cargo storage$COMMA tray under rear floor,Console$COMMA front center with 2 cup holders covered storage bin and sliding armrest with storage,Cupholders$COMMA 12 total 1st row$COMMA 2 center console$COMMA 2 bottle holders in doors 2nd row$COMMA 2 on door armrest$COMMA 2 in center seat armrest or center console$COMMA 2 bottle holders in doors$COMMA 3rd row$COMMA 2 on armrests,Daytime Running Lamps,Defogger$COMMA rear-window electric,Door handles$COMMA chrome,Door locks$COMMA rear child security,Engine$COMMA 3.6L SIDI V6 (281 hp [210 kW] @ 6300 rpm$COMMA 266 lb-ft of torque @ 3400 rpm [359.1 N-m]),Exhaust$COMMA single outlet,Floor covering$COMMA color-keyed carpeting,Floormats$COMMA color-keyed carpeted front$COMMA second and third row$COMMA removable,Front wheel drive,Glass$COMMA Solar-Ray deep-tinted (all windows except light-tinted glass on windshield and driver and front passenger side glass),GVWR$COMMA 6411 lbs. (2908 kg) (CR14526 FWD models only.),Headlamp control$COMMA automatic on and off,Headlamps$COMMA dual cavity$COMMA halogen,Horn$COMMA dual-note,Instrumentation with Driver Information Center$COMMA speedometer$COMMA tachometer$COMMA outside temperature display$COMMA coolant temperature$COMMA odometer$COMMA low oil$COMMA fuel and coolant indicators$COMMA voltmeter$COMMA and trip odometer,Insulation$COMMA acoustical package,Liftgate$COMMA rear manual,Lighting$COMMA interior with theater dimming$COMMA cargo compartment$COMMA reading lights for front seats$COMMA second row reading lamps integrated into dome light$COMMA door-and tailgate-activated switches and illuminated entry and exit feature,Mirror$COMMA inside rearview manual day/night,Mirrors$COMMA outside power-adjustable$COMMA Black$COMMA manual-folding,Moldings$COMMA Argent$COMMA body-side,Roof rail moldings,Seat$COMMA 2-way manual front passenger$COMMA included with Premium Cloth,Seat$COMMA 4-way manual driver with manual lumbar control,Spoiler$COMMA rear,Steering column$COMMA tilt and telescopic with brake/transmission shift interlock,Steering wheel$COMMA vinyl (Will be upgraded to (NP5) leather-wrapped steering wheel when (ZQ2) Fleet Driver Convenience Package or (PDC) Bluetooth Connectivity for Phone is ordered.),Steering$COMMA power$COMMA constant effort,Suspension$COMMA Ride and Handling,Tire Pressure Monitoring System (Does not monitor spare),Tires$COMMA P245/70R17 all-season$COMMA blackwall,Trim$COMMA interior painted center stack,Visors$COMMA driver and front passenger padded with cloth trim$COMMA color-keyed and illuminated vanity mirrors,Wheels$COMMA 4 - 17" x 7.5" (43.2 cm x 19.1 cm) steel,Windows$COMMA power with driver Express-Down,Wiper$COMMA rear intermittent with washer,Wipers$COMMA front intermittent with washers