While no one doubts GM’s constant assertion that their new cars are better than their old cars, they company tends to downplay their relative excellence or lack thereof. In that sense, the Chevy Traverse has a couple of mountains to climb. First: GM’s three other Lambda-based (i.e. badge engineered) crossovers: Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook. Detroit Free Press reviewer Mark Phelan begins by tackling that issue side on. “Buoyed by an exceptionally clean and attractive design, appealing features, good fuel economy and a competitive price, the Traverse will probably outsell the other three put together.” Is that a good thing? (Here be cannibals.) Phelan barge poles the issue. And for good reason: “I tested a nicely equipped front-drive Traverse LT2 that stickered at $33,515 and had no options.” But seriously folks, Phelan’s ultimate– in fact only– argument for the Traverse’s supremacy is its relative fuel economy. “The front-drive Traverse’s EPA rating beats the Veracruz and CX-9, just edges the Pilot and matches the Flex. It trails the Highlander by 1 m.p.g. in both city and highway driving, which works out to an extra $145 in annual gasoline bills, by the EPA’s calculation.” So that’s alright then. Game over! “Style, value, practicality and comfort. That’s another four aces, and this hand has been played. The Chevrolet Traverse wins. Competing automakers can push their chips to the middle of the table and wait for the next deal.” When I can I play poker with this guy? Meanwhile, TTAC’s Michael Karesh pits the Traverse against the Flex— and watch both automakers fold.
Find Reviews by Make:
Read all comments
Honestly, I think the other three Lambda-based vehicles look much better. The Chevy is a distant 4th.
The day that GM stops putting out 4 badge-engineered versions of the same vehicle is the day I’ll know they’ve made substantive changes. Until then it’s just more of the same.
Mr. Farago, one small correction:
Phelan works at the Freep, Scott Burgess is DetNews’s resident auto bloviator.
Granted, there’s insufficient discrepancy between their respective reviews to prove that they’re in fact separate columnists, but they do have separate headshots.
DETmktingprof :
How in the WORLD did I make that mistake? Text amended.
Fuel economy is the same for the other Lambdas.
So he’s essentially saying the Chevy is the best because he likes the look of it the best?
I’m also not sure where he’s coming from touting the comfort. From my first Lambda test drive I’ve noted that the seats are just okay, and are clearly an area where costs were cut. Those in the Flex are far better.
Figured it might be a Janet and Michael Jackson never being photographed together kind of thing… maybe you’re on to something far more sinister?
So when is ‘badge engineering’ not ‘badge engineering’?
Chevrolet Cobalt/Pontiac G5 – definately badge engineering
Toyota Corolla/Matrix – platform engineering
So where do the Lambda quads fit when they share a platform and some common parts but most exterior sheet metal is unique and interiors do have distinctive styles.
If the Outlook and Acadia didn’t exist would people still complain about ‘badge engineering’.
If I wanted a FWD “People Mover” I’d just buy a slightly used Honda Odyssey, thank you very much.
God these big FWD crossovers are dumb. Fuel mileage of a SUV without the traction.
God these big FWD crossovers are dumb. Fuel mileage of a SUV without the traction.
I agree Blunozer. A wagon version of the Malibu and/or Imapala would make more sense.
$33,515? These days I bet you could negoiate a deal as good or better on a new Tahoe or Suburban. Fuel mileage would be a little worse, but you would have a true 7-seater with room for 8 if you needed it, a lot more capability, and a platform and drivetrain that is more proven and easier to maintain.
Other than that, I think the Saturn Outlook is nicer to look at. Actually, I think a lot of the Saturns look better than the Chevy’s. This gaping maw of a split grill that is infecting the Chevy’s lineup is garish and obnoxious. Looks fine on the Tahoe, but that’s about as far as it goes.
Buoyed by an exceptionally clean and attractive design,
He must be blind, that is not attractive, the other 3 are much better looking and I’m not even that fond of the Enclave, with the Acadia being the most handsome. A week ago you could get a base Outlook cheaper than this thing.
Oh well cannibalize your own sales, because with 4 of the same you sure aren’t going to be stealing sales from anyone else if you couldn’t do it with the other 3(better looking ones).
The Highlander (V6 at least) only beats the Lambdas in city mileage by one mile/gallon. Their highway ratings are equal: 24 for 2WD, 23 for AWD.
I rented an Acadia on summer vacation. A nice, big, competent vehicle and exactly the wrong vehicle for the times. Quadruple down: Good idea, GM!
Mark Phelan is and has been a shill for the Detroit 3 for so long I’m surprised anyone gets offended by his constant cheerleading.
SkiD666
It’s badge engineering when both cars have the same functionality and serve the same markets.
Hence, even though the Enclave/Traverse/Outlook/Acadia all have different sheetmetal, there’s still nothing to suggest one over the other, other than incidental details. That’s why there’s concern about cannibalism.
I’d say these 4 are not strictly badge engineering, given the different sheet metal. Even then, the Outlook and Acadia look too similar.
Unfortunately for GM the Traverse & Outlook are targeting the same market from the same type of full line dealership. Doubly bad for GM the Acadia & Enclave target the same market. Triply bad, the last two are sold in the same dealerships.
Somebody decided to push for GMC to have more fuel efficient vehicles rather than going pure professional truck. That person should be shitcanned, especially because the decision to go with the Acadia came after BPG channels were merged into one.
Somebody else decided to give Saturn the Outlook. That person should also be shitcanned. Factory capacity would have been covered by a Chevy and Buick version. Instead they built the Acadia to make up the difference they’d never see from the Outlook. Now the Traverse is getting tacked on and people are noticing.