Chevy Traverse

[jsmith]

We also looked at the Traverse-and the Equinox when we were shopping. After driving tons of different models we ended up with a 13 Acura RDX-the Traverse is larger than we wanted and we all the towing with our tahoe which we will eventually replace with another one. The RDX is a bit larger inside than the equinox and gets much better fuel mileage.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

We also looked at the Traverse-and the Equinox when we were shopping. After driving tons of different models we ended up with a 13 Acura RDX-the Traverse is larger than we wanted and we all the towing with our tahoe which we will eventually replace with another one. The RDX is a bit larger inside than the equinox and gets much better fuel mileage.

V6 vs. V6, the RDX is rated 3 MPG higher than the Equinox (27 vs. 24). The Equinox however has a 4 cylinder as the base engine, which is rated at 32 MPG. No 4 cylinder is available in the RDX. So yes, if you're comparing V6 models, you would be correct, but it's not quite accurate to make a blanket statement of the RDX getting better mileage than the Equinox.

 

[Tiger926]

I've never experienced the jerking or the noise, but the transmission is definitely programmed to upshift much too quickly for the powerband of the engine. The engine doesn't really make any power below 2,200 RPM & the transmission under leisurely acceleration will upshift to the point the engine is running at roughly half that speed. It's not an engine issue. Mash the gas & the car WILL go, and go quickly. And yes, you do have to feed it a lot of throttle to accelerate rapidly. The transmission also tends to hunt around on hills. If you leave it in 6th or in D, in cruise control it will downshift to 4th on a long hill, upshift back through 5th & 6th, and then downshift again before you top the hill. To defeat this, I drive with the tranny in the manual position. Once it downshifts, I'll click the tranny down to 5th to keep it from upshifting into 6th until AFTER the hill is topped. Unfortunately, the Acadia/Traverse/Enclave appear to be geared the same as the 1,200lb lighter Chevy Malibu which utilizes the same engine. This is done in an effort to boost fuel economy, but can be a headache for someone not used to such frequent downshifts at highway speed, nor such rapid upshifts in "normal" driving.

Wow! Very specific info here - thanks for sharing, as I am going to show to my hubby.

We looked at the Traverse when we went car shopping in August. We decided it was too big for us, and the mileage was too poor.

Are previous cars were all sedans (last two were Saturns), and wanted to move up to a crossover. We didn't need to tow anything. We only really need room for 4, but we thought about the Traverse because there were times we might have needed room for seven.

In the end, we got the Equinox.

We don't find the Traverse to have poor gas mileage at all. It has better gas mileage than both of our vans, and they were pretty good.

The mileage between it and the Equinox is very close as well, considering that the Traverse is a V6 engine and the Equinox is only a 4 cylinder.

Incidentally, my best friend just traded her Envoy in for a brand new Equinox and she is saving well over $100/month on gas, and she is loving that, but she realizes that the Equinox is a bit too small for her and the kids. Our Traverse seats 8 which is great when we bring our parents or nieces with us to various places.

V6 vs. V6, the RDX is rated 3 MPG higher than the Equinox (27 vs. 24). The Equinox however has a 4 cylinder as the base engine, which is rated at 32 MPG. No 4 cylinder is available in the RDX. So yes, if you're comparing V6 models, you would be correct, but it's not quite accurate to make a blanket statement of the RDX getting better mileage than the Equinox.

Exactly what I mentioned above as well.

Tiger

 

[Squirlz]

It is used in the Cadillac as well but is manufactured by GM, not Cadillac and was engineered by Holden.

I will second this. There is no longer any such thing as a Cadillac engine, and I am a huge Cadillac CTS-V fan. Mine has 565 HP but I know it is not a "Cadillac engine".

 

[Melct]

My husband has a new Traverse. While there are several things I like about it, I would never buy one for myself. The visibility is horrible. I am a short woman (5'2") but I have never had this issue in any other vehicle. I have a terrible time seeing out the rear mirror, and there seems to be a smaller front windshield than in most cars. There are HUGE blind spots, and I don't feel safe driving it. Backing up terrifies me. It does have a sensor that beeps when you're close to something, but I'd still like to be able to see when I back up (as much as is possible, anyway).

Ditto everything she said! I hate driving my husbands Traverse.

 

[tvguy]

I will second this. There is no longer any such thing as a Cadillac engine, and I am a huge Cadillac CTS-V fan. Mine has 565 HP but I know it is not a "Cadillac engine".

It's just fast, right?

 

[skuttle]

We have a 2009, which we bought new back then. I've enjoyed it. We recently became a family of five and we have plenty of room. We have the second row captains chairs, which are great for the kids. The back storage is a bit tight with two strollers and the folder chairs for the kids' sports games, but it all fits if we fold down the small back row seat. That's leaves my oldest DS with plenty of room with the large back row seat still up for him to sit. I really like that you can fold down part of the 3rd row and not all of it.

My mom visits often and when she's in town we take the traverse with all 6 of us. The two little ones' car seats are in the captains chairs, and then one of us plus our oldest DS sits it the 3rd row. THe 3rd row really isn't too bad.

We've taken it to WDW twice so far and don't find the gas mileage too bad. We don't tow so I can't help with that.

I'm 5'3" and back up all the time with ours, no problems. We have the sensor, backup camera in the rear mirror, and the little mirrors for blind spots in the corner of the side door mirrors.

We have this in ours, too, and I don't have any problems seeing and/or backing up. I'm about 5'3". I really don't know if I'd have problems without these extras. I do know I rely on them a lot though. I almost backed into a car behind me when I was in a rental minivan without the camera or sensor! THe little mirrors are helpful, too.

I never noticed any acceleration issues. I drove a Camry before getting the Traverse. It definitely has more pickup than my DH's Jeep Wrangler.

My only complaint is that I recently had to put in $1100 worth of work into it. My rear air went out and the steering was locking up on turns and just kept getting worse. Going through my parking garage at work was a nightmare because I could barely steer! Also, when they were test driving my car after repairing it, my water pump went out and had to be replaced as well. The water pump was covered under warranty thankfully, otherwise that would have been another $500.

 

[Squirlz]

It's just fast, right?

Incredibly fast. I've been driving a rented Mustang drop top V6 around Florida for the last 10 days and I miss my V!