Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossovers/CUVs, Chevrolet
Spy Shots: Chevy's Lambda-based CUV, the 2009 Traverse
by John Neff on Aug 14th 2007 at 2:44PM 
click image above for high-res gallery
While the name Traverse is not set in stone, the arrival of a Lambda-based CUV for Chevy is. Joining the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave will be this model caught for the first time on the Las Vegas strip, of all places. Condenamed the GMT 561, the Traverse is on a fast track to production and will likely be built at GM's Springhill, Tennessee plant starting in August of 2008, which means it should be labeled as a 2009 model. Chances are we'll see its first public debut at either the Detroit Auto Show in January or Chicago show in February.
While it's hard to tell based on the spy shots, the front end will likely carry styling cues over from the new Chevy Malibu, which is fine with us. The only real question is whether or not the Traverse will grow Lambda sales, or merely cannibalize them from its siblings. We expect it would be the value leader among the group, slotting below the Outlook in price and equipment. Does the Traverse make for one too many full-size CUVs in GM's stable? Perhaps, but at least the "new GM" is badge engineering vehicles that are good to begin with, spreading the wealth around its brands rather than saddling them with poorly made copies of below average vehicles.
[Photos: Brenda Priddy & Co.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Dustin Tarditi 2:54PM (8/14/2007)
Shoddy interior = guaranteed
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Rambo 3:42PM (8/14/2007)
Value= guaranteed
Reliability= guaranteed
YUPPIES WHO ONLY DRIVE IMPORTS TAKING CHEAP SHOTS= guaranteed
Bob Sruncle 1:16PM (1/18/2008)
Rambo:
Brand Loyalty with no thought to reality = Guaranteed
Matt 9:48PM (1/18/2008)
Blindly biased comments when you probably haven't set foot or torso in a GM in ten years = gauranteed.
TriShield 2:58PM (8/14/2007)
It will have a nice interior, just like the rest of it's siblings.
I wish they had stuck with the name Nomad though.
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Cajun_Mike 3:02PM (8/14/2007)
where will this vehicle rate in the GM hierarchy? If it's beneath the Saturn, then I can assure that the interior will be about as sparse as it gets.
Chalk up another bastardization of a product across American lines. Four vehicles off the same platform is ridiculous.
Doogs 4:01PM (8/14/2007)
"Four vehicles off the same platform is ridiculous."
Honda Pilot, Odyssey, Ridgeline, Acura MDX
Toyota Camry, Highlander, Lexus ES, Lexus RX
Nissan 350Z, Infiniti G35, Infiniti G37, Infiniti M, Infiniti RX...
BIG HUGE difference between platform sharing and badge engineering...and GM seems to be doing a better job with its Lamdas than it has in the past (though the Outlook and Acadia are too close for comfort, IMO).
Nellydesign 4:34PM (8/14/2007)
As much as i hate to admit it, the platform sharing vehicles listed for some of the other companies are much better handled than the GM Lambdas, mainly because if you didnt tell anyone, they wouldn't know. The Lambdas are a step up from the headlight/grill changes of the past, in that they all get different sheetmetal, but they still are essentially the same vehicles with the same features filling the same place in the market. The same cannot be said of those Hondas products. Each is a thoroughly unique (if not entirely stimulating) vehicle.
That being said I would still buy a Lambda over a Honda, but 4 vehicles that are essentially the same is pretty ridiculous. Why does every brand have to have it's own version??
TriShield 3:00PM (8/14/2007)
This vehicle is also replacing the Trailblazer and Uplander minivan at Chevrolet.
Chevrolet makes up over 60% of GM's total sales so it only makes sense that the brand and dealer network would get this vehicle to sell. Yes it will overlap with it's siblings, but it will also give budget and Chevrolet shoppers an alternative to foreign vehicles.
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500 3:10PM (8/14/2007)
Hmmm, looks like no sliding doors as had been rumored. Might have differentiated it from its siblings and captured more former minivan customers.
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Josh 3:13PM (8/14/2007)
ITS THE CHEVY ENCLAVE! hahahah
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Typesbad 3:14PM (8/14/2007)
With three versions out there already, its hard to see what Chevrolet will bring to the party. Of course that's not the point. Chevy, and most importantly, Chevy dealers need this vehicle and that's that.
The HHR has a fairly decent interior, and this will be positioned above that, so there is hope. It probably won't be that far off from the Outlook in general quality.
Nomad is a great name, but it definitely belongs on a smaller vehicle. Based on at least one definition of the word, "Traverse" isn't a bad name, but it just sounds odd to me. The words "reverse" or "perverse" keep coming up in my mind.
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Bob-omb 3:15PM (8/14/2007)
Having Buick, Pontiac, and Saturn versions of the Uplander was ridiculous. But that was mostly because it was the Uplander. I think Chevy should definitely get its own model, especially because of the favorable reviews its siblings are getting and how much better of a car it is than the Edge. But I think the GMC one should disappear soon after the Chevy comes out. I'm not sure why they even made a GMC in the first place.
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iQuack 3:21PM (8/14/2007)
Well, the Enclave and its siblings are probably GM's best SUVs, so if GM is dumping minivans and reducing its other SUV offerings, any net reduction in redundant vehicles will be a good thing.
Let's hope the Chevy Traverse doesn't look too much like the Enclave because badge engineering demeans all of those affected IMO.
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chevyyo 3:33PM (8/14/2007)
Still way too many brands in there... imagine only marketing two brand vehicles instead of 4. Your $$ could go so much farther GM...
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Dave 3:36PM (8/14/2007)
How long til we see a Saab version?
And a Hummer version?
And a Caddy version to replace the SRX?
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ed 3:40PM (8/14/2007)
The Chevy Tranny lol.
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Dustin Tarditi 3:51PM (8/14/2007)
We'll see how the resale valuation holds up... proof will be in the pudding.
Tool 3:53PM (8/14/2007)
I think that GM should have given this to the Chevrolet Division first instead of GMC.
I've questioned GM's product strategy to have 2 Lamda-based CUVs in the Buick-GMC-Pontiac channel.
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TriShield 3:53PM (8/14/2007)
This is the final flavor of GM's CUV. Cadillac, Hummer and Saab will not be getting it.
There is no good reason Chevrolet should not be selling this vehicle. Chevrolet has many times the dealer network and total volume of sales than the other brands do. Dealerships for the other brands are also sparse in rural America. Every other little town has a Chevrolet dealership, not so for the others. You cannot also starve one mainstream dealer network while nursing the others. GM is obligated to give Chevrolet dealers are vehicle to sell since they are canning the TrailBlazer and Uplander.
GM is also going through the pains of differentiating the styling of each version of this vehicle and have done an excellent job of doing so.
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