'Traverse' in style with family.

Byline: Mandeep Singh

I thought I had missed out when I couldn't make it to Dubai for the Gulf launch of the Chevrolet Traverse in January .

But it was worth the wait to get to spend real time in the newest offering from General Motors' latest crossover utility vehicle (CUV).

The pleasure of driving this great family vehicle was all mine for nearly a week, giving me time to take it almost everywhere in the country and enjoy its off-road capabilities at the weekend!

The drive, coming as it did just a few days after GM had been in the news worldwide, also proved a point - that the company is here to stay.

Though not as large or spacious as some of the other sports utility vehicles (SUVs) or CUVs I have driven, the Traverse is still a very stylish seven or eight-seater alternative for families and goes to show that practicality and aesthetics can indeed go hand in hand with great value for money.

At first glance, it comes across as s solid piece of engineering, with the traditional GM masculine appearance - all business and no finesse.

However, as you get into the vehicle, you realise that looks can be misleading since the interior offers state-of-the-art aesthetics, leather seats, a great instrument panel and plenty of add-ons.

The Traverse's design integrates refined details with strong proportions and boasts the bold new global face of Chevrolet.

Taut body lines and minimal overhangs convey the image of a smaller vehicle, reinforcing the Traverse's feeling of a large crossover that drives "small".

It looks as if it will not fit into tight parking slots or be able to take sharp U-turns, but the ease with which it managed was surprising.

Even though it is a big vehicle, it does not feel nearly as large and lumbering as it should from behind the wheel.

In a car designed squarely around family needs, the functionality and comfort of the interiors are of utmost importance and GM seems to have kept this in mind.

In order to deliver exceptional interior refinement and functionality, the Traverse interiors are a confluence of attractive design, cutting-edge technology and excellent attention to detail.

I feel families in Bahrain will be very comfortable with the tasteful styling, outstanding quality and detailed workmanship of the materials in the cabin.

Add to it the panoramic, power-operated sunroof, power-folding outside mirrors, a power lift-gate, heated and cooled front seats, a remote vehicle start system, a DVD entertainment system, rear ultrasonic parking assist and rear-view camera and you have what it takes to ride in style.

The Traverse is available in Front Wheel Drive (FWD) or All Wheel Drive (AWD) and is powered by a 3.6L V-6 engine with direct injection, which offers a satisfying balance of great performance and fuel efficiency.

It generates a segment-leading 313 hp @ 6300rpm and 389 Nm of torque at 3300 rpm.

Though these technical details are really of no consequence for anyone who just wants a powerful vehicle, they are important to mention for the "feel good" factor.

The Traverse has a 360-degree safety system that helps protect passengers before and during a crash, including new anchor pre-tensions for outboard occupants.

It is equipped with two dual-stage frontal air bags for the driver and front passenger, two seat-mounted pelvic-thorax side-impact air bags in the first row and two head curtain side-impact air bags that cover all three seating rows.

What this translates to is that in the event of a crash, the occupants could find themselves inside a 'blimp', cushioned from all sides. But of course, we cannot test this out!

To top it all, with standard rear child security locks, Lower Anchors and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH) to firmly attach child safety seat for optimum child security in the back, the Traverse sets parents' minds at ease.

Having so many similar vehicles available might seem like overkill, but the quality and thoughtfulness of design that the Traverse has seems to make it poised to do better than most, if not all of them.

Fuel economy offers 6km to 7km to a litre which, even by our Gulf standards, is pretty good!

Depending on the configuration chosen, the Traverse seats either seven or eight passengers in three rows.

The first and second-row seats are comfortable and supportive and the split-folding third-row seat - which is often a kids-only zone in traditional SUVs or CUVs - can accommodate adults in reasonable comfort.

Maximum cargo capacity is a generous 117 cubic feet with second- and third-row seats folded down, and even with all three rows of seating in use, there is still a useful 24 cubic feet of luggage space.

The Traverse is available at its dealers, National Motor Company, Sitra, with prices ranging from BD10,500 to BD12,600.

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