468 miles, that’s the round trip drive from my home to my in-laws house in Michigan and back. Luckily we had the chance to test drive for a week, the Chevy Traverse.
It also is the only time Tésa let me drive it!
Last weekend, I drove the Traverse 468 miles, but that is not how long it took me to become attached to it. We were recently at the Cleveland Auto Show, and I was able to sit in a number of new cars. Initially the best thing is the smell gosh, I love that new car smell. Sitting in the Traverse reminded me of the Auto Show experience, but that experience improved exponentially after firing up the engine and putting it in reverse to back out of the driveway. The 3 climate zones, heated seats AND cooling fans in the seats make traveling as a family that much easier. That, combined with all the new gadgets, back-up camera, DVD player, and all the electronics my current car doesn’t have, sent my mind racing back to my memories as a kid racing to rip open Christmas presents.
We are very close to being in the market for a new “family” car. Our current family car is on its last leg, or tire, per se. Before this experience, I wasn’t very familiar with Chevy’s line of products, now however, I am a believer. The Traverse is a perfect fit for our family, in addition to it handling great, having plenty of pick-up (all the things a Tired Dad wants in a “family” car) the Traverse takes the challenge of a family trip with great ease.
There was plenty of storage room, the kids were well taken care of in their car seats with their own heat/air in back, and a DVD player with separate headphones. Tired Parents were able to relive the glory of old road trips by listening to all types of music courtesy of the XM radio, and safety-wise, there was no obstructed view in the rear due to the luggage for a weekend trip being piled up like there would have been in our current vehicle.
Tésa and I want to remain “cool and hip” and stay as far away from a mini-van as possible (even though they do make a lot of sense for a family), but the Traverse offers all the benefits of a mini-van without the “stigma.” It is a sharp looking car that can be best summed up as “the cool Mom’s alternative to the mini-van and Dad isn’t embarrassed to drive it either!”
When the day comes (hopefully sooner than later), the Chevy Traverse will be the car that we look to first when we start looking for that new “family” car. Round 1 with the Traverse was a grand experience, hopefully our family will have an opportunity in the future to experience rounds 2 and beyond.
I love my new traverse! We went from a gas guzzling suburban to the traverse and I look for reasons to drive it!
doc search engine
i really like the look of the traverse so niiiice
Megan,
Chevy’s reputation has rebounded over the last couple of years. Go for a test drive of the Traverse, (or one of the GM family cars) the Acadia or the Enclave. All 3 rate very high, and have many similarities.
Go for a ride and let the car speak for itself, its a great NON-MINI-VAN!!
Another review, another + in the Traverse column! We are in the market for a new family car, a replacement for our Mistubishi Montero SUV which is on its last leg. (I say that, but I’ve been saying that for YEARS. Would you PLEASE DIE???)
I’ve been looking at this car a lot, but I’m not going to lie: Chevy does not have the best reputation. I’m a little worried about taking my hard-earned cash (yes cash! woot!) and spending it on a brand that has had its share of problems lately. But what brand hasn’t (I’m looking at you, Toyota!).
I want to love this car, and maybe after I drive it, I’ll be sold! :)
Cool review Tired Dad!!!
You describe it so well that you make me want to get one! I’ve been talking to my SIL about if we live closer we’d go test drive vehicles all the time.
Whooo It sure looks fine too!
Don’t want a minivan either. Dh absolutely will not have one :)
You have me interested in this in this car. We ended up buying a minivan :( last year. I love the space but hate that I drive it and the minivan mom name! haha We only have Bailey but also have the two dogs. My hubbys family is in PA so we travel a lot and its just not comfy for a carseat and 2 medium sized dogs in the backseat! We also plan to have more kids so it seemed practical. I love all the accessories about it but hate it more and more everyday. I used to have a Saturn Vue before and it wasnt that big of an SUV but it sits higher than the van and I miss that! haha sorry for rambling! Thanks for posting this….My husband may disagree because I want to car shop now haha! You all have a great weekend!