I Rented A Chevrolet Traverse

[JayceeP]

Easy fellas. Just thought I would share my experience as threads pop up from time to time about whether BOF is really needed for a poster inquiring about the 4Runner.

So the first question I assume I will be asked is , "WHY?" Well I just got back from a 9-day vacation from South Florida and rented from the Fort Lauderdale airport. I don't like driving cars and didn't want to pay for a Yukon or Tahoe so I settled on the standard SUV category which was initially "Jeep Grand Cherokee or similar" then switched to "Hyundai Santa Fe or similar." Would have been cool to try out a JGC but oh well. Anyway, when we went to the the parkade, the guy basically grabbed the first vehicle he saw which was a 2013/2014 AWD Grey Chevrolet Traverse.

Not a bad looking vehicle. Initial observations were that it had lots of room and the driver seat leg room was awkward as my right knee/leg was against the centre console. A few inches wider and longer than the 4Runner. I didn't find it much better in terms of on road handling/driving.

For the overall trip which included a highway journey up to Disney for 2 days it was actually a pretty decent vehicle to drive. MPG wasn't really any better than the 4Runner. Did 75-80mph up the FL Turnpike to Orlando and computer said I got as high as 21.3MPG but by the time I filled up after some Orlando driving the computer was at 19.9 and I calculated 18.9- so off by 1MPG so I may have only been getting low 20s on the highway. Not bad but the 4Runner can easily get that at the same speed so I was sort of surprised.... Especially given the claim that crossovers are more efficient. The Traverse is a 4,700lb vehicle though. Power was decent but I noticed it hit higher RPMM's when accelerating from lights and whatnot.

It had 2nd row captains chairs and full 3rd row seating that collapsed into the floor quite nicely. Lots of trunk space. With no frame to worry about and lower floor line you can really notice the difference in vertical trunk space. My gf's 11y/o seemed to like it quite a bit as a passenger with more controls for climate and sound in the back.

One feature I really grew accustomed to was the parking assist lines on the back-up camera and the alert when approaching objects. Very helpful- wish I had it but I believe the 2014 4Runners are equipped now.

Another feature the 4Runner really needs is the automatic lift gate. Loved this feature. Button was on the fob and on the lift gate. Miss it already.

I prefer the cruise control buttons on the actual steering wheel with volume/seek controls on the back-side on the steering wheel. Small item but convenient.

Overall, I became used to and quite comfortable driving the Traverse after 600+ miles. I would not buy one over a 4Runner but if there was a big price difference I could consider this cross-over segment. The high end Traverse is priced only a couple grand cheaper than the Limited but they probably offer more incentives. Though it is more practical in terms of space and family comfort, the looks, feel and capability as a driver are not worth it. The 4Runner just feels tighter and more like a tank with better power and interior comforts as a driver. When it comes time for my own kids, however, a cross-over really could make a lot of sense.... for my wife

 

[Bay33saw]

-----Chirp------Chirp------:sorry:

 

[Ed Rooney]

Nice write up. Were you carrying more weight in the Chevy than you normally would in the 4runner?

 

[JayceeP]

Nice write up. We're you carrying more weight in the Chevy than you normally would in the 4runner?

Thanks.

Only to/from the airport. On the drive up to Orlando we only took 2 carry-on pieces of luggage and a small cooler containing 5 beer, a couple bottles of water and Gatorade- you know, the essentials. Just my gf, her son, and myself in the vehicle for the trip.

On day-to-day driving, no luggage except for towels and the cooler on trips to the beach. One trip to the golf course with my dad and 2 bags of clubs and a couple trips to the range with one bag of clubs.

 

[mtvp]

I don't get it why a $45K Toyota 4R LE doesn't have a power lift gate even as a option.
Nice write up though, I like to read reviews in which people stay open and give a fair shake to competitive vehicle .

 

[diverscale]

as much as I liked your write-up, lets not forget that it was only a few days ride. One of the most important thing when I bought my 4Runner was the reliability, which you cannot account for in such a short trip

 

[RickC5]

I don't get it why a $45K Toyota 4R LE doesn't have a power lift gate even as a option.

It does, but Toyota calls it a Lexus GX470. They've GOT to differentiate, you know....

 

[Stifler]

my sister has a Traverse.... it's a Chevy

 

[LandCruiser]

The Traverse exists because GM doesn't make a minivan and they need a big SUV that is a crossover (the Tahoe and Suburban and the dozens of GMC and Caddy variants are BOF).

So the Traverse is all things, crossover, big SUV, minivan, family hauler, etc.

 

[Whiplash Willy]

It does, but Toyota calls it a Lexus GX470. They've GOT to differentiate, you know....

The 2003-2009 GX470 does not have a liftgate, it has a side swinging door, that doesn't have power, or even a strut (Which sucks because you have to lock the arm in place unless you want it closing back on you, which doesn't feel good.....)

The 2010+ GX460 also doesn't have a powered rear door, or a liftgate, it is also a side swinging door, and it has a gas strut for assistance.

Honestly, I rather not have a power lift gate, its just another expensive thing to break. Its not a big deal to close a lift gate yourself. Also, considering how well my 4runner's power seats are doing (Grinding, clicking and popping when sliding back and fourth) I can only imagine how "great" the power lift gate would be that they would use.

 

[Americas High Five]

Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave, Saturn Vue - same pig, different lipstick

 

[Nelsonmd]

Another feature the 4Runner really needs is the automatic lift gate. Loved this feature. Button was on the fob and on the lift gate. Miss it already.

I prefer the cruise control buttons on the actual steering wheel with volume/seek controls on the back-side on the steering wheel. Small item but convenient.

I'd settle for a lift gate that actually lifted all the way open and stayed there... even after replacing the worn out supports, my lift gate won't stay all the way up...

Agreed on the steering wheel controls. They are so nice. I really wish my 4runner had them too.

I drove a JGC for about 6 months a few years ago. I liked it alot. It had the steering wheel controls, which was awesome, but there were a couple other little things that drove me nuts. the biggest was something that no one ever complains about, the door locks. The little post stuck way up out of the door, even when locked, and it was right where I put my elbow when I had the window down. That really annoyed me when trying to have a relaxing drive in the summer.

It drove similarly to the 4runner, still shook me like a truck over the bumps despite being unibody and I think having independent rear suspension. It was only a year or 2 old, so it had alot fewer years than my 4runner. Really nothing to make it stand out from my current ride, but nothing to make me say that it sucked.

 

[-JD-]

On the subject of steering wheel controls, does GM put the audio controls on the right side? Dodge does this and it drives me nuts. Poorly thought out ergonomics. If I wanted to use my right hand it's nearly as easy to just reach out and use the actual audio controls on the head unit. If they are placed on the left side you get the option of using either hand. Just a small thing, sure, but with things I use repeatedly all day long it matters to me.

 

[JayceeP]

as much as I liked your write-up, lets not forget that it was only a few days ride. One of the most important thing when I bought my 4Runner was the reliability, which you cannot account for in such a short trip

Haha of course. I didn't even give consideration to the mechanical/engineering aspect.

Honestly, I rather not have a power lift gate, its just another expensive thing to break. Its not a big deal to close a lift gate yourself. Also, considering how well my 4runner's power seats are doing (Grinding, clicking and popping when sliding back and fourth) I can only imagine how "great" the power lift gate would be that they would use.

Lol. I know what you mean. It made no difference to me until I rented this vehicle and it had one. It's just one of those conveniences you grow accustomed to. It really was nice to have... cost considerations aside.

Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave, Saturn Vue - same pig, different lipstick

Every manufacturer offers the same vehicle with different lipstick. 4Runner/Prado/Lexus GX for example. The Vue isn't manufactured anymore.

On the subject of steering wheel controls, does GM put the audio controls on the right side? Dodge does this and it drives me nuts. Poorly thought out ergonomics. If I wanted to use my right hand it's nearly as easy to just reach out and use the actual audio controls on the head unit. If they are placed on the left side you get the option of using either hand. Just a small thing, sure, but with things I use repeatedly all day long it matters to me.

The seek and source buttons were on the right side and the volume buttons were on the back-side of the right side of the steering wheel. Cruise control buttons were on the left side. I agree with you though, but they probably thought the one arm drivers who rest their left elbow would prefer to have easier access to the cruise controls buttons. Honestly, I don't remember how ergonomic it was for that issue. I didn't mind the layout though.


One other thing I forgot to mention is I did find the steering wheel a little bit clunky at low speed/stop i.e when pulling in/out of a parking spot.

 

[mform]

Not averse to Traverse

I rented a Traverse LTZ for about 10 days in Las Vegas last year. It was surprising and really pretty decent for hauling people, suitcases, etc.

Re the power lift gate comments: This was during the blistering 115+ heat burst and the best thing about the power lift gate was being able to drop the windows and open the gate while walking out to the car....this allowed that initial "OMG I'm entering a cement kiln" feeling to be much less severe...merely like entering a pizza oven or a giant Weber Smoky Joe.

Won't be buying one anytime soon, but I get the appeal as a people hauler and anti-minivan (even though it really is one).

I think this reflects the overall quality of most new vehicles on today's market. There may be a dud or two still coming off assembly lines, but they are now more the exception than norm.

 

[lezavw90]

The 4runner is in a weird class which as time goes by a class of few (bof SUV). The better comparison to a Traverse would be the Highlander, which does have a power tailgate.

 

[mdogg]

The 4runner is in a weird class which as time goes by a class of few (bof SUV). The better comparison to a Traverse would be the Highlander, which does have a power tailgate.

Based on the power tailgate and chassis type, it would be good to compare those, but the Highlander is far smaller.... mainly due to the extra 12" front to back that the Traverse has over it. The Traverse is nearly the same length as the Tahoe and Sequoia (but both are BOF....).

 

[JayceeP]

The 4runner is in a weird class which as time goes by a class of few (bof SUV). The better comparison to a Traverse would be the Highlander, which does have a power tailgate.

Absolutely. It wasn't my intention to compare them as vehicles of the same class but as 2 different vehicles altogether.

I think the nicest looking unibody is the JGC followed by the Explorer sport/limited.

As mentioned before the Traverse is basically a minivan in disguise. It, or something similar, would be practical for a lot of families... reliability aside. Haven't been in the new Highlander yet.