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2010 Chevrolet Traverse Review

November 5, 2009

STYLING | 6 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Styling is a bit more contemporary than its stable mates at Buick and GMC
Kelley Blue Book

Stylish cabin design presents well at a distance
ConsumerGuide

A front fascia clearly inspired by the 2008 Malibu's
Automobile Magazine

In a word, the styling of the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse is mainstream. It appears as though GM wanted to target the most people possible when designing the exterior.

The exterior of the 2010 Traverse Chevrolet is virtually identical among all three trim levels, which reviews read by TheCarConnection.com list as base LS, mid-range LT, and top-of-the-line LTZ. The only major difference between the three levels of the Traverse is the wheels.

Autoblog reviewers report that "the Traverse is available with 17-, 18- and 20-inch wheel/tire combinations," which carry the LS, LT, and LTZ trims, respectively. Otherwise, all 2010 Chevrolet Traverse models sport middle-of-the-road styling that Cars.com says is "a look that everyone should find appealing" and is not "cute, controversial, too extravagant or futuristic." Edmunds calls the Chevrolet Traverse "a pretty subtle-looking thing" with styling that’s "rounded and relatively unadorned," but still able to project what Chevrolet terms "nonchalant confidence."

Overall, TheCarConnection.com finds that the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse shares some styling cues with the Chevrolet Malibu, and Autoblog feels that "the big twin-port grille inspired by the Malibu works well on it." Automobile Magazine goes so far as to call the Chevrolet Traverse "a Chevy Malibu SUV," though they note that the "projector-style headlights" are unique to the Traverse. The 2010 Chevrolet Traverse also shares its platform with several GM siblings—the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave—but Autoblog is pleased to report that, "unlike in the 1980s and '90s, GM has finally learned how to give its platform-sharing vehicles distinctive looks that go beyond a different grille and taillights."

A similar story plays out inside the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse. As with the exterior, the cabin of the Traverse is functional but by no means exciting. Autoblog reviewers are quick to point out that "the dashboard design also carries over themes from the Malibu with a sweeping twin cockpit look," and Motor Trend praises the "clean, modern style," but overall, reviewers are not dazzled by the interior design. ConsumerGuide finds that the "stylish cabin design presents well at a distance, but a closer inspection reveals mostly hard plastic textured for visual effect." They do, however, give the Chevrolet Traverse high marks for its "big, bright, clear gauges [that] are easy to read." Cars.com also mentions that the interior of the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse features "plenty of beveled plastics," a common complaint that hurts the vehicle’s overall score for styling.

Conclusion

The 2010 Chevrolet Traverse’s strong suit is its practicality, not its style.

STYLING | 6 out of 10Expert Quotes:Styling is a bit more contemporary than its stable mates at Buick and GMCKelley Blue BookStylish cabin design presents well at a distanceConsumerGuideA front fascia clearly inspired by the 2008 Malibu'sAutomobile Magazine In a word, the styling of the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse is mainstream. It appears as though GM wanted to target the most people possible when designing the exterior. The exterior of the 2010 Traverse Chevrolet is virtually identical among all three trim levels, which reviews read by TheCarConnection.com list as base LS, mid-range LT, and top-of-the-line LTZ. The only major difference between the three levels of the Traverse is the wheels. Autoblog reviewers report that "the Traverse is available with 17-, 18- and 20-inch wheel/tire combinations," which carry the LS, LT, and LTZ trims, respectively. Otherwise, all 2010 Chevrolet Traverse models sport middle-of-the-road styling that Cars.com says is "a look that everyone should find appealing" and is not "cute, controversial, too extravagant or futuristic." Edmunds calls the Chevrolet Traverse "a pretty subtle-looking thing" with styling that’s "rounded and relatively unadorned," but still able to project what Chevrolet terms "nonchalant confidence." Overall, TheCarConnection.com finds that the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse shares some styling cues with the Chevrolet Malibu, and Autoblog feels that "the big twin-port grille inspired by the Malibu works well on it." Automobile Magazine goes so far as to call the Chevrolet Traverse "a Chevy Malibu SUV," though they note that the "projector-style headlights" are unique to the Traverse. The 2010 Chevrolet Traverse also shares its platform with several GM siblings—the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave—but Autoblog is pleased to report that, "unlike in the 1980s and '90s, GM has finally learned how to give its platform-sharing vehicles distinctive looks that go beyond a different grille and taillights." A similar story plays out inside the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse. As with the exterior, the cabin of the Traverse is functional but by no means exciting. Autoblog reviewers are quick to point out that "the dashboard design also carries over themes from the Malibu with a sweeping twin cockpit look," and Motor Trend praises the "clean, modern style," but overall, reviewers are not dazzled by the interior design. ConsumerGuide finds that the "stylish cabin design presents well at a distance, but a closer inspection reveals mostly hard plastic textured for visual effect." They do, however, give the Chevrolet Traverse high marks for its "big, bright, clear gauges [that] are easy to read." Cars.com also mentions that the interior of the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse features "plenty of beveled plastics," a common complaint that hurts the vehicle’s overall score for styling. ConclusionThe 2010 Chevrolet Traverse’s strong suit is its practicality, not its style. 2010 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE STYLING | [6 out of 10] Kelley Blue Book: “Styling is a bit more contemporary than its stable mates at Buick and GMC” ConsumerGuide: "Stylish cabin design presents well at a distance" Automobile Magazine: "A front fascia clearly inspired by the 2008 Malibu's" ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

If you're considering the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse, you're probably shopping for room and some cargo-carrying capabilities. Depending on whether you most value passenger or cargo space, you could look to other crossovers or more traditional truck-based SUVs. While there are full-size SUVs such as the Chevrolet Tahoe that come with more powerful V-8 engines, enhanced towing, and off-road capabilities, the Traverse does quite a bit better in fuel economy. The Traverse also beats smaller mid-size SUVs like the Ford Explorer and Jeep Commander, thanks to its more spacious cabin and carlike dynamics. Probably coming closest in capability, performance, and fuel economy to the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse are vehicles like the eight-seater Honda Pilot and the fashionable Ford Flex. Both provide V-6 power and roomy interiors, and they score better marks in the styling department when placed side-by-side with the Traverse. The Flex offers an especially strong, passenger-friendly interior layout, also with three comfortable rows of seating.

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See the Chevrolet Traverse in Other Years:

2010 | 2009

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