Chevrolet Traverse 2010

The 2010 Chevrolet Traverse ranks 2 out of 23 Affordable Midsize SUVs. This ranking is based on our analysis of 19 published reviews and test drives of the Chevrolet Traverse, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The Chevrolet Traverse is an affordable, stylish and versatile minivan alternative. Its spacious seven- or eight-passenger seating and class-leading cargo space make it a great family SUV.

As Chevy's first large crossover SUV, the Traverse replaced the discontinued Uplander minivan when it debuted in 2009. It shares a platform with the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave, and several reviewers say it's the best of the three. "There is a plethora of crossover SUVs to choose from today and they come in all sizes," says MSN. "If you regularly tote around six or seven passengers, occasionally load plywood sheets or tow up to 5,200 pounds, the Traverse should be added to your shopping list."

The Traverse’s greatest strength is a standard third-row seat, which brings the seating capacity to eight and is actually big enough to fit adults. It also boasts an incredible amount of cargo space that no other SUV in its class can match. At just over $29,000, the Traverse’s starting price is about average for its class, which makes it a good value. Its 17/24 city/highway fuel economy is also about average, but is especially impressive when compared to other eight-passenger SUVs.

Other SUVs to Consider

Since the Affordable Midsize SUV class is so large, there are even more affordable options – but it’s difficult to find one as well-rounded as the Traverse, or one that seats eight passengers.

Still, you may want to consider the Ford Flex, which comes with a two-person third row that’s big enough to fit adults. It has a comparable fuel economy rating and shaves a few hundred dollars off the Traverse’s base price. Its biggest advantage, however, is an optional EcoBoost engine, which boasts a whopping 355 horsepower. Just remember that the Flex also comes with unique retro styling, which may or may not float your boat.

Another good three-row option is the Honda Pilot. It costs about $1,300 less than the Traverse and has a very similar fuel economy rating. However, it doesn’t provide nearly as much cargo capacity and comes with a much boxier exterior.

Details:

The 2010 Traverse is available in a few trim levels -- LS, 1LT, 2LT and LTZ -- in either front- or all-wheel drive. Since it was just introduced last year, the Traverse gets only minor changes for 2010, such as the addition of a USB port. Since the 2010 Traverse is nearly identical to the 2009 model, this review uses data from both model years.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro - Review

The concept car for the new Chevrolet Camaro burst onto the auto-show circuit several years ago and received instant critical acclaim. After a long wait, the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro is here, and thankfully not much has changed on the styling front.

Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com tend to view the 2010 Chevy Camaro as the most appealing of the trio of Detroit pony cars (the other two being the Ford Mustang and the Dodge Challenger). The new Chevrolet Camaro, which is available in V-6-powered LS and LT trims, as well as the V-8-powered SS, strikes an unrivaled balance between retro styling cues and modern elements. Cars.com comments that, "though loosely styled after the 1969 Camaro, the 2010 model lacks the vintage look of the current Dodge Challenger or Ford's 2005-09 Mustang." Car and Driver agrees, praising the 2010 Chevy Camaro for its "evocative, contemporary styling" that recalls the nameplate's late-60s glory years but "thankfully misses being totally retro." Automobile Magazine says that, "out among traffic, the Camaro stands out," and not just for its unmistakably loud exhaust note. In a nod toward Chevrolet's other sportscar, Autoblog points out that "the reverse Mohawk in the roof is meant to tie the car to the twin-cockpit silhouette of the Corvette," a vehicle that also lends its V-8 engine to the Chevrolet Camaro SS. All told, reviewers are hard-pressed to find anything disappointing about the exterior, and early consumer reaction seems to be very positive as well.

While Chevrolet has, by all accounts, nailed the exterior design, reviewers aren't as impressed with the interior. Cars.com reviewers find that the interior "looks more retro than the exterior," with a few elements that are clearly reminiscent of the 1969 Camaro, and "the unique center controls may be off-putting for some." Car and Driver faults some of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro's ergonomics, claiming that, "as great as the high-mounted squircle-shaped gauges and cool center stack look, the script is tiny and the buttons can be ergonomically challenging in operation." A couple of reviewers point out that the 2010 Chevy Camaro's interior is rather dark—Autoblog warns that "the high beltline, low roof and black interior don't let bundles of excess light to play within the cabin," creating a "somber" environment. Not everything about the interior is bad, however; Automobile Magazine praises the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro's instrument panel, noting that "the gauge and console layout is clean, tasteful, and modern."

Conclusion

The sculpted exterior of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro evokes just the right emotions, but the dark interior can suck some of the joy out of driving this reborn muscle car.

Chevrolet Cruz continues GM Brands Winning Looks - 2009 GM Cruze Review

The Cruze is said to be the replacement for the Cobalt in Chevrolet's product lineup.Exterior styling aims to provide owners with a sporty, sophisticated look while at the same time retaining key family styling cues, such as Holden’s trapezoidal grill.
In profile the Cruze features both convex and concave curves to offer a unique yet modern design language while at the same time reducing the number of seams and gaps for an all round better finish (all gaps less than 3mm).
At the rear, dual circular lamps sit within a red tinted lens assembly outboard of a chrome garnish that defines the bootlid’s waist line. The bootlid also serves purpose as being specially designed to act as an aerodynamically efficient trailing edge for the car further reducing drag and saving fuel.
With a wide stance, and short overhangs the stylish exterior appearance really only tells half of the story when it comes to the design, and overall fit and finish of this car with just as much thought behind the scenes as is presented outwardly.
Cruze is available in eight different paint finishes (two solid and six metallic) and features 16-inch steel wheels on the base-spec CD and 17-inch alloy wheels on the top-spec CDX.
Paint colours are as follows:
Arctic White Chilli Red Mercury Silver (M) Pewter Grey (M) Light Gold (M) Carbon Flash Black (M) Iced Blue (M) Moroccan Blue (M) Once inside the Cruze aims to create a sporty, comfortable and spacious “dual-cockpit” layout which has drawn influence from all GM markets during its conception.
Retaining similar styling themes as found externally on the vehicle - such as trapezoidal shaping (note centre air-conditioning/infotainment stack) and tight tolerances - the Cruze offers many features as standard that some rivals consider “extras” or simply do not offer at all.
A tilt/slide adjustable three-spoke steering wheel offers a thick grip, leather clad on CDX, along with both audio and cruise controls, which are incidentally standard on both model grades.
The use of all available space is evident through Cruze’s many storage compartments as is the obvious maximising of available cabin space, perhaps most noticeably in the offering of 917mm of rear leg room.
The driving position is comfortable, the pedal box well positioned and reduction in wind and road noise pleasing on all but the most coarse of rural roads.
Instrumentation is logical and concise while still offering a full-trip computer to compliment the four-gauge layout.
Featuring intuitive, simple and logically placed controls and switch gear the Cruze is afforded a pleasant, clean and modern decor using a mixture of colours and textures through all inter-relating materials to assist in a feeling of fluidity and refinement not usually found in cars of this price range.
The base model Cruze CD offers a two-tone sports mesh (cloth) trim with silver and matt black highlights while the CDX gains heated leather upholstery, gloss highlights with chrome and silver accents.
Both Cruze models feature an MP3 compatible single CD tuner with iPod connectivity, express up/down power windows with anti-pinch function, two flip keys, delayed theatre style cabin lighting, full trip computer, cruise control and 60:40 split fold rear seats with a built-in articulating arm rest.
CDX gains front fog lamps, the afore mentioned heated leather trim, rear park assist, and dusk sensing headlamps.
Notably, Cruze misses out on Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, a six-CD stacker and satellite navigation - even as optional equipment.
Cargo capacity on all Cruze (sedan) variants is 400 litres with the seats up.
Interior Dimensions are as follows:
Leg: 1074mm(F)/917 (R) Shoulder: 1391(F)/1370 (R) Head: 999 (F)/963 (R) Under the bonnet Cruze features the choice of petrol or diesel four-cylinder engines mated to either a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission with Active Select - though we should point out that at this stage, the diesel is only available in CD spec.
The engines are set in a four-mount cradle and are mounted on a slight angle, specifically tuned to the engine’s inherent torque axis, so as to minimise the transfer of vibration and noise.The 1.8-litre Family I, Generation III petrol unit manages 104kW at 6200rpm with thanks to dual continuously variable valve timing, twin continuously adjustable camshafts and a two-step intake manifold with a rotary sleeve (instead of flaps) to minimise any flow losses.
Developing 176Nm of torque, 90 per cent of which is available from between 2200rpm and 6200rpm, the engine isn’t exactly a powerhouse, but manages to achieve decent performance if kept in the upper reaches of the tach.
The petrol engine is capable of running on 91 - 98 RON fuel and is E10 compatible.
However, for my money the pick of the pair is easily the 2.0-litre, intercooled, turbo-diesel unit that utilises common-rail injection and a variable geometry turbo to develop 110kW at 4000rpm and 320Nm, which again offers 90 per cent of its power across a wide band - this time between 1750rpm and 3500rpm.

Chevrolet 2009 Cobalt Coupe and Sedan

Chevrolet Camaro

The 10,000 or so lucky people currently on the waiting list for the hotly-anticipated 2010 Chevrolet Camaro will apparently have to wait just a little bit longer to take delivery. One month longer, to be exact. That's because General Motors is delaying production of their all-new muscle car, pushing back the start date from February 16 to March 16.
No specific reason was given for the production delay, but according to Chevrolet spokesman Terry Rhadigan in a recent Automotive News report, there should be no cause for concern.
"It's due to a variety of factors that I'm not going to get into, but it's nothing to be concerned about," Rhadigan said. "We're going to build every on we can and we're excited to get them out."