2009 Chevrolet Traverse LS

The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse LS is the base trim for this SUV model, but shares many of the features of the more expensive trims, including the powertrain - a 3.6-liter V6 paired with a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control – a five-star safety crash rating, and what Chevy claims is best-in-class cargo space (117 cubic feet maximum) and the best highway mileage of any eight-passenger SUV at 24 mpg.

Standard equipment for the LS includes eight-passenger seating, 17-inch steel wheels, full power accessories, split-folding second- and third-row seats, air conditioning, automatic headlamp control, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, a six-speaker CD/MP3 player with an auxiliary input jack and a three-month trial of XM Radio, and one year of OnStar Directions and Connections plan, with turn-by-turn navigation. The EPA estimates this front-wheel-drive trim gets 17 city/24 highway/19 combined mpg.

By Tim O'Sullivan