With two kids in two different schools this year and a budding career as a travel writer and TV host, I’m spending more time in the car than I have in a long time- and so now, more than ever, the kind of car we drive matters. Here’s a list of what’s important to me in our family vehicle:
- Safety rating– Along with just about every other mother in the nation, I’m completely obsessed with my family’s safety on the road. Therefore I won’t even consider a car or SUV that doesn’t have a high safety rating.
- Space– We have four kids and our kids have a lot of friends. We’re always looking for SUVs with as much seating as possible.
- Entertainment options– We do so much traveling that keeping the kids occupied while on the road has become an important part of pre-travel planning. The more entertainment options a car or SUV has, the better, whether it’s available rear-seat DVD players, plenty of USB* and charger outlets, or a stereo system and headphone outlets that the kids can control from the backseat.
- Backseat comfort– Most SUVs have comfortable front seats, but I want my kids to be comfortable, too. I look for SUVs with plenty of rear-seat air conditioning vents, cup holders, and places to put things.
I realize this is a lot to ask for- but A MOM HAS NEEDS. And now, I have been given the opportunity to see whether the Chevrolet Traverse can live up to those needs. Chevrolet loaned me a Chevy Traverse 1LT, so I’m taking it to the beach for a week to see if it can live up to my family’s very demanding standards.
I have to admit, I’m feeling pretty good about this test drive– I’ve done my research on the Chevy Traverse and the results are impressive. Check out these features:
- Seating for up to 8 is standard on the LS and 1LT. It’s also available on the 2LT.
- The Chevy Traverse has best-in-class max cargo room.
- The Chevy Traverse has a NHTSA 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score for safety.**
- The Chevy Traverse also has an available industry-first Front Center Air Bag***, available Side Blind Zone Alert, available Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and available Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure warning.
- The Chevy Traverse has a rear vision camera that will help me better see what’s behind me when I’m backing up. I live on a cul-de-sac and I’m always nervous pulling out of my garage- so I’m especially excited about this feature!
- The Chevy Traverse has an interior level of personalization, allowing me to connect with available Bluetooth® wireless technology**** or the USB port* to sync my smartphone or other compatible device. I can also access my favorite music and media using touch controls or voice commands. With additional USB ports in the rear of the center console, there are plenty of places to charge compatible devices. There’s also an available rear-seat entertainment system.
- Heated/cooled leather-appointed front seats are available. My current SUV also has heated seats (heaven on a cold day), but COOLED seats?? I’m in love.
- An OnStar RemoteLink app is available on select Apple, Android, BlackBerry and Windows devices. Services vary by device, vehicle and conditions. The app requires an active OnStar subscription, which is standard for six months.
Is that enough to get you as excited about this SUV as I am? I love all of these features not only for road trips, but also for the day-to-day grind of school, soccer, work, and family activities around town. Check back soon to see how our week with the Chevy Traverse went- and if you’d like to learn more about this SUV in the meantime, check out the Chevy Traverse website for more details. *Not compatible with all devices. **Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) New Car Assessment Program (www.SaferCar.gov). ***Always use safety belts and child restraints. Children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat in the appropriate child restraint. See the Owner’s Manual for more information. ****Go to gmtotalconnect.com to find out which phones are compatible with the vehicle.