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Chevrolet Traverse SUV – A Moving “Family Assistant”

Car Reviews,

I have had the opportunity to spend a few (not enough!) days with the Chevrolet Traverse LT and this vehicle makes it difficult to determine where to start!

The first thing to say is that there is hardly anything that I would change about the Traverse.  Keep in mind that this model has nearly everything you can put into a moving “family assistant”.  The total package contributes to the $42,000.00 price tag but I would be hard pressed to find objections to this purchase.

The Traverse offers an “entry level” version that starts around $32,000.00 however go for the LTZ!

Chevy Traverse Review

As you would expect, given the platform, the Traverse offers plenty of room for six (6) with easy accommodations for seven (7).  The six or seven passengers will be treated to a luxurious interior of leather-faced seats all around, with the driver and passenger side having total control of position.  This makes the traverse ideal for long trips as well as around town excursions.  The exterior dimensions of the Traverse are smaller than one would expect making around town not a scary proposition.

The wonderful tan/brown/brushed aluminum interior with perfect stitching makes time spent in the Traverse a relaxing experience.  I might have even bored the daylights out of my family when I topped our relaxing driving experience through Florida, off with the Spa station on Sirius XM Satellite radio.  As we drove the Traverse through Blue Springs State Park in Florida, it really felt like we were driving through a jungle with the waterfall sounds playing through the Bose® speakers.  The heated steering wheel was fabulous!  Yes, we were in Florida during most of my time with the Chevy Traverse but we experienced lower temps during our trip to Florida than I had there in years.  The steering wheel warmed my hands up instantly after getting in the car on chilly mornings.  Of course the front seats are heated (and cooled) as well.

On the road the Traverse offers the driver and passengers all the infotainment options you could want, and, the heads up display and side aware mirrors keep the driver well informed.  Driving the Traverse is a pleasure and the more I dove it the more pleasurable it became.  That is something that can not be said about all vehicles.

When you’re looking for a roomy, comfortable and safe family friendly vehicle, there’s no doubt you’ll probably come across the 2014 Chevrolet Traverse mid-size SUV. It makes an impression like few other vehicles can, especially when you open the door and see how roomy it is!

Spaciousness comes standard with seating for up to eight people. There is space galore for passengers and all the things you need. Traveling anywhere with groups, those things quickly add up.

Chevy Traverse Review

Excellent Safety Ratings

The 2014 Chevrolet Traverse received a coveted five-star safety rating, partly due to the StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System.  This helps drivers keep the SUV stable in the roughest weather or road conditions. Other safety features include:

  • Rear vision camera – for seeing everything behind you when backing up and maneuvering
  • Side Blind Zone Alert – Helps the driver to always have good visibility on all sides
  • Six air bags – including front seat mounted middle airbag to protect the driver and front seat passenger, curtain airbags for side impact protection and dual-stage air bags for extra security in a crash
  • Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning

Another helpful option for owners of the 2014 Chevrolet Traverse is On-Star Auto Crash Response. This helps enhance safety. Even if you’re rendered unable to call for help, emergency aid is requested automatically on impact. It gives Traverse drivers a good feeling knowing this extra security travels everywhere they go!

First-Rate Styling

The 2014 Chevrolet Traverse features the latest in sophistication and elegance in its options. Prospective owners choose from optional amenities like heated and cooled leather seating, in an attractively designed ride. Standard creature comforts in the Traverse include:

  • Large door handles, making opening and closing easier for everyone
  • 12 cup holders so everyone has their own.. and then some!
  • DVD screens for rear passengers to help calm the fidgets
  • Smart-sliding second row seating with split-folding rear seats included
  • All the latest technology including USB ports and Bluetooth ability, appealing to all technology-savvy occupants
  • Key fob with remote link that lets you start the car from a distance so it’s the perfect temperature for passengers
  • Athletic inspired look gives the Traverse a menacing look with a softly purring engine

This SUV Is Energy-Efficient And Sustainable 

The MPG most owners experience is about 17 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway.  During my trip to Florida in the Traverse, I got an average of 19 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway.   FWD models give owners about 520 highway miles between fill-ups.   Drivers who opt for the LS and LT versions find a 3.6 liter V6 engine for extra power. LTZ models deliver up to 288 horsepower, for those with a thirst for power.  Raising my hand!

The 2014 Chevrolet Traverse is built with green, Eco-friendly goals in mind. It’s also created to be about 85 percent recyclable once owners decide it’s time to part with their Traverse. The 2014 Chevrolet Traverse is an excellent family vehicle.

In summary, if you are in the market for a vehicle of this type you really must test drive the Traverse.

Find a Chevy dealer near you and test drive a Chevrolet Traverse!  You’ll love it!

Don’t forget to try out the  Sirius XM Spa station. 😉

– Alicia

 

Some photos in this post courtesy of Chevrolet.

Car Review: 2014 GMC Acadia Crossover SUV – Denali Trim

Car Reviews, Safety, Technology, , ,

For a superior luxury crossover, the 2014 GMC Acadia Denali is well defined crossover SUV that carries all the creature features you look for and more.  With impressive styling, solid performance and handling, as well as incredible safety innovations, the 2014 Acadia Denali will easily win over your heart and the hearts of your husband and kids too.

2014 GMC Acadia Denali review

The 2014 Acadia’s Superb Body Styling

Sporting a bold, sleek exterior and eye-catching curves and lines, the 2014 GMC Acadia Denali will definitely turn heads. Plus, she’s looking even better with some great updates such as a newly designed front chrome grille, 20” aluminum wheels and stylish front and back lighting featuring HED xenon high-intensity discharge headlamps and projector halogen fog lamps.    Brilliant chrome accents, bold front and rear fascias and nicely-designed exhaust outlets add contemporary touches, creating a distinct and classic crossover.
You’ll really appreciate the dual heated mirrors that tilt and reverse to give you excellent curb view when backing up.   During our recent trip to Tybee Island and Savannah, we had to squeeze into some tight parallel parking spaces and the finely adjustable side mirrors came in very handy.
The 2014 Acadia Denali SUV also comes with a tilt-sliding dual SkyScape 2-panel power sunroof for an inspiring view of the sky while you drive and privacy glass to keep your little world private.  The kids loved looking out the sunroofs during our road trip whether it was daylight or dark.
2014 GMC Acadia Denali review

The Well-Designed Cabin

Along with the newest technologies, such as the smart slide seating system and Color Touch radio, there are so many goodies that make every driving experience so pleasurable. I particularly enjoyed the stunning leather-wrapped steering wheel with Mahogany wood trim along with remote keyless entry and climate control.   The kids kept comfortable at their desired temperature in the middle row while my husband kept his side of the front around 77 degrees and I, at a cool 68 degrees.
The cabin of the 2014 GMC Acadia Denali SUV is, needless to say, comfortable, quiet and filled with so many conveniences. Better than ever, you’ll love the beautiful leather seating that easily allows you to stretch your legs. Enjoy the multi-power front seats that are heated or cooled to your liking. I kept my seat heated for the majority of our drive to and from Tybee Island while my husband kept his seat cooled.  The heated seat helps tense muscles on long drives, especially those during which children are involved.  🙂
With a total of three rows of seats, you can still fit your cargo with 24 cu. feet left over, or use the handy rear cargo area storage system to keep organized. For those times when you need even more room for your stuff, GMC already figured that out: just fold down both rear seats and, presto, you have an incredible 116 cu. feet of storage room.

Color Touch Radio and IntelliLink

The Acadia Denali carries an impressive high resolution, customizable color touchscreen with responsive touch controls and features infotainment and the optional IntelliLink. With IntelliLink, you can enjoy Bluetooth connectivity, SmartPhone integration, Stream Pandora, Stitcher Internet Radio and HD Radio. You also get a 3 month, free trial of SiriusXM 7 satellite radio that features voice command, navigation with multiple map views, complete traffic updates and more. Enjoy the premium Bose 10-speaker audio system that will keep everyone entertained for hours.

2014 GMC Acadia Denali safety features

Safety Features

The 2014 GMC Acadia has an incredible amount of safety features to give and everyone with you the peace of mind you need in any weather condition. With high crash test scores by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the 2014 Acadia Denali will keep you and your loved ones safe and sound. Plenty of safety features you’ll appreciate include a rear vision camera to give you a clear view of what’s behind you. There’s also stabilitrak, which works alongside the vehicle’s braking system and traction control for safe driving in all weather conditions. Side Blind Zone Alert and Cross-Traffic Technology are intelligent engineering features that employ a radar to detect unseen cars or a possible collision and sound a warning.
Head-Up Display is another an exciting innovation included in the GMC Acadia Denali. This feature known as HUD projects information you select right up onto your windshield so you can keep a close eye on the road and stay informed while you drive. For road trips, this in an invaluable innovation you’ll really prize.   At first I was concerned that the head-up display would be distracting but after being on the highway for an hour I depended on it and found it to be invaluable.  I loved not having to take my eyes off the road to see how fast I was driving or what my next navigation step was.

Explore, Build, or Test Drive a GMC Acadia Today!

Alicia, The Mommy Insider blog author

Review of Mercedes-Benz 2013 GL-Class Safety and Comfort Features

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Two days after landing back home in Atlanta from a GL-Class test drive in Santa Fe, NM, I’m still drooling over and fantasizing about the 2013 GL-Class SUV from Mercedez-Benz.  Given the anything but smooth and straight terrain we drove the GL 550 and GL 35o on in Santa Fe, NM, I was able to get a feel for how the vehicle operates under not just highway conditions but off-road as well.

Two features I focus on when test driving a vehicle for the first time, are safety and comfort.  This review introduces readers to the safety and comfort features that I think are most important for parents to consider when buying a new SUV for their family.

What are the features of the vehicle that will keep my family safe and comfortable?

During my three-day trip to Santa Fe, NM to test drive Mercedes’ upcoming 2013 GL-Class SUV, I learned about the plethora of safety and comfort features of the GL-Class which are sure to make you *need* to take the GL-Class for a spin when it becomes available in September.

Mercedes-Benz 2013 GL-Class
Mercedes-Benz 2013 GL-Class

Parents will be thrilled with the numerous safety features available on the 2013 GL-Class SUV.
The spacious seven-passenger SUV comes with a standard rearview camera, 13-way airbag protection, 4MATIC all-wheel drive that provides all-weather control, and a whole host of other crucial features to protect their children.

Mercedes-Benz 2013 GL-Class SUV
Mercedes-Benz 2013 GL-Class SUV

Here are few 2013 GL-Class safety feature any parent driver will appreciate:

  • There is the PRE-SAFE® system that adjusts settings to headrests, seat belts, windows, sunroofs and other items in preparation of an impending crash.
  • Attention Assist driver-drowsiness monitor sounds an alert when it detects signs of fatigue in the driver.
  • The optional Active Park Assist with Surround View Camera uses four cameras mounted to different points on the GL to create an overhead image of the SUV and its surroundings on the COMAND screen.
  • Also included is the new radar-based Collision Prevention Assist technology that can alert the driver and get the brakes ready for maximum stopping power if it detects an impending collision.
  • Finally, the GL can include the Trailer Stability Assist that automatically adjusts for the sway of items being towed. With a towing capacity of a whopping 7,500 pounds, this is a critical feature.
For protection every day, drivers can opt for the Lane Tracking Package. It includes both Lane Keeping Assist to help drivers stay in their own lanes and Blind Spot Assist that alerts drivers with a light and a sound when they are close to a vehicle into whose lane they are trying to pull. For even more protection, there is the Driver Assistance Package that combines the Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist with the advanced sensors of the DISTRONIC PLUS system that activates the PRE-SAFE® brake to compensate for vehicles in its path that have stopped or slowed down significantly.

2013 GL-Class Comfort

Like other Mercedes-Benz models, the comfort of the GL cannot be beat. It includes a seven-speed automatic transmission, completely redesigned dashboard and new upholstery combinations. There are also massaging front seats and ambient lighting, as well as the AIRMATIC air suspension that levels itself. This last feature allows the GL to handle like a smaller vehicle while electromechanical steering leads to an effortless driving experience.

We can’t leave out the new EASY-ENTRY system

To gain easy 3rd row access, there is the power EASY-ENTRY system that tilts the second row forward by simply pressing a button. There are also flat-folding seats in the second and third rear rows to gain the most cargo space possible. The third row also has a power-folding button, and there is an optional Panorama sunroof.
With the significant focus on both safety and comfort, the folks at Mercedes-Benz have created the perfect family vehicle. It is large, elegant, comfortable, and one of the safest vehicles on the road today. Families cannot go wrong with a choice as good as this one.
The 2013 GL-Class will be available in September 2012.  You will love driving this vehicle.  Don’t forget to bring the kids along for a test drive so they too can experience the excitement that is the GL-Class!
Alicia Hagan, Editor
Disclosure: Mercedez-Benz invited me to Santa Fe, NM to test drive the 2013 GL-Class.  All expenses were paid but I was not compensated financially in any way and all opinions are 100% my own.   

2012 Mercedes Benz M-Class SUV Review

Car Reviews, New posts, , , , ,

Moms drive.. a lot.   Between school, after-school activities, gymnastics, swim, Boy Scouts, doctor appointments, shopping, and visiting family and friends, moms are always on the go. That’s why it’s extremely important that our vehicle be safe and comfortable.

The 2012 Mercedes Benz M-Class, the 3rd generation M-Class SUV, covers both of those areas very well and you’ll be surprised by the affordable price.

For the launch of its brand-new 2012 M-Class SUV, Mercedes-Benz invited myself and other writers to Montana’s Paws Up ranch, the perfect place for test driving an SUV.

Drive and Handling

Starting off with a tame ride, myself and my driving partner took turns driving the M-Class from Paws Up Resort to the Continental Divide.  During the drive, I found steering the M-Class through sharp turns and steep hills to be precise and efficient.  The M-Class handled less than sexy off-road terrain with ultimate grace.  My driving partner (Stacie) and I took the M-Class on an off-road course which you’d think would have given me aches and pains from the bumpy ride but the ride was unbelievably smooth.  Stacie kept asking me “Did you feel that?  We just went into a pothole Alicia!”.   We’re talking pretty hard core off-roading, not a dirt road.  The M-Class has great suspension making for a smooth ride on the bumpiest of dirt roads.   Fragile wooden bridges, steep cliffs, and fast driving were involved.  Yes, we were happy women during that drive!  Stacie even had me photograph a part of the drive.  We call lovingly refer to the photograph as “Eat My Dust”.

 

M-Class steering wheel accented with Burl Walnut wood to match interior finish

Interior

What I noticed right away when I first drove the ML350 was how soft the steering wheel was.  Just ask Stacie, I said “I love this steering wheel!  It feels like butter”.  The M-Class interior is sexy and easy on the eyes.

 

Safety

ATTENTION ASSIST is a standard feature on the M-Class.  The innovative ATTENTION ASSIST system alerts the driver to the first signs of drowsiness, a factor that causes more than 100,000 accidents a year in the U.S.  A steering sensor is coupled to smart software that uses 70 different parameters to establish a unique driver profile during the first 20 minutes of driving.

 

Featuring a color-LCD display, the Cockpit Management and Data (COMAND) system gives you convenient control of audio, video, hands-free calling and optional navigation functions. Many features can also be accessed via the integrated steering-wheel controls.

Technology

The COMAND system (optional) features a color-LCD display and gives you convenient control of audio, video, hands-free calling and optional navigation functions. 

 

The M-Class comes in two models:

  • The thrifty ML350 BlueTEC diesel now has considerably more power (240 horsepower, 455lb.-ft of torque)
  • ML350 4MATIC is equipped with a brand new direct-injection V6 engine (302 hp,273 lb.-ft.)

More about the Mercedes 2012 M-Class:

Disclosure: Mercedes Benz paid for my flight and accommodations on this trip, but did not compensate me for this review or require that I write a review. My opinions are my own.

Alicia Hagan, Editor