The Chevrolet TrailBlazer ended production in 2009, replaced by the Traverse, a midsize crossover SUV based on the platform of the Chevy Malibu sedan. Chevrolet claims that the Traverse has the best fuel economy of any eight-passenger crossover.

The Traverse is powered by a 3.6-liter DOHC V6 engine, with direct fuel injection to improve both power and fuel economy. Although it is smaller than the 4.2-liter inline six used in last year's TrailBlazer, it is nearly as powerful, with 281 horsepower to the 4.2-liter's 285. (Traverse LTZ models have 288 horsepower.) The 3.6-liter engine is also much more fuel efficient, thanks in part to the Traverse's standard six-speed automatic; the TrailBlazer's transmission had only four speeds.

The 2010 Traverse's EPA city/highway estimates are 17/24 for front-wheel-drive (FWD) models, 16/23 with all-wheel drive (AWD), significantly better than the TrailBlazer's lackluster 14/20 rating. As Chevrolet claims, the Traverse's EPA ratings are as good as or better than rivals like the Honda Pilot (17/23 with 2WD, 16/22 with 4WD) and Ford Flex (17/24 with 2WD, 16/22 with AWD), although its advantage is very slim. The Traverse falls short of the 18/24 rating of the FWD Toyota Highlander V6, and unlike Toyota, Chevrolet does not offer a hybrid version. However, the Highlander cannot match the Traverse's passenger and cargo capacity.

Road testers say it is possible to match or even exceed the Traverse's EPA ratings in careful driving, but brisk acceleration takes its toll on the Chevrolet's real-world fuel economy. Edmunds averaged only 14.6 mpg with a 2009 AWD model. Fortunately, the Traverse uses regular gasoline, despite a very high 11.4:1 compression ratio, another benefit of the direct-injection system.

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