2009 CHEVROLET SUV LINE UP

Chevrolet builds truck-based sport utility vehicles in three sizes – mid-size, full-size and super-size – with TrailBlazer, Tahoe and Suburban. Chevy wagons also include car-based crossover utility vehicles (CUV) with the compact-class Equinox, a new mid-size model named Traverse and the HHR, a panel wagon with retro styling. New for 2009 is the souped-up low-rider HHR SS – "SS" as in Super Sport – and the Tahoe Hybrid SUV, which contains a two-mode hybrid propulsion system to improve fuel economy.

Traverse
Chevrolet gains a new CUV in 2009 with Traverse, a sleek five-door wagon in the mid-size segment with three tiers of seats and a rear cargo bay. Traverse is available with front-wheel-drive (FWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction and stocks a 3.6-liter V6 engine with variable valve timing (VVT) for 281 hp through a fuel-saving Hydra-Matic 6T75 six-speed automatic transmission. Safety systems include curtain-style air bags in roof rails above side windows for three rows of seats and GM's StabiliTrak skid controller. The new CUV trims out in base LS, upgraded LT and top-end LTZ editions.

Tahoe
Chevrolet's full-size SUV comes in three versions – entry-level LS, well-equipped LT and capper LTZ – with rear-wheel two-wheel-drive (2WD) or four-wheel-drive (4WD) traction. The 4WD traction mechanism uses GM's automatic Autotrac system with an electronic transfer case bringing on-demand all-wheel traction. Powerful V8 engines motivate Tahoe. The new plant for Tahoe LTZ is a 6.2-liter aluminum-block V8 pushing 395 hp through an efficient Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic shifter. Another Tahoe engine – a 320-hp 5.3-liter V8 – uses GM's Active Fuel Management (AFM) technology to pare the cylinder load and conserve on fuel.

Tahoe Hybrid
This variation of Chevy's full-size SUV gets a two-mode hybrid propulsion system, which integrates an automatic transmission with a hybrid-electric drive system. At low speed, Tahoe Hybrid can move using the electric motor or the gas-fired V8 or a combination of the V8 and electric motor. At highway speed, Tahoe's second mode works with all eight cylinders of the engine pumping when commanded, or with only four cylinders through AFM technology to conserve on fuel. Tahoe Hybrid's prow dips by 10 mm for aerodynamic efficiency, and the hood and liftgate are made of aluminum to trim weight.

Suburban
Chevy's super-size SUV stretches 18 feet long, and the cabin has seats for nine passengers. The series includes 1500 (half-ton) and 2500 (three-quarter-ton) versions with big engines up to a 6.0-liter V8 making 366 hp. Both 1500 and 2500 versions host 2WD and 4WD editions, but the latter has a dash-mounted switch to jockey between all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction, rear-wheel or four-wheel high and low settings. Suburban's 5.3-liter V8 offers a flex-fuel version for gasoline or E85 ethanol. StabiliTrak skid controls are standard on Suburban 2500, and a new Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission goes to all 1500 models.

Trailblazer
The mid-size SUV from Chevrolet for 2009 shows up in a regular-length edition with two rows of seats in the cabin for a capacity of five passengers. TrailBlazer LT stocks a 4.2-liter in-line-six engine rated at 285 hp, yet sport-tuned TrailBlazer SS gets a modified Corvette LS2 6.0-liter V8 to push 390 hp through the Hydra-Matic 4L70 four-speed auto shifter. Stock equipment ranges from curtain-style air bags to XM satellite radio service and Bluetooth phone connectivity for hands-free calling. Optional 4WD traction brings the smart Autotrac system with push-button selections and automatic switching from 2WD to 4WD mode.

Equinox
This CUV from Chevrolet has a long platform, which creates a spacious passenger compartment. The cabin has bucket seats followed by a three-place bench that slides fore and aft by eight inches to vary leg room. The bench's seatback, split 60/40 percent, reclines to two positions and each side folds to make way for cargo. Three trims — LS, LT and LTZ — draw from a 3.4-liter V6 producing 185 hp with FWD or AWD traction mode. Equinox Sport, the performance variant, packs a 3.6-liter VVT V6, which achieves 264 hp in concert with a six-speed automatic.

HHR
This CUV looks like a shrunk-down homage to a 1949 Suburban of the roly-poly fender and bulging roofline vintage. The HHR (which stands for Heritage High Roof) rides on the platform of Chevy's agile Cobalt sedan and brings a spacious cabin with two rows of seats and a big cargo bay. Two trims — LS and LT — use different four-cylinder Ecotec engines. A 2.2-liter is the base plant, while the upgrade to 2.4 liters for top-level 2LT climbs to 172 hp. All HHR issues for 2009 provide curtain-style air bags and XM satellite radio service.

HHR SS
Engineers at GM's Performance Division developed the HHR SS by adding wild-style body add-ons, then installing a performance-tuned sport suspension system slammed like a street 'rod, 18-inch high-polished aluminum wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport tires, plus a 2.0-liter Ecotec DI (direct injection) four-pack fitted with a turbo-charger and air-to-air inter-cooling system. When tied to the "no-lift shift" five-speed manual transmission, the turbo plant delivers 260 hp of juice. With the optional four-speed electronic automatic transaxle (GM's Hydra-Matic 4T45E), the engine's output drops to 235 hp.

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