Richmond Review ·· Page Page 13 13
Friday, January 16, 2015
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Chevy Traverse is a doggy delight – ahem – found it easy to load up with lots of luggage, bags, boxes, blankets, pillows and doggy beds – all It’s a challenge to find the right vehicle the necessary accoutrements of car to take two dogs on an annual holiday travel, plus the added advantage of still trip to Tacoma to visit family, friends having room to bring home a souvenir and doggy cousins. or three. On the highway, as in the city, Rental vehicles are out of sight pricethe Traverse offered wise and some compagreat visibility and nies are a little sniffy The cargo area of we felt snug, safe and about the ‘passengers’ the Traverse offered secure – sorry about the (at least I think it was alliteration, but it’s true. both dogs plenty of the dogs they objected Our doggy travelling to). Therefore, the offer space for each to do companions are at of an extended test drive their own thing; stretch each end of the age of the 2015 Chevrolet spectrum. Sullivan the Traverse was a welcome out, curl up, look out Jack Russell Terrier is opportunity. the window, chew little, young and bouncy, From a human’s perquietly on toys. while Desi the Shepherd spective, the Traverse Cross is a large dog of was pleasurable to drive, noble lineage and a senior citizen. In extremely comfortable, the cabin roomy short, she enjoys her comfort. The cargo and very classy, a nice quiet ride, the area of the Traverse offered both dogs dashboard controls very user friendly plenty of space for each to do their and easy to interpret with everything own thing: stretch out, curl up, look out close to hand. the window, and chew quietly on toys, The seats (seven in all for bipeds) are while contemplating the phenomenon gorgeously adjustable with heated of black holes or, in the case of Miss lumbar support up front, which is a Desi, perhaps where the next carrot soothing relief for those of us with was coming from. Given the layout of back problems. From the outside, the the interior, with the walk through back car seems like a big beast best for seats, a barrier was needed to discourthe backcountry but it is surprisingly age the cargo passengers from walking wonderful to drive in the city, more like through into the first-class front cabin. a luxury sedan than a lumbering SUV. It should be noted there are ten cup It was easy to manoeuvre on narrow holders for those in need of regular streets, a dream to nip in and out of caffeinating. We did receive barked parking lots and spots. And even the vertically challenged complaints from the back that not one By Morva Gowans
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was big enough for a bowl of water. Please note, Mr Chevy. Having the navigation system was great as getting to our destination was a little tricky, and finding our way in the dark could have been a minor trial. Our friendly ‘nav-lady’ delivered us easily. I especially liked getting plenty of warning about upcoming turns. Some navigation systems instruct you to turn at the very last moment, which is not helpful. Often our ‘nav-lady’ gave us two warnings sometimes even three ‘turn left in 250 metres’, ‘turn left in 100 metres’. Believe me it was comforting. All the places we wanted to visit parks, malls, trails and shops were easily found with no hassles. In Tacoma, a third dog joined us for adventures around town – Beau, a large
yellow lab. Everyone knows labs are eternal puppies who enjoy good times no matter where they land. This happy boy landed in the cargo area with the other two and still there was plenty of room for all three dogs with nary a complaint about someone’s paw being on someone’s side. It all made for a fun Christmas celebration with lots of treats, even for my backup navigator Patricia and myself. Next year, the ‘kids’ are holding out for a Cadillac! 2015 Chevrolet Traverse AWD LT Power: 2.6-litre V6, 281 horsepower, six-speed auto transmission. Base price: $43,460 (as tested, $53,285)
Question of the Week Today, writer Morva Gowans amuses and informs with a story of driving with dogs on a long trip. Send your fun or informative story about taking pets on a long (road) run to our editor, Keith Morgan… Send your stories to keith.morgan@drivewaybc.com
Safety Tip: Black ice can form unexpectedly on the road in the winter and may not be visible. If you drive over black ice and start to skid, ease off the accelerator – don’t brake – and look and steer smoothly in the direction you want to go. You may need to repeat this maneuver.
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