The 2009 Chevrolet story is all about the all-new Traverse crossover.

Chevy's new crossover shares its platform and body with the GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook and the Buick Enclave, but you'd never know it. And that's a good thing. General Motors has long since learned that look-alike cars are a turn-off, and the Traverse is confirmation that the lesson has taken hold.

Chevy's Traverse has a completely different look about it as compared with its crossover siblings. Chevy has a different, sloping roofline, and the familiar two horizontal piece grille up front, for instance. And rather than emphasizing a more upscale luxury look, Chevy's crossover has the accent clearly on sportiness, which is in keeping with Chevy's brand image.

Driving it is even further evidence of that theory. There's little or no body lean, tire scrubbing and similar maladies. I tried panic stopping, sudden lane changes and everything I could to ruffle the Traverse. Nothing doing. It stayed right on course.

The Traverse comes with StabiliTrak electronic stability and traction control; 17, 18 or 19 inch wheels; room for up to eight adults; a second row Smart Slide feature to make getting in and out of the third row seats easier; OnStar with Turn by Turn navigation; and either a 281- or 288-horsepower V-6, both 3.6-liter in size. Three models, LS, LT and LTZ, are available.

Fuel mileage ratings are 17 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway for the front-wheel-drive model and 16/23 for the all-wheel-drive model.

Another plus: The Traverse feels a lot lighter on its tires than it really is. That much it has in common with just about all Chevrolets. The presence of a sporty instrument cluster, cockpit-like interior and nifty looking floor gear shifter complete the performance ambience.

Cargo room is a definite plus; you easily can get a stroller or several golf bags into the Traverse with the third row seat up.

Emergency handling and sudden stopping also were strengths of the Traverse, with the anti-lock braking system and traction and stability control bringing the car to a safe stop without any severe skidding or loss of control.

Base price will be $28,255.