Buyers hoping for a Chevy Malibu SUV rejoice! Chevrolet has unveiled its long-awaited Traverse SUV at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show.

Built on the same Lambda platform as its older Buick Enclave/GMC Acadia/Saturn Outlook siblings, the 2009 Traverse is the first of the lot to be powered by a direct-injection 3.6-liter V-6 (other Lambdas are also expected to receive the same 286-hp engine). Sporting a front fascia clearly inspired by the 2008 Malibu's, the Traverse also inherits projector-style headlights available on its kin, but not on Chevy's mid-size sedan.

In addition to wearing Chevrolet's new face, the Traverse has many of the same interior and exterior features available on the Enclave/Acadia/Outlook, such as third-row seating, a rear-seat entertainment system with second-row controls, turn-by-turn navigation, a rear-view camera and optional 20-inch wheels.

"Many of the SUV's details are typical on higher-priced vehicles," says Michael Burton, the Traverse's exterior design director. "But the Traverse brings them to a level that is accessible to more customers."

For those waiting for a lower-priced Enclave/Acadia/Outlook, the Traverse should be available by Fall 2008.

Click the link below for high-resolution Traverse images.