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2007 Chevrolet Tahoe LT in the Autoblog Garage: Day 1-2
To grasp the importance of General Motors' new GMT900 full-size pickup and SUV platform, one only has to consider that its predecessor is responsible for over 10-percent of total annual new-vehicle sales in the US. The General's full-size SUVs move off the lot at a rate of approximately 650,000 per year, meaning that a new Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, or Escalade finds its way into a garage approximately every 48 seconds. Love 'em or loath 'em, these vehicles are GM's lifeblood.
With today's statistics lesson out of the way, we submit Autoblog's review of the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe LT. As nearly seven years have passed since the last redesign, GM's engineers certainly have their work cut out for them -- virtually every aspect of the previous iteration needs improvement if the company expects to maintain the full-size SUV sales crown. Have they succeeded? While the verdict will ultimately be rendered in showrooms, that isn't stopping us from weighing-in with our opinion.
(Click on through to the jump for more photos and analysis!)
The Tahoe name came to Chevy dealerships in 1995, when the classic Blazer moniker was reassigned to full-time duty on the brand's mini-SUVs. This was also the first year for a four-door model; prior to this, the only way to get four doors on a full-size GM SUV was to spring for the gigantic Suburban. By trimming over a foot from the 'Burb's wheelbase, Tahoe suddenly found itself the new darling of subdivision dwellers across the country.
With fuel economy at the forefront of many buyers' minds, GM's designers set out to create a fresh look for the new Tahoe that would also slice through the wind with less effort. To the extent that a vehicle boasting 37.3 square feet of frontal area can be called "sleek", the work has paid off. The Tahoe has a drag coefficient of 0.363 - approaching that of many sedans, and the sheetmetal carries with it a much more sophisticated look than we're used to seeing on a truck carrying a Bowtie up front. Gone is the plain-jane appearance of previous Tahoes, and the silly scowl of the Silverado. In its place lies a vehicle that comes off as decidedly modern and classy.
A pair of tow hooks have been recessed into the bumper cover, but forget any notions of serious off-roading. The fascia and air dam contribute to almost car-like approach angles, meaning that anything taller than that speed bump in the neighborhood Starbucks is likely to result in a trip to the local body shop. For a vehicle segment that depends so much on the illusion of ruggedness, this seems like an unforgivable sin, but it's probably a move in the right direction considering the ever-so-few number of SUV owners that leave the pavement with their $40,000 steeds. The upcoming Z71 off-road package will supposedly address this issue when introduced later this year; in the mean time, we'll ponder other uses for the transfer case's low range.
The front fenders flare gracefully over the widened track and fit tightly to the adjoining panels. Without a doubt, the quality of the bodywork is worlds' beyond what we've previously seen from the General. The front door openings seem larger than those of the previous model, and a set of cleanly integrated (but not retractable) running boards makes entering the cabin very un-truck-like.
Large side mirrors provide good rearward visibility and contain integrated turn signals, automatic dimming, and a power-fold feature (the latter useful for guiding this supertanker-width vehicle through narrow garage openings). Up top sits the ubiquitous roof rack, which we almost never observe in use. At least it's barely noticeable and doesn't noticeably contribute to wind noise.
Of significantly greater usefulness is the integrated 2" receiver hitch, rated for Class IV duty and capable of yanking 7,700 lbs of your favorite cargo. A small spoiler sits atop the power-lift rear hatch; below the cargo opening is a step bumper. There's ultrasonic parking assist, but we'd much prefer the optional rear-view camera system, as such setups allow drivers to hook up trailers with ease.
A set of 265/70-17 all-season tires on 17" alloy wheels graced our tester. We've seen a similar design on too many other GM products, and would prefer a fresher design. We'd also like to see the wheel wells filled out a bit better. Fortunately, 20" wheels are available from the factory, and the aftermarket is already overflowing with options for the 6-lug pattern.
Our middle-of-the-road sample was delivered with a $43,970 sticker price. That's right in line with what we'd expect to pay for the competition, but it's still a large chunk of change. Stay away from the option checkboxes and it's possible to squeeze in a 4WD Tahoe LT under $38,000-- go with a 2WD drivetrain and LS trim to knock the price down to a touch under $34K. High-rollers going the other direction can option a top-of-the-line LTZ well into the $50,000 range, obtaining features such as Autoride suspension, a rear-seat entertainment system, rain-sensing wipers and heated washer fluid.
Join us for the next installments of this Autoblog Garage feature, where we'll poke around the new interior to see if GM has improved on what is arguably the previous Tahoe's biggest weakness: the interior. Later, we'll hit the streets to investigate claims of improved fuel economy and better road manners. Stay tuned.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
JB 5:15PM (3/27/2006)
Seems to me, the Blazer was only a 2-door model, and the Tahoe was a shortened Suburban. The big old Blazer was sold for a while, but then the market for 2-door SUVs is miniscule - remember the 2 door Jeep Cherokee, or Exploder Sport/Navajo? Also, the longer wheelbase of the Tahoe probably gives better handling than a shortened version for a full-size Blazer, but it is a shame that the name has gone by the wayside, Trail-Blazer notwithstanding. The 2WD LT model looks like a steal, if you don't need to worry about snow.
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Gunnar Heinrich 5:15PM (3/27/2006)
The new Tahoe looks better than the old Tahoe. GM's doing something right. Their Olympics advertising Stateside was non-stop and I think it must have paid off as GMs are selling faster than the domestic rivals Ford and Chrysler.
http://www.automobilesdeluxe.blogspot.com
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Chevy Tester 5:20PM (3/27/2006)
Better than the old one, but still nothing for me.
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storm 5:24PM (3/27/2006)
The first paragraph of the article incorrectly states:
""... one only has to consider that its predecessor is responsible for over 10-percent of total annual new-vehicle sales in the US. The General's full-size SUVs move off the lot at a rate of approximately 650,000 per year.""
Approximately 17 million vehicles were sold in the US last year, meaning approximately 3.8% of new vehicles sold last year were GM SUV's.
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Justin 5:39PM (3/27/2006)
Storm, try reading the whole part, not just the part you cut out with your quote.
"To grasp the importance of General Motors' new GMT900 full-size pickup and SUV platform..."
Thus, if you add the Silverado and Sierra truck sales to that number, you get 10%.
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Bob 5:39PM (3/27/2006)
It looks a little bland to me. A little too much Explorer from the side. The interior is much improved though and I think the Caddy version has a different interior altogether.
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Non-Bizarro Adam 5:49PM (3/27/2006)
Storm (#3),
The article says that the '900 platform, not just the SUVs, are responsible for 10% of sales. If you add the 950,000+ Silverados and Sierras that are sold every year to the 650,000+ Suburbans, Tahoes, and Yukons, you get pretty close to the 1,700,000 it takes to make up 10% of the total market.
I actually got to test drive one of these new SUVs yesterday, and I have to say that although I am not a fan of full-size SUVs, it is by far the best that I have driven so far. I rate it slightly better than the redesigned Expedition, quite a bit better than the Sequoia, and a whole lot better than the Armada. For now it is top of the heap, but it should have stiff competition from the next-gen Sequoia soon.
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Rastus 6:17PM (3/27/2006)
Mal brought up a very good point the other day regarding the history of fires breaking out within the engine compartments of GM's Fiero.
Let me ask the automotive community out there: Do you believe there is a substantial chance of that fire problem ever occuring in the GMT-900 models? I'm concerned, as both products are/were made by General Motors. And furthermore, do you think the fires have anything to do with GM's poor performance as of late?
Thanks, and I'll take your replies off-line :)
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mavkato 7:04PM (3/27/2006)
Since GM is the only company EVER to have engine fires, I would say it is a justified concern [/sarcasm]
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mavkato 7:06PM (3/27/2006)
Since GM is the only company EVER to have engine fires, I would say it is a justified concern [/sarcasm]
And since when is the Fiero considered recent?
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Eric 7:12PM (3/27/2006)
The styling is absolutely incredible. GM has finally learned that it's got to get rid of those ugly bolt on chrome bumpers and get something with some style. I'm not happy with the stance and it seems a bit too heavy and chunky to take off-road. And that's a bg deal considering a very large portion of casual off-roaders use some form of this platform. I can't wait to see what Truckin' will do with it. Much better looking than those digusting Armadas and Sequoyas (Japanese full-size SUVs? Are you kidding me? I'd rather drive a dodge minivan than ANY japanese SUV with the exception of those beautiful 4Runners) and a lot less goofy than the Durango. I'm still a blue oval fan, so I'll keep my Expedition with pride. But after having a satisfying test drive earlier this week, I'll take my hat off to the General.
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Rastus 7:17PM (3/27/2006)
Well, since we are talking about the "good-ole boys"....I've no doubt some of them are still around attempting to design and/or "manage" something or another at GM. All those 30+ year career men were promptly Promoted to bigger and better things after graduating from "Fiero".
How aplty named too..."Fiero" must mean "of fire" or thereabouts.
So yes, I believe it is a genuine concern because old ways die hard at GM. Now, I can honestly say I have not had a fire in my GM product, but I HAVE had blown head-gaskets...could a blown head-gasket cause a fire such as those found w/in the Fiero?
Good quesion. See? This opens a Whole can of pyrotechnics!
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iQuack 7:23PM (3/27/2006)
I guess if you NEED a large SUV, this is a good one and I hope it helps GM return to profitability.
Just looks like another boring, big box to me--nothing special at all. I saw a shiny new deep red one today looking for a place to park in downtown San Francisco. That was 5 hours ago--the driver is probably still looking.
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Rastus 7:26PM (3/27/2006)
Ok, the floor is open to discussion:
Has ANYONE had a fire in the engine bay of their GM vehicle? If so, how did you deal with it, and how did you FEEL about it? Good? Bad?...
...Do tell.
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mavkato 7:32PM (3/27/2006)
I have never had one, but a friend that had one in his honda dealt with it using a fire extinguisher. :P
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Phil 7:34PM (3/27/2006)
This Rastus guy has gotta be the fool of the century.
It's 22 YEARS since the Fiero fires you idiot!!!
No technology from that time still exists at GM. Even
their work vans have been replaced dude. Would you buy a Lexus ES300 knowing that '96 '97 models were recalled
because THE STEERING WHEEL COULD COME OFF???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? (CONSUMER REPORTS.COM)
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Rastus 7:38PM (3/27/2006)
HAHAHAHA, too funny dude!!
I doubt we'll see any fires in the engine bays of the Saturn Vue, as the V-6 which GM outsources comes from Honda.
Too bad GM didn't purchase the V-6 used in the Fiero from Honda...their reputation wouldn't have been forever chared.
All in good nature, though...good natured competition. Or should I say a good natured ass-whoopin'. :D
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Phil 7:46PM (3/27/2006)
The problem at GM is that they hired people like you whose minds are stuck in the past.
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Beanspants1 7:53PM (3/27/2006)
i have had an engine fire in a gm vehicle.
i roasted hot dogs.
i enjoyed it quite a bit.
the explosion was also cool.
i would like to purchase another.
Rastus, you'd like the engine fire too. you could use it to light your bong.
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Charlie 8:23PM (3/27/2006)
So how much does GM pay "Rastus" to make people who are critical of GM practices look like an ass?
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