by Denise McCluggage

Materials were chosen without consideration for tactile attributes. My prescription has been sit designers in an Audi or VW for an hour a day. It seems that they may have done it. Anyway, previous monolithic dullness now glows with that corner-office ambiance the Germans are so good at. In this new Tahoe both hand and eye have been catered to. And no fudging the fit with framing or other tricks. A truck this may be but it’s a coolly sophisticated one.

Not that its usefulness as a truck has been compromised. Flexibility is offered for the three-row interior: bench or bucket seats are a choice for all rows. And a unique power system means the second row of seats can flip and fold at the touch of a button. And look good either way. No undergarment hardware shows. And no floor tracks glint when the seats slide. Listen, they actually sweated the details instead of sloganeering about it.

The third row of seats is much easier to get into than in the current Tahoe model. In cargo mode, the seats continue to fold flat and tip forward out of the way as in earlier models. The choice was not to redesign the rear suspension to allow the seats to disappear below floor level as they do in the Ford Expedition. Surveys apparently indicated this wasn’t a deal maker or breaker. That point will be made clearer when the new Expedition arrives later this year.

The Tahoe’s front row seats recline if resting the bod is on the agenda. They’re comfortable and supportive in underway mode.

The Engine and Transmission
So the Tahoe looks good in and out. It moves well, too. Consider the engines. Two V8s are offered. The smaller one is 4.8 liters in displacement producing 290 horsepower (at 5400 rpm) and 290 pounds-feet of torque (at 4000 4pm). This engine will be standard later this year on the two-wheel drive Tahoe.

The bigger V8, 5.3 liters, is rated for 320 hp (5300 rpm) and 340 lbs.-ft. of torque (4200 rpm). The engine has what is sometimes called d.o.d. – displacement on demand. That means the engine under the demand of getting away from a stop sign, climbing a rise or passing a string of 18-wheelers employs all eight cylinders for power. But when effortlessly lazing, cruising the road away, the engine seamlessly shifts to using only four-cylinders with a consequential lighter thirst for fuel. Thus a reasoned driving style can pay off at the pumps despite the Tahoe’s size.

The 5.3 liter engine can also be ordered as a “flex fuel” one, which means it can use fuel that is 85% ethanol as well as gasoline. Coming late next fall, the word “Hybrid” will be written on some Tahoe trunks and a gasoline/electric system, one designed to improve mileage under steady use and not just stop and go regeneration, will be fitted. Some 20% improvement in fuel mileage and cleaner emissions should result. When I asked about the availability of a diesel engine I got that sort of noncommittal reply that I took to mean: “One will come no telling what or when.” What an awesome package a clean diesel in this Tahoe would be: torque, range and great mileage.

The Suspension and Handling
The LTZ model has a suspension system supposed to alter the Tahoe’s ride to best cope with the road surface of the moment, relaxed on smooth highways and stiffening to cope with corners and quick maneuvers. (CONTINUE...)