GM’s 2007 full-size SUVs have inviting new interiors that are quieter, more spacious and comfortable, with heightened refinement throughout their environments.
Like the exterior styling that envelops them, the all-new interiors have greater brand distinction than any previous generation, with each model highlighting characteristics that embody its brand. Unique cluster facings, graphics, wood and metal accents, steering wheels and color schemes are the distinguishing brand identifiers inside. All models benefit from the use of premium materials, chrome accents, and soft touch surfaces with low gloss levels, as a high level of refinement and quality craftsmanship is standard equipment across all brands.
Cadillac Escalade models have an exclusive luxury interior, befitting the king of luxury SUVs. Escalade’s specific design includes a unique instrument panel, door panels, seats, instrumentation and center console. Escalade also receives enhanced premium materials and features, such as foam-backed cast skin covering for the instrument panel, upper door trim and armrests, unique instrument lighting, fabric-covered interior pillars, available heated and cooled front seats, available heated steering wheel and a DVD entertainment system with flip-down screens for the second- and third-row occupants.
All ’07 full-size SUVs are roomier and more comfortable, with greater passenger space and cargo carrying capacity. Instrument panels that are positioned lower and further forward add to the feeling of spaciousness, as well as improve outward visibility. There are new comfort features such as best-in-class cabin quietness and new, highly styled and supportive seats. Unique features, such as the innovative “easy use” power fold-and-tumble rear seat eases access to the third-row seat.
“These are the most refined and luxurious SUV interiors, period,” said Gary White, General Motors North America vice president and vehicle line executive for full-size trucks. “The passenger environments represent GM’s drive to produce the quietest, most finely crafted interiors in the segment.”
Refinement and craftsmanship
The perceptual quality of the new full-size SUV interiors far surpasses any previous generation. It results from the close attention to details engineered into every facet of the cabin and is highlighted by flush surfaces, tight gaps and tolerances on the instrument panel, center stack, clusters and other components.
Most gaps on the instrument panel and cluster have been narrowed to 0.5 mm or less. Some gaps have been totally eliminated. Flush-mounted accessories and controls, such as the climate control/radio center stack create a seamless, more finished appearance – appearing as a single unit rather than components stacked together.
Similar attention was given to concealing fasteners and metal structural components of all folding seats. New seat “close-outs” provide a more finished, crafted appearance to the seats when they are in a folded or tumbled forward position. The seat tracks also are concealed with covers.
The two-tone interior color scheme, executed with rich, warm colors, dramatically enhances the appearance and aura of the new SUVs’ interiors. The upscale styling is complemented by new, soft-touch and low-gloss finishes for the instrument panel and other trim pieces. Also, the color and grain of materials were carefully selected to provide a premium look. Upscale details also include LED backlighting for instrumentation and chrome accents on gauges and vents. The comprehensive result of these elements is a rich, harmonious appearance throughout the interior.
More expansive feel
An enhanced feeling of spaciousness is immediately apparent when seated in the all-new ’07 SUVs. This is due to the repositioned instrument panel that, compared to the previous-generation SUVs, is moved forward and down 5.75 inches (146 mm). Also, a faster windshield rake of 57 degrees (vs. the previous models’ 50 degrees) helps create an airy, panoramic view.
GM’s new SUVs also deliver more passenger space and room to stretch, as well as seating rows designed for easier entry and egress. The front seats offer 1 inch (25.4 mm) of increased rearward travel and the second-row seats offer 0.4-inch (10 mm) increased legroom: 39 inches (990.8 mm). Also, the second-row seatback angle is increased from 23 degrees to 25 degrees, which enhances seat comfort.
Engineers also were able to provide slightly more shoulder room for first- and second-row passengers while packaging the roof-mounted head curtain side air bags. To provide more generous third-row shoulder room, the seats’ hip point was moved slightly forward and upward. Third-row headroom also is increased to 37.9 inches (963.5 mm) – 0.6-inch (15.2 mm) more than before. The seating position of the third-row seats enhances outward visibility, too.
Cargo room of the Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali and Cadillac Escalade has increased by 4.2 cubic feet (118.9 liters) behind the second row seats and 2.3 cubic feet (65.1 liters) behind the third row.
Enhanced comfort
Seating comfort for the SUVs, which was already the best in the segment, is enhanced with new, European-style seats that are slimmer and more comfortable than previous models. The seats have a tailored appearance, with double-stitched French seams, and are more supportive, with firmer foams and more supportive side bolsters. The streamlined look also comes from anchoring the outboard safety belts of first- and second-row seats to the vehicles’ pillars.
Heated first- and second-row seats – on both bench and bucket seats – are available. Cadillac Escalade also offers heated and cooled front seats that feature perforated leather designed to enhance airflow. Additional comfort-enhancing features include second-row armrests that are curved to match the contour of the seatback and longer armrests for all bucket seats. Also, the third-row seats offer integrated storage bins and cup holders.
Another first is third-row seating available in two- or three-passenger configurations. In fact, all three seating rows of the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali are offered in two- or three-passenger configurations; Cadillac Escalade comes with two front bucket seats. A variety of cloth and leather-covered seating surfaces are available on Tahoe and Yukon ; leather is standard on Yukon Denali and Escalade. All cloth seats us heavy-duty fabric with double-stitched French seams; durable, high-wear Meridian leather is used on Tahoe and Yukon . Nuance leather is used on Escalade and Denali seating surfaces.
Interior details and convenience features
All models offer distinct interior styling, appointments and features, including the Escalade models’ unique instrument panel/seating/center console configurations. Highlights for all models include:
- New, streamlined European-styled seats with tailored appearance designed for increased support and comfort
- Increased front seat travel
- First- and second-row outboard safety belts mounted to door pillars
- Second-row seats moved rearward for increased legroom and seatback angle increased for more comfort
- Available first- and second-row seat heating
- Third-row seating with increased headroom and improved outward visibility
- Available two- or three-passenger third-row seating
- Increased shoulder room on first- and second-row seats, with roof-mounted head curtain side air bags
- Finished seat “close-outs” that conceal seat hardware
- Innovative fold-and-tumble second-row seat
- Standard tri-zone manual climate control (Tahoe and Yukon ); tri-zone automatic climate control standard on Yukon Denali and Escalade, and available on Tahoe and Yukon
- Revised HVAC system with single-button front-seat control for rear passengers
- Increased cargo room behind second- and third-row seats, along with new storage bins and cup holders attached to third-row seats
- New center console design with segment’s largest storage capacity of more than 20 liters (0.7 cu. ft.)
- 25-percent larger glove box with spring-damped opening feature
- Available power-assisted rear liftgate
- Available heated windshield washer fluid
- Larger available sunroof with express open/close feature
- Available power-adjustable pedals
Cadillac Escalade adds additional luxury and convenience features, including:
- Unique instrument panel and center console design
- Premium soft instrument panel and interior trim materials, including Meridian leather covering
- White-LED continuously backlit gauges
- Available heated and cooled front seats with perforated leather-covered seating surfaces
- Unique steering wheel design with premium wood trim options
- Available heated steering wheel
- Rear-seat entertainment system with second-row and third-row DVD screens available
Power fold-and-tumble second-row seat
New for the ’07 SUVs are second- and third-row seats that fold and tumble for easier third-row entry and egress. The second-row features an industry-exclusive power fold-and-tumble feature, which remotely unlatches the seat to send it into its forward-folded and tumbled position. This greatly eases access to the third seating row, while also easing the burden of parent holding a child – there is no need to fumble with both hands to release and fold the seat forward.
The power fold-and-tumble feature operates with the press of a button from the first-row overhead console or door pillar. The button activates a release mechanism on the seat latch, allowing the seat to fold forward into the tumbled position. (The seat must be returned to the original seating position by hand.)
Also adding convenience to seating and storage options are the SUVs’ easily configurable and removable third-row seats. The seatbacks fold flat to create a convenient load platform. They also can be removed quickly to create additional storage space. Two easy-to-operate levers on the seatback allow the seats to be quickly removed.
Cargo room and new power liftgate
The ’07 models of the Tahoe, Yukon/Yukon Denali and Escalade offer increased cargo room of 4.2 cubic feet (118.9 liters) more behind the second row seats and 2.3 cubic feet (65.1 liters) more behind the third row. This gives the vehicles a cargo capacity of 108.9 cubic feet (3,084 liters) when the second-row seat is folded and tumbled forward and the third-row seat is removed. There also is 60.3 cubic feet (1,707.7 liters) of cargo space with the second row seat in place and the third-row seats removed. There is 16.9 cubic feet (478.6 liters) of cargo space behind the third-row seats.
The significant increase in cargo capacity is achieved in vehicles that have grown in length by only approximately 3 inches (76.2 mm). Engineers found the additional room by streamlining the cargo area with relocated and flush-mounted air conditioning ducts and slimmer liftgate trim.
Along with cargo volume, the new SUVs have the capability to carry 4 x 8-foot sheets of plywood and even wider T111 tongue-and-groove paneling
without removing the rear seats. This is accomplished by simply folding and tumbling the second-row seat forward and folding the third-row seat flat.
A new, power-assisted rear liftgate is available and is a first for any GM SUV. The gate can be operated with the key fob remote or with controls located inside the vehicle. The liftgate opens with a single push of the button, easing the burden of fumbling for keys and manual operating the liftgate with arms full of groceries or children. Closing the liftgate simply requires another push of the button.
Storage options and convenience features
The all-new interior designs of the ’07 SUVs include (on vehicles equipped with front bucket seats) large center consoles with the segment’s largest storage capacity – 0.7 cubic foot (20.1 liters) of undivided volume. Instead of running up and over the center stack, the console flows beneath it, narrowing the gaps to the instrument panel and maximizing storage space.
A leather-like, soft-covered console lid on the Chevrolet and GMC models adds to the vehicles’ premium feel while functioning as an armrest for both front passengers. When opened, the lid reveals the storage compartments many features, including a power point suitable for charging cell phones while they are discreetly stored and flocking that can prevent items from moving or rattling. At the front of the console are two cup holders, which can be repositioned or removed altogether. The rear of the console houses two cup holders for second-row passengers, along with air conditioning vents and a power point that can be used for video input, handheld games and rear seat audio controls.
Cadillac Escalade features a dual-opening console lid, with a soft, leather-like cover. A wood trim appliqué adds distinction and matches the Northern engraving wood trim found elsewhere in the interior. The wood trim runs through the center of the console, providing a sense of compartmentalization.
The Escalade’s console opens with a chrome, spring-damped release button that fosters the vehicle’s refined nature. Multilevel storage within the console includes a smaller, contained space for delicate items like sunglasses. Releasing the second lid opens up the console’s large storage compartment. Additional premium features include separate front compartments, including one with a 12-volt power source. At the rear of the Escalade’s console are two, chrome-ringed cup holders for second-row passengers.
Chevrolet and GMC vehicles equipped with a front 40/20/40-split bench seat feature a large fold-down center section – when a passenger isn’t occupying the center seat position – that provides two cup holders and a large, deep storage bin suitable for holding a lunch bag.
The new SUVs’ glove boxes have 25 percent more storage capacity as well as a single-bin configuration. The glove box capacity is 0.18 cubic foot (5 liters) and the lid is spring-damped, which provides a quiet, high-quality feel when opening or closing the glove box. Additional storage comes from front- and rear-door map pockets, as well as front seatback compartments that are large enough to store a road atlas.
Climate control system
Chevy Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon/Yukon XL have standard manual-control tri-zone climate control. Automatic tri-zone climate control is available on Chevrolet and Yukon models, and standard on Yukon Denali and Cadillac Escalade models. Engineers enhanced the tri-zone systems to provide quieter operation, more efficient cooling and airflow for second- and third-row passengers, and improved side-window defogging.
The tri-zone systems also feature new controls that simplify operation, including one-button control for the automatic system that controls rear air conditioning. And, as with previous systems, the ’07 SUVs’ climate systems continue to allow up to 30-degree F difference in temperature setting between the driver and front passenger, as well as separate controls for rear-seat passengers.
Heated windshield wiper fluid
Another first for GM SUVs is the optional heated windshield washer fluid system, which more effectively removes bug spatter and thin layers of ice and frost. The fluid is heated up to 140 degrees F (60 C).
The heated fluid is used when activated by a special button on the instrument panel; ambient temperature fluid is used when the driver selects the standard washer system on the control stalk. When the heated system is activated, washer fluid is directed to a special reservoir and super heated very quickly for approximately 20 seconds. Enough fluid enters the reservoir to accommodate four cycles of windshield cleaning.
Larger power sunroof
A larger, power-operated sunroof is available on the 2007 full-size SUVs. It is approximately 2 inches (50.8 mm) wider, allowing for a greater open-air driving feel. The sunroof also has a new express open/close feature and pop-up wind deflector that helps reduce wind noise with the sunroof is open.
Adjustable pedals, rear-view camera and Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist
Features including Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist, rear-view camera system and power-adjustable pedals are available on most models (some features not available on base models). Yukon Denali and Escalade models offer additional comfort and convenience features, including an optional heated steering wheel.
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist provides visual and audible warnings of objects behind the vehicle. Similarly, the optional rear-view camera system (requires optional navigation radio system) provides a visual reference for the rear of vehicle and works with the Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist to provide assistance for maneuvers such as backing a trailer. (More information on the Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist and rear-view camera systems is available in the Safety and Security section.)
The power-adjustable pedals help ensure a comfortable and safe driving position for almost every-sized driver. At the push of a button, the pedals move on an angle upward to meet the leg length of smaller-stature drivers.
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