GM-Trucks.com: First Drive Review of 2007 Chevy Tahoe

[Mervz]

Just up as of last night, take a look by clicking the link.

[RamJet502]

Better interior, good real world gas mileage, and awesome looks.

A recipe for success!

[member12]

This has to be the only full size SUV that can't be taken off road. I can see its appeal, but its just not for me. Its just a giant station wagon now.
Lower tow rating, less capability offsets the obviously better gas mileage, amazing interior, and new styling. I hope for GMs sake it is a sucess for years to come.

Everyone who reviews the new Tahoe seems to be in love with the interior.

[VGT]

Click on the picture.

[Nelson Kyle K]

I love every thing about these trucks they have good looks, a powerfull engines ,awesome interior ,good fuel economy and E 85 fuel capability's. I think these bad ass trucks are the best trucks that GM has ever made.

[CobaltSScrazy]

quality truck, quality review. But, whoever said you can't take this offroad? Its offroad worthy is it not?Maybe not rubicon trail, but get a hummer if you want that.

[KingElvis]

Why does an article about the "first drive" spend so much time describing the exterior of the vehicle? There was only one relevant paragraph about the new coil suspension being superior to torsion bar and all he said was that it didn't lean much.

The only thing I learned from the article is that the DOD should kick in more often. It seems strange that it would idle on 8 cylinders instead of 4. Maybe add some more sound insulation, quieter mufflers or "dynamic" motor mounts that can get softer when idling so as not to send vibration to the cabin.

As the author mentioned, you should have more control over DOD. Perhaps they could allow it to turn off completely when you press the "tow/haul" button, then give you a knob with a spectrum of "loads" wherein the DOD can be activated. By integrating it more with the transmission program, you could make it so you could use something like 2/3 of the throttle travel in 4cyl until the "kickdown" then got you 8cyl.

While the "best of test" 19mpg figure is good, you have to wonder what the average was, considering Car and Driver only got 12mpg with one.

[ProjectRS]

Nice review and definitely a hot looking machine!

[paul3230]

I see why GM pulled the GMT-900's forward!

[69Firebird400]

Nice review, Mervz. Thanks for sharing it with us.

I had seen some references to the low ground clearance, which I'm sure is done in the interest of fuel economy, before, but I never thought about how it would be difficult to take these things off road. It's a shame if you have to get a forthcoming Z71 to do this, since they will probably be pretty expensive. It would be cool to have an off road package available on the LS models that wouldn't cost much...similar to the way the SS package is a standalone option on the TrailBlazer, and you can get it with or without the other goodies. Just my $0.02.

Off topic, but I loved the video of your Z06 test drive, Mervz. I made my wife listen to the exhaust note a few times to burn that sound into her head for future reference when I start begging.

[vdoh182]

Has anybody reviewed the Escalade yet, they Tahoe/Yukon have gotten such good reviews I wonder how much better the Escalade can be.

[69Firebird400]

Originally Posted by vdoh182

Has anybody reviewed the Escalade yet, they Tahoe/Yukon have gotten such good reviews I wonder how much better the Escalade can be.

I haven't seen one yet. The closest I have seen to an Escalade review was a Yukon Denali one-page test in the March or April Car and Driver (since that has almost the same powertrain as the Escalade, minus 23 horsepower). They liked it...

[darndot]

"Make no mistake, this next generation isn’t going to be as “nimble” off-road as the outgoing model" I want to see a Z71. They will have to do something with the front bumper, or 4X4 will scrape all the paint off it.

I know only about 1% leave the road, but it still a S U V.....

[Performance]

Originally Posted by member12

This has to be the only full size SUV that can't be taken off road.

Remove the lower black plastic air dam and it will do just fine off road. Plus it is one the few remaining full size SUV's that you can still lift. Notice how they removed the air dam on this lifted Tahoe.

[USA1Fan]

Without the air dam it looks like its approach and departure angles aren't really too bad either! I'm looking for an LTZ Avalanche for my next ride, no more Z71. While my truck's been great and I've used the 4WD on and off road, I haven't been in any situation that requires the extra ground clearance or stiffer suspension yet, nor am I likely to in the future, so..