2007 Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year Award: Testing
It's A Looker, All Right--But Where's The Beef?
By Todd Lassa
Luxury SUV? Yes: GM hasn't done much decontenting to differentiate its big Chevy from its big GMC or Caddy. Chevrolet claims to sell more $35K-plus vehicles in the U.S. than anybody, thanks mostly to this, the Suburban, and the Corvette. But there's no Denali equivalent and nothing bigger than the 5.3-liter V-8 under the hood, and that's largely why the GMC Yukon edges out the Tahoe in our competition.
Our tester's LTZ package provides some of the Denali's flashiness with a chromed grille mesh, chrome door handles and side mirrors, and a cover for the center console. Most editors prefer the Chevy's clean lines with its modern, yet classic Bow-Tie grille, but the 320-horse 5.3-liter V-8 isn't the 6.2. It's efficient, registering 21 mpg on the EPA's highway loop, thanks to seamless cylinder deactivation. With its biggest engine, our sporty black Tahoe matched only the longer, 400-pound-heavier Ford Expedition EL in its 0-to-60-mph time and was 0.1 second slower through the quarter mile. While the Ford has independent rear suspension and thus a power fold-flat third row, the Tahoe, like other GMT-900s, makes do with a live rear axle, removable (but heavy) third-row seats, and a power-folding second row.
Still, model-by-model, the new big GMs are better designed and more refined than their Ford and Lincoln counterparts, and the Tahoe is no exception. Yes, the third row is too tight and leaves too little luggage space for road trips. But that's what the Suburban and Yukon XL are for.
Once capacity gears up, the Tahoe's four-speed will be replaced with the new six-speed automatic, and the 6.0-liter version of the small-block will become the top engine. Application of the 2009 Silverado's new DOHC turbodiesel V-8 would be nice, but that could be many years away, thanks to production limitations. As for a Tahoe SS, that's up to GM's Performance Group. The 403-horsepower Escalade may not be king of the T-900 hill forever.
| 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe |
| Base price range | $52,730 (LTZ 4WD) |
| Vehicle layout | Front engine, RWD or 4WD, 5-8-pass, 4-door SUV |
| Engine | 5.3L/320-hp*/340-lb-ft OHV V-8 |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic |
| Curb weight (f/r dist) | 5850 lb (52/48%) |
| Wheelbase | 116.0 in |
| Length x width x height | 202.0 x 79.0 x 77.0 in |
| Max cargo capacity | 108.9 cu ft |
| Max towing capacity | 7599-8200 lb |
| 0-60 mph | 8.7 sec |
| Quarter mile | 16.6 sec @ 82.7 mph |
| Braking, 60-0 mph | 142 ft |
| Lateral acceleration | 0.69 g (avg) |
| 600-foot slalom | 56.5 mph (avg) |
| MT figure eight | 30.2 sec @ 0.52 g (avg) |
| EPA city/hwy fuel econ | 15/21 mpg |
| Bet you didn't know | Lake Tahoe is the country's second deepest (1645 feet), and it's clear enough to see down 71 feet. |
| Sum Up | The General's most handsome new big SUV, without enthusiast's engine. |
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