The body and chassis of the Tahoe are all-new and the interior is glossed to boot. Buyers can pick from a myriad of options such as the Autoride active dampening suspension setup, power folding rear seats, 20 inch wheels, and a DVD navigation system.

Gone are the days of plain-Jane, black body moulding—every model of the Tahoe will receive color-keyed bumpers and faceplates. While the stature of the vehicle is smaller, the ride is larger: the front end is 3 inches wider and the rear is 1 inch wider than previous models. The overall ride quality is improved significantly by a coilover shock setup, accompanied by aluminum lower control arms. Controlling this mass is also made easier for drivers, as the upgraded rack & pinion steering system allows for easier turning at lower speeds and more precise road feel at highway speeds.

Interior updates are mild. Chevrolet is not going to shake the boat too violently, as the new Tahoe still offers the same choices in seat configuration (benches, captain’s chairs, folding rear, etc). The dash display and cluster are refined in a more luxurious nature. The woodgrain and aluminum trim offerings will suit most tastes well.

So, did the power behind the SUV get refined into submission? Not so. Rather, efficiency has increased for the 5.3-liter V-8engine used in the Tahoe. The 320 hp/340 lb-ft rated 5.3 will come standard with cylinder deactivation technology, allowing it to produce lower fuel consumption rates than many V-6 equipped SUV models. This improvement still allows the Tahoe to tow up to 8000 pounds on the 4 wheel drive models. The 5.3 can even be ordered as a flexible fuel vehicle, set to run on E85. For 2 wheel drive models, to be produced later in the schedule, a smaller 4.8-liter V-8 will reside beneath the hood.

GM has held tightly to this market niche and is setting the bar again for its competition. The price tag is not a complete shocker, either; base prices are estimated to be in the $35K to $40K range.

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