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2007 Chevy Tahoe Road & Trail Test

The Best SUV Chevy Has Ever Built

Although 2006 is in its infancy, I recently spent the day driving Chevys new 2007 Tahoe SUV. GM introduced the full-size rig to an assortment of auto journalists in none other than sunny Arizona; but if you think the plan was to simply drive the latest GM product down Scottsdales cacti-lined Boulevards, guess again. Our route took us along a series of secondary highways that connected Lake Roosevelt to Tortilla Flats via the Apache Trail. As Terry Woychowski put it, Chevys Chief Engineer for full-size trucks, "If we didnt have confidence in this vehicle, we wouldnt have tackled the Apache Trail," a dust-laden roller coaster of a dirt road that clings to canyon walls, dipping and diving 900 feet at a time. This former supply trail is characterized by blind hairpin turns, severe wash-boarding and

Chevy introduced the full-size 2007 Tahoe to an assortment of auto journalists in Arizona. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

steep inclines - the compilation of which push a vehicles traction and handling capabilities to the max.

With interior craftsmanship and design beginning to fail the test of time, combined with exterior styling that was long in the tooth, theres little arguing that Chevy needed to pay some immediate attention to its full-size line of SUVs. To rectify the detractions, the bowtie division didnt just plaster on a new front grille and throw in a revised instrument panel. No, they

Most apparent to the eye in transformation from 2006 to 2007 model year, is the new Tahoes tremendously clean sheet metal, (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

pretty much re-did the Tahoe from rubber to roof. Most apparent to the eye is its tremendously clean sheet metal, which by the way has resulted in a remarkable 0.36 co-efficient of drag (CD) - thats equivalent to the sleek C4 generation of Corvette (1992-1996) incidentally. And of course the better the CD, the better the fuel economy. Plus, a slippery shape generates less atmospheric turbulence, translation: reduced wind noise. Anytime an auto manufacturer can move something roughly the shape of a breadbox down

For the new model, exterior panel gapping has slimmed to only 4-millimeters (0.157 of an inch). (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

a highway without it producing wind noise equivalent to a category-5 hurricane, progress has been made.
In addition to silently slipping through the air, the Tahoes new body shape encompasses a front track 3 inches wider than last years and a rear track wider by 1 inch. In overall length, the Tahoe has grown by approximately 2 inches. But its not all about getting bigger; the ride height has been dropped by 0.5 inches on the two-wheel drive (2WD) version and 1 inch on the four-wheel drive (4WD) setup. This was done to ensure the Tahoe meets the highest government crash test

From every angle the new Tahoe pleases. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

ratings, but fear not off-roaders; the 4WD Tahoe retains its 9 inches of minimum ground clearance.

Space reduction also applies to exterior panel gapping, which for 2007 is slimmed to only 4-millimeters (0.157 of an inch). A close examination of the Tahoes body failed to reveal a single misalignment or inaccuracy. The portals in the Tahoes exacting shell opened and closed with the requisite "whump" of a premium automobile and imparted a sense of solidity.

Visually, Chevy has applied their now familiar "horizontal" theme to the front-end treatment of the Tahoe. They have also incorporated a full front fascia into the nose design rather than a separate grille

The design and layout of the new gauge package is outstanding, setting a new standard for Chevy and GM truck products. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

and bumper arrangement. The benefit is more than good looks. The seamless integration of the fascia into the fenders eliminates gaps, which can incite high-speed turbulence, which Chevy worked so diligently to eliminate. Aesthetically I find the results very appealing. In fact from every angle the Tahoe pleases. After pouring over its exterior, I directed my attention inward and was more than pleasantly surprised. There is no connection to last years vehicle in the interior architecture of the 2007 - everything is new, switches included.

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