2007 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ 4×4 Test Drive

Tahoe’s engineers paid extensive attention to detail to ensure a quiet driving experience. It starts with a new, stiffer frame, which reduces vibrations transmitted to the passenger cabin. The strength and accuracy of the fully boxed frame also enables more precise mounting and tuning of chassis and suspension components, which also helps reduce vibration. Even the tires on the large, 17in. standard, and 20in. optional wheels were designed to reduce noise. Noise reducing components and materials are used throughout the body structure, including the headliner material, door seals and front-of-dash area.

The engine also features a quiet-tuned alternator and an acoustically tuned engine cover that dramatically reduces engine noise heard inside the vehicle. New door seats help reduce seal ‘pull-away’ at highway speeds, which can cause wind noise. Also, Tahoe’s more slippery shape, thanks to improved aerodynamics, streamlined exterior mirrors and roof rack, and tighter body gap tolerances, make Tahoe quieter as it slices through the air.

Tahoe’s quietness and smoothness are complemented by the Autoride suspension system, which is standard on the LTZ. This segment-exclusive bi-state, real-time damping system provides an extremely refined ride with greatly reduced body motion. The system consists of a semi-active, two-position damping control system that responds in real time to road and driving conditions, based on body and wheel motion sensors.

Tahoe’s quietness and smoothness are complemented by capabilities full-size SUV customers depend on-even Tahoe 4X4 models offer up to 8,200lbs. of towing capacity.

A new Gen IV small-block V8 family offers more power than before. Fuel-saving Active Management technology also enables better fuel economy. The 5.3 liter V8 models get 16mpg/city and 22mpg/highway in 2WD, and 15mpg/city and 21mpg/highway. That’s better than another full-size SUV. The Vortec 5.3 liter V8 makes 320hp and 340lb.ft. of torque and is standard in 4WD models, while a 4.8 liter V8 making 295hp and 305lb.ft. of torque is standard on 2WD base models. Mated to the proven Hydra-Matic 4L60 4-speed electronically controlled transmission gives the new Tahoe quick launch when you want it, and plenty of high-speed cruising and towing power. it never missed a beat when I wanted to rock down the road. The 4X4 electronic transfer system includes a low gear when you are off-road and challenging the toughest trails. Just an easy quick turn of the dash-mounted dial is all you need to go into and out of 4X4.

Helping to give a smooth ride and more precise handling is the new independent front suspension with coil-over-shock absorbers, and a thick anti-roll bar. Mated to the new rack & pinion steering system, you get a better feel for the road with quicker response to your inputs. I would have liked to see a litter less boost at highway speed since it gave me a kind of ‘floaty’ feel when traveling over smooth highway roads at high speeds.

Quickly slowing the all-new Tahoe down from speed are big, power-assisted steel disc brakes-13in. vented rotors up front and 13.5in. solid rotors in the rear. Standard ABS helps maintain your chosen direction during severe braking maneuvers.

The standard 17X8in. wheels/tires and optional 20X9in. wheels/tires. also give better handling control and stability. All-speed traction control helps keep unwanted wheelspin to a minimum for better control on wet or slick pavement. You can turn it off if you like.

Further keeping your Tahoe on its chose path is standard Stabili-Trak that controls your direction during severe maneuvers and rollover mitigation, using sensors at each wheel and working with the electronic throttle, ABS and traction control systems.

The interior is roomy and very comfortable. The Tahoe is available in three trim levels-LS, LT and LTZ with the high-volume LT trim level offered with LT-1, LT-2 and LT-3 equipment groups. Two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive models are available on all models, and all models come well equipped with enhanced safety, comfort and convenience. Options include power-release fold-and-tumble second row seat, remote vehicle start, first-and-second row heated seats, power lifting rear door, ultrasonic rear parking assist, rearview camera system, touch-screen navigation system and DVD rear-seat entertainment system with a larger 8in. screen and enhanced features.

Refinements throughout Tahoe’s spacious interior create an environment that exudes quality and precision, as well as comfort. A two-tone color scheme is seen with new low-gloss materials but the entire dashboard is hard plastic that is not soft to the touch. That must be changed as more vehicles pay closer attention to the richness of interior trim.

Additional details inside include LED backlighting for the instrument panel and chrome accents on instruments and vents. Flush-mounted accessories and controls, such as the climate control/radio center stack, create a seamless, ‘single-unit’ appearance. Also, there are almost no exposed metal hardware or latches, as all models feature enclosing ‘close-outs’ around the seat bottoms and door sill trim plates.

Standard features in the LTZ include full leather trim inside with leather bucket seats with power adjustments for each, 2 nd . row captains chairs, rear audio controls, tri-zone climate control, auxiliary rear air-vents, AM-FM stereo with CD/MP3, tilt/leather wrapped steering wheel with cruise control/audio buttons, floor mats for 1 st ./2 nd rows, self-dimming rearview mirror with compass direction/outside temperature controls, heated/remote sideview mirrors, power windows/door locks with front express down, grab handles above each passenger door, assist steps (power articulating steps coming in the summer), luggage rack, rear window defogger/wiper, front fog lamps and automatic headlamps. My test Tahoe LTZ came with these LTZ optional equipment not listed above-power adjustable pedals, Bose premium Audio system, rear locking differential, electric sunroof, and a 3.73 rear axle.

Safety features include front/rear crumple zones, steel beams in each door, 3-point safety belts for all seating positions with pretensioners up front, roof-mounted head curtain side airbags, seat-mounted front airbags, child-proof rear door locks, LATCH system, remote keyless entry, tire monitoring system, daytime running lamps, and OnStar that is notified when any of the airbags are deployed to quickly summon help.

The all-new 2007 Chevy Tahoe gets excellent gas mileage by being able to use gasoline or ethanol as a ‘Flex Fuel’ certified vehicle. In the city it gets 15mpg and 22mpg on the highway.

If you have a large family, large chores to take care of, heavy loads to tow, and want a contemporary styled large sport utility with excellent power and performance including a spacious, comfortable and safe interior, with a lot of value for your dollar, then the all- new Tahoe is the right choice.

ALL NEW 2007 CHEVY TAHOE LTZ 4X4
“OUT WITH THE OLD IN WITH THE NEW”

COPYRIGHT:2007:HARVEY SCHWARTZ – EDITOR, AUTOMOTIVE ADDICTS

Price MSRP: $38,545 Invoice: $35,269

Type: Large SUV
Where Built: United States
EPA Class: Sport Utility Vehicles

Dimensions
Exterior
Length: 202 in.	Width: 79 in.
Height: 76.9 in.	Wheel Base: 116 in.
Ground Clearance: 9.1 in.	Curb Weight: 5524 lbs.
Gross Weight: 7300 lbs.
Interior
Front Head Room: 41.1 in.	Front Hip Room: 64.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 65.3 in.	Rear Head Room: 39.2 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 65.2 in.	Rear Hip Room: 60.6 in.
Front Leg Room: 41.3 in.	Rear Leg Room: 39 in.
Luggage Capacity: 16.9 cu. ft.	Maximum Cargo Capacity: 109 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 8
Performance Data
Performance
Acceleration (0-60 mph): 8.6 sec.	Braking Distance (60-0 mph): 133.01 ft.
Base Number of Cylinders: 8	Base Engine Size: 5.3 liters
Base Engine Type: V8	Horsepower: 320 hp
Max Horsepower: 5200 rpm	Torque: 340 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 4200 rpm	Maximum Payload: 1776 lbs.
Maximum Towing Capacity: 8200 lbs.	Drive Type: 4WD
Turning Circle: 39 ft.

Fuel Data