The 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe, a full-size SUV, was released earlier this year as an early-model year introduction, and is carrying on as the best-selling full size SUV in the U.S.
To date, sales of all Tahoes are up 18 percent over last year. Together with its stable mate, the Chevy Suburban, they account for 50 percent of the full-size SUV market.
The Tahoe was re-designed inside and out. On the exterior, inlaid doors that fit into side openings instead of over the top of the body enhance aerodynamics and help make the ride quieter. The body styling is more refined and tightly sculpted -- an lightweight aluminum hood and lift-gate panels reduce overall mass. The front grille is bolder and chrome-trimmed.
Projector-beam headlamps are found on the basic Tahoe. The upscale LTZ model sees its way clear with high-intensity discharge headlamps and light-emitting diode daytime running lamps.
The interior boasts upgraded materials and improved ergonomics. The instrument panel now houses an available eight-inch color touch screen radio, with a secured storage bin behind the motorized screen. The center console is now large enough to store a laptop or an iPad. And designers haven't forgotten the necessities if you're hauling a group -- there are up to 12 charging locations, including up to six USB ports to connect phones, along with a 110-volt three-prong plug to charge a laptop.
The Tahoe remains, as always, a body-on-frame truck. Chevrolet has resisted the temptation to convert the Tahoe into yet another crossover car-as-SUV. What its truck chassis may give up in ride quality and/or handling, it returns in true all-road and all-weather versatility and rugged construction that can take a lot of shake and bake.
Like most trucks, the driver sits up high with a commanding view of the road. Getting in and out of the vehicle is another matter; strategically placed handles and optional motorized steps make that less daunting.
The new Tahoe features, by all accounts, a quieter ride and better steering and braking feel. LTZ models include upgraded magnetic ride control, a system that delivers more precise body motion control. Standard 18-inch wheels are wider for a more planted feel and better cornering. Twenty- and 22-inch wheels are on the option sheet.
Inside the voluminous cabin is room for three rows of motorized seats, with enough headroom and legroom for an NBA team.
A 355 HP, 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 with variable valve timing, active fuel management, cylinder deactivation technology and direct injection moves the Tahoe briskly and powerfully, while supporting a maximum 8,500-pound towing capacity.
The surging sales numbers indicate that the Tahoe's average miles per gallon rating of 18 city-highway-combined is not giving buyers gas pains. Nor is the price serving as a deterrent; a starting price of $48,890 for a four-wheel drive Tahoe that can elevate into $69,000-plus is the price of admission. In fact, according to GM, customers are shelling out; in April, 50 percent of all Tahoes sold were the premium LTZ model that starts at $60K.
