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First Drive Review: 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe |
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Sunday, 19 March 2006 |
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Page 3 of 5
Interior:
 GM has taken flack for years with their sub-par quality interiors. While I’ve never thought they were as awful as many automotive writers have professed, its true GM put out some downright uncompetitive interiors. The new Tahoe takes this stigma and throws it squarely out the window. Gone is the high-rise truck-like dash of previous generations. Also gone are the wide panel gaps, hard plastic, messy radio integration, and anything else that might even remind you that you were driving something based on a truck. Now, the interior of the 2007 Tahoe takes on a totally new feel wholly unlike that of an SUV. The front dash is positioned lower and feels closer to the occupants for a car like environment. The radio and HVAC system are neatly integrated and the qualities of the materials that are touchable are higher feeling than ever. Tri-zone control of the climate control system allows everyone to be comfortable at different temperatures. I could go on detailing every little bit that makes this interior better than the 06 model but there’s only a few things you need to know. GM has spent more time then nornmal on the top third of the doors, the dash, and the front half of the top dash pad. These few areas that you see, touch, use, and contribute to the driving experience are vital to how a consumer feels about the quality of a vehicle. GM invested more time on materials to those areas of the interior while using other spec materials elsewhere. Why? Well, why invest money making something you’d never touch feel good to the touch? In custom shops this level of perfection is expected, but in mass production (remember GM sold over 150,000 05 models), it just can’t be handled.
GM has finally gotten the memo regarding the retirement of tacky 80s graphics on interior upholstery. Our vehicle had the standard cloth interior in a pale toasted marshmallow brown. We wouldn’t personally choose this interior color (officially “Light Cashmere”) as even with under 1,500 miles dirt and wear was evident. GM’s powered folding 2nd row seats were not optioned on our vehicle, so we got the manual version. They were easy to use but you better be small if you’re going to get into the third row. If we had our choice we’d leave out the third row seats and go for the extra storage space. Not only does the third row not fold flat but it reduces usable space in the back to almost zero when in place. Plus, only kids and small adults will feel comfortable way back there with their knees in their faces.  If you need seating for more than five then the Suburban would make a much better choice. Bottom line is that this interior is slick and feels miles from what you would normally expect in an SUV.
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