Interior
reviewed by
On the inside is where GM has been busy and the hard work shows to good effect. In addition to creating the new 4-door, the design team crafted a new interior for both editions of the Tahoe, including a much more contemporary instrument panel that finally includes a driver?s airbag.
The white-on-black analog gauges are spiffy and easy to read. We liked the new rotary-knob climate controls, as well as the bigger controls on the audio system.
The instrument panel includes two 12-volt outlets for any power accessories you care to truck around with you, and one of the audio systems has a speed-sensitive volume control that pumps up the sound as the speed needle climbs. It?s not exactly essential, but it?s a nice touch.
Our Tahoe tester was equipped with high-back bucket seats (a bench seat is standard), an option that includes a center console with a swivel-top writing surface, map storage, cupholders for folks in the rear seat and a removable coin holder.
The seats themselves are reasonably comfortable, but the front seats could use a little work on the bottom cushion for all-day comfort. The rear seatback folds flat for cargo expansion, though the 4-door is a better bet if you?re going to do much bulky hauling.
Access to the cargo area is good whether you choose the standard doors that split vertically or the optional setup with a drop-down tailgate and flip-up rear window. We?d give the accessibility edge to the traditional doors, but the one-piece rear glass of the clamshell hatch affords better vision to the rear.
In addition to a flat cargo floor, the Tahoe?s cargo space is maximized because the spare tire is kept under the vehicle.
About the only element in the Tahoe?s new interior that drew any criticism was the power-mirror control, because it was a little confusing at first.
Other than that, we found the Tahoe interior to be well-appointed, well laid-out and as pleasant as its arch rival, the Ford Bronco. It?s true that rear-seat legroom and access is tight in the Tahoe 2-door, but if those are key considerations, you now have a 4-door option ? without the bulk of a Suburban.
Next Page