Test Drive Chevrolet Tahoe 2005 - 2007 SUV
House on wheels
He became more cozy, Chevrolet Tahoe 2003 model year
This cute man, the guardian of the parking, considers his duty to sit in all cars that are taken to the test. I do not mind because he issues as a result of peculiar conclusions. This time he had enough five minutes to say: I would not refuse to live in this house on wheels. Well, in Tahoe and in fact there seems to be everything necessary if not for life, then for a long trip. And most importantly, it provides almost homely comfort: it is spacious, warm and gently. Marsh throw for two hundred more kilometers when there was six on board, and a blizzard raged around, once again convinced the benefits of large American cars. These advantages, of course, are obvious only when in demand. If you live, let's say, always have a warm sea, and the car is required exclusively for short trips with a girl to the nearest disco, then, of course, is better a convertible. But, for example, our company gathered to spend the weekend in the forest edge, Tahoe approached as it is impossible. Five friends quite comfortably settled on three rows of seats. Almost one, who was sitting in the third row, was almost in the trunk, surrounded by a huge number of bags. Mt, the seat there is low there, and when he grow under two months, the knees were dangerously close to the ears. He was led by halanery: it was worth agreed to the proposal of the fragile girl, and swapped in places. However, in the end, he eventually managed to get a good, and even pull the legs. Well, I, as a driver, was just fine.
All thing - in detail
Externally, Chevrolet Tahoe is still the same - big, massive, inspiring respect. Changes to the exterior 2003 model year did not bring. Another thing is salon, the American is luxurious. The soft armchair is regulated in all directions, and the presence of a lumbar backrest and a variable degree of lateral support provides additional amenities, not at all extra in the far road. Barc is adjustable only in height, but this is quite enough. Now on the steering wheel, the control buttons of the audio system and the on-board computer appeared, which was not on previous versions. The audio system itself became noticeable: the audio system itself: the purest sound from Bose, who has installed 8 columns and a subwoofer. Instead of anachronic magnetic - CD player.
Under the music center there is a weather control unit in the cabin. In fact, it is here to be a climate control system control panel, which is included in the standard Tahoe complete set for Russia. But, perhaps, because this car was supplied precisely for the company General Motors of the CIS, there are two regulators of the fan operation modes and reference areas, and two funny sliders responsible for the temperature. However, on the efficiency of the stove or air conditioner, this control scheme does not affect. In this frosty day, we appreciated how quickly the salon warmed. In addition, the rear passengers can independently adjust the temperature and speed of the fan. To do this, on the ceiling in front of the second chairs there is a special block. It is noteworthy that even if you turn on the fan to the maximum, it does not irritate the noise. And in general, sound insulation at the proper level. Thus, the mighty engine is not heard at all while the tachometer arrow will not pass a mark of 3000 rpm. And then, one by one only the bass fusion, it is possible to unmistakably determine that under the hood V8. There are in the cabin and other changes. For example, the windows buttons changed not only the form, but also the work algorithm. Now there is enough to press the button to completely lower or raise the glass. Next to these buttons appeared two keys in charge of the heated seat. Now you can separately warm the seat itself or only its back. And here is a couple of buttons, next to those that you know the memory of the settings of the chair, I did not get immediately. And in vain: With their help, the height of the pedals is changing - a new option for Tahoe. Another innovation was very useful when it was necessary to park this three-ton monster on a very limited space: the huge side mirrors fold, it is worth pressing the button. But if you translate the ACP lever, located, as usual, on the steering column, to the Drive position, the mirrors themselves will return to its original position. It can be seen in them all around very well. True, in the city I intentionally lowered them slightly lower than usual: from a height, an uneven hour, you will not notice the side of some kind of car ...
Through the snow and mole
The worst weather for travel and to invent was impossible: at the beginning - incessant snowfall, then a blizzard. Visibility is almost zero, but under the wheels - ice is a mixture with snow. However, TaHoe managed to maintain cruising speed - 120 - 140 km / h. The transmission mode switch is almost constantly in the AUTO position. At the same time, in fact, the entire power of the power unit is transmitted by rear wheels, but as soon as they begin to buck or there is a danger of drift, which perfectly feels electronics, part of the torque is immediately thrown forward. More than once during the trip, I used the ability to independently connect the front wheels, simply by pressing the key with the corresponding icon from the left of the steering wheel. Moreover, to admit and finding out whether there is a high-speed limit for this operation. It seemed to me that there was no: even at 120 km / h after pressing the TAHOE key, the front wheels were trusting, which instantly affected the behavior of the car. It helped it very much, let's say, with quick overtaking on the dividing strips. By the way, feedback on the steering wheel was noticeably improved from the renovated car. The automatic transmission, in turn, as can, adapts under the style of driving. It is worth a couple of times to push the accelerator pedal, as with the next acceleration, the transition from one transmission to another will happen much later. Of course, it is not necessary to compare the algorithm of the Tahoe machine with European analogues, however, the fact that GM specialists sought to bring the machine to the requirements of buyers from old light, obviously. And brakes - European, with a tough pedal. And the tuned ABS system insures from drifts.
At some point I caught myself thinking that it was not a real car, but I play on the computer - so much importantly, it is under the wheels - asphalt, snow, ice. Or here is a snow border in a good meter high. It is only necessary to reset the speed, and to overcome it will not work. Unless white kids will remain on a powerful front bumper.
Car for a solid man
Solid - not necessarily big, and in the sense of the value of a sense of confidence behind the wheel and superiority on the road. And, of course, sufficiently well: Tahoe costs about 55 thousand dollars. But this amount includes almost everything you need. If the future owner wishes to complete the car by all possible options, it will cost him just thousands in three. And about the price: today in the Russian market it is very competitive. I honestly tried to find a big SUV with similar characteristics and in a similar configuration for the same money. I could not. The nearest competitors were thousands of ten more expensive. Undoubtedly, everyone has their own charm, and their advantages. But the price, agree, weighty argument.
However, Chevrolet Tahoe and does not pretend to be the title of Bestseller. It, more precisely, his dealers, is enough that there are more and more solid people in the country. And demand grows.
Andrei Osipov
Brief specifications Chevrolet Tahoe
Engine volume, cube. See: 5327.
Power, l. with. For rpm: 273/5200
Max. Torque, nm / at about about. Min.: 440/4000
Acceleration up to 100 km / h, s.: 9.8
Maximum speed, km / h: 170
Middle fuel consumption l. / 100 km.: 14.8
Volume of fuel tank, l.: 98
Dimensions, mm.: 5001x2004x1938
A source: Newspaper "Car Izvestia" [№4 (28), 2003]
