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2003 Chevrolet Tahoe Full-Size Sport Utility Vehicle
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More than anything else, versatility made the Tahoe a winner, as it can be configured to suit nearly any need. It has over 104 cubic feet of cargo space with the second-row seats folded forward, and an optional third-row seat means it can accommodate up to nine passengers if you stick with benches.
Two powerful V8 engines (4.8-liter or 5.3-liter Vortec varieties) provide enough zip for the 5,050-pound vehicle to accelerate briskly on freeway ramps, and with proper equipment they can tow up to 7,700 pounds. The big V8s act like frat boys at a keg party, though, as they wildly chug gas. Expect 18 miles per gallon on the highway and a pathetic 14 mpg in town with th 5.3-liter motor.
While it's nice to have the capability to drive off the pavement and tow big payloads, most buyers will keep their SUV on smooth roads without a trailer. With this in mind, Chevy made the Tahoe comfortable and fairly easy to drive around town, but its poor steering feedback, mushy suspension feel and less-than-stellar side visibility emphasize the obvious -- it's a truck.
Inside, though, is a completely different story. Nice materials, a great sense of spaciousness and a surprisingly quiet cabin make it a terrific place to spend long trips on the highway, and several key changes helped refine the Tahoe for 2003.
Among them:
- StabiliTrak, a stability enhancement system, improves performance on slick surfaces or for emergency maneuvers. When it detects a loss of traction, it automatically adjusts engine torque and brake pressure to keep the vehicle pointed where the driver wants it to go.
- Safety is enhanced with new dual-level air bags and sensors that determine who, if anyone, is riding in the passenger seat. The passenger side airbag will deploy less forcefully if it detects a child in the seat, and both front air bags deploy more gently in low-speed wrecks.
- Electronic throttle control makes the bulky engine feel more lively, improving response when you mash the accelerator.
- Tri-zone climate control means the driver's side, passenger side and rear part of the vehicle get individual controls.
