2000 Chevrolet Suburban/Tahoe...Continued

Engines: 4.8-liter, V8, 275-horsepower; 5.3-liter, V8, 285 hp; 6.0-liter, V8, 300 hp

Transmission: Four-speed automatic

Fuel Economy: 14 mpg city/18 mpg highway

Safety Features: Chevy says that women are the fastest-growing demo for their full-size SUVs. And they're responding with good attention to the features women want; features that will keep them and their families as safe as possible while riding and driving in their vehicles. Both the 2000 Suburban and Tahoe are equipped with a number of crash-avoidance features including four-wheel anti-lock brakes to ensure quick stops and daytime running lamps to help the vehicle be seen, thus avoiding a potential collision. Should a collision happen, the Suburban and Tahoe are both equipped with driver and passenger-side airbags, plus both have front seat side-impact airbags (a feature not offered on other full-size SUVs). In addition, child seat top-tether anchors on the rear seats (second row in the Tahoe and both second and third row in the Suburban) afford secure attachment of child seats, and child security rear-door locks keep small fry inside until it's safe to leap out.

Major Options: OnStar navigational system (Suburban)

BUYER DEMOS: Chevy says the Suburban buyer leads an active family life. (Seventy-six percent have children in the household.) The male/female buyer breakout for the Suburban is 60 percent male/40 percent female. However, almost 60 percent of the Suburban primary drivers are women. Tahoe demos include fewer female buyers (37 percent) and women primary drivers (50 percent) than the Suburban. However, Chevy hastens to add that the number of Tahoe buyers and drivers is on the rise. Psychographically speaking, the Tahoe buyer is termed a "doer." (No wonder the female demo is increasing!) The average age of the buyer for both vehicles is 44.

We Looked At:

Roominess: This feature appropriately reflects the user of each of these vehicles. The Tahoe is a "real" sport utility, built on a truck chassis and designed to go anywhere, do anything. While roomy comfort is certainly there, it's not the top priority. The Tahoe is smaller inside than the Suburban, yet offers plenty of space for off-road adventurers and their gear or for mall visitations and acquisitions. New for the 2000 Tahoe is an optional third-row bench seat that creates seating for up to nine. Nine fit just fine in all models of the new Suburban. On a test drive run on a trail high above Jackson Hole, three folks had an unexpected test of the third seat in both vehicles. The Suburban seated them quite comfortably, however the Tahoe was a real squeeze. Occupants in the front and middle compartments on this test drive were exceedingly comfy and cheery in both vehicles.