2000 Chevrolet Suburban/Tahoe...Continued

Driving Position: The multiple seat adjustments of the vehicles speak to Chevy's interest in the woman buyer. This short woman had no problem finding just the right driving position in either the Suburban or the Tahoe. Large rearview mirrors helped reduce "blind spots," and the high seating position (much of the reason for the SUV's success with women) provided a confident driving experience.

Cargo Space: The Tahoe is about 20 inches shorter than the Suburban, but it's still a full-size SUV with lots of room to haul stuff. The new optional third-row bench seat features a 50/50 split-fold that provides a number of cargo-carrying variations. Maximum cargo volume for the Tahoe is 108.2 cubic feet. With 134.8 cubic feet of cargo volume, the Suburban offers a good deal more storage space. Plus, the new "fold and stow" rear seat feature creates ample area for the big stuff without removing the third-row seat.

Our Impressions Of The Drive: Driving these big, solid SUVs offered a wonderful sense of confidence. The powerful engines made the vehicles respond on command and the handling was a delight. Both vehicles are more maneuverable than their predecessors, and the turning radius of these full-size "trucks" is excellent. The turning diameter was truly appreciated on the snow-filled trails high in the Tetons. On the paved roads in the Jackson Hole valley, both the Suburban and the Tahoe drove like well-behaved urban vehicles, parking commendably and responding beautifully to the challenges of driving in a beauteous area where it's hard to keep full eyes on the road.

What We Liked Most: The luxurious space and interior refinements of the 2000 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban is remarkable. Comfort, plus attention to family needs, was definitely a priority on these re-designs. Women are bound to approve and respond.

What We Caution You About: As with any sport utility vehicle, be sure to carefully analyze your needs before finally choosing your vehicle. Don't buy the biggest, most powerful Suburban, for example, if your only towing is taking kids to and from the soccer game or the most power you need is to get to the top floor of the parking garage at the mall. Same applies to the Tahoe. The two-wheel drive Tahoe looks just as adventurous as the four-wheel drive and will save you money both at purchase and at the gas station.

Overall Impression: The all-new Chevrolet full-size SUVs have been powered-up, freshened-up and over-all made better to serve loyal Suburban fans and the increasing number of Tahoe buyers.

Major Competition: Dodge Durango, Ford Excursion, Ford Expedition