Chevy Tahoe enters 2005 with several notable refinements and upgrades designed to further solidify its position as North America’s best-selling full-size SUV because of its premium appointments, refined ride and handling, and outstanding levels of safety and capability.

GM’s OnStar safety and security system is standard in all equipment groups for 2005. All Tahoes also have a rear liftgate with lift-up glass and side-sill assist steps have been redesigned for improved aerodynamics and durability.

Additional functional changes include a more powerful standard alternator – 160 amps versus 145 – as well as new standard and optional rear axle ratios for both two- and four-wheel-drive models.  Tahoe’s tire pressure monitoring system has been revised to identify the specific tire, replacing the general alert system (does not include spare).

Notable equipment group revisions for 2005 include the availability of two-wheel drive on the Z71 off-road performance package; a new optional stereo system with a touch-screen navigation system; and 17-inch, five-spoke aluminum wheels now included as part of the uplevel LT package.

Two new exterior colors are offered for both Tahoe LS and LT: Sandstone Metallic and Bermuda Blue Metallic.

Powertrains

Tahoe’s powertrain lineup includes GM’s Vortec 4800 4.8L V-8 as standard, rated at 285 horsepower (213 kw) and 295 lb.-ft. (400 Nm) of torque. Owners seeking even more power and capability can choose the Vortec 5300 5.3L V-8, which generates 295 horsepower (220 kw) and 330 lb.-ft. (447 Nm) of torque. GM’s Hydra-Matic 4L60-E four-speed automatic transmission is standard with both engines. Tahoe can tow up to 7,700 pounds (3,493 kg) when properly equipped.

Improved fuel economy

The 2005 Tahoe extends its fuel economy leadership with four major enhancements that lead to a nearly one mpg fuel economy improvement.

The 2005 Suburban features an all-electric cooling system (compared to fan and fan clutch on 2004 models). The all-electric cooling system consists of two 200-watt electric fan packages and an improved-dissipation radiator.  The new cooling system provides a number of advantages:

A new voltage control system monitors the battery’s charge status and controls the vehicle’s generator to minimize parasitic voltage loss.

Aerodynamic changes also were made to improve fuel economy. For example, tow hook and foglamp openings are now sealed when those items are not ordered on the vehicle. The center hole in the front air deflector also is sealed; an extension was added to the front air deflector; and the aerodynamics for the running boards were improved.

Roomy, flexible interior

In addition to its powerful V-8 engines, Tahoe can be instantly reconfigured for any combination of passenger and cargo-carrying ability. Almost 105 cubic feet (2,962L) of cargo space is created when the second row seats are folded forward, creating a flat load floor. An optional third-row bench seat gives Tahoe room for up to nine passengers. Second-row seats provide easy access to the third row. The third-row rear seat has a 50/50 split-fold design to provide a variety of cargo/passenger configurations. The seats can be flipped forward and stowed for more cargo room, or individually and easily removed to create a flat load surface.

Besides a high degree of versatility, every Tahoe has an extensive list of cabin comforts, such as power windows with driver express-down, power door locks, cruise control, tilt-adjustable steering wheel, multi-lingual driver information center, temperature and compass displays integrated into the rearview mirror, and deep-tint glass aft of the B-pillar.

A tri-zone, manually controlled heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is standard, enabling the driver and front passenger to adjust the temperature to their individual comfort levels – up to a 30-degree Fahrenheit (13.9-degree Celsius) difference between the two front zones. Manual rear air conditioning is also standard.

An available tri-zone automatic HVAC system provides outstanding comfort. Rear electronic climate control is standard with the optional front system, providing second-row passengers with an automatically controlled temperature setting independent from the two front occupants, creating true tri-zone comfort.

Available exterior mirrors feature power-tilt glass and power folding to protect them in narrow spaces; heating elements that clear frost, snow or ice; left-side electrochromatic glass that automatically dims headlight glare; puddle lights; turn-signal indicators in the glass; and a memory feature. An available power-adjustable camper mirror can be extended to a vehicle width of as much as 106 inches (2,692 mm). Power-adjustable brake and accelerator pedals are standard on LT and Z71 models, and optional on LS versions.

Safety and security

Tahoe has a full complement of safety and security features, starting with dual-stage frontal air bags for supplemental protection for front-seat passengers. Dual-stage frontal air bags are designed to help reduce the risk of air bag-induced injury. When the air bag system’s control unit detects an impact, it determines whether the crash is severe enough to trigger a deployment, and whether the primary amount of inflation is sufficient. The primary stage alone will deploy in most frontal impacts requiring the supplemental protection of an air bag, while a secondary stage is designed to deploy in more severe frontal collisions.

The Tahoe also has GM’s Passenger Sensing System (PSS). PSS uses the latest sensing technology to turn the front passenger air bag on or off. If the sensor system detects an unoccupied front passenger seat or the presence of a smaller occupant, the front passenger air bag is designed to automatically turn off so it would not deploy in the event of a frontal collision. A status indicator on the instrument panel alerts occupants that the passenger air bag is on or off. Even with this system, GM strongly recommends to restrain child passengers in an appropriate child seat placed in the second or third row of the vehicle. Never install a rear-facing infant seat in front of an active air bag. GM also recommends that all children 12 and under ride in the rear seat when possible.

Other standard safety and security features include the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child-seat attachment system in the rear seats, and GM’s PASSlock II theft deterrent system. The LATCH system provides two lower anchors and a top tether anchor to be used to secure a child seat to the vehicle seat structure. These anchorages are designed to make it easier to properly install compatible child safety seats.

Also standard are four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with Hydroboost, a feature that provides more reserve power assist for braking under specific conditions. The system continues to provide sufficient power assist to stop the vehicle if the engine stalls or is turned off, by using power steering fluid pressure to decrease brake pedal effort.

Tahoe’s available safety and stability features include driver and front-passenger side air bags, traction assist on 2WD models, and GM’s StabiliTrak system on all models equipped with the Vortec 5300 5.3L V-8 engine (except Z71 off-road package).

StabiliTrak helps the driver maintain control in sudden maneuvers, particularly in low traction conditions, in emergency lane changes and during avoidance maneuvers.

StabiliTrak assists the vehicle in maintaining the driver’s intended path by applying a brake force at any corner of the vehicle independent of the driver’s use of the brake pedal.

StabiliTrak uses an accelerator pedal position sensor, a brake master cylinder pressure sensor and a steering wheel angle sensor as inputs to interpret the driver’s desired path and whether to accelerate or decelerate the vehicle. StabiliTrak also uses these sensors plus a lateral accelerometer and yaw rate sensor to determine the vehicle’s actual path.

If the difference between the driver’s desired path and the vehicle’s actual path becomes great enough, StabiliTrak takes appropriate action to assist the driver with maintaining the desired path. If the vehicle begins to “snowplow,” or understeer, StabiliTrak applies the inside rear brake to help turn the vehicle. If the vehicle begins to fishtail, or oversteer, StabiliTrak applies the outside front brake to straighten the vehicle. StabiliTrak is integrated with the traction control and ABS systems.

StabiliTrak helps the driver maintain control in sudden maneuvers or low traction conditions. If the system determines that the vehicle is not responding appropriately to the driver's steering, StabliTrak precisely reduces engine torque and applies precise amounts of pressure to the individual front brakes to slow the vehicle and help bring it back to its intended path.

Wide choice of entertainment systems

Impressive entertainment systems – from an available Bose sound system to a Panasonic DVD Passenger Entertainment System – add to Tahoe’s comforts, especially on longer journeys. These systems (except the base fleet radio) feature the next-generation Radio Data System and can interface with services such as the optional XM Satellite Radio (continental U.S. only). Available rear-seat audio controls allow second-row passengers to enjoy a separate audio source from front-seat occupants. An available custom-designed Bose audio system uses a high-powered six-channel amplifier and an eight-speaker sound system with sub-woofer.

XM Satellite Radio provides more than 120 coast-to-coast, digital-quality channels of original commercial-free music and premier news, sports and talk as well as advanced traffic and weather information for select major metropolitan areas nationwide. Consumers can subscribe to the basic service for $9.99 a month. In addition, GM customers with GMAC financing can choose to include the XM subscription in their car payments.

OnStar-equipped Tahoes feature new sixth-generation hardware with digital and analog coverage. OnStar’s Gen 6 hardware also includes upgraded hands-free voice recognition capabilities including more intuitive continuous digit dialing and improved voice recognition accuracy. OnStar is the leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and information services in the United States and Canada. Using the GPS satellite network and wireless technology, OnStar features core safety services and OnStar Personal Calling that allows drivers to make and receive hands-free, voice-activated phone calls using a powerful three-watt digital/analog system and external antenna for greater reception.