1996 Chevrolet Tahoe

With the meteoric rise in the popularity of sport/utility vehicles (SUVs) and the resultant array of choices designed to cover every nook and cranny in the marketplace, one slot has remained curiously vacant. Where's the big four-door domestic sport/ute? True, the Chevrolet/GMC Truck version of the up-to-nine-passenger Suburban has a strong and loyal following, but that super-ute is at the extreme end of the spectrum. How about something a bit smaller, but with more people room, cargo-carrying capacity, and trailer-towing ability than the popular Ford Explorer/Jeep Grand Cherokee-class machines?

"How about," indeed. It's been a long wait, but the void recently has been filled by the Chevrolet Tahoe and its twin, the GMC Truck Yukon. And judging by the initial buyer rush to dealers, the full-size four-door sport/utility's time has come.

This is far more than simply a case of being in the right place at the right time. The Tahoe and Yukon are virtue-packed machines that deliver a unique bundle of attributes at a reasonable price. And with a higher sales volume and larger dealer network than its GMC Truck twin, the Chevy Tahoe is primed to swallow the lion's share of buyers put off by the limited interior space and moderate hauling utility of smaller SUVs. On the flip side, the Tahoe four-door probably will shorten the perennial waiting list for Suburbans

Our judging staff considered every all-new or substantially changed '96 truck and SUV that will be on sale by Jan. 1, 1996, in search of the most significant vehicle in this crowded marketplace. We looked at the vehicles from both the industry and the buyers' perspectives, weighing value, performance, and technological advancement to narrow the field of pickups, SUVs, and full-size vans down to a single vehicle, our 1996 Truck of the Year.

Design, performance, utility, versatility, quality, and creature comforts: For these qualities, and many more, we've selected the Chevrolet Tahoe as Motor Trend's 1996 Truck of the Year

More Than Just A New Name
Before we continue, let's review a bit of history: The Chevrolet Tahoe debuted as a '95 model, in two-door, 4x4 form only. The eagerly awaited four-door version was a late arrival, showing up at dealers past our Jan. 1, 1995, on-sale deadline for consideration in last year's Truck of the Year competition-thus its eligibility for '96 TOY.

As the replacement for the former "big" Blazer, a nameplate that has been on the market for about a quarter-century, the Tahoe lends new simplicity to Chevrolet's model hierarchy. Now there's just one Blazer-the smaller, S-Series-based, two- or four-door, 4x2 or 4x4 compact SUV.

With the new name comes a wide range of improvements to this full-size SUV platform. A brand-new interior for the Tahoe moves away from the previous truck's angular simplicity and replaces it with more-welcoming, softer shapes. Ergonomic improvements boost the livability and utility. Thoughtful touches abound throughout: An optional console, available with the front bucket seats, is designed as a miniature work station, complete with a pivoting writing surface, storage compartments, and cupholders. Audio systems have been upgraded and repositioned for easier reach and now incorporate automatic speed-sensitive volume control. The Tahoe also features a standard driver-side airbag and four-wheel anti-lock brakes.

Hitting the Road
The net effect of the interior makeover is a significant boost in the Tahoe's passenger comfort level over its full-size Blazer predecessor. Road and engine noise is muted and distant, and the overall comfort level easily surpasses conventional truck standards.