Onto the Tahoe's more rigid chassis, Chevy has hung an independent coil-over shock setup at the front with a five-link solid axle and

Chevy has hung an independent coil-over shock setup at the front with a five-link solid axle and coil spring setup at the rear. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

coil spring setup at the rear. I had an interesting conversation with GM's engineer responsible for the Tahoe's suspension design and calibration, Brad Cwycyshyn, in which we explored the difficulty in finding the utopian balance of a smooth ride while maintaining sharp handling characteristics and control off-road. It was his view that suspension characteristics shouldn't be all about handling to the absence of ride attributes. He explained how painstakingly he and his team worked on the Tahoe's suspension calibration and geometry to strike the right balance between handling and comfort; after a challenging day of washboard and backroads, I think Brad and company have nailed it.

Although some expected oversteer crept in, the 2007 Tahoe remained remarkably stable over the most severe washboarding, sharpest turns and steepest inclines the Apache Trail could dish out. The vibration induced by the deteriorating dirt road highlighted the solidity of the Tahoe's body structure and its underpinnings. The vehicle absorbed relentless surface degradation

Although some expected oversteer crept in, the 2007 Tahoe remained remarkably stable over the most severe washboarding, sharpest turns and steepest inclines the Apache Trail could dish out. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

without transmitting excessive jostling or harshness to the cabin, which remained rattle-free throughout. On the highway the 2007 Tahoe rides more like a premium sedan than a 4WD SUV, helping make long stints behind the wheel that much more enjoyable.

Along the way, it came time to test the 4-wheel antilock disc brakes that are affixed as standard equipment. A full-on stomp invoked considerable nosedive but ratcheted the Tahoe down from south of 100 km/h (62 mph) to nil in a manner more befitting a sports car. I was quite astonished with just how quickly and securely the 4WD Tahoe's substantial curb weight of 2,512 kg (5,537 lbs) was brought to a halt. Capitalizing on the SUV's powerful brakes is GM's StabiliTrak stability control system with roll-over mitigation technology.