jeepin.jason

You’re probably wondering why I’m blogging about GM vehicles on a Jeep site… well, it’s because our last two tow rigs have been GM SUV’s (first a Tahoe LS and currently a 2003 GMC Yukon Denali XL), and based on what I’ve seen on the new 2007 models recently, when the time comes to trade in our Denali, we’ll most likely continue the trend with another GM SUV.

So far we’ve been really happy with our Denali. It’s extremely comfortable for long-hauls, has lots of power for towing, and the load-leveling rear suspension keeps everything nice and flat whether we’re driving around empty, towing a Jeep for a wheeling trip, or hauling 1,000 pounds of brick home (yes, we did that once). But as much as we like it, it’s missing out on some features we’d really like to have on our next tow rig. Features that have been available for a while now from other manufacturers (like Nissan), such as a power lift gate, large in-dash GPS navigation (in-dash navigation did become an option on the Denali in ‘04), and rear-view camera system.

However, GM has stepped up to the plate with their new completely redesigned 2007 SUV’s. If you haven’t seen them yet, AutoWeek has a great photo gallery of the new 2007 GMC Yukon/Denali and the 2007 Chevy Tahoe. Personally I like the looks of the new Tahoe better than the Yukon—the Yukon looks too much like the Envoy now, and gone are the projector-beam headlights that helped give the current Denali a real luxury vehicle look.

GM hasn’t released many details on the Tahoe’s features yet, but the Yukon/Denali options will include a power liftgate, power running boards, power fold-and-tumble second row seats (I wonder if they meant third row?), in-dash navigation system, and a DVD entertainment system. The 3rd row seats still don’t fold flat into the floor though, and the in-dash screen is still relatively small [compared to the one in the Nissan Armada]. One of the photos show sensors on the rear bumper to indicate a reverse-sonar system (the Cadillac SUV’s already have such a system) and a recent video clip we saw on tv made it look like they will also offer a rear-view camera system. The front suspension will go from torsion-bar to coil-over-spring, and the redesigned interior looks more like a luxury car than a big ‘ute, very nice.

There’s a new 5.3L V8 that will feature cylinder-deactivation/displacement-on-demand technology for improved fuel economy (GM is claiming they will hit 20mpg in combined driving), and the standard engine on the Denali models gets an increase from 6.0L to 6.2L.

I’m kind of disappointed they didn’t do more to improve the 3rd row (ie: make it fold flat into the floor), but otherwise it’s almost as if they knew exactly what features we wanted in our next vehicle, and built them all (and then some) into the new 2007 models. Good job GM, looks like you may have just kept another customer.