Car & Driver Suburban Dump

Car and Driver recently ran an article that dumped on the 2007 Chevrolet Suburban. They cited the cost of gasoline, and the fact that such vehicles are no longer politically correct. “Owners probably don’t have to worry about torch-bearing mobs just yet. But they’d better be prepared for increasing disapproval”.

The fellow that wrote that should come to my neighborhood. There are plenty of Suburban’s, Tahoe’s and similar vehicles from a variety of manufacturers in driveways up and down the block.

Our original Suburban served us for 20 years and 305 thousand miles, and I almost cried when it drove away to a new family. Our 2001 Tahoe was a better vehicle in all respects, and I anticipated having it for many years, but we recently succumbed to the siren song of a new model.

In January we took delivery of a 2007 Tahoe with the 5.3 liter iron block “Flex Fuel” V8, and two wheel drive. With just over 500 miles on the odometer, we took off on a trip to Arizona that covered in excess of two thousand miles. I have to admit that I thought “Active Fuel Management” was more of a sales tool than anything else, but I am now a believer. Long stretches of I-10 were covered at 70 mph with fuel consumption coming in at a low of 19 mpg, and we recorded several tanks as high as 22 mpg.

Considering the fact that we were riding along in air conditioned comfort with tunes from the CD and XM Radio to enjoy, along with all of the coolers, cameras, clothes, gifts and other “stuff” that we wished to carry, I think this was excellent performance. The new truck chassis and suspension is noticeably better than our 2001 model, and there is absolutely nothing to complain about on this truck.

Someone will say “but the speed limit on I-10 is 80 mph.” That is true in large part, and indeed many people passed us at around 85 or better. Sorry folks, but I’m just not in that kind of a hurry on road trips. Covering 70 miles of mother earth in one hour is just fine for me. With our 3.73 rear end, I imagine that 85 mph would put a huge crimp in our fuel mileage, but I just don’t need to travel that fast.

Being tuned in to what the truck is doing on the road, I can tell you that when it goes into V4 mode there is a slight change in engine noise, and an ever so slight vibration that you probably wouldn’t even notice if you are not looking for it. Transition into and out of V4 mode is absolutely seamless. I suspect that maybe the recommended 5W-30 oil also contributes a bit to this fuel economy, and I am about to eliminate that factor with the introduction of Amsoil 10W-30 at the next oil change. Old guys have a hard time changing lifelong habits, and even though I know the GM engine guys know what they are doing, I am just not able to run this engine long and hard in the heat of a Texas summer on a 5W oil. Just Can’t do it.

So Car and Driver guy, I don’t buy your “decreasing relevance” bull-only. Maybe Suburbans and Tahoes are not for urban transit, but for fun and general family hauling, they just can’t be beat. This truck even sends me an email every month telling me just how good it feels! What a deal!

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