Truck of the Year for 2005: The Chevrolet Tahoe
A high point in the sport utility market is the Chevrolet Tahoe. In 2005 Chevrolet rolled out an upgraded version of the Tahoe with three versions: LS, LT, and Z71. Sales for the Tahoe, especially the Tahoe LT, were brisk during 2005 and 2006. The improved reliability and the updated styling were responsible for the increased interest.
2005 Chevrolet Tahoe LT Specs
Standard equipment in the Tahoe for 2004 and 2005 includes the 5.3 liter engine by General Motors, weighing in at 8 cylinders and sixteen valves. A 4-speed Automatic Transmission puts the power of the Vortec engine to the pavement. The has proven to be a popular configuration for the Tahoe.
The front brakes are disc while the rear brakes are disc. Steering is handled through a power-steering gear-style configuration. The Tahoe uses power-assisted brakes, with 4-Wheel ABS support. Load balancing is provided by torsion bar front springs and coil in the rear.
The fuel system for the 2005 Tahoe is a SFI system, running on FLEX . The fuel is regulated by an electronic system and is a fuel-injected MFI design.
Statistics
The dimensions of the Tahoe LT are 78.80 inches wide by 198.80 inches long. It sits 74.80 inches off the ground. It seats a standard six passengers, with 4 doors. The wheelbase of 116.00 allows for extra leg room for the rear passengers.
There is a 36,000 mile, 36 month warranty with this vehicle, including a powertrain warranty of 36,000/36 miles/months. This is normal for this price range.
The original manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) was $35,915 when new, with a dealer invoice cost of $31,426. This price was in line with the industry average price for a 4-door Sport Utility.
MPG Ratings
The 2005 Tahoe gets 19 - 20 miles/gallon on the highway and only 15 - 16 in the city. This is below average for a sport utility truck.
In 2004 and 2005 the Tahoe LT was availble in the exterior colors of Bermuda Blue Metallic, Black, Dark Blue Metallic, Dark Gray Metallic, Sandstone Metallic, Silver Birch Metallic, Sport Red Metallic, and Summit White. Additional options were available as special orders from the factory.
Parting Shots
The 2005 model year was very successful for the Chevrolet Tahoe. The introduction of several trim levels (along with the LT version) meant that buyers could find the version that best suited their needs.