SEE ALSO: Chevrolet Buyer's Guide

All aboard the good ship Tahoe! The 2003 edition of the best-selling fullsize SUV is quite a Pullman car of comfort and goodies. Just pile in up to 8 family or friends - although if they are SuperBowl bound Raider fans you may want to encourage water-based silver and black paint - and at the end of the trip you should have a group of happy campers. Here are just some of the upgrades:

A big hit with our test audience was the optional entertainment system: it includes a Bose sound system with XM Satellite Radio ( remember how FM used to be almost commercial free?) with tremendous offerings for both music and non-music (live BBC was a hit) - and for the folks in row 2 and 3 a DVD-based video system (excellent for animated features) with its own wireless headsets. And speaking of the 3rd row, there was high praise for the new 2nd row bucket seats and the easy access to the 3rd row.

The braking system has also been enhanced for improved pedal feel and performance. Two- and four-wheel-drive Tahoes with the 5.3-liter engine can be ordered with an optional stability control system. We who spend many summers at Lake Tahoe were quite pleased with the deep rich blue exterior color of the test vehicle - a multi pigment.

California Tahoes have ULEV certification but below average fuel economy. The ride is terrific, thanks to a front independent suspension of modular cast-iron lower control arms with coil springs (2WD) or torsion bars (4WD). The rear suspension is a new five-link coil along with coil springs and self-leveling shock absorbers. If you have a large family, or you own a small business that needs to comfortably transport clients, be sure to test drive the new Tahoe from Chevrolet.

- Mark Fulmer

• Tahoe Review by our own Carey Russ!

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