2011 Chevy Tahoe

The world has fewer full-size sport-utility vehicles these days--maybe a good thing--but one of the diehard survivors will be the Chevrolet Tahoe. Spun from the same running gear as GM's full-size pickup trucks and other big utes like the Cadillac Escalade, the Tahoe is the less lengthy companion to the likes of the Chevy Suburban. It's pitched as the traditionally strong performer in a crowd including the gas-powered utes like the Ford Expedition, Toyota Sequoia, and Nissan Armada. As a Hybrid, it takes on the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class with the clean BlueTEC diesel and the BMW X6 Hybrid, but more likely, GM's own Cadillac Escalade Hybrid and Yukon Hybrid.

The Tahoe nameplate arrived in the 1995 model year, replacing the Blazer badge and was teamed with a four-door model. Based on the big GM trucks, the Tahoe was powered in most cases by a big 5.7-liter V-8. A turbodiesel version found few applications and few buyers. In this generation, sold until the 1998 model year, GM added a driver-side airbag and a luxury-trim Limited package, which was sold in the 2000 model year. This version overlapped with the entirely new "GMT800" Chevy Tahoe, which was new for the 2000 model year.

The 2000-2006 Chevrolet Tahoe again offered a choice of V-8 engines, either a 4.8-liter V-8 or a 5.3-liter V-8, separated only by 10 horsepower. A four-speed automatic took care of shifting in all versions, and the Tahoe came in rear- or four-wheel-drive versions. A more genteel look wasn't quite matched by a lackluster interior, but with good towing capacity and additions like stability control and more airbags, the Tahoe rode the SUV wave of popularity to become a best seller in the Chevy truck lineup.

GM advanced its plans to replace the GMT800 trucks and SUVs with a GMT900 family of vehicles--and the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe proved the move worthy in mechanical terms, even if SUV sales were about to fall off a proverbial cliff. The new Tahoe's crisp lines, and improved body rigidity lent it a mature, even sophisticated look--one matched by a handsome interior. All the towing and hauling capability carried over, with a more comfortable five- or six-seat interior package--but the powertrains got a fuel-economy boost that was offset on the marketing side by the addition of a 403-horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8. The Tahoe returned for the 2010 model year as one of the best-performing SUVs available, even in fuel economy, thanks to the recently added, 22-mpg Tahoe Hybrid.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze

The new-to-America Cruze is Chevrolet's latest small car and comes powered by either a naturally aspirated 1.8-liter four-cylinder, or a 1.4-liter turbocharged Ecotec four-cylinder -- both with the choice of either a six-speed automatic or manual transmission.

The turbocharged engine puts out 138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft. of torque and should be capable of up to 40 mpg on the highway. The 1.8-liter puts out 136 horsepower and 123 lb-ft. of torque.

The Cruze is offered in four standard trim levels, as well as a specialty option package, known as RS Appearance, which includes rocker moldings, unique front and rear fascias, front fog lamps and a rear spoiler.

Cruze LS
The Cruze is available in several trim levels, including the base LS level, which comes with a 1.8-liter Ecotec engine and a six-speed manual transmission standard. Standard safety equipment includes 10 airbags, StabiliTrak ESC, ABS and more. Chevy also points out that even the base LS will come standard with A/C, power locks and windows and remote keyless entry.

Cruze LT
Opting for the LT essentially swaps out the less efficient 1.8-liter four-cylinder for the 1.4-liter turbocharged engine, swaps the six-speed manual for an automatic with an equal number of gears, and bumps the wheels up to 16-inches.

Cruze Eco
The Cruze Eco relies on the 1.4-liter turbocharged engine and a six-speed manual to achieve the platform leading fuel economy of 40 mpg highway, and will come with 17-inch alloy wheels and ultra low-rolling resistence tires, as well as a package to improve aerodynamics.

Cruze LTZ
Jumping to the range-topping LTZ will result in the same 1.4-liter turbocharged engine, but with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Drivers enjoy a six-way power seat, leather seating surfaces, steering wheel and shift knob. Also standard will be cruise control, Bluetooth, USB, steering-wheel radio controls, automatic climate control, ultrasonic rear-parking assist, 18-inch wheels and remote start.

The Cruze features several high-tech options and features such as available navigation with 40 gigabyte hard drive with pause-and-play radio and the ability to download music onto the hard drive, XM satellite radio, a premium Pioneer 9-speaker stereo system featuring a 250-watt amplifier, heated lather seats and OnStar.

The U.S. model sees the rear independent suspension replaced with a Z-link suspension, but gains an acoustic laminate windshield for added interior quietness. The Cruze will also feature rack-mounted electric power steering -- a features that delivers a marginal fuel gain and reduces required steering input for low speed maneuvers.

Outside, the Cruze takes styling cues from the new Malibu, and promises to be a much sharper car than the current Cobalt.

Based on what was once called the Delta 2 platform, the all-new Cruze rides on GM's Global Compact Vehicle Architecture. The primary engineering and development comes from GMDAT -- GM's Korean partner (although there has been strong input from the North American and European planning groups).