2009 Tahoe new features and Options

New features available for the 2009 model year Tahoe are:

6.2L Engine on 2WD and 4WD.
6-Speed Auto Trans (standard).
Heated and Cooled Front Seats.
Integrated BlueTooth for phone.
110V Power Outlet.
Integrated Trailer Brake Control.
Side Blind Zone Alerting System.
XM Real Time Traffic Integrated into Navigation System.

Hey ZX, Do you know if owners of 07/08 Tahoes will be able integrate bluetooth into their current vehicles? Would it be able to be added by the dealer after 2009's come out?

There is talk of an accessory kit but no official word yet.

Awesome sauce!! Thanks for posting the info ZX!

Just out of curiosity, how will the side blind zone alert system notify the driver in the Tahoe? Will there be a visual notification in the side view mirror or an audible tone in the cabin or both?

For those who are curious, here is an article that I scrounged up on the interweb clicky

The alert will be in the form of a light illuminated within the side mirror glass, when you turn the directional signals the light will then turn amber and flash.

The lane departure alert on the Buick will really annoy those folks who never use turn signals. 

Do you know if you will be able to get the cooled seats in our early year models?

I don't think it's a lane departure warning system but a warning once you put turn signal on that someone is there.

Yep, I mispoke but edited to fix. 

These new features sound great.  Almost makes me want to trade in the '07 Tahoe next year.   They're just like what we already have on my wife's Audi Q7.  In that vehicle, the side mirror has a light that glows if there's a car to the side of you, and if you turn on the blinker at that point, then it flashes really bright red.  I nearly have to swallow my heart and lungs everytime that darn thing flashes.  I wouldn't get rid of it though, 'cuz it's saved me a couple of times.

So the 2008 model year does not have a 110v outlet?  I just assumed since they had composite inputs for an external game player (xbox, ps2), that it would come with this. 
 
Has anyone used one of those 12v-110v adapters?  Are they safe? 

quote:

ORIGINAL: shellbmb

Has anyone used one of those 12v-110v adapters?  Are they safe? 

No they're not safe, the car explodes within seconds of plugging your hairdryer in.

Haha! But seriously, I just don't want to be blowing fuses all over the place.
 
This is what I was talking about. 
 
 

I use one in mine to recharge laptop with no ill effects. 

I would love to trade my 07 in just for those cooled seats on the 09 but I'm sure my trade in value would suck hardcore

Just a little clarification please. When you say that the 6 speed tranny is standard does that include the 5.3 engine as well. And will they still offer the 4.10 gears with this new tranny.
 
I am ready to pull the trigger on either a Tahoe or Sierra but I think I'll wait till the 09's come out. I assume we should be able to order one sometime around mid-summer.
 
I sure wish GM could figure out a way to get the rear windows to roll down completely. I know it's petty but it still erks me. My 4Runner is half the size and they roll all the way down including the lifgate.
 
itching to buy.
Mark

quote:

ORIGINAL: mbriddle
I sure wish GM could figure out a way to get the rear windows to roll down completely. I know it's petty but it still erks me. My 4Runner is half the size and they roll all the way down including the lifgate.

itching to buy.
Mark

 
Does your 4Runner rear door also have a portion of stationary glass?   If it does, then that's how they get the window all the way down. 
 
I personally don't like the extra post in the glass area that this design requires which contributes to more wind noise .    Also don't roll the rear windows down very much. 

Actually I meant that as of right now the 6-speed auto is standard with the 6.2L engine.
By the time ordering commences (April) the 6-speed may be standard across the board.
4.10 gears for the Tahoe have been discontinued; I believe that this was done with the intention that the 6-speed auto would become standard which will illuminate the need for that low of a ratio.   The rear door windows will never roll down all the way due to physics, the shape of the glass vs. the shape of the door will not allow it to be. My folks had an old station wagon when I was a kid and the glass would roll down into the tailgate too.  

For something small -- 300w inverter -- they work fine.  For higher wattages (800w or more), I've seen them recommended to be hardwired to the battery and not plugged into the cig lighter.  We use a 300w inverter occassionally on long trips to power the kids' GameCube which is connected to the overhead DVD.

ok, so the new one gets the caddy engine; which is 6.2L, 403 HP right?
 
Well, I checked Caddy's web site; and the 6.2L 6 speed escallade pulls the SAME weight that a 5.3L 4 speed Tahoe does...
 
You would think with an extra civic under the hood and 2 more gears it could tow a bit more...
 
I will use my new (and use my current) Tahoe for towing a boat or my Jeep, which I love more power for... but why are these the same?
 
the mirror / blind spot thing is awsome, people who lane change w/out signals send me into a blind rage where I want to use my tahoe and umm 'escort' them off the road...

quote:

ORIGINAL: SabrToothSqrl

ok, so the new one gets the caddy engine; which is 6.2L, 403 HP right?

 
nope. the 6.2l is rated at 380hp on the tahoe platform.

thats Bull... stupid chevy...
 
o well, it doesn't tow more...
 
anyone make a super charger for the 5.3L yet?
 
maybe i can just put some wicked dual exausts on my Tahoe and keep it another 2 years...

The max tow rating of a 5.3L Tahoe with 4.10 and also a 6.2L Escalade is not power limited, the max tow rating is derived from the vehicles ability to safely stop a loaded trailer (brakes) as well as the strength of the suspension and frame.

The 6-speed transmission will be standard on all GMT900 half ton GM trucks and SUV's for 2009.

You mentioned ordering starts in April.  When do you expect to see a 2009 on the lot?