Since 1995, when Chevrolet renamed its Blazer, GM has packaged its full-size truck-based SUV as Tahoe, a name borrowed from a rugged and scenic California ski area.

Three years into its fourth generation, the 2017 Tahoe has replaced the top trim LTZ with a new name: Premier, which now comes with perforated, leather-trimmed heated and vented driver and passenger seats. Also new is a standard Teen Driver feature that encourages safe driving habits with teenagers, enabling parents to view the vehicle’s maximum speed, distance driven and the number of times active safety features were engaged during a drive.

New front active aero shutters enhance aerodynamics on the highway and new available items for Tahoe include rear seat entertainment system upgrades with HDMI/MHL connector; additional USB port; digital headphones and device projection and a new video voiceover feature that benefits visually and hearing impaired. Chevrolet MyLink adds in-vehicle shopping apps and you also get Rear Seat Reminder Customization, and available Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking. New exterior colors for this year include Blue Velvet Metallic and Pepperdust Metallic

Bucking the trend toward curved, Euro-sculpture for sports-utes, Tahoe doesn’t pretend to be something it isn’t. It is a truck-type SUV and it comes at you as such. It is upright and trucklike in its architecture – old-school boxy, though Chevy considers it refined and precisely sculpted. Its inlaid doors fit into the body side openings instead of over the top of the body, for quietness of the interior cabin while contributing to solid aerodynamics – an attribute that helps the vehicles slip through the air on the highway with less drag for greater efficiency. Lightweight aluminum hood and liftgate panels also enhance efficiency through reduced overall mass.

Tahoe measures 204.9 inches long, 74.4 inches high and 80.5 inches wide on a 116-inch wheelbase, and weighs in at 5631 lbs. in the LT trim I tested.

Tahoe can carry up to nine people, though the third row can be tight. Inside, you get 45.3 inches of front legroom, 42.8 inches of front headroom and 64.5 inches of front shoulder room. The second row comes in at 30.0 (headroom), 42.8 (legroom) and 64.5 (shoulder room), and the rear seats accommodate only 27 inches of headroom, 38.4 inches of legroom and 63.5 inches of shoulder room.

The cabin is refined to enhance functionality and comfort, while delivering advanced technologies and connectivity. Premium materials and enhanced ergonomics demonstrate the SUVs’ blend of sophistication, craftsmanship and function.
The instrument panel, for example, has a straightforward design featuring a large, easy-to-view cluster. It includes a 4.2-inch color driver information center display in the center of the cluster, for vehicle, infotainment and other data. There’s also an eight-inch-diagonal color touch screen radio on LT and LTZ models in the center of the instrument panel, incorporating secured storage behind the motorized screen.

Tahoe is powered by a 5.3-liter V-8 that thunders out 355hp and 383 lbs,-ft. of torque. The system delivers excellent passing power, but there was a slight delay in translating pedal inputs to engine response. With a truck feel and action, and mated to a Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission, my Tahoe LT finished off a zero-to-60 mph sprint in 7.4 seconds (hand-timed) and completed a quarter-mile in 15.6 seconds (also hand-timed), EPA estimates of 18/city and 22/highway in 4WD configuration were close to my tests, which yielded an average of 19.7mpg in mixed-use driving.

I found Tahoe’s electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system to be a bit heavy, and maneuvering this big SUV in tight city or town spots can be challenging. Braking response was good, but you need to press down and not ease down on the pedal for solid engagement; and the independent coil-over-shock front suspension works with a solid axle rear with five-link location and coil springs to give soft road feel at speed and some bounce over highway irregularities.

The 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe is available in three trims. The Base LS starts at $48,410 in 2WD, the LT adds leather-appointed first- and second-row seats, power liftgate with programmable height, heated front bucket seats with memory, Bose® premium sound system, and safety upgrades and starts at $53,540. The top trim, Premier, starts at $63,225 and adds high-intensity discharge headlamps, 12-way power-adjustable heated and cooled front seats, 20-inch wheels, Side Blind Zone Alert with Lane Change Alert, and more.

My Black test Tahoe, in LT trim, added 4WD for $3,000; The Luxury Package for $2995 added keyless entry with push button start; heated second row power-release 60/40 split-bench seats; outside heated power-adjustable, power-folding mirrors; power-fold third row 60/40 split-bench seats; memory power tilt-and-telescopic steering column and heated steering wheel; wireless charging; hands-free power liftgate; fog lamps; Front and Rear Park Assist; Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Side Blind Zone Alert; body-color trailer hitch closeout in the rear fascia.

The Sun, Entertainment and Destinations Package for $2710, added Chevrolet MyLink® Radio with Navigation ; rear seat Blu-ray entertainment system; power sunroof and more.

Integrated roof rails added $250; molded splash guards added $170; and Destination and Freight charges of $1285 put the sticker-as-tested at $61,265 after manufacturer discounts.

Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

The Hasbro brand is known for its hugely successful line of toys and in some cases, the movies and/or TV shows those toys have spawned. One such toy line and franchise is Transformers. In 2017, the Carlisle Truck Nationals will showcase an Optimus Prime fan-built replica truck, August 4-6 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds as part of the annual event. The Optimus Prime fan-built replica will be part of the Big Rig showcase this summer and it’s something no one should miss out on. In front of this summer's international release of the next Transformers movie, fans of the franchise and truck weekend alike should make plans to be at Carlisle!

Approved as an official replica by Hasbro, the truck is a 2017 Western Star 5700 XE. When it started on the factory floor, its one and only purpose was to become an Optimus Prime replica. Its highly-customized look makes it true to what was seen on the big screen as part of Transformers 4 and will closely resemble its official counterpart for this summer's Transformers 5 movie. Artists and fabricators from around the country were involved to assure no detail was missed. Counting this replica, there are only three Optimus Prime trucks in existence built with this design. Basically, the chances of ever seeing this type of truck in person are slim so, coming to Carlisle in August is a must do for everyone!

In addition to seeing the rig, guests will have a chance to sit in the driver's seat and snap a photo too. While the experience of the truck is free, an additional fee for photos and up close experiences with the truck may apply. Regardless, Truck Nationals guests should make a point to attend and see the truck; after all it’s an experience that just might transform their life!

Complete details on the truck nationals can be found at www.CarlisleEvents.com. In addition, links are active online today to register a truck for the event, purchase day or weekend passes or to simply sign up to be a vendor at the show. With monster trucks, big rigs, lowered and lifted trucks, plus a kid’s zone with family fun all around, the 2017 Carlisle Truck Nationals is a weekend not to be missed.

Two times a year Carlisle Auctions does business in central Florida and judging by the success of these two events, maybe two just isn’t enough. The Pennsylvania based auction team returns to Lakeland and the SUN ‘n FUN campus as part of Winter Florida AutoFest for two-days only, February 24-25. The collector car auction offers more than just classic cars, there are trucks, motor coaches, collectibles and more; all available to the highest bidder. Best of all, demand to be involved is such that the Carlisle Auctions’ streak of sold out consignment lots continues, in fact every Carlisle Auction ever produced in Florida has sold out!

As sold out numbers go, the two-day auction hosts over 400 available lots and items up for bid are an automotive time capsule. At least 100 years of machinery will move and the auction is ultimately a great way for someone to either add to an already impressive classic car collection or maybe just serve as a way to jump start a newbie into the hobby. Regardless, demand is high; meaning the quality and quantity of consignments continues to increase. Also increasing is demand to be part of the fun as a bidder and that trend is proving once more to be true with a jump in pre-event bidder registration. Better yet, a 50% off bidder’s discount package is available by using the promo code 2-Bid when registering. This discount is available now through February 24 by calling 717-960-6400.

With over 400 consignments, it’s impossible to mention all of them, but a pair that stand head and shoulders above the rest are a 1937 Ford Woodie and a 1974 Pontiac Trans Am. The Woodie is blue on the outside with a tan interior and is powered by a 350-cubic inch engine. With an immaculate restoration under its belt, it’s perfect for cruising due to its IFS chassis, full custom interior, AC, power steering and power breaks. Not to be out done, the ’74 Trans Am is a powerhouse waiting to be opened up on one of Florida’s many great highways. Painted Buccaneer Red with an amazing white interior, the screaming chicken on the hood lets everyone know what this car is all about. This car is original all around, with just 44,000 miles on the engine/drive train and nearly everything that makes this car go and be what it is…yep, also original!

Many more of the 400+ consignments are available for review at www.CarlisleAuctions.com. This web page is also home base for all things related to this and any of Carlisle Auctions other three events. Learn about the FREE UNLESS SOLD guarantee, how to get involved with an upcoming event and more. FINALLY, given that Winter Lakeland consignments are some of the strongest ever, bidders are encouraged to continue pre-registering for the weekend. This event truly does offer more cars, more people and even more excitement and it all starts February 23 with Carlisle Auctions and Carlisle Events at Winter Florida AutoFest in Lakeland.

Volkswagen’s best-selling car had been offered in sedan and hatchback configurations, but is now only presented as a sedan. That design downsize doesn’t compromise Jetta’s range that starts as a stylish econo-car and tops off as a sporty and quick performance compact.

Volkswagen’s Jetta was originally a Golf hatchback with specifically different styling and a conventional trunk. Launched in 1979 as a small family car, it was latched onto by trend-setting college-age buyers, and as Jetta has evolved into a larger, more powerful and more electronically advance vehicle, it has remained trendy and has been VW’s top-selling model for years.

This sixth-generation Jetta began production in 2010 for the 2011 model year, and for 2017, VW has simplified the Jetta line-up to four trims -- S, SE, SEL, and GLI. The base S trim includes a 1.4-liter, 150-horsepower TSI® engine, 16-inch steel wheels, LED DRLs and two-tone cloth seats as standard, along with a rearview camera that is now standard for all Jetta trim levels. The midline SE adds Volkswagen Car-Net® App-Connect connectivity and connected services, a sunroof, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert, 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, KESSY® Keyless access and push-button start, and V-Tex leatherette seats with rear pass-through functionality. The top SEL trim gains a 1.8-liter, 170-hp TSI engine, power driver’s seat; exterior chrome accents; Climatronic® automatic dual-zone climate control; a navigation system, rain-sensing wipers, front foglights; Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist); and Adaptive Cruise Control. The Jetta GLI is now available in only one trim, with a 2.0-liter, 210-hp TSI engine, standard 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, a navigation system, power driver’s seat, LED taillights, Park Distance Control (Park Pilot), the Fender® Premium Audio System, and Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert.

The Jetta design continues its architecture of clear, precise lines and muscular surfaces in a Euro-elegant demeanor. At the front, the coupe-like incline of the windshield and the consistent use of horizontal lines present Jetta’s identity as wide and energetic. The visual band formed by the radiator grille that features three crossfins, combines with headlight clusters and large lower air intake to give the Jetta a signature appearance. This look is finished off on the SEL and GLI trims with foglights mounted in the outer areas of the bumper.

Jetta is a compact at 183.3 inches long (182.2 for the GLI trim), 70 inches wide and 57.2 inches high (56.5 for the GLI) on a 104.4-inch wheelbase, with a ground clearance of 5.2 inches. Jetta seats five and weighs in at a light 3194 lbs. for the automatic transmission version.

The Jetta interior features well-equipped style and substance Even the entry-level Jetta models have standard air conditioning, a multifunction steering wheel, cruise control, one-touch auto up/down power windows, power locks with remote keyless entry, Bluetooth® technology for compatible devices, a rearview camera, and power heatable exterior mirrors. And premium features abound on higher-level trims.

The cabin is accommodating with an un-compactlike at 38.2 inches of front headroom with 37.1 inches in row two; shoulder room is 55.2 inches in front and 53.6 inches in the rear, and legroom is a comfortable 41.2 inches for row one and 38.1 inches for the second-seat passengers.

Jetta offers three engine choices. The base 1.4-liter inline four-cylinder turbocharged/intercooled engine provides 150hp and 184 lbs.-ft. of torque; the
1.8-liter inline four-cylinder turbocharged/intercooled engine delivers 170hp and 184 lbs.-ft. and the 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder turbocharged/intercooled engine that powered my GLI test ride, hummed out 210hp and 207 lbs.-ft.

The automatic version of the three are EPA rated at 28/city, 38/highway and 32/combined for the 1.4; 25/city, 35/highway and 29/combined for the 1.8; and 24/city, 33/highway and 27/combined for the 2.0-liter. My week of tests with the 2.0 averaged 25.9mpg.

My automatic GLI accelerated and turbo’d-in seamlessly, and was predictable and reliable when needed. Track tests showed a 6.6-second zero-to-60mph sprint and a 15.4-second quarter-mile.

My Jetta handled admirably. The rack-and-pinion, electric steering with power assist was responsive with some driver-friendly understeer and torque steer. The suspension held the pavement well and sway was minimal.

Building on its rep as a top safety vehicle, the 2017 Jetta, when equipped with optional Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist) and Bi-Xenon headlights, has earned a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and was awarded the top rating -- 5 stars -- in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tests.

The base 2017 Jetta S 1.4T starts at $17,895, followed by the 1.4T SE at $20,895 and the 1.8T SEL at $24,995. The sporty 2.0T GLI starts at $27,895. Destination and handling charges of $820 brings the base GLI to $28,715.

My test Jetta GLI was bathed in Platinum Gray Metallic exterior paint, mated to a Titan Black V-Tex Sport Leatherette interior. I prefer a manual transmission in sports cars, but my test ride was outfitted with a 6-speed automatic with Tiptronic® and Sport mode for an additional $1100. Side window deflectors added $188; sunroof wind deflector added $110; and body side molding added $214 for a sticker-as-tested of $30,327.

Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

It’s car show season at Carlisle! The 2017 Carlisle Events season schedule is two events in and with 10 remaining; the real fun starts April 19 as Spring Carlisle takes over the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds. This five-day extravaganza welcomes 100,000 guests from around the world, all looking for something, be it automotive related or collectible. Spring Carlisle runs April 19-23 and includes the always popular swap meet, a car corral and a three-day collector car auction, powered once more by Carlisle Auctions.

It all gets underway on the 19th. While this is the official first day of the show, it also serves as a load in/set up day for vendors. The 8,100 spaces available on grounds will come to life with everything from the simple to the exotic. If X marks the spot still means something to enthusiasts who love to hunt and pick, then Spring Carlisle has an X at every turn. Hidden gems, treasures collectibles, hard to find items; it all adorns the grounds at Carlisle. Some of those gems are part of the general swap meet, others within the North Side Collectors Corner; which by popular demand returns for 2017. Combine that with 100 years of automotive history available for sale within the car corral and even some future classics and daily drivers within the Daily Driver Blow Out, and Spring Carlisle really does have it all.

Day two of Spring weekend is also the start of the collector car auction. ALL NEW for 2017, Carlisle Auctions presents a three-day auction. The auction starts mid-afternoon on April 20 and 21, with a morning start time on April 22. Over 400 consignments, plus memorabilia/collectibles will cross the block and via the Carlisle Auctions FREE UNLESS SOLD guarantee.

Spring Carlisle also hosts FREE metal fabrication seminars on the stage. Presented by Steve Mercurio of Pro Metal Shop, the seminars are a great way for the DIY enthusiast to learn the simplest ways to work with metal. Mercurio will be doing his thing all weekend long, so anyone wondering by is invited to stop in for a quick tutorial/Q&A session.

Another great event aspect is the ARMO Hot Products Showcase. See in person the latest and greatest products coming onto the market with ARMO and talk to their product EXPERTS about how what they are showcasing and how it can work for any vehicle from today or yesterday.

Ultimately, an automotive utopia like Spring Carlisle happens just once a year and demand for the action is very high. Weekend and single day tickets are available online via www.CarlisleEvents.com. In addition, the Carlisle Events web page also offers complete event information, contact information and more. Finally, auction details on the three-day Spring Carlisle Auction can be found at www.CarlisleAuctions.com.