The second row also fits three. Legroom is fairly generous, but it trails some competitors. The Outlook offers 36.9 inches of second-row legroom, while Tahoe has 39.0, and the Honda Pilot has 37.4. The second-row seat slides rearward, however, providing more legroom when the third row is unoccupied or when kids in back are small enough that you can get away with squishing them a little. Three adults will fit comfortably across on the standard bench seat, but two occupants will be more comfortable on the available second-row captain?s chairs.

Getting into the Outlook is very easy. Access to the third row is much easier than in most vehicles, thanks to a design called Smart Slide. Using a massive lever on the either side of the 60/40 split seat, each side of the second row slides way forward on rails, and then the seatback tilts until it touches the back of the front seat. It's an easy one-handed operation, opening a wide path to the third row. Smart Slide also comes with the captain's chairs.

Cargo capacity with both rows folded is 115.9 cubic feet. With the third row in place it's 68.6 cubic feet, and behind the third row it's 24.1 cubic feet. Those are healthy numbers, and there is enough room behind the third row to fit a week?s worth of groceries. The third row easily folds flat, from either the second row or through the liftgate.

The rest of the Outlook interior is aces. The standard cloth interior is comfortable and classy and the leather looks even better. We really liked the XE?s cloth, though the leather-wrapped steering wheel in the XR is sweet. The wood trim in the XR is way prettier than that in GM's past, and the analog instruments are tidy. All the other things are present, and right. There are cup holders galore, a deep console compartment, DC and 115-volt AC outlets.

The dashboard is attractive and cleanly designed. It features a nice mix of sturdy plastics and soft touch surfaces that are appropriate for the Outlook?s price. The XR model has woodgrain trim that adds a touch of class. The instrument panel features nicely lit white numbers on a black background. The center stack is attractive with easy-to-use climate controls. Separate HVAC controls are provided for the second row on the back of the console between the seats.

New for 2009 is a rearview camera that projects its image on the rearview mirror when the navigation system isn?t chosen. The smaller image on the rearview mirror is right in your line of sight when looking at the rearview mirror to back up. However, in a messy Chicago winter, the camera lens became speckled with dirt and salt, making the small image hard to see. A larger image on the navigation screen would have been easier to see and more helpful.