Overview & Reviews

Few SUVs since the mid-1990s have been as popular as the Chevrolet Tahoe, and it's not hard to see why. With room for up to nine passengers, V8 power and plenty of available amenities, the Tahoe has traditionally been a go-to choice for large American families.

The Chevy Tahoe faced little competition when it debuted, popularizing the full-size SUV by being a somewhat smaller and more maneuverable version of the giant Chevy Suburban that established the segment. Today, however, there are more choices than ever. In particular, large crossovers are more efficient, easier to drive and more versatile inside. The Tahoe remains competitive, though, especially among those who need the added capability of towing.

Current Chevrolet Tahoe
The Chevrolet Tahoe is a traditional full-size SUV built on a truck platform. It's been fully redesigned for 2015. Major updates for this fourth-generation model include added safety and technology features, improved fuel economy and a fold-flat third-row seat. Depending on the configuration, it will accommodate anywhere from six to nine passengers and tow up to 8,600 pounds.

Three trim levels (LS, LT and LTZ) are available. The LS is well equipped with tri-zone climate control, full power accessories, Bluetooth connectivity, a color display with rearview camera and three rows of seats, the rearmost folding into the floor. Going with the LT or LTZ fills out the standard equipment list with more luxury-oriented items. Feature highlights, depending on trim, include adaptive magnetic shock absorbers, a power liftgate, power-adjustable pedals, power-actuated second- and third-row seats, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats and an integrated brake controller.

Standard safety equipment includes stability control, front side as well as an innovative front center (between seats) airbag and three-row curtain airbags. Available safety technology includes adaptive cruise control with forward collision alert, lane-departure and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert and a vibrating safety-alert seat. Options include a navigation system and a rear entertainment system on most models.

Ample power comes by way of a 355-horsepower 5.3-liter V8, matched to a modern and efficient six-speed automatic transmission. There is a choice between two- and four-wheel drive, with the latter available with either a traditional two-speed transfer case or a single-speed unit without low-range gearing (not available with Max Trailering package).

In reviews, our editors found the Chevy Tahoe to be a capable and comfortable performer with a welcoming and, for its class, upscale interior. The ride quality is comfortable and handling surprisingly composed, but you'll find the ride comfort deteriorates with either of the available 20- or 22-inch wheels, even with the adaptive suspension. Also, larger crossovers tend to be more maneuverable and responsive. The cabin's redesign and modern connectivity are welcome, as the Tahoe is now competitive with its rivals. Another significant change is the integrated fold-flat third-row seat, the downside of which is an elevated floor into the cargo area.

In total, if you're mostly looking to carry a bunch of people, the Tahoe isn't the best choice. However, if you also need to tow or venture off-road with a real four-wheel-drive system, the burly Tahoe continues to make a lot of sense in an anachronistic category that continues to dwindle.

Used Chevrolet Tahoe Models
The third generation of the Chevy Tahoe spanned the 2007-'14 model years. Compared to earlier Tahoes, it represented a marked improvement in terms of drivability and interior design, as well as materials and build quality.

Initially for this Tahoe, Chevy offered one of two V8s: a 4.8-liter (295 hp) or a 5.3-liter (320 hp). Both engines came with a four-speed automatic transmission, but the 4.8-liter V8 was paired with rear-wheel drive only. For a single year in 2009, a 6.2-liter V8 with 395 hp was available. A six-speed automatic was introduced that year and was fitted to both the 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V8s. After that, the Tahoe came exclusively with the 5.3-liter engine and six-speed auto and either RWD or traditional 4WD with low-range gearing.

Trim levels for this 2007-'14 generation were LS, LT and LTZ. Feature content varied somewhat through the years, but typically the LS came standard with 17-inch wheels, cruise control, stability control, full power accessories, dual-zone climate control and a six-speaker sound system. For a time, the LT model was split into three sub-levels: LT1, LT2 and LT3 with progressively more convenience or luxury items such as heated leather seats, power-adjustable pedals, remote vehicle start, tri-zone automatic climate control and rear park assist. The LTZ remained the most well-appointed and typically came standard with 20-inch wheels, an adaptive suspension, navigation, ventilated front seats and a premium sound system. Sporadically, Chevrolet also offered an Off-Road package.

This generation also experienced a steady infusion of standard or optional technology: we recommend going with a 2009 or newer model for equipment like Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port (2010) or hard drive-based navigation. Other key changes for this generation involved safety feature content. For the 2007 model, side curtain airbags were optional on some trims, while front side airbags were unavailable prior to 2010. Another noteworthy change involved the 50/50-split third-row seat, which was optional for 2007 and '08.

Overall, we found this versatile and ever-improving generation of Chevrolet Tahoe to be desirable for a full-size V8-powered SUV. Car-based crossover SUVs became much more popular during this time, and they're worth consideration given the advantages in fuel economy, handling and ride quality. Yet the Tahoe remained a capable and comfortable, if slightly large, daily driver throughout. Our one main criticism involved the Tahoe's third-row seats. At more than 50 pounds each, they were heavy and cumbersome to remove. And when folded inside the truck, they did not offer a flat cargo floor. The third-row seats were also a favorite of smash-and-grab thieves.

The previous-generation Chevrolet Tahoe was built for the 2000-'06 model years. Through most of this period, our editors considered the Tahoe to be one of the best full-size SUVs available. This second-gen Tahoe was a little bit smaller than the third, but it still offered room for up to nine passengers. Two V8 engines were available -- either a 285-hp 4.8-liter or a 295-hp 5.3-liter -- as were 2WD or 4WD. For most of its history, the model came in LS, Z71 or LT trims. The Z71 was designed for improved off-road performance.

Generally, our editors were impressed with the power from the V8 engines and the truck's maneuverability, but put off by cheap interior materials and spotty build quality. Shoppers placing a priority on safety will want to look for a Tahoe with the optional stability control system; Chevrolet started offering it in the 2003 model year on trucks with the larger V8.

Previous to this was the first-generation Chevrolet Tahoe offered from 1995-'99. It could carry a maximum of six passengers, large amounts of cargo and best of all would fit in most garages. This was the only generation that offered both two-door and four-door models. The two-door versions were also available with a 180-hp turbodiesel V8 instead of the 255-hp, 5.7-liter V8.

User Reviews:

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  Solid vehicle - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By tgaines14 - February 4 - 2:00 am

  I traded in my truck for this vehicle when baby #3 came along. It has been a very solid vehicle for me. I have had no major problems with it, and I just went over 104,000 miles.

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  Good Car - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By alfreckly - February 1 - 2:00 am

  Very good and reliable car.

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  Why did I wait? - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Tahoedude - January 31 - 2:00 am

  Everything about this truck is great! We have taken the Tahoe on some major road trips and the rig is just awesome. Lots of room to move around and features to keep you comfortable make it the vehicle of choice. Having seating for 8 makes it quite versitlile. The 4wd work great in snowy conditions.

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  First Timers - 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Mark Cuccaro - January 28 - 2:00 am

  I drove this vehicle daily back and forth from worcester, ma to warwick, ri (52 miles one way). i estimate that on average i drive about 150 miles/day. it had been very reliable until i got up to the 120,000 mile marker where things started to get very expensive. as far as just "underhood" work goes, EVERYTHING from the head gaskets up i have replaced at least twice. blew the tranny and t-case at the same time around 145,000. but other then that, it was great

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  1998 Tahoe LT 4Dr 4wd - 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By witterda - January 23 - 2:00 am

  On long trips, I cant get over how comfortable the seat is. I never get tired of driving...

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  Love it till Tran droped - 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Pardoe1 - January 22 - 2:00 am

  I loved my Tahoe Great power and almost no problems in 2 years. Just a fuel pump. That was covered by extended warenty. BUT @ 111000miles the transmission droped 3rd and 4th and I was in the middle of no where. Limped it home and find the company I bought extended warenty from is belly up and dealer says oh well. Im going to see if I can get a Allison trans in this thing.

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  Excellent Ride - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By elgantis - January 20 - 2:00 am

  The 2002 Tahoe rides much smoother than I expected any SUV to handle. It is a pleasure to drive.

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  A fabulous 3-ton truck - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By mgrabo - January 19 - 4:13 pm

  After years of avoiding an SUV thru station wagon ownership, I gave in and got my wife the Tahoe. Im theortetically getting a fishing boat out of the deal this spring which will make me like it even more. Weve clocked ~6,5k miles to date and just returned from a ski trip to Lake Placid. The truck was fabulous on the 5+hr drive to upstate NY on I-87. We averaged 17mph on the highway with 6 people, 1 black lab and all our gear in the roofbox. The village we stayed in still had about 6" of snow on the roads from the 2/14 storm. The Tahoe never faltered in any of the ice or snow. Its a big lumbering vehicle, but surprisingly easy to park and drive in close quarters.

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  Great SUV - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Michael E. Urbanski - January 19 - 2:00 am

  Love the vehicle, gas milage is not good at all. I am ready to purchase another one, which will be my third Tahoe. Trade value is a lot lower that I expected on a one year old unit.

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  Love my Tahoe - 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Skylar - January 18 - 2:00 am

  I bought this SUV with 74,000 miles - I bought it very cheap compared to other Tahoes/Yukons I looked at. It now has 110,100 miles on it. I have had some problems with it, but my mechanic tells me that they are pretty uncommon problems - just my luck. He says it will go to 200,000 with no problem. He drives one like mine, too. But, even with the repairs that I have had to do - intake gasket, cracked drums and caliper problems with brakes, and leaking coolant system (not the radiator), I still love to drive it and like the way it looks.