2019 Chevy Tahoe Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byTravis LangnessReviews Editor

　　Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.

　　

What's new

The 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe carries over unchangedPart of the fourth Chevrolet Tahoe generation introduced for 2015

　　The 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe is built with utility in mind. Unlike a car-based crossover SUV that sacrifices towing capability in exchange for on-road comfort and refinement, the Tahoe is built using a traditional body-on-frame design. It can accommodate as many as nine passengers while offering a tow rating as high as 8,400 pounds.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe Fleet 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$209/mo  for Tahoe Fleet

　　Tahoe Fleet

　　Fleet 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $46,800 MSRPFleet 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $49,800 MSRPLS 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $48,000 MSRPLS 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $51,000 MSRPLT 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $53,000 MSRPLT 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A) (Most Popular) - $56,000 MSRPPremier 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $62,700 MSRPPremier 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $65,700 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　Strong V8 power is the other contributing factor here. Most Tahoes you come across at the dealer lot will have the standard 355-horsepower 5.3-liter V8. But just last year, Chevy started offering an optional 6.2-liter V8 good for 420 hp. Previously, you could only get this engine on the Tahoe's corporate siblings, the Cadillac Escalade and the GMC Yukon. It also comes with a 10-speed automatic transmission that helps give this engine nearly the same fuel economy as the 5.3-liter V8.

　　The Tahoe, however, also has some flaws commonly associated with this kind of vehicle. Cargo space isn't as efficient as what you get from a carlike crossover SUV, nor is its use of fuel. We're also not fond of the base V8's sluggishness. If you need a utility-focused SUV, a better choice might be the Ford Expedition. It's also a traditional body-on-frame SUV. But it has a higher maximum towing capacity, and it's all around a more refined and upscale vehicle. And if your towing needs are more modest, we recommend looking at a three-row crossover that's more comfortable to drive, such as the Honda Pilot or the Chevrolet Traverse.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.0 / 10

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Chevrolet Tahoe LT (5.3L V8 | 6-speed automatic | 4WD).

　　NOTE: Since this test was conducted in 2017, the current Tahoe has received some revisions, such as the addition of the optional RST Performance model with the 6.2-liter V8. Our findings remain applicable to this year's Chevy Tahoe, however.

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.0 / 10
Driving	6.5
Comfort	7.5
Interior	7.5
Utility	6.0
Technology	7.5

　　

Driving

6.5

　　The sluggish throttle tuning overshadows an otherwise stout 5.3-liter V8. The brakes are slow-acting, too, and the Tahoe feels large and heavy at all times. The Tahoe's towing ability is a saving grace.

　　

Acceleration

6.0

　　In regular use, the V8 engine's response feels lethargic because the gas pedal must be pressed harder than expected. But it does deliver solid thrust when the need arises. Our 4WD Tahoe test truck reached 60 mph in only 7.2 seconds with the optional 3.42 axle ratio.

　　

Braking

6.5

　　The soft, long-travel pedal doesn't inspire confidence. Brake response, just like the throttle and steering, is slow. The brakes are effective, though, halting the SUV from 60 mph in only 123 feet, a fairly impressive number for something this heavy.

　　

Steering

7.0

　　Winding roads don't flatter the Tahoe's steering, which is lighter and slower than we'd like. It also skimps on road feel compared to the steering in most competitors.

　　

Handling

6.0

　　There's no hiding the Tahoe's size when you try to hustle it. The old-school rear suspension becomes obvious on broken surfaces. Midcorner bumps easily upset the chassis. Drive the Tahoe moderately, and it's fine.

　　

Drivability

6.0

　　The sluggish gas pedal and brake response dominate the Tahoe's character on public roads, though its slow gas pedal is good in tight, technical situations like you'll find off-road. The six-speed automatic shifts smoothly.

　　

Off-road

6.5

　　A low front spoiler and the lack of a standard low-range transfer case indicate it is not as off-road-focused as other SUVs. It's more geared for towing. The optional Z71 package brings the low-range transfer case, skid plates, knobbier tires, and hill descent control, but lack of clearance will hold it back.

　　

Comfort

7.5

　　This new Tahoe is about as quiet as SUVs get. The first two rows of seats are roomy and comfy, but the same can't be said for the third. Although the suspension is adept at controlling big bumps, seemingly insignificant ripples and road patches tend to give the cabin the shakes.

　　

Seat comfort

7.5

　　The front seats are wide and pretty plush, staying comfy for all-day road trips. The second row is quite flat and doesn't adjust much because of the seat-folding mechanism, but it's soft and comfortable. The third row is thin and flat.

　　

Ride comfort

6.5

　　The solid-axle rear suspension cushions sharp impacts well and is resistant to large floating and bouncing motions. But competitors equipped with independent rear suspensions are still better overall. Small road imperfections can be felt in the cabin.

　　

Noise & vibration

8.5

　　A big upside to traditional body-on-frame SUVs such as this one is cabin isolation. The ride is quiet with little to no road noise, and engine noise is subdued.

　　

Climate control

8.0

　　The typically powerful General Motors air conditioning battles a heat wave with ease. The big blower is noisy when it's moving a ton of air to chill the cabin after the truck has baked in the sun, but it quickly cools off and quiets down.

　　

Interior

7.5

　　The first two rows of the Tahoe are excellent in terms of ease of use and access. Even the third row is fairly accessible. But the rear floor is high because of the solid-axle suspension, and that limits third-row legroom and cargo space.

　　

Ease of use

8.0

　　The Tahoe's straightforward controls are familiar and easily comprehended aside from a few tiny icons that can be hard to decipher at a glance. The instrument panel includes a handy configurable screen, while the touchscreen system is sound. The audio and climate control buttons and knobs are generously sized.

　　

Getting in/getting out

8.0

　　It's a big climb up into the cabin, though the running boards and rear grab handles help a lot. The door openings are tall but narrow, especially in the rear. The power fold-and-tumble second row makes for excellent third-row access.

　　

Driving position

7.5

　　The Tahoe offers a typical big SUV driving position with a wide range of seat height and fore-aft adjustment. The steering wheel's telescoping range is not great, but this is offset somewhat by the available power-adjustable pedals.

　　

Roominess

7.5

　　The first two rows offer abundant head- and legroom. Still, it's not as big inside as you might expect. Depending on the seat position, the driver's elbow may contact the large center armrest when steering. Third-row legroom is poor.

　　

Visibility

7.5

　　The thin windshield pillars help your view out the front, and tall side windows aid the view to the sides. But the outside mirrors are too small. At least the rear camera and rear parking sensors are standard on all grades.

　　

Quality

7.0

　　The cabin looks good at a glance. You'll find many soft touch points up front. But hard plastic pieces abound, and invariably there are some sharp edges. Our test vehicle had an occasional creak from the steering and one back seat that was stuck in the folded position.

　　

Utility

6.0

　　Its 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space (behind the third row) is less than what's offered by competitors. Cargo space behind the second-row seat is similarly subpar. Even worse, the load floor is quite high and sloping. In-cabin storage is better, and the Tahoe has a strong tow rating.

　　

Small-item storage

7.0

　　You'll find a decent array of storage options, including a cavernous console bin, a cubby in front of the two front cupholders, two ample pockets per front door, and two flat slots on the transmission tunnel near your knees.

　　

Cargo space

5.0

　　The cargo area has a high floor and a shallow space behind the third row, with only 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space. Handy controls quickly fold the third-row seats, but the floor is much higher than those in rivals. Competitors can carry more, can swallow taller objects, and have lower load heights.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

　　All second-row seats have LATCH anchors and top tethers regardless of configuration. The third row receives top tethers, which can be used in conjunction with seat belts to secure a forward-facing seat.

　　

Towing

8.0

　　A concealed 2-inch receiver hitch with integrated four- and seven-pin wiring comes standard. An integrated electric trailer brake controller and a rear leveling suspension are available. With the proper equipment, the 4WD Tahoe is rated to tow a maximum of 8,400 pounds.

　　

Technology

7.5

　　It's up-to-date with today's consumer demands. Smartphone integration and a quick-acting touchscreen cover a lot of ground when it comes to daily use of the infotainment system. Some of the driver assistance features are mediocre in their execution.

　　

Audio & navigation

7.5

　　The screen graphics are on the cartoonish side, but the touchscreen responds quickly. Navigation prompts are intuitive and react quickly to touch with fast load times. But the sound quality is somewhat canned-sounding.

　　

Smartphone integration

8.0

　　Apple CarPlay connects quickly and works as expected, as does Android Auto. Bluetooth pairing is quick and easy. The cabin includes multiple USB ports.

　　

Driver aids

6.5

　　The Safety Seat, which issues lane departure and forward collision warnings as vibrations only the driver can feel, is interesting. But the systems that feed into it tend to be overly sensitive. Fortunately, it can be switched off. The backup camera has a rather low-resolution display.

　　

Voice control

7.0

　　The voice controls require a rigid input structure and took two attempts to navigate to an address.

　　

Which Tahoe does zzdcar recommend?

　　The LT trim level is our recommendation for the 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe. It comes with a respectable suite of standard features such as a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a power-adjustable driver's seat, an upgraded stereo, and all the standard features from the base LS. What's more, the LT has a long list of available options to choose from. We like the available upgraded 6.2-liter V8, but it's a pricey step up on the already expensive Premier trim level.

　　

2019 Chevrolet Tahoe models

　　The 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe is a large three-row SUV that's available in three trim levels: LS, LT and Premier. The base LS comes with plenty of practical features and a full-featured infotainment system, but few extra creature comforts. The LT is more luxurious, and its many option packages mean it can be customized for different applications. The range-topping Premier includes a full roster of luxury features, along with a few unique optional upgrades.

　　A 5.3-liter V8 engine (355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque) is standard, and it is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and four-wheel drive and a single-speed transfer case are available for all trim levels. Seating for eight is standard. An optional 40/20/40-split middle-row bench seat increases passenger capacity to nine, but it's only available on the base LS trim.

　　Standard features for the LS include 18-inch alloy wheels, heated mirrors, automatic wipers, remote keyless entry, remote ignition, rear parking sensors, a trailer hitch receiver with a wiring harness, side steps and roof rails. On the inside, you get tri-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable driver's seat, 60/40-split folding second- and third-row bench seats, and a leather-wrapped tilt-only steering wheel.

　　Standard tech for the LS includes a teen-driver monitoring system, OnStar communication (including a 4G LTE connection and a Wi-Fi hotspot), a 110-volt power outlet, an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, five USB ports, and a six-speaker sound system with satellite radio.

　　The optional Enhanced Driver Alert package adds forward collision warning with low-speed automatic braking, automatic high beams, lane departure warning and intervention, and power-adjustable pedals.

　　The LT trim includes all of the above, along with a power liftgate, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, a telescoping steering wheel, driver-seat memory functions, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a nine-speaker Bose audio system.

　　The optional Luxury package adds a hands-free tailgate opener, power-folding mirrors, an auto-dimming driver-side mirror, foglights, front parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, keyless entry and ignition, heated second-row seats, power-folding second- and third-row seats, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with heating, and a wireless charging pad.

　　The Premier trim includes the Luxury package and further equips it with 20-inch wheels, xenon headlights, adaptive suspension dampers, ventilated front seats, second-row bucket seats (reducing seating capacity to seven), a navigation system, and a 10-speaker Bose premium surround-sound upgrade.

　　The LT and Premier trims are eligible for the Sun, Entertainment and Destinations package that includes a sunroof, navigation for the LT trim and a rear-seat entertainment system. Adaptive cruise control, power-retractable side steps, and a head-up display are also available on the Premier trim.

　　The RST Edition is an appearance package for the LT and Premier trims that adorns it with blacked-out exterior pieces such as wheels and badging. The RST Performance Edition, available only on the Tahoe Premier, adds a 6.2-liter V8 (420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque), a 10-speed automatic transmission, a trailer brake controller, a sport-tuned suspension and, on four-wheel-drive models, a two-speed transfer case.

　　Offered on all trims are 22-inch wheels as well as the Max Trailering package that includes a different rear axle ratio, an electronic two-speed transfer case (on four-wheel-drive models), a trailer brake controller, and an auto-leveling suspension for vehicles without the adaptive suspension. The Z71 Off-Road package is available only on the LT trim and adds all-terrain tires, unique cosmetic elements, tubular side steps, underbody skid plates, an off-road suspension, the electronic two-speed transfer case, hill descent control, front parking sensors, and rubber floor mats.

　　

2019 Tahoe Highlights

Trim: FleetLSLTPremierFleet

　　

Base MSRP	$46,800
Engine Type	Flex-fuel (ffv)
Combined MPG	18 MPG
Cost to Drive	$209/month
Seating	8 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	15.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles