2020 Chevy Tahoe Review

　　

2020 Chevrolet Tahoe Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　The crossover SUV is quickly becoming the multi-tool of the automotive world. And while its versatility allows it to be many things to many people, sometimes you need a little bit extra, be it with passenger seating or towing capacity. For those situations, there's the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe, a full-size SUV capable of carrying up to nine people and equipped with a maximum tow rating of 8,600 pounds.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 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

　　Allowing for all this capability is a decidedly old-school body-on-frame construction (much like a truck) and a pair of stout V8 engines: the standard 355-horsepower 5.3-liter V8 and the optional 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 engine found in other GM products such as the Silverado. Four-wheel drive is optional, as is the Tahoe's aforementioned ability to seat up to nine people with variations allowing for eight or seven passengers.

　　But the Tahoe's capability comes at the cost of refinement. Over imperfect roads, the Chevy shudders and shakes, and its responses to throttle and braking inputs can be annoyingly slow. It doesn't help that Ford's Expedition was recently revamped. It excels at providing passengers with excellent comfort, refinement and convenience and offers solid towing capabilities.

　　The Tahoe exists for the few buyers who need more capability than most SUVs offer but are unwilling to buy a full-size truck. And even with its shortcomings, as a workhorse, the Chevy is tough to beat.

　　Notably, we picked the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe RST as one of zzdcar' Fastest SUVs for 2019.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Below Average

　　7.0

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

6.5/10

　　How does the Tahoe drive? Sluggish throttle tuning overshadows an otherwise stout 355-horsepower 5.3-liter V8 and six-speed automatic. The brakes are slow-acting, too, and the Tahoe feels large and heavy at all times. Towing ability is a saving grace as is the addition of Chevrolet's robust 6.2-liter 420-hp V8 engine.

　　But there's no getting away from the antiquated rear suspension setup. On anything less than a perfect surface, the solid rear axle skips and jumps across the road, transmitting bumps and shakes into the cabin. The available off-road package is of some value, but the Tahoe's limited ground clearance and sheer size will keep the adventures on gravel roads.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Tahoe? Thanks to its body-on-frame construction and excellent door seals, this 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, which is a shame for a vehicle of this size. Although the suspension is adept at controlling big bumps, seemingly insignificant ripples and road patches tend to give the cabin the shakes, making the Tahoe feel a bit crude and truck-like.

　　The climate control always has a handle on cabin temperature. Outside temperatures over 100 degrees never fazed the Tahoe or any of its occupants, and even though the blower could be a bit loud at full speed, this setting was rarely needed.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? The first two rows of the Tahoe are excellent in terms of ease of use, room and access, and even the third row is fairly accessible. But the rear floor is high because of the solid-axle suspension, which eats up third-row legroom. Cargo room is also compromised by the high rear floor to the point where loading larger or heavier items might require a helping hand.

　　Thankfully, visibility is fairly good in all directions thanks to tall windows and relatively thin pillars. The outside mirrors are simply too small for the Tahoe, but with standard rear parking sensors and a backup camera, it's not much of a hassle to park.

　　

Technology

7.5/10

　　How’s the tech? It's up-to-date with today's consumer demands. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration and a quick-acting touchscreen cover a lot of ground when it comes to daily use of the infotainment system. Features such as 4G LTE Wi-Fi and up to 14 charging ports cater to the Tahoe's likely family-hauling duties.

　　Some of the driver assistance features, such as the lane departure system's vibrating seats, are mediocre and feel a bit gimmicky in their execution. The backup camera lacks clarity, and we wish the audio system was of higher-quality, especially on the top trim levels.

　　

Storage

6.0/10

　　How’s the storage? Its 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row trails behind the nearest competitor's 18.6 cubic feet. Cargo space behind the second row trails similarly, with 51.7 cubic feet compared to 55 cubic feet. Even worse, the load floor is quite high and sloping. In-cabin storage is considerably better.

　　When properly equipped (using the 5.3-liter V8, two-wheel drive and trailering package), the Tahoe can tow up to 8,600 pounds. That's a strong showing and goes some way toward redeeming the Tahoe's below-average driving dynamics and less-than-stellar cargo capacity.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA rates the 5.3-liter 4WD Tahoe at 17 mpg combined (15 city/21 highway), which is better than a Toyota Sequoia but not a Ford Expedition. We averaged 17.3 mpg over 845 miles of mixed driving, including 19.5 mpg on our standard test loop. The 6.2-liter with 4WD is slated to return similar numbers at 17 mpg combined (14 city/22 highway) although that engine requires premium unleaded.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the Tahoe a good value? The Tahoe's old-school chassis doesn't come at a discount relative to the competition, and the relative age of the platform makes its higher-priced options harder to swallow. Fully loaded, a Tahoe can top out near $80K. That said, its nice-looking cabin is generally a pleasant place and is packed with modern touches. Build quality is generally good, but there are still plenty of hard plastics with rough edges throughout the cabin.

　　The Tahoe offers a pretty strong powertrain warranty, and your first scheduled maintenance visit is free. Extra peace of mind may come with a roadside assistance program that lasts five years/60,000 miles.

　　

Wildcard

6.5/10

　　Certain aspects of the Tahoe's performance seem designed to discourage fun, most notably the laggardly throttle, brakes and steering. This is understandable given the truck's mission, but these measures extend too far into the realm of everyday driving and become annoying. Still, if you need your full-size SUV to work hard for a living, it's difficult to overlook the Tahoe.

　　

Which Tahoe does zzdcar recommend?

The 6.2-liter V8 is a very tempting option for the Tahoe, but the price tag associated with it, and the top trim level where it exists, is a bit too steep for us to recommend. Instead, we like the midgrade LT model, which comes well-equipped with power-adjustable leather seats, a power liftgate and an upgraded nine-speaker audio system. The affordable Max Trailering package ensures impressive towing numbers, and there are Midnight Edition, RST Edition, Z71 Off-Road, and Luxury packages to dress up the LT to your tastes.

　　

2020 Chevrolet Tahoe models

The 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe comes in three trim levels: LS, LT and Premier. Moving up through the three trim levels brings more standard features and available option packages, ranging from appearance to powertrain options. Thanks to the wide array of available upgrades, the Tahoe can be tailored for a variety of needs, from something more work-centric to fairly luxurious.

　　The LS comes fitted with a 5.3-liter V8 engine (355 horsepower, 383 lb-ft of torque) and a six-speed automatic transmission. And it is the only trim available with three bench seats and seating for nine. Features such as remote engine start, triple-zone climate control and power front seats make it more than just a big work wagon. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are here, too, and the available Enhanced Driver Alert package adds a suite of useful driver aids.

　　The LT trim brings leather upholstery and other interior luxury features, but the Luxury package dresses the LT up further and adds more driver aids. Should you want to venture off the highway and onto the trail, the Z71 Off-Road package, which is unique to the LT, equips the Tahoe with an off-road suspension and off-road tires and underbody protection.

　　The Premier trim lives at the top of the Tahoe lineup and is the only way to get the adaptive Magnetic Ride Control suspension and even more creature comforts such as ventilated seats. It is also the only way to access the 6.2-liter V8 (420 hp, 460 lb-ft) and its accompanying 10-speed automatic transmission. Selecting the Premier Plus Edition dresses the Tahoe to the nines and includes the 6.2-liter V8. That powerful V8 is available on other packages but most notably in the 6.2L Performance package, which is new for 2020.

　　

2020 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