2023 Chevrolet Tahoe

Pros:

• A simple ride and an easy-to-use touchscreen room for both people and things inside
• Dependable diesel engine selection

Cons:

• The first and second rows of seats could be better.
• The layout of the controls inside could be easier to use.
• Given their cost, some of the materials inside seem low quality.
• Dealing with limits

How do you drive the Tahoe? The Tahoe does very well for its size in terms of speed and stopping. We tested a 4WD Tahoe with a 5.3-liter V8 engine. Its acceleration from zero to sixty miles per hour took 7.7 seconds, which is about par for an SUV of that size. But the Tahoe’s smaller V8 engine runs out of power after about 65 mph, so passing at higher speeds will require a lot of throttle and patience. The only thing we don’t like about the brakes, which work well and are reliable, is that the brake pedal is a little soft.

The Tahoe is easy to drive on city streets because it has a small turning circle and light steering. The smooth and quick shifting of the 10-speed automatic transmission is a big plus. However, the Tahoe’s light steering is ambiguous, particularly at higher speeds. The Tahoe clarifies that you are driving a large SUV and should take it easy around corners.

With the optional Z71 package, the Tahoe has an air suspension that can be adjusted for height and good angles for approaching and leaving. It can handle some light off-roading situations.

How lovely is the Tahoe to ride in? The new independent rear suspension on the Tahoe has fixed many issues plaguing the last generation. Our test vehicle’s fully adjustable suspension made it easy to handle small and big bumps. The Tahoe could have gotten a higher score in this category because the first and second-row seats are too complex and need more support or padding for long trips. The Tahoe’s third-row seats are more cushioned and supportive than most competition.

The Tahoe’s multi-zone climate control does a great job of keeping all three rows of seats warm or cool. We don’t like how small the climate control buttons are in the front or how loud the climate system in the back is, especially if you’re in the third row. The windshield is another thing that makes noise. When going fast on the highway, it made an unmistakable roar.

How does the inside look? Because of the wide-opening doors that allow easy access to the front and rear seats, even third-row passengers have plenty of headroom to get to their hearts. The steering wheel and driver’s seat can be adjusted in various ways to accommodate different types of drivers. Visibility is generally good, but the tall front end makes it challenging to see obstacles closer to 6 feet away. The Tahoe has an excellent multi-view camera system that makes it easy to park in tight spots.

Our main complaint is Tahoe’s inefficient use of space. For example, the redundant controls for the touch screen and audio system take up too much space on the dashboard, and the push-button shifter on the dashboard has forced many secondary authorities to be moved and grouped. The controls on the steering wheel of the Tahoe are also hard to figure out.

How good is the tech? The vehicle we used for testing had a 10.2-inch screen and navigation. We like the new touchscreen interface from Chevrolet because it has clear graphics, a straightforward menu system, and fast response times. It also works with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There are many charging ports in the cabin, but if you choose the power center console, those ports are put in the same bin as the wireless charging pad. This causes the wires to get tangled up, which could be more convenient.

It’s a mistake for an SUV that costs almost $70,000 not to have adaptive cruise control, which our Z71-equipped test vehicle didn’t have. We also noticed that the time it took for the lane-keeping help to respond was sometimes different.

The Tahoe we tested had a stability control system that needed to be set up right. It tended to overreact when turning, which slowed the vehicle down much more than we thought was necessary.

What about putting things away? The new Tahoe has a larger cargo area than its predecessor, with 25.5 cubic feet of space behind the third row of seats instead of 15.3. This is because the rear suspension is independent, and the car is more prominent overall. It can hold a total of 122.9 cubic feet of things.

There are only two cup holders for the driver and front passenger and a small storage bin that may or may not have a wireless charging pad for small items, depending on your options. The center console, made of hard plastic, is smaller than we expected. Chevrolet gave the Tahoe a lot of door pocket storage, including three storage levels on the front doors for your things. Even though the second row doesn’t have a center console, there is a lot of space in the door pockets.

Once properly outfitted, the Tahoe has a towing capacity of 8,400 pounds. Even though our 4WD Z71 test vehicle is said to be able to pull 8,200 pounds, we think the 5.3-liter V8 will be put to the test. If you want to remove a lot, think about the 6.2-liter V8, which is more powerful, or the diesel six-cylinder, which is more fuel-efficient. In contrast, the Ford Expedition has a maximum towing capacity of 9 tonnes.

How well does it use gasoline? The EPA says that a 4WD Tahoe with a 5.3-liter V8 will get a combined 16 mpg, which is about average for a large SUV. Along our 115-mile test route, our test Tahoe averaged 17.8 mpg.

Also, the 5.3-liter engine in the Tahoe doesn’t need premium fuel, but the turbocharged engine in the Ford Expedition does. Chevrolet has a 6.2-liter V8 engine that is more powerful and gets 16 miles per gallon on average. There is also a diesel engine that brings an excellent 24 mpg.

Is it wise to buy a Tahoe? Adding technology and luxury to a full-size SUV will be a costly undertaking. The Tahoe, which starts at just over $50,000, can easily cost more than $80,000 if you want many options. Our test car, a Z71, was well-equipped and cost $68,940. It was worth it. Overall, the fit and finish are good, but there are a few places where hard plastic could look better. It will compete with Ford’s Expedition, which has a similar price and is just as capable.

The Tahoe’s powertrain is covered for five years, or 60,000 miles, and the whole car is covered for three years, or 36,000 miles. Chevy’s complimentary scheduled maintenance for the first year and roadside assistance for five years or 60,000 miles is more impressive.

People look for ease of use, comfort, and capability in a large SUV, and the Chevrolet Tahoe has all three. Its new rear suspension allows for a roomier cabin, larger cargo capacity, and a more pleasant ride over various terrains. In other words, it works better as the workhorse of the family.

The Tahoe’s LT trim level is the best one. Leather seats, a Bose sound system, a massive 10.2-inch touchscreen, and digital gauges are some of the high-quality amenities included in this trim, which is also one of the more reasonably priced options. We suggest adding the Luxury package, one of the optional packages for the LT trim, which adds more comfort and driver aids.

Chevrolet Tahoe Models:

The 2023 Tahoe is an SUV with three rows of seats that can hold up to nine people. You can choose from the LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premier, and High Country trim levels. The Tahoe comes standard with a 5.3-liter V8 engine producing 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. Every trim level of the Z71 comes with a four-wheel drive as standard.