Summary
The 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe is an American full-size SUV that can seat up to 9 passengers. The Tahoe is the kid brother of the Chevrolet Suburban which has remained popular and aimed to attract new car buyers that seek a large a SUV with truck-like capability and towing capacity. The Chevy Tahoe competes with the Ford Expedition, GMC Yukon, Toyota Sequoia, Nissan Armada, Dodge Durango and other large crossovers like the Acura MDX, Honda Pilot, Infiniti QX60 and the Toyota Highlander. The 2019 model is unchanged but introduced last year is the Premier Plus configuration which offers a larger EcoTec3 6.2 liter V8 engine paired with a 10 speed automatic transmission opposed to the standard EcoTec3 5.3 liter V8 engine paired with a Hydra-Matic 6 speed transmission.
Exterior
The Chevrolet Tahoe is a full-sized SUV with a truck-like physical appearance. It sits as tall as its pick-up siblings however over the years they've become less wide which enables more confident handling in parking lots and tighter spaces.
The exterior for 2019 is unchanged except for the Premier Plus Edition which includes extra chrome accents on the power steps and exhaust tips. The RST (Rally Sport Truck) Performance Edition includes 22-inch sport wheels and tires and exchanges chrome accents for black trim accents.
Interior Quality and Comfort
The overall fit and finish of the Tahoe is impressive from the base model to the more luxurious high end trim packages which include leather. The front dashboard has a lot of soft touch portions but hard plastics still remain throughout the rest of the interior.
The dashboard is very clean looking and nicely trimmed. The center piece features a 8 inch infotainment touch screen with optional navigation and head up display. Dual-zone automatic climate control is standard on all models.
All 2019 Tahoes come with bucket front seats and full power for the driver seat. A front bench seat is available on the LS trim level. All seats are comfortable in the first and second rows, the third-row seats however are a bit more tighter in terms of leg room and accessibility which makes it ideal for smaller adults and children. The second row is equipped with a 60/40 foldable bench seat but you also have the option of a second row pair of captain seats that make accessing the third row much easier. The third row seats fold away but do not tuck away completely flat. Those who don't need or care for a third row can delete the third row in the LS trim by selecting the Custom Edition package which will gain 18-inch aluminum wheels and tires, a unique chrome grille insert and shave off over four thousand dollars from the bottom line. The LATCH system anchors are present for both the second and third row seats.
Installation on the third row can be difficult to locate on the initial use as the anchors are concealed behind a fabric flap.
Utility and Practicality
With both second and third row rear seats folded down the Tahoe offers 94.7 cubic feet of space however it is still subpar for its class. Cargo space with the third row folded down enables access to 51.7 cubic feet of cargo space still not quite as much as its rivals. Behind the third row seats are 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space which is comparable to some mid-size sedan trunks. Chevy also offers an optional retractable cargo cover to use when the third row is not in use.
The Chevrolet Tahoe can tow up to 6,400 pounds out of the gate, but when equipped with the Max Trailering Package it is capable of towing 8,400 pounds. The Max Trailering package includes an upgraded rear axle, integrated trailer brake controller, Autotrac 2-speed transfer case and premium smooth ride suspension with an air leveler.
All Tahoes are equipped with standard roof mounted side rails and available roof rack cross rails. The base model Tahoe has a manual lift gate, there are two additional options available, one is a programmable power lift gate and the other is a hands-free programmable power lift gate.
Technology and Infotainment
The Tahoe features a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth hands-free capability and streaming audio for up to two connected devices and AT&T 4G LTE Wi-Fi equipped which requires a data plan. Available with a subscription is OnStar's Turn-by-Turn navigation read aloud with on-screen prompts. Also available is the myChevrolet Mobile app that allows compatible mobile devices to start or stop your engine, lock or unlock your vehicles doors, send destinations to your available navigation system, view diagnostics and set parking reminders from your mobile device with a paid plan.
Tahoe offers up to seven USB ports, a 110 volt three-prong outlet and an available wireless charging station with the Premier trim. A rear-seat entertainment system with Blu-ray is available on the LT and Premier trim which feature either a 9 or 10 speaker Bose premium audio surround sound audio system.
Safety and Driving Assistance
The 2019 Tahoe has not yet been rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the Tahoe a five out of five-star rating for side impact ratings and three out of five star rollover resistance rating. The front impact rating for the 2019 Tahoe is not yet posted on the NHTSA website. Because this model year does not have any major design changes it is worthy to mention the 2018 Tahoe has a four our five-star overall rating with both front and side impact receiving five out of five-star rating and the overall score lowered because of the three out of five-star rollover resistance rating.
Standard safety features on all trim levels include StabiliTrak, electronic stability control system with traction control, rearview camera, rear park assist, seven airbags and Chevrolet's Teen Driver System that allows owners to customize and set limits on speed, audio volume and keeps records of driving behavior to review.
Available on the LT trim with the Enhanced Driver Alert package features Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking, Forward Collison Alert, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning and Safety Alert Seat which vibrates to warn of impending collision.
Available only on The Premier trim the Tahoe features Lane Change Alert with Blind Spot Alert, Front and Rear Park Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Forward Collision Automatic Braking.
Driving Experience
The standard motor on all Tahoe trim levels is a 5.3 liter V8 packing 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. The 6.2 liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque is only available on the Premier trim level with the Premier Plus Edition package. Rear-wheel drive is standard on each trim level and four-wheel drive is also available on each trim level however some packages offer upgraded 2-speed transfer cases.
Despite such powerful V8 motors the Tahoe receives praise by reviewers for its quiet cabin shielded from outside disturbances.
The standard 6-speed transmission and 10-speed transmission both pair well with their respective motors. Both transmissions shift smoothly with timely shifts. Using the standard tow/haul mode permits a smooth steady ride when towing heavy loads, this function will keep the transmission from downshifting too quickly.
In such a large SUV it is beneficial the Tahoe has light and precise steering, some drivers will find this not as appealing during highway driving but will find it useful in tighter city or parking lot environments. Handling is as expected for a truck with a body on frame design, however on the Premier trim equipped with Magnetic Ride Control used in the Chevrolet Corvette and the Cadillac CTS-V handling, traction, ride and steering are enhanced by the electro-magnetically controlled suspension adjusting to road conditions in milliseconds.
Acceleration in the base model V8 is less than thrilling, some reviewers describe it as lethargic under normal driving but when pushed will unveil its abundant power. The optional 6.2 liter V8 on the Premier trim offer exciting acceleration with each touch of the throttle.
Braking on the Tahoe is soft and has long pedal travel, some drivers will find this unsettling. No need to be concerned because the Tahoe can stop with the best of them. Compared to the much lighter Chevrolet Camaro which stops from 60mph-zero in 100 feet, the Tahoe as big and heavy as it is can stop from 60mph-zero in only 123 feet this is essential for a SUV that is capable of towing 8,400 pounds.
Off road capabilities are somewhat limited because of the low clearance on the Tahoe. Even when equipped with the Z71 Off-Road package which adds a 2-speed transfer case, Hill Descent Control, skid plates and upgraded suspension doesn't change the fact the ground clearance on the Tahoe is low for off-roading.
Fuel Efficiency
EPA estimated fuel economy for the standard 5.3 liter V8 equipped with rear-wheel drive is 15 mpg city and 22 mpg highway for a combined total of 18 mpg city/highway. Compared to its rival Ford Expediton with a base model 3.5 liter V6 turbo achieves an EPA estimated 17 mpg city, 24 mpg highway for a combined total of 20mpg.
Pricing and Value
The MSRP for the base model Chevy Tahoe LS equipped with rear-wheel drive and the standard 5.3 liter V8 paired with a 6-speed transmission is $49,790 including the $1,295 destination charge.
The MSRP for the LT model that includes leather seats, heated bucket seats with memory, power liftgate with programmable height, Bose Premium 9-speaker sound system, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Low Speed Automatic Braking, safety alert seat, power adjustable pedals, IntelliBeam automatic high beam headlamps and forward collision alert is $54,790 including destination.
MSRP for the Premier trim which includes Magnetic Ride Control, keyless entry with push-button start, HID headlamps, 12-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, 20-inch wheels, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, fog lamps, Front and Rear Park Assist, memory power tilt and telescoping steering wheel column, power-release second-row and power-folding third-row seats and rear cross traffic alert is $64,490 including destination.
Compared to the Ford Expedition base model priced at $53,525 including a $1,395 destination charge the 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe is great value because for the cost of the base model Expediton you could afford to spring for the LT model with a laundry list of amenities. If the extra amenities are not must haves then you could rest assured knowing you could save $3,735 purchasing the base model Tahoe LS over the Expedition XLT.
More Photos
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