Chevrolet Tahoe 2023
KBB. com Review
You'll Like This Car If
Spacious cabin. Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Choice of engines
You May Not Like This Car If
Some driver aids only in top trims
We love a good sports truck, and Chevy knows it. That's probably why it just introduced a new Performance Edition trim for its full-size Tahoe RST, complete with police-spec chassis tuning, bigger brakes, and more power
The Performance Edition, unveiled Wednesday, is an $8525 package that can be tacked on to the normal Tahoe RST, getting you a slew of upgrades that turn the giant full-size SUV into a slightly sportier full-size SUV. Unique intake and exhaust systems net a 13-hp and 7 lb-ft gain from the 6. 2-liter naturally aspirated V-8 under the hood, for new totals of 433 hp and 467 lb-ft of torque
That's only half the story, though. The RST Performance Edition gets the suspension and chassis upgrades usually reserved for the pursuit-rated police-spec Tahoe. That means specific springs and dampers along with larger sway bars. Ride height drops 0. 4 inches up front and 0. 8 inches in the rear for a sleeker, sportier stance. There's also Brembo brakes that are 25 percent larger than the standard RST's brakes, paired with a retuned pedal
Chevy claims a 0-60 time of 5. 78 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 14. 2 seconds at 97 mph for the RST Performance Edition. Top speed is 124 mph, 12 more mph than before. More importantly, 60-0 mph braking happens in 133 feet thanks to those Brembos, almost seven feet shorter than before. Towing performance is unchanged at 7600 pounds
The RST Performance Edition will enter production at GM's Arlington, Texas assembly plant in the fourth quarter of 2022
With tons of space inside for passengers and cargo, the 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe is big in all the ways you want it to be—but it feels more agile on the road than other large SUVs. Three engine options are available, and the Tahoe delivers decent towing capacity with any one of them. The entry-level engine is a 355-hp V-8 but a beefier 420-hp V-8 is just a check-box away on the order form. Unlike past generations of the Tahoe, a six-cylinder diesel inline-six is now also available. Three-row seating is standard and even the base LS trim comes equipped with popular infotainment and driver-assistance features. Off-road adventurers will find the Z71 model best suited for their interests, as it includes a two-speed transfer case, an adjustable air suspension, and meaty all-terrain tires. A more refined experience can be found in the pricier Premier and High Country models, but if you’re not careful you’ll find yourself paying Cadillac Escalade money for a Chevy. If you need even more room for cargo, consider the even bigger, mechanically similar Chevrolet Suburban, which we review separately
What's New for 2023?
The 2023 model year brings three new paint options for the Tahoe. Silver Sage Metallic, Sterling Gray Metallic, and Radiant Red Tintcoat. An optional black grille is now available and it swaps the traditional Bowtie logo for all-caps letters spelling out the brand name. Premier and High Country models can now be optioned with GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving feature. A Performance package is now available on the RST model which adds a sport exhaust system, suspension tweaks, upgraded brakes, and 13 more horsepower from the 6. 2-liter V-8 engine
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We think the mid-level RST and Z71 models hold the best value, with the former being flashier and the latter being geared toward adventurous folk. We prefer the Z71's standard four-wheel drive, rugged appearance, and exclusive off-road equipment. We'd also upgrade from the standard 5. 3-liter V-8 to the newly available 6. 2-liter V-8, which brings an extra 65 horsepower and 77 pound-feet of torque. Our Z71 would also be equipped with the Z71 Signature package, which includes a whole host of desirable features. The highlights include blind-spot monitoring, a heated steering wheel and second-row seats, memory settings, a panoramic sunroof, a power-folding third row, and upgraded towing equipment
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Tahoe has been powered by a V-8 for its entire life, which continues for this latest generation. However, its standard 355-hp 5. 3-liter and available 420-hp 6. 2-liter blocks are joined by a 3. 0-liter diesel six-cylinder engine. While the oil-burner has the least horsepower of the three, its 460 pound-feet of torque matches that of the bigger V-8. Every Tahoe is equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission and either rear- or all-wheel drive. We tested the off-road-oriented Z71 model with the standard V-8, which also has a two-speed transfer case that provides traditional four-wheel drive, 20-inch wheels wrapped with all-terrain tires, and underbody protection. Our example had adequate acceleration, a firm brake pedal, and an impressively quiet cabin at highway speeds. The Z71 package also brings air springs [that allow the Tahoe's ride height to be automatically and manually lowered or raised] and adaptive dampers, which are standard on the upper-echelon Premier and High Country. The latter and the RST model both ride on glitzy 22-inch rims for added curb appeal
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The most fuel-efficient Tahoe features the available diesel engine, with ratings of 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The standard 5. 3-liter V-8 is estimated to be slightly thriftier in the city than the optional 6. 2-liter V-8, but both are rated at 20 mpg on the highway. We tested a diesel-powered Tahoe on our 75-mph highway route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, and observed 27 mpg. For more information about the Tahoe's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The full-size Tahoe boasts a spacious interior, with what feels like acres of space compared with smaller, mid-size SUVs. Three rows of seats are standard, and the second-row seats slide fore and aft to provide flexibility that enables adults to sit comfortably in the wayback. The Tahoe's interior packaging also provides a low, flat load floor thanks to its independent rear suspension; the cargo area with the second and third rows folded balloons to 123 cubic feet. And we managed to fit six carry-on suitcases behind the third row. While we like that Chevy replaced the old column shifter with a push-button-and-slider setup, the motorized, retractable center-console lid seems gimmicky, especially since the control switch is located on the roof. Thankfully, the rest of the Tahoe's interior ergonomics are less egregious
Infotainment and Connectivity
Placated passengers translate into relaxing road trips, and the Tahoe's robust infotainment and connectivity features help ensure that translation. Every model is outfitted with a 10. 2-inch touchscreen that includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. In addition to its various interior charging ports, the three-row Chevy offers an optional Bose stereo system and an available rear-seat entertainment system with two 12. 6-inch displays mounted behind the front seats
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The Chevy offers several high-tech towing assists in addition to its loaded roster of standard driver-assistance technology. GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving feature is available as an option on the Premier and High Country trim levels. For more information about the Tahoe's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA] and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety [IIHS] websites. Key safety features include
- Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
- Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
- Available adaptive cruise control with hands-free driving mode
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Although the Toyota Sequoia offers better complimentary maintenance, Chevy's limited and powertrain warranties are identical to those of every other SUV in the full-size class