Chevrolet Tahoe. Full-size family friend
The Chevrolet Tahoe (and its GMC Yukon counterpart) is part of General Motors' range of full-size SUVs. It is characterized by large size and strength, outstanding hauling and towing capabilities, as well as comfort. This vehicle is second only to premium Cadillac SUVs. The Tahoe has few competitors, including the Ford Expedition, Toyota Sequoia and Nissan Armada. GM positions the Tahoe as a cool and prestigious family vehicle.
Despite its rather large size, the Chevrolet Tahoe offers excellent handling characteristics, decent dynamics and the ability to tow a trailer or even a boat, whereas solid capacity and safety (the vehicle is literally stuffed with airbags and various driver assist systems) make the vehicle especially popular with large families.
The first generation
It was produced from 1995 to 2000. The first Tahoe is actually a two-door full-size Chevrolet K5 Blazer (or simply Blazer), a very popular SUV built on the GMT400 platform. The Blazer belonged to the Chevrolet C/K family and was famous for its amazing performance. The Tahoe was a Blazer built on a solid off-road chassis with a comfortable interior, so the utility SUV transformed into a versatile MPV for families looking for a minivan with off-road characteristics and excellent towing capabilities. GM already had such a vehicle, named the Chevrolet Suburban, but many people considered it to be too big. Americans love big cars and SUVs in particular, which is why the Chevrolet Tahoe was doomed to success.
The dashboard and some comfort features such as climate control were borrowed from the Suburban. The SUV could have 3 or 5 doors. The 3-door Tahoe could be equipped with a 5.7-liter V8 engine with 255 hp or a 6.5-liter V8 diesel engine with 180 hp. The Tahoe came standard with a 4-speed automatic transmission.
The second generation
It was produced from 1999 to 2006. The second Tahoe is built on the new GMT800 platform. The SUV acquired a series of new Vortec V8 engines with an output ranging from 270 to 295 hp. The second generation had a sleek exterior and richer interior with new seats, front passenger airbags, automatic headlight control, an electric sunroof and a host of other options. At the same time, the Tahoe was updated almost every year.
Americans love big cars and SUVs in particular, which is why the Chevrolet Tahoe was doomed to success.
In 2001, the vehicle received side steps, new bumpers, door handles and mirrors, new front fog lights. In 2002, six-way adjustable seats, heated exterior mirrors with automatic dimming on the driver’s side, and electric heated rear window were added to the list. In 2003, the vehicle started featuring StabiliTrak stability enhancement system, two-level airbags, passenger detection system, three-zone climate control, and second-row seats with lateral support. In 2004, it acquired a new 5.3-liter Vortec 5300 V8 engine with 295 hp and 454 Nm of torque. In 2005, the Tahoe was equipped with a new, all-electric cooling system.
The third generation
It was produced from 2007 to 2014. The model was built on the new GMT900 platform. The entry-level third generation Tahoe became a 6-seater vehicle that looked more premium than the previous generation. The SUV was standardly equipped with a 6.2-liter engine with 395 hp, coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission. In 2008, the Tahoe received a two-mode hybrid system in two versions: a 6-liter Vortec 6000 with 332 hp and a couple of 80 hp engines. In 2009, the upgraded LTZ models got an opportunity to install a 6.2-liter Vortec 6200 with an output of 405 hp. In 2010, the Tahoe was slightly updated, acquiring a more durable side structure, side airbags and additional side blind zone alert.
The fourth generation
It was produced from 2014 to 2020. The new Chevrolet Tahoe is built on the K2UC platform developed by General Motors for its range of full-size trucks and large SUVs. The hoods and tailgate panels were made of aluminum to reduce the vehicle weight, and the engines became more powerful: 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 with 340 hp and 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 with 426 hp. The vehicle started featuring a telescopic steering wheel with power tilt, new safety features such as radar, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane change assist and rear cross traffic warning. Other improvements include the ability to fold the second and third row seats, USB ports and sockets throughout the passenger compartment, an 8-inch color touchscreen entertainment package with MyLink connectivity, and more.
The fifth generation
It has been produced from 2020 to the present (as of 2021). The new Chevrolet Tahoe is currently Chevrolet’s second-largest 3-row vehicle after the elephant-like Suburban:
- wheelbase: 3 meters
- length: 5.3 meters
- width: 2 meters
- height: 192 cm
- curb weight: 2.6 tons.
The exterior is quite standard. This is still a huge, massive, tall SUV with a wide grille, muscular contours, a convex hood and a grim expression of the ‘face’ of the American SUV. It can be rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. The vehicle comes standard with a 5.3-liter engine with 355 hp. There are also such options as a 6.2-liter engine with 420 hp and a 3-liter diesel 6-cylinder engine with the same torque as a gasoline 8-cylinder engine. A 10-speed automatic transmission is standard. The powerful engine, combined with a 10-speed automatic transmission and adaptive air suspension, will make you feel independent on any road, while enjoying impeccable traveling comfort and excellent handling characteristics.
The powerful engine, combined with a 10-speed automatic transmission and adaptive air suspension, will make you feel independent on any road, while enjoying impeccable traveling comfort and excellent handling characteristics.
The interior of the 2020/2021 Chevrolet Tahoe is larger than the previous one by as much as 25 cm due to the expansion of the third row. The second and third row in the new generation can be moved forward and backward. At the same time, the floor became lower and flatter, since the Tahoe has an independent rear suspension. The cargo compartment has reached a gigantic 3.4 cubic meters. Each model comes standard with a 10.2-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Wi-Fi hotspot. In addition to numerous charging ports, the Tahoe has an advanced rear-seat entertainment system with two 12.6-inch displays mounted behind the front seats.
The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offers the following modern safety options: forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert.
