The following review is for a 2022 Model Year. There may be minor changes to current model you are looking at.

Introduction

The 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe is a traditional full-size SUV with room for up to nine passengers in three rows of seats, abundant V-8 power, and the ability to lug as much as 8,400 pounds. 

A broad lineup of models spans budgets from about $52,000 to upward of $75,000. The Tahoe is closely related to the larger Chevrolet Suburban, which offers more rear-seat and cargo space but can be a tight fit in most garages. 

Wider availability of an even stronger 6.2-liter V-8, a traction-aiding electronic limited-slip rear differential, more safety features, and a standard digital instrument cluster on most trim levels mark 2022 for this big SUV, which shares its design and many features with the GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade. 

The Tahoe offers a choice between a turbodiesel inline-6 or two big V-8s, all of which are teamed with 10-speed automatic transmissions and either rear- or four-wheel drive. Fuel economy ranges from a high of 21 mpg city, 28 highway, 24 combined for the frugal diesel rear-wheel-drive versions down to 14/19/16 mpg for the big V-8 with four-wheel drive. Most models use the mid-level 5.3-liter V-8 rated at 16/20/18 mpg regardless of drive wheels. 

In crash testing, the 2022 Tahoe scored four stars overall from the NHTSA but has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS. Standard automatic emergency braking is complemented by active lane control, blind-spot monitors, and front/rear parking sensors, while an enhanced automatic emergency braking system and adaptive cruise control are optional extras. A rear camera mirror and a surround-view camera system are also available. 

Lineup

Starting at $51,895, or $3,000 more with four-wheel drive, the base Tahoe LS is hardly basic. A big 8.0-inch touchscreen for infotainment includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, plus amenities include automatic emergency braking and other driver-assistance aids, keyless start, power-adjustable front seats, automatic climate control, cloth upholstery, and third-row seating. 

The $57,245 LT adds an upsized touchscreen, a digital instrument cluster, leather seats, and Bose audio. 

Drivers looking for a more rugged model ? or at least those who want a woodsy appearance ? will find the Z71 for $62,445 that features all-terrain tires, special exterior styling with bumpers that allow for better mogul-hopping clearance, and functional skid plates. The $63,445 RST trim level goes in a more urbane direction with its 22-inch wheels and blacked-out exterior trim. 

Chevy offers two range-topping versions, the $68,195 Premier or the $73,595 High Country. Premier versions come with adaptive dampers to tame ride quality, perforated leather upholstery, and cooled front seats, while High Country versions pile on a power-folding third-row seat and a rear camera mirror. 

Options vary by trim level but can include an enormous panoramic sunroof, road-trip-aiding adaptive cruise control, and a twin-screen rear entertainment system. 

Walkaround

The Tahoe may look like a conventional two-box SUV in profile, but intricate detailing reveals muscular design elements. LED headlights wrap around the front fenders. Along the sides, softer, curvier lines frame big side windows, a look carried into the rear end with big, organic-shape taillights nearly connected by a broad strip of brightwork. 

Z71 versions have their own front and rear bumper designs that improve angles of approach and departure, plus red accents for a sporty look. 

Wheels vary in size from hardly minuscule 18-inchers up to rolling stock in flashy 22-inch diameters on highly-optioned models. 

Interior

A car-like dash awaits front-seat occupants with a nicely integrated 8.0-inch touchscreen on base LS trucks or, more commonly, a 10.3-inch display in a similar housing. Controls below include audio and climate knobs that are easy enough to sort through. Plenty of storage bins offer enough places to hold ? and maybe lose ? every device imaginable. 

A front bench seat is standard fare for maximum occupancy, though most Tahoes leave the factory with a big center console. Rear-seat riders will find a choice between captain's chairs or a three-piece bench, while the third row serves up adult-ready space thanks to nearly 35 inches of leg room. 

Behind the rearmost seat sits a cargo area that expands from 25.5 cubic feet to as much as 122.9 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded forward. 

Driving Impression

A choice between three engines and two drive types may suggest a full day of test-driving, though most shoppers can narrow down their list before hitting a dealer. 

The most common engine, a 5.3-liter V-8, puts out 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque to offer up 8,400 pounds of trailer-lugging capability. Wider availability of the 6.2-liter V-8 rated at a hefty 420 hp and 460 lb-ft means this big engine is worth shopping for drivers looking for a little more oomph, or those who routinely find themselves climbing hills or mountains, perhaps with a trailer or a full complement of passengers. 

The thriftiest choice when it comes to the pump is the optional turbodiesel inline-6 with its 277-hp and 460 lb-ft of torque rating. While not quite as smooth as the V-8s, its fuel economy gains are notable. 

All Tahoe trucks use a 10-speed automatic transmission. The optional four-wheel-drive system features an automatic mode suitable for use on any kind of terrain, including dry pavement, rainy roads, or snowy driveways. 

Opt for the Z71 and you'll find a higher stance and chunky tires that help this big SUV maneuver better off-road. 

Summary

Blending serious capability with a hushed, luxury-grade cabin, the Chevrolet Tahoe is a do-it-all full-size SUV with a flavor for just about everyone. 

 

-by Andrew Ganz, with driving impressions by The Car Connection.