2018 Chevrolet Tahoe Review

The 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe is a thoroughly modern SUV that melds traditional body-on-frame construction and innovative new technologies. With the Tahoe, you get impressive towing capacity and advanced connectivity functions.

Chevy’s Tahoe is a full-size SUV that can be configured to seat seven, eight or nine passengers. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and the Tahoe is sold in LS, LT and Premier trim levels.

For 2018, the Tahoe adds RST Edition and RST 6.2L Performance packages.

Exterior

Massive and chiseled, the Tahoe’s sheet metal makes a powerful impression. Notable design elements include a sculpted hood, broad shoulders, a distinctive dual-level grille and a prominent air dam.

Base models are equipped with automatic headlights, daytime running lights, a manual liftgate, heated power-adjustable side mirrors, fixed side steps, roof-mounted luggage-rack side rails and 18-inch wheels. Available exterior content includes a handsfree rear liftgate, molded splash guards, HID headlights, fog lamps, 20- and 22-inch wheels, a power sunroof, power-retractable side steps and power-folding side mirrors with integrated turn signals.

Interior

The Tahoe provides a relatively upscale cabin environment. Up front, there’s a multi-layered dashboard and a prominent, modern-looking center-stack that’s complemented by two rows of similarly shaped, horizontally oriented controls. Further accenting the interior are attractively detailed door panels and a large center armrest. When it comes to cargo capacity, the Tahoe provides 15.3 cubic feet behind the third row and 51.7 cubic feet with the third row folded. With the second and third rows folded, cargo space swells to 94.7 cubic feet.

Standard features include tri-zone automatic climate control, front-row bucket seats, cloth upholstery, second- and third-row 60/40-split folding bench seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a tilt-adjustable steering column and a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. The list of available interior features includes an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a 40/20/40-split folding front bench seat, leather upholstery, second-row bucket seats, heated second-row seats, a power-folding third-row seat, a heated steering wheel, a power-adjustable tilt-and-telescoping steering column, power-adjustable pedals and heated front seats.

Performance

Customers shopping for full-size SUVs expect a vehicle that provides serious power, and the 2018 Tahoe delivers enough muscle to handle big towing jobs. Both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are offered, and buyers can choose between six-speed and 10-speed automatic transmissions.

Base models come with a 5.3-liter V8 engine that produces 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The second engine choice is a 6.2-liter V8 offering 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.

The Tahoe can tow up to 8,600 pounds, and it achieves EPA ratings of up to 16/23 mpg city/highway.

Technology

Chevy’s Tahoe provides a winning lineup of technology features. Base models come with Bluetooth phone and streaming audio, an 8-inch touch screen, five USB ports, an auxiliary input jack, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, a six-speaker stereo, a Teen Driver feature that allows you to set parameters for secondary drivers, satellite radio, HD radio, a CD/MP3 player, a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot, rear parking sensors and a rearview camera.

The list of available tech features includes forward collision warning, low-speed forward automatic braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, navigation, a rear-seat Blu-ray/DVD entertainment system, nine- and 10-speaker Bose stereos, adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, rear cross-traffic alert, front parking sensors and wireless device charging.