2019 Chevrolet Tahoe Review: A Solid No-Frills SUV
Built upon the same foundation as the Silverado, the Chevrolet Tahoe presents buyers with impressive towing capacity and enough ground clearance to handle off-road angles with relative ease. And it is just as imposing inside, with plenty of space, seating for nine, and a respectable list of standard features. Ranked highly for its excellent initial quality, and winning the 2018 Kelly Blue Book five-year cost to own award, the Tahoe seems like a great investment. But looks can be deceptive; although it is an excellent contender in the large SUV segment, the Chevy has its failings, such as sloppy handling, very average fuel consumption, and less ride comfort than you would expect from what looks like a land boat. Still, with a starting MSRP of $48,000, the Tahoe isn't trying to sell itself as a luxury SUV. And, as a utility-focused daily driver, it certainly holds its own.
What's the Price of the 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe?
All it will take to get you behind the wheel of the entry-level Tahoe LS is $48,000, making it one of the more affordable large SUVs on the market. Moving up the LT trim will set you back an additional $5,000, while the top-tier Premier model has an MSRP of $62,700. And if the base 5.3-liter V8 isn't enough for you, then you can upgrade to the potent 6.2-liter variant and pay $68,125. Replacing the standard rear-wheel-drive with all-wheel-drive will add $3,000 to the invoice on the lower two trim levels and the Premier trim. These prices exclude tax, registration, licensing, and Chevrolet's $1,295 destination charge.
Best Deals on 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe
2019 Tahoe Exterior
Dimensions
Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width |
---|---|---|---|
204.0 in | 116.0 in | 74.4 in | 80.5 in |
2019 Tahoe Performance
Engine and Transmission
Handling and Driving Impressions
While the Tahoe has impressive outputs at its disposal thanks to either of its audacious V8 engines, at the end of the day this SUV is still more truck that sport sedan, despite its plush interior.
While the potent engines lend themselves to aggressive acceleration, the throttle can be a bit lazy on the uptake, asking that you really put your foot down to get the SUV moving. And it is certainly satisfying to hear the V8 grumble when you give it the boot. Unfortunately, coming to a stop is less enjoyable as the brake pedal is equally unreceptive, requiring you to sink your heel into the grabby quagmire before the large vehicle lurches to a stop. On the plus side, the brakes are strong, capable of bringing the Tahoe to a halt in as little as 123 feet. No small achievement for a car of this size!
The steering is a bit on the light side, but it's adequate for daily driving around town, although sharper turns will give you some hassle despite the relatively tight turning circle and there is not much feedback through the steering wheel. The vehicle's size and weight strike again when it comes to handling; it lurches when turning at higher speeds, and mid-corner bumps are the bane of its existence. But as a family car, the Tahoe hopes you will drive it with a modicum of restraint, and it doesn't let you down when treated this way.
Ride comfort is nothing special, thanks to the body-on-frame construction, but the comfortable seats and ample air suspension help to damp down the disruptions. The well-made cabin also blocks out most unwanted noise from the outside, and any intrusion by the engine is usually quite pleasant thanks to the throaty V8 burble.
2019 Tahoe Interior
Seating and Interior Space
2019 Tahoe Trunk and Cargo Space
2019 Tahoe Safety and Reliability
Warranty
Basic | Drivetrain | Drivetrain Note | Rust-Through | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance | Roadside Assistance Note | Maintenance Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 Years / 36,000 Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | Qualified Fleet Purchases: 5 Years/100,000 Miles | 6 Years / 100,000 Miles | 3 Years / 36,000 Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | Qualified Fleet Purchases: 5 Years/100,000 Miles | 1 Year/1 Visit |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
Overall Rating | Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Side Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
---|---|---|---|
4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 |
Verdict: Is the 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe A Good SUV?
The Chevrolet Tahoe has been a solid contender in the large SUV segment for quite some time. And, while it doesn't lead the pack, it is certainly worth closer examination. Two powerful engines, each mated to a well-designed automatic transmission, give the vehicle solid performance around town, on the highway, and even off-road. However, if you want to go off-road, we certainly suggest you opt for the available four-wheel-drive system. Combined with the truck-like SUV's naturally high ground clearance and approach/descent angles, this gives the Tahoe truly rugged all-terrain performance.
The interior contrasts this outdoorsy quality by being quite well-appointed with lots of creature comforts and an array of modern features. There is space for up to eight passengers, although comfort might drop considerably over long drives if you choose to fill every seat. The cargo space is ample, although not class-leading, and the Tahoe can tow a respectable 8,600 lbs.
It isn't the best handling SUV on the market, but unless you plan to try a high-speed chase around tight city alley-ways, it should meet most daily needs. And the host of standard, and optional, safety features will complement this level of restrained driving. Overall, we find it hard to deny that the Chevy Tahoe is a good vehicle. It's not the greatest, but for the asking price, it certainly impresses.
What Chevrolet Tahoe Model Should I Buy?
In terms of value for money, the LT should tick all the requisite boxes. It offers the same performance as every other trim unless you option the 6.2-liter V8, which is exclusive to the to Premier trim, and comes with enough safety features to ensure you and your family will always feel confident and secure. The upgraded sound system over the LS won't go unnoticed and, if that still isn't enough, there are a few upgrades offered such as built-in navigation or a rear-seat Blu-Ray system. The Premier is certainly a tempting trim with its extra tech and safety features, but you can find most of these in the packages available to the LT.
2019 Chevrolet Tahoe Comparisons
2019 Chevrolet Tahoe vs Ford Expedition
With access to a potent turbocharged V6, producing 375 hp and 470 lb-ft, the Ford Expedition is no slouch on the road. And the stronger optional engine matches the Tahoe's best engine in terms of performance. Both vehicles are well-appointed inside, with plenty of safety features and infotainment tech. However, the Ford delivers slightly better driveability along with a more spacious interior and larger cargo space. The Expedition also offers better fuel economy, although it asks you to lay out more capital for the initial purchase. In the long run, the Ford Expedition is the better investment but it's a very close decision, and we wouldn't fault you for still finding the Tahoe more appealing.
2019 Chevrolet Tahoe vs Chevrolet Suburban
The Chevy Suburban is basically the Tahoe's big-boned twin. Both SUVs share the same underpinnings and even the same engine options with identical power outputs. However, with its extended dimensions, the Suburban has some advantages over the Tahoe, as well as some disadvantages. The larger SUV has a lot more space inside, capable of seating nine with greater ease, and it expands on cargo capacity quite a bit too, shoring up one of the Tahoe's weaknesses. However, all this extra size makes the Suburban even more unwieldy on the road, and the extra weight negatively impacts on fuel economy. Luckily, the larger Suburban is only around $3k more expensive than the Tahoe, but it will cost you more to run. If you enjoy carpooling for all the kids in your cul-de-sac, then the Suburban makes sense, but for regularly sized families looking for a reliable daily SUV, the Tahoe should suffice.