2020 Chevrolet Tahoe Review: An SUV With A Pick-Up Heart
With a heritage rooted in the Chevrolets Silverado, the Chevy Tahoe is less like a traditional SUV and more like a truck designed to haul people as well as cargo. Unfortunately, this means that it handles in a far less car-like manner, although rivals like the Ford Expedition are also prone to such compromise. However, the Tahoe can tow an impressive amount of weight with either of its engines, but the stronger V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque will appeal most to buyers who value performance. Regardless of engine, the large SUV is comfortable and well-appointed, insofar as you'd expect from a vehicle with a modest $49,000 starting price tag. Well-built and dependable, with space for nine passengers and the power to pull a caravan, the Chevrolet Tahoe is a well-rounded family SUV.
What's the Price of the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe?
As one of GM's more affordable brands, the Chevrolet Tahoe has a relatively low starting price of $49,000. Getting behind the wheel of the LT, with its advanced safety features, will set you back $53,800, but the Premier is quite a bit more expensive, starting at $62,700. Optioning on the stronger V8 engine to the Premier adds $4,130, while every trim level has access to the all-wheel drivetrain for an additional $3,000. These prices exclude tax, registration, licensing, and Chevy's $1,295 destination charge.
Handling and Driving Impressions
While it may be based on the Chevrolet Silverado, with similar body-on-frame construction, it's just a pity that the Tahoe handles in much the same way. Don't let the cozy interior fool you; this is basically a pick-up with room enough for nine passengers.
Either of the engines gives the large SUV more than enough kick to get moving in a hurry, but the clumsy handling means you won't really want to be going all that fast in anything but a straight line. While the steering is light enough for town driving, it provides no feedback and requires considerable effort when rounding sharper turns. Try taking those turns at anything but a crawl, and the hefty Tahoe leans heavily. Throw in a corner bump or two, and you may fear for your life. You'll want to drive the juggernaut with a certain level of restraint, so always be mindful of the kiddies in the back.
While it may certainly be more geared towards family hauling, the Chevy isn't as comfortable as one may like. Even the air suspension can't save it from its body-on-frame construction, but paired with the comfortable seats, it does a good enough job around town on the more well-maintained roads. Still, expect to feel some of the bumps. Most exterior noise is blocked out, though, thanks to the well-dampened cabin. The throaty V8 will make its presence known when you push it to throw out some of its impressive power, though.
Verdict: Is the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe A Good SUV?
The large SUV segment isn't overly populated, so you'd think it would be easy to stand out from the 'crowd.' However, those at the front of the pack are so far in the lead that it's hard for others to draw attention. Nestled somewhere in the middle of our rankings is the Chevrolet Tahoe. It might not be the best option on the market, but it's a pretty solid offering for the price.
Buyers get a choice of two engines with the large SUV, but the better of the two is, unfortunately, restricted to the top-tier Premier. Thus, those on a budget won't even be considering it. But even without the more potent 6.2-liter V6, the Chevy moves well, and the standard engine isn't that far behind in terms of towing capacity. If towing stupidly heavy loads is going to be a primary concern for you, then you should be looking at the Ford Expedition, which can handle 9,300 lbs. Similarly, the Expedition does a better job of hauling cargo, with a few cubic feet more space than the Tahoe. But the Chevy does a good job of accommodating up to nine passengers in the spacious cabin, which comes appointed with all the amenities you'd expect from a non-luxury SUV.
While it might be quite nice inside, the Tahoe handles much like the truck it appears to be. There are certainly more enjoyable drivers out there, and some of the more expensive large SUVs on the market deliver better ride quality and comfort features. But, for the asking price, the Chevrolet Tahoe is pretty well-rounded and worth some consideration.
What Chevrolet Tahoe Model Should I Buy?
If you want to get the most bang for your buck and don't desperately need to reach the Tahoe's maximum towing capacity of 8,400 lbs, then we recommend that you set your sights on the mid-tier LT trim. It comes with the standard 5.3-liter V8, which gives it more than enough power to get around, but it also gets some much-needed advanced driver-assistance features that are lacking on the base LS, such as forward collision avoidance. The leather-appointed seats certainly don't hurt either, even if they don't offer heating and ventilation. If you're only looking at the Premier for extra features, and not it's available 6.2-liter V8, then rather consider the Luxury Package or Sun, Entertainment, and Destinations Package.
2020 Chevrolet Tahoe Comparisons
2020 Chevrolet Tahoe vs Chevrolet Suburban
The Suburban is, essentially, the Tahoe with a bigger butt. It comes with a 14-inch longer wheelbase, which opens up some room in the cabin, as well as in the trunk. Third-row passengers will love the extra legroom, and you can store more than 25 cubic feet of extra cargo without even needing to fold down any seats. However, this extra size makes the already gargantuan SUV feel even more awkward on the road, and all that extra junk in the trunk weighs the Suburban down, giving it worse fuel economy. In every other regard, the extended-wheelbase SUV is identical to the Tahoe. It gets the same engines, the same trims, and the same features, but each model is slightly more expensive. It is also more expensive to run, so unless you desperately need the extra room, the Tahoe should do the job.
2020 Chevrolet Tahoe vs GMC Yukon
A corporate cousin to the Chevy Tahoe, the GMC Yukon shares many of the same features. It gets the same choice of engines, the 355-hp V8 and the 420-hp V8, and the same choice of features. All that really separates the two large SUVs is styling. GMC generally tries to market itself as a more upscale brand; thus, the Yukon doesn't offer a mid-tier trim like the Tahoe does - you either get the bare-bones SLT or the fully loaded Denali. With the same engines, same mileage figures, same passenger and cargo space, and same handling dynamics, the only reason to choose one SUV over the other is brand loyalty or getting a trim that meets your specific needs.