LT 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A)
LS 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A)
Premier 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 420 hp 6A)
Premier 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A)
Premier 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A)
Premier 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 420 hp 6A)
Police 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 355 hp FFV 6A)
LS 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A)
Premier 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A)
Premier 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A)
LT 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A)
Premier 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 420 hp 6A)
Special Service 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A)
Premier 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 420 hp 6A)
Don’t want to go far?
Find all cars near me?Premier 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 420 hp 6A)
LT 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A)
Premier 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A)
Premier 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A)
Premier 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl 420 hp 6A)
LS 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A)
Premier 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A)
LT 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A)
LS 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A)
Premier 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A)
Overall Rating
Some call it the Big Brother of the Suburban while others call it "THE" Full-size SUV. The SUV in our review today is the all-new 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe. Starting at $48,500 and with ample of cabin space, impressive towing capacity, and many customizable features, The Tahoe is here to make the statement that truck-based body-on-frame construction is still the king.
The 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe continues to boast the benefits of its truck-based body-on-frame construction, but the large SUV has a few shortcomings as well. Starting at an MSRP of $47,450, the 2018 Tahoe is available in three trims. With two burly V8 engines, Tahoe can tow up to 8,600 pounds. The cabin feels upscale and comfortable, but the large SUV has subpar cargo space.
For the buyers looking for off-roading, Tahoe's Z71 package is a must-have. The Ford Expedition has received some major updates and offers more space and capabilities. There are other affordable alternatives to Chevrolet Tahoe, like Toyota Sequoia and Nissan Armada. So is the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe a good SUV to buy? Let's find out.
The 2018 Chevy Tahoe has an above average price, and it gets expensive fast as you move up the trims and options. Judging by the cost-to-features ratio, the LT trim emerges as a good buy. It adds a telescopic steering wheel, which can accommodate most drivers, a power liftgate, leather upholstery, and heated front seats. The LT trim also has access to most of the available options and special editions.
LT 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A)
Fleet 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A)
LT 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A)
LT 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A)
LT 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A)
LS 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A)
Some call it the Big Brother of the Suburban while others call it "THE" Full-size SUV. The SUV in our review today is the all-new 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe. Starting at $48,500 and with ample of cabin space, impressive towing capacity, and many customizable features, The Tahoe is here to make the statement that truck-based body-on-frame construction is still the king.
The 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe continues to boast the benefits of its truck-based body-on-frame construction, but the large SUV has a few shortcomings as well. Starting at an MSRP of $47,450, the 2018 Tahoe is available in three trims. With two burly V8 engines, Tahoe can tow up to 8,600 pounds. The cabin feels upscale and comfortable, but the large SUV has subpar cargo space.
For the buyers looking for off-roading, Tahoe's Z71 package is a must-have. The Ford Expedition has received some major updates and offers more space and capabilities. There are other affordable alternatives to Chevrolet Tahoe, like Toyota Sequoia and Nissan Armada. So is the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe a good SUV to buy? Let's find out.
The 2018 Chevy Tahoe is available in 3 trims with prices ranging from $ 47,450 to $ 63,435. A 5.2 liter V8 mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission is standard. A more powerful 6.2 liter V8 is also available with the RST package. The standard drivetrain is a Rear Wheel Drive (RWD), although any trim can be upgraded to a Four Wheel Drive (4WD) for $3,000.
Trims |
LS |
LT |
Premier |
---|---|---|---|
MSRP (RWD) |
$47,450 |
$53,750 |
$63,435 |
Features |
Standard Features include: |
All Features of the LS trim, plus: |
All Features of LT trim, plus: |
Premium Smooth Ride Suspension Package |
Forward Collision Alert |
Magnetic Ride Control |
|
Heavy-duty locking rear differential |
Keyless Start and Entry |
||
Rear Park Assist |
Push-button start |
||
OnStar with 4G LTE and Built-in Wi-Fi hotspot |
Front Park Assist |
||
Apple CarPlay |
More about 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe Features and Specs >>
Apart from the regular trims, Tahoe also has 3 special editions. The base LS trim gets a Custom Edition, which removes the third-row seats for extra space, along with adding 18-inch painted aluminum wheels and chrome grille insert. The LT model has a Midnight Edition, which adds bold black accents for a dominating feel. The most important special edition is the Rally Sport Truck (RST) Edition of the Premier and LT trim. The RST Edition adds 22-inch gloss black aluminum wheels and black accents to the car and Chevy logo.
The 2018 Chevy Tahoe's most valuable trim is the LT. At a price of $53,750, 2018 Tahoe adds features like a telescopic steering wheel, power liftgate, leather upholstery, and heated front seats. The LT trim also has access to most of the available options and special editions.
Read about the new Chevrolet Tahoe >>
The standard powertrain of the 2018 Chevy Tahoe includes a 5.3 liter EcoTec3 V8 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. Although the transmission is seamless, the 8-speed automatic available in some Silverado models would have been a much better choice for the Tahoe. The engine is refined and delivers power quite smoothly.
Opting for RST special edition along with the performance package in the Premier trim gets you a 6.2L V8 and a 10-speed automatic transmission, like the one used in Cadillac Escalade. The bigger V8 block generate 420 hp and 460 lb.-ft. of torque, which remains quite impressive for the segment.
Models |
Chevrolet Tahoe |
Nissan Armada |
Ford Expedition |
GMC Yukon |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$48,510 |
$ 46,090 |
$51,695 |
$ 49,080 |
Engine |
5.3L EcoTec V8 |
5.6L V8 |
3.5L EcoBoost V6 |
5.3L V8 |
Transmission |
6-speed automatic |
7-speed automatic |
10-speed automatic |
6-speed automatic |
Power |
355 hp @ 5,600 rpm |
390 hp @ 5800 rpm |
400 hp @ 5000 rpm |
355 hp @ 5,600 rpm |
Torque |
383 ft-lbs @ 4,100 rpm |
394 ft-lbs @ 4,000 rpm |
480 ft-lbs @ 3,250 rpm |
383 ft-lbs @ 4,100 rpm |
0-60 MPH |
6.7 sec |
6.5 sec |
7.3 sec |
6.5 sec |
Quarter mile |
15.1 sec |
15.0 sec |
15.6 sec |
16.7 sec |
The standard engine of the 2018 Chevy Tahoe's 6.7 seconds 0-60 mph timing is in fact a surprise, while the top speed of 136 mph tells you a different story altogether. Ford Expedition is the slowest to 60 mph, while the GMC Yukon in the quarter-mile test.
The 2018 Chevy Tahoe is a big SUV, and it drives like one. Its body-on-frame construction makes it drive more like a truck than a car. The steering is light, which makes it a little easier to maneuver this car at low speeds. It has a turning radius of 19.5', which is not much compared to the competitors.
Tahoe's steering is lighter and slower than one would like on a winding road. The old rear suspension is apparent on uneven roads. Luckily, the Magnetic Ride Control suspension automatically adjusts the shocks based on changing conditions, which improves driving over bumpy roads. Still, there would be quite some body roll when going around a corner at some fast pace. That comes as a no-brainer, considering the build and size of this vehicle.
The 2018 Chevy Tahoe comes equipped with a concealed 2-inch receiver with integrated 4 and 7- pin wiring. Buyers can also upgrade to an integrated electric trailer brake controller and a rear leveling suspension. Tahoe can tow up to a maximum of 8,600 pounds when properly equipped.
Model |
Chevrolet Tahoe |
Nissan Armada |
Ford Expedition |
GMC Yukon |
---|---|---|---|---|
Engine |
5.3L V8 |
5.6L V8 |
3.5L V6 |
5.3L V8 |
Drive Train |
2WD |
2WD |
AWD |
2WD |
Towing Capacity (lbs) |
8,600 |
8,500 |
9,300 |
8,500 |
When compared to the competition, even though the towing capacity of the Tahoe is pretty impressive, that is until the Ford Expedition’s Ecoboost V6 shows its worth. Despite a smaller engine, the 2018 Expedition has increased its towing capabilities to a staggering 9,300 pounds, which is the most in this comparison.
The EPA rates the Tahoe for a combined fuel economy of 19 mpg, which is helped by a large 26-gallon gas tank, which assists it in achieving a combined driving range of around 500 miles. The 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe uses hi-tech fuel injection and grille shutters to improve fuel efficiency, along with Active Fuel Management, which shuts half the cylinders when they are not needed. This lets Tahoe maintain a respectable fuel economy.
Model |
Chevrolet Tahoe |
Nissan Armada |
Ford Expedition |
GMC Yukon |
---|---|---|---|---|
MPG city |
16 |
14 |
17 |
16 |
MPG highway |
23 |
19 |
24 |
23 |
MPG combined |
19 |
16 |
20 |
19 |
Fuel Tank Capacity (gallon) |
26.0 |
26.0 |
23.3 |
26.0 |
Range (City / Highway / Combined) (miles) |
416 / 598 / 494 |
364 / 494 / 416 |
396 / 559 / 466 |
416 / 598 / 494 |
Tahoe does reasonably well when compared to its competitors as the standard engine provides a combined economy of 19 mpg. GMC Yukon matches these numbers, while the thirsty Armada is nowhere near these numbers. The 2018 Ford Expedition uses a twin-turbo V6, so it's no surprise that it returns better gas mileage than Tahoe.
The interiors of the 2018 Chevy Tahoe have not gone through much change but still remain decently luxurious. The door armrest gets leather, while its top portion gets padded plastic. The whole upper dash is made up of soft-touch plastic. The steering wheel is power adjusting in the Premier trim, and LT gets power-adjustable pedals.
The Tahoe can accommodate 8 people. The LS trim comes with cocoa or black cloth upholstery. The LT trim gets leather in Cocoa Dune, Jet Black, and dark ash color. The Premier also has leather upholstery, except the dark ash color is replaced with mahogany. The driver's seat is 12-way power adjustability in Premier and 10-way in other lower trims. LT also gets a safety alert vibrating seat. Three-stage heated seats come standard in LT and Premier. Premier also adds 3 stage ventilated seats.
Model |
Chevrolet Tahoe |
Nissan Armada |
Ford Expedition |
GMC Yukon |
---|---|---|---|---|
Passenger capacity |
7 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
Front (Head / Shoulder / Leg) (in) |
42.8 / 64.8 / 45.3 |
40.9 / 63.8 / 41.9 |
39.5 / 63.2 / 41.1 |
42.8 / 64.8 / 45.3 |
Second (Head / Shoulder / Leg) (in) |
38.7 / 65.1 / 39.0 |
40.0 / 63.4 / 39.0 |
39.7 / 63.7 / 39.1 |
38.7 / 65.1 / 39.0 |
Third (Head / Shoulder / Leg) (in) |
38.1 / 62.6 / 24.8 |
36.4 / 60.5 / 28.3 |
38.0 / 67.1 / 37.7 |
38.1 / 62.6 / 24.8 |
The 2018 Chevy Tahoe has wide and plush seats in the front. The Ford Expedition offers maximum space even at the back seat while the Tahoe and Yukon have the best front seats but the worst third-row seats in terms of space. The Expedition offers the best overall space, while the Armada is close behind it.
The 2018 Chevy Tahoe uses an 8-inch MyLink infotainment system, which is highly praised for its ease of use and crisp graphics. The menu screen is straightforward and doesn't require much time to get used to. Modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as a standard feature, which further facilitates connectivity. The infotainment system also faces some harsh critique of the need to use both physical controls and the touchscreen for some of the audio settings, which can be inconvenient at times. On the plus side, the buttons are easy to reach and control.
Chevrolet also offers a Wi-Fi hotspot with OnStar 4G LTE services alongside navigation and a wireless charging pad to keep your devices charged at all times. There is also an option for a head-up display while the music responsibilities are taken care of by a 10-speaker Bose premium surround sound system. There is also HD Radio and SiriusXM alongside Bluetooth connectivity so that you never run out of options to play your favorite music.
Cargo space is not one of Tahoe's strengths. Although small-item storage in the cabin is excellent, the cargo space behind the third row is quite less. A power liftgate and power seat-folding controls are handy, but the floor is high, which hampers the loading and unloading process. The 94.7 cu-ft of maximum cargo space is actually more than enough for most owners and is one of the best in the segment.
Model |
Chevrolet Tahoe |
Nissan Armada |
Ford Expedition |
GMC Yukon |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Volume with all seats upright (cu-ft) |
Exterior |
Model |
Chevrolet Tahoe |
Nissan Armada |
Ford Expedition |
GMC Yukon |
---|---|---|---|---|
Curb weight (lbs) |
5,466 |
5,576 |
5,562 |
5,379 |
Length (in) |
204 |
208.3 |
210.0 |
203.9 |
Width (in) |
80.5 |
79.9 |
79.9 |
80.5 |
Height (in) |
74.4 |
75.8 |
76.4 |
74.4 |
Ground clearance (in) |
7.9 |
9.1 |
9.8 |
8.0 |
Wheelbase (in) |
116.0 |
121.1 |
122.5 |
116.0 |
Track width (in) F/R |
68.7 / 68.7 |
67.5 / 67.9 |
67.6 / 67.2 |
68.7 / 68.7 |
In this comparison of heavy-duty full-size SUVs, the Expedition is the largest in almost every which way possible. The Nissan Armada comes in at second, while the Chevy-GMC twins have the smallest overall silhouette. One area where the GM twins take an edge is their curb weight on the lower side.
<p>95.4</p>
</td>
<td>
The Chevy hasn't been tested by the IIHS, however, the federal government organization NHTSA gave the 2018 Tahoe an overall safety rating of 4 stars out of five. Chevrolet has offered standard safety features in the 2018 Tahoe such as a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, and more. Other major safety features include:
When it comes to seating comfort, the passengers in the back rows would be more comfortable in the Nissan Armada. In the front seat, however, the Tahoe provides more headroom and legroom. Tahoe is also more fuel-efficient but has a higher starting price. Maneuvering the Tahoe is easier, thanks to its smaller turning radius.
In terms of power, the Armada gets the upper hand. So overall, the Nissan Armada provides more power and back row comfort at a lower price, but Tahoe is more efficient and better at towing.
The 2018 Chevy Tahoe and the redesigned Ford Expedition go head to head when it comes to cabin quality and cushioned ride, but the Expedition has a few advantages over Tahoe. It has a higher towing capacity, more cabin and cargo space, and a superior fuel economy, but the Tahoe has an advantage as well. Its price is a couple of thousand dollars less than the Expedition. So if you are willing to part with a few extra grand, buying the Expedition is the logical choice.
The Chevy Tahoe and the GMC Yukon are the largest SUVs in the GM's lineup. They both share the platform, powertrain, and cabin configuration, and all sorts of mechanicals. Still, these SUVs have subtle differences. The Tahoe has a higher max tow rating, while the Yukon has a more upscale feel to it, but it also has a higher price.
Each of them has their own personality and caters to different needs and hence exist together. Thus, it becomes a matter of personal choice and should be looked into in detail before making a final decision.
The 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe has the responsibility of being the flagship SUV in Chevrolet’s lineup, and although it makes use of a truck-based platform, it has its own set of followers. It is just another average SUV that has a decent performance, towing capacity, interior space and features, and a competitive price tag. So, if you are looking for a vehicle that can accommodate your big family, provide comfort, and tow large loads, the 2018 Chevy Tahoe would not be a bad choice to look into.
Find the best deals on the Used Chevrolet Tahoe for sale >>