The astounding transformation that the SUV has gone under in the past two decades has been a miraculous one, to say the least. As someone who first started driving in the early 2000s, I remember when the guiding principle of wisdom for the vehicle class was “bigger is better.” An emphasis on size, particularly with vehicles like the Hummer and Ford Excursion, certainly looked impressive, but their reputation for guzzling fuel like it was water preceded them by a country mile.
As SUVs have become scaled down due to the consumer demand for easier mobility and sustainable fuel economy, the full-size models that were prominent in their heyday have been less available. However, the Chevy Tahoe, which first arrived on the scene in 1994, a few years before the SUV boom went into overdrive, is still in production and offers drivers the best performance, seating, and storage. Finding a Tahoe at a used Chevy dealer isn’t exactly difficult. Choosing which model years offer the most in terms of capability might be a different story. This is where I come in. I’m going to break down which model years illustrate the Tahoe at its very best.
2019 Chevy Tahoe: New Looks and Refined Taste
2019 was quite a year for GM as a brand. In addition to the exceptional quality found across the board with GMC, the Chevy Tahoe achieved one of its best years to date. The Tahoe was outfitted with a host of new items that accentuated its performance and sophistication. Drivers now had access to a 5.3L and 6.2L V8, affording the same performance that had graced the Chevy Silverado 1500. In fact, despite the size and scale of the Chevy Tahoe, testing conducted by Car and Driver magazine showed an ability to travel from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 5.7 seconds. Ride quality had also improved substantially, with smoother shifting courtesy of the ten-speed automatic.
Besides the new upgrades pertaining to performance, the Tahoe also offered new tech-savvy innovations that allowed for a more refined and sophisticated experience behind the wheel. All models were graced with an infotainment screen that provided access to Apple and Android products and included a Wi-Fi hotspot to ensure connectivity no matter where your travels might have taken you. Available items that sweetened the deal to potential owners included a high-end stereo system from Bose, navigation, and a rear-seat entertainment setup to occupy passengers of a younger and shorter variety.
2020 Chevy Tahoe: A Great Family-Focused Full-Size SUV
Chevy has remained steadfast in its determination to provide drivers with an exceptional SUV, and the 2020 edition of this popular full-size SUV is no different. The 2020 Chevy Tahoe was equipped with a wider range of tech-savvy features, making it a prime candidate for the SUV-buying public.
A host of features were standard across all trims, including a user-intuitive infotainment screen that offered compatibility with Apple and Android products and a Wi-Fi hotspot to ensure connectivity no matter where you traveled. Up to seven USB ports and two available high-end stereo systems from Bose Audio were essential for the discerning audiophile. An available rear-seat entertainment system could keep family-oriented drivers with younger and shorter passengers happily occupied during road trips. The 2020 Tahoe could also be equipped with navigation and a 110-volt outlet, making any family road trip easier and enjoyable. The inclusion of GM’s Teen Driver technology also ensured that the younger drivers in the family were implementing responsible driving habits.
2021 Chevy Tahoe: Harnessing the Power of Diesel
Competition is always a good thing, especially when it comes to an SUV like the Chevy Tahoe, which has been in production for several years and has a lot to offer drivers. The Chevy Tahoe and its bigger partner, the Suburban, have always been mated with a variety of V8 engines, something that Chevy has always been noted for producing.
In 2021, the Tahoe underwent a change, which was certainly for the better. Chevy has done an exceptional job revitalizing the diesel-fueled powertrain and proving its viability in the modern age. The Duramax engine lineup has allowed for exceptional fuel economy, performance produced at lower RPMs than its gasoline-fueled counterparts, and increased towing capacity.
In 2021, the Duramax 3.0L turbo-diesel six-cylinder joined the lineup of available engines for the Chevy Tahoe. Paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission, the six-cylinder offered 277 hp and the ability to produce 460 lb-ft of torque. These specs were only the tip of the iceberg, as the engine also allowed for an incredible towing capacity of 8,200 lbs.
Remarkably, the 2021 Chevy Tahoe’s fuel economy with a diesel powertrain is superior to that of the old hybrid. The EPA estimated that the diesel-fueled Tahoe achieved 21 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway, for a combined total of 24 MPG. Drivers could also expect to travel upwards of 672 miles between fill-ups.
2023 Chevy Tahoe: Innovation for the Open Road
With its popularity, the SUV class has always been known for its fierce competition among the different brands that offer the very best to drivers everywhere. The leaps and bounds in the area of technological innovation have certainly been impressive in recent years, and 2023 saw the Chevy Tahoe receive some of the most significant offerings.
The Tahoe now came available with a wide range of towing assistance features that were certainly ideal for drivers who enjoyed recreational activities such as camping. Besides the continued offering of an infotainment screen that offered access to Apple and Android products and a Wi-Fi hotspot, newly available items made time behind the wheel even more enjoyable than ever.
The Chevy Tahoe has had access to Adaptive Cruise Control since the 2017 model year, which was extremely beneficial for preserving reaction time in long stretches of highway driving. A new item that was available for the first time was GM’s Super Cruise technology, which allowed for semi-autonomous, hands-free driving with over 400,000 miles of pre-programmed roads from all over North America. This meant that interstate travel was now easier than ever, and a reduction in driver fatigue would now exist.
The Continuing Legacy of One of the Industry’s Best SUVs
Like so many other GM vehicles, the Chevy Tahoe continues to adapt and evolve based on the growing needs of drivers everywhere. I’ve watched the development of the SUV class change dramatically since the boom period began.
While subcompact and crossover models are certainly among the most popular choices for drivers, the need for highly capable and efficient full-sized offerings will always be present. Seeing the Tahoe remain in production in a continually shifting marketplace certainly speaks to its staying power as one of the best choices among drivers.
As the SUV boom continues, the Tahoe continues to adapt to changing trends, and as these models that I’ve researched today clearly illustrate, the Tahoe will only continue to get better. These used models are not just affordable and available; they’re exceptional offerings from one of the best domestic manufacturers ever to emerge onto the automotive market. Whichever used model fits your needs and budget, you’ll get to enjoy an innovative full-size SUV that continues to evolve in exciting ways.
