2025 Chevrolet Tahoe

We’re a quarter of the way into the 21st century, and Chevrolet is still making SUVs based on trucks (the Silverado, in this case) powered by V8 engines. Turns out that’s not a bad thing. After all, even modern families need a spacious, sturdy vehicle that rides comfortably. There is good reason the Tahoe is the best-selling full-size SUV. It’s tough, capable, roomy, comfortable, and surprisingly quiet. The ideal road-trip SUV, the Tahoe will ruin you for taking to the highway in anything else.

Based on the Tahoe, the longer and even more spacious Chevrolet Suburban is similarly improved and reviewed separately.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of full-size SUVs, including the Chevrolet Tahoe.

After launching for the 2021 model year, the fifth-generation Tahoe receives a makeover that includes revised styling, animated exterior lights, a relocated transmission selector (hooray), biggest-in-segment infotainment touchscreen, a more comfortable standard suspension setup, and a gutsier diesel engine. Also, enhanced trailering tech

We think we could live quite nicely with the LT trim; however, Chevy sells more Premium, RST, and Z71 models.

Rivals like the GMC Yukon, Ford Expedition, Toyota Sequoia, Nissan Armada, and Jeep Wagoneer fit broadly into the same price bracket. The Armada undercuts the Tahoe by a little, and the Expedition starts higher. The 2025 Chevy Suburban starts at $63,495.

Before buying a new Tahoe SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Resale values are comfortably above average, better than the Ford Expedition. A higher resale value means being able to make a bigger down payment on your next vehicle.

The base engine in the Tahoe is a V8, making 355 horsepower. We might be tempted to go for the optional 420-hp V8, but the base unit is the most popular choice and we’ve found it plenty powerful for most situations. Chevrolet hasn’t raised output levels of these gasoline engines for the 2025 refresh but has given the optional 6-cylinder diesel more muscle, now developing 305 hp and a meaty 495 lb-ft of torque — and torque is what creates thrust.

We’ve driven all three of Tahoe’s powertrains and found none of them lacking. They are characterized by smooth, relentless power delivery. Although we would be quite satisfied with the base V8, the 6.2-liter V8 upgrade delivers significantly more zip. If towing and hauling is your thing, the updated 3.0-liter turbocharged 6-cylinder Duramax diesel generates 10% more hp for 2025 and plenty of torque. All three accelerate eagerly.

We are still amazed that from behind the wheel, the Tahoe feels smaller than its brutish exterior would indicate. It can still be a challenge in a city parking garage, but when weaving through traffic, it simply handles smaller than it is.

One other tweak by Chevy has occurred in the suspension department, aiming to make the ride quality even more comfortable. We thought it was great before. The RST version gains the option of an air suspension (previously available just with the High Country and Z71). Or, buyers can go all-out for the Magnetic Ride Control suspension (standard in the top two trims, optional in the RST and Z71) that enhances the comfort and the poise of this full-size SUV.

Also new for 2025, the gear selector is now a stalk on the steering column. This is way more intuitive and ergonomic than the push-button method employed previously.

Fuel Economy

That decision to stay with an old-school V8 doesn’t help with fuel economy. The base 5.3-liter unit achieves only 17 mpg in combined city/highway driving, with rear-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive. To compare, the Expedition manages 19 mpg combined or 18 mpg with 4-wheel drive. The Tahoe’s 6.2-liter V8 returns 16 mpg combined. We still expect the revised diesel engine to achieve something like its predecessor’s 24 mpg combined.

Changes for 2025 include an 11-inch digital instrument cluster while the infotainment touchscreen increases in size to a generous 17.7 inches. Both of these are standard equipment across the lineup. Chevy also redesigned the steering wheel and center console. For the first time, the High Country interior comes with real wood accents.

The Tahoe has a super-spacious interior, with 42 inches of maximum legroom in the sliding second row and 34.9 inches in the third. The cargo area is also cavernous, going from 25.5 to 122.9 cubic feet. For comparison, the Ford Expedition goes from 20.9 to 104.6 cubic feet. If that still isn’t enough, the longer Chevy Suburban maxes out at 144.5 cubic feet.

One of the few options in the base LS is a 3-person bench for the front row, turning the Tahoe SUV into a 9-seater. The LT, RST, and Z71 versions accommodate eight, with an optional pair of captain’s chairs for the second row. The Premier and High Country models have those chairs as standard and are, therefore, 7-seaters exclusively. We were delighted to find that the higher-level trims come with a powered moving center console with 10 inches of travel front to rear. It brings the rear cupholders closer to the rear seats. Thanks to an adjustable cushion, the armrest can remain in position. It includes secure storage and cup holders, too. It’s also optional in the lower trims, except for the LS.

At 17.5 feet long, the Tahoe full-size SUV takes up the same kind of space as the Ford Expedition. It’s big. But we think big is beautiful in this instance. The styling revamp for 2025 has been subtle. But fans of large wheels are in for a treat because the 2025 Tahoe is offering massive 24-inch alloys.

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
The ability to connect a smartphone to a vehicle’s infotainment system is great, yet kind of taken for granted these days. The Chevy Tahoe goes one better by doing without a cable connection, so users can keep their phones in a pocket or purse.

Infotainment touchscreen
Every new Tahoe comes with a high-resolution 17.7-inch display that gives the cabin a more tech-rich feel. We also like the infotainment system itself, which we’ve found easy to use.

Hands-free tailgate
Standard across the lineup except for the base LS trim; this is such a welcome feature when your hands are full, or you have a million other things to do.

Super Cruise
This is a hands-free and feet-free optional driving feature. But drivers must still keep their eyes engaged. Nevertheless, it helps relieve the grind of long freeway stretches. The system works on more than 400,000 miles of divided highway in the United States and Canada.

Connected Cameras
This new feature for the 2025 Tahoe allows owners to view the interior and exterior remotely. It can also bring automatic crash recording and a dash cam.

Trailering technology
The Tahoe makes towing easier with features like Boat Ramp Assist and Trailer Navigation — which works out the best route based on the size of the trailer.

The base engine for the 2025 Tahoe SUV lineup is a naturally aspirated (no turbos or the like) 5.3-liter V8 making 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. The RST, Z71 and Premier trims offer the option of a 6.2-liter V8 developing 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. This is also standard in the top High Country trim. Another option in all but the Z71 is a turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel inline 6-cylinder engine, boosted for 2025 to generate 305 horsepower and 495 lb-ft of torque. All three engines connect to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is the standard setup, with 4-wheel drive (4WD) on the options list or standard in the Z71. Maximum towing capacity is 8,400 pounds, achieved by a rear-drive version with the smaller of the V8 engines.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

Chevrolet’s new-vehicle warranty lasts three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. Powertrains are covered for five years or 60,000 miles. These terms are typical among mainstream manufacturers. The first scheduled service is also included.

Safety Ratings

The current-generation Tahoe earned four out of a possible five stars overall in crash testing carried out by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).