Used 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe

There’s still a lot to be said for big SUVs built on truck foundations, like the 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe. They’re sturdy and can handle substantial towing demands, and they provide lots of space for large families.

The Tahoe employs the Chevy Silverado pickup’s ladder-frame construction, plus three of its engine choices — two V8s and a turbodiesel inline-6. Don’t think that this Chevrolet is in any way a rough rider, however. It’s wonderfully comfortable.

The long-wheelbase Tahoe variant with even more cargo space, the 2023 Chevy Suburban, is reviewed separately.

Various versions of the 2023 Tahoe full-size SUV offer the Magnetic Ride Control suspension or an adaptive air suspension, but even the regular setup is comfortable and well-tuned. A long journey in a Tahoe is something to be enjoyed rather than endured.

Either of the two V8 engines available will do the job, each one strong enough not to feel overworked. And the optional turbocharged diesel engine blends low-end thrust with greater fuel economy — ideal for climbing mountain roads.

The Z71 has a 4-wheel-drive (4WD) system as standard, coming with a low-range transfer case. Also included are all-terrain tires and extra underbody protection. Should any owners heed the call of the unpaved wild, the Tahoe’s ground clearance is 8 inches, or 10 inches with the air suspension.

Super Cruise is a new option in the top Premier and High Country trims. It’s a hands-free and feet-free partial self-driving system that works on certain freeways, the number of which is growing as more roads enter the navigation system’s database.

In theory, this is all good. In practice, the global chip shortage (thanks a lot, Covid) could mean late availability.

One of the few options in the base LS trim is a 3-person bench for the front row, turning the 2023 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 that reduce total passenger count to seven. The Premier and High Country models have those chairs as standard and are therefore 7-seaters exclusively.

These most expensive trims come with a powered moving center console with 10 inches of travel front to rear. It includes secure storage, cup holders, and a sliding armrest. It’s also optional in the lower trims, except for the LS.

Every Tahoe has a spacious interior. There’s a maximum of 42 inches of legroom in the sliding second row and 34.9 inches in the third. Cargo area is also on the generous side, going from 25.5 to 122.9 cubic feet.

At 17.5 feet long, the 2023 Tahoe full-size SUV covers the same kind of footprint (tire print?) as the Ford Expedition. It’s big. Onlookers may think there’s a solar eclipse, but an eclipse takes longer to pass.

The LS and LT have 18-inch alloy wheels, the Z71 and Premier wear 20-inch alloy wheels that are optional in the lower trims, and High Country models run on 22-inch alloys (optional with the Premier). The LS also comes with side steps as standard, which the Z71 ditches in pursuit of optimum ground clearance.

Changes this year include a black grille available with the LS, LT, RST, and Premier trims, with the word “Chevrolet” in upper-case letters taking the place of the usual logo. New paint choices for 2023 are Silver Sage Metallic, Sterling Gray Metallic, and Radiant Red Tintcoat.

STANDARD 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 2023 Chevy Tahoe goes one better by doing without a cable connection, so users can keep their phones in a pocket or purse.

DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER
This 12.3-inch digital display becomes standard in the one-up-from-base LT trim and makes a fine tech complement to the 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen that also comes in at this trim level.

There are some gripes with the availability of certain features in the 2023 Tahoe full-size SUV range. For example, buyers must choose one of the top two trims just to be eligible for adaptive cruise control. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

At the entry level, the LS version still has a decent standard inventory. This includes LED headlights/daytime running lights/taillights, rain-sensing wipers, heated side mirrors, remote start, keyless entry/ignition, power-adjustable front seats, cloth upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 3-zone automatic climate control, Teen Driver programmable key, front/rear parking sensors, rear-seat reminder, and a pair of 120-volt outlets.

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto is also standard, along with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, Wi-Fi, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and six USB ports (including one USB-C up front).

Safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, plus automatic high beams and lane-keeping assistance.

As pleasantly kitted out as the LS trim is, going for the LT model is still a smarter call — as long as finances permit. In addition to offering more options than the LS, extra tech features include a 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital driver information display, navigation, wireless phone charging, 9-speaker Bose audio system, and Google Assistant compatibility.

Other items included in the LT trim are heated front seats, driver’s-seat memory settings, hands-free tailgate operation, a self-dimming rearview mirror, and a universal garage door opener.

The RST model is pretty much an assemblage of cosmetic changes, but it offers a Sport Performance package that brings the bigger gasoline V8 and an adaptive suspension.

The Z71 has 4-wheel drive and all-terrain tires as standard while also having the bigger V8 and adaptive suspension on its options list.

The LT, RST, and Z71 zone is where a lot of options become available. These include blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (also available in the LS), a power-adjustable/heated steering wheel, heated second-row outboard seats, and a 360-degree camera system.

Most of these extras become standard at the Premier level, which also throws in a 10-speaker Bose system, Safety Alert Seat, heated/ventilated front seats, and the adaptive suspension. High Country gains the 360-degree camera system, plus a head-up display, rear camera mirror, rear pedestrian alert, and the bigger V8 engine.

Premier and High Country have Super Cruise, adaptive cruise control, panoramic sunroof, power-retractable side steps, and an air suspension (also available in the Z71) on their options lists.

The base engine for the 2023 Tahoe SUV lineup is a naturally aspirated (no turbos or anything along those lines) 5.3-liter V8 making 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. Regular gasoline is fine for this unit.

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. Premium gasoline is recommended in this instance.

Another option in all but the Z71 is a turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel inline-6 generating 277 horsepower and the same amount of torque as the bigger V8.

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.

5.3-liter V8
355 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
383 lb-ft of torque @ 4,100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/20 mpg (RWD & 4WD)

6.2-liter V8
420 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
460 lb-ft of torque @ 4,100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/20 mpg (RWD), 14/18 mpg (4WD)

3.0-liter turbocharged diesel inline-6
277 horsepower @ 3,750 rpm
460 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/28 mpg (RWD), 20/26 mpg (4WD)