2018 Chevrolet Tahoe Pros vs Cons

The 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe is by far the best large SUV on the market today. Its gigantic size, large towing capacity, and fantastic technology make this a shining example of what an SUV can really be.

What’s New for 2018

The largest change for 2018 in the Tahoe is the addition of a new trim, called the RST - short for Rally Sport Truck. This is the only Tahoe edition to house a super-powerful 6.2-liter V8 with an astounding 420 horsepower. This is paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission. There are some other technology and durability upgrades that come in the RST upgrade as well. No significant changes to other trims in the Tahoe lineup have occurred since 2017.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe – The Pros

1. Plenty of Engine Options

The standard model of the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe comes with a 5.3-liter V8 engine that sports an impressive 355 horsepower. This engine is fully capable of letting the car get up to full speed even with a full load of cargo and all passengers. If the 5.3-liter V8 isn’t large enough, the Premier trims are fitted with an even larger 6.2-liter V8. This 6.2-liter V8 is able to power an even more impressive 420 horsepower.

2. Magnetic Ride Control

In the new Rally Sport Truck trim, a new option called Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) has been added. This is the world’s fastest suspension reaction system, a special system created by Chevy to give their bigger vehicles better road feel without sacrificing performance. MRC works by adapting and adjusting the shock absorbers of the Chevy Tahoe in real-time, changing in road feel to fit the terrain correctly.

3. Tons of Interior Room

The interior of the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe is extremely spacious. The front two seats fit the driver and the first passenger with plenty of head and legroom to spare, as do the three second-row seats. These three seats can comfortably fit adults without feeling cramped. The last row of three seats is slightly smaller but is still perfect for seating younger adults or small children.

4. Tough Exterior Materials

A part of the full-size SUV that is normally less focused on is the material base for the exterior. The engineers for the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe have clearly put quite a bit of thought and time experimenting with various materials to get the composition right. The metals are light but still extremely durable, able to deal with any rough particles that come flying up on the road.

5. Many Safety Features

Chevy has done a fantastic job updating their technology to the most modern options, making sure that every single safety feature is available for the Tahoe. The base model comes standard with a rearview camera and parking sensors in the rear. Available upgrades - most available in packages - include a forward collision alert and assistance system, blind spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Tahoe has also received four out of five stars in crash tests, an above-average rating for large SUVs.

6. Great New Package

The new package for 2018, the Rally Sport Truck or RST option, offers tons of new and interesting features that weren’t available in the Tahoe before. The Magnetic Ride Control mentioned previously is only available in this trim with the Performance package. Also in the RST is a special body-colored grille surrounding and a glossy black grill. The wheels are also expanded to 22 inches, and the rest of the exterior of the car is made to be more tuned for fast speeds over rougher roads.

7. Comfortable Seats

The 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe has seats that are more comfortable than any other SUV on the market. The base cloth upholstery feels like you’re sinking into plush carpet, and the leather covering upgrade feels amazing as well. The positioning of the seats is great as well, and long drives in the Tahoe are no problem due to the inherent comfort.

8. Extremely Quiet Ride

A problem that most full-sized SUVs struggle with is an extremely loud ride at high speeds. Because of their long bodies, each bump or pothole gets amplified and creates tons of noise. The Tahoe doesn’t suffer from that problem. With tons of noise dampening material in the car’s frame and plenty of cushioning even within the body, there’s almost no noise in the car even on the highway.

9. Powerful All-Wheel Drive

The 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe’s standard model comes with front-wheel drive, but the all-wheel drive upgrade is a highly recommended purchase. With the four-wheel drive, the Tahoe feels like its full potential is unleashed. The car can climb hills even with a full load without the engine even straining.

10. Can Tow Almost Anything

With the proper preparation, the Tahoe can tow up to 8600 pounds. This is one of the highest capacities in its class. To assist in towing, the Tahoe comes equipped with a seven-wire harness, a hitch platform, and a 2-inch trailer receiver. This amount is large enough to tow a small boat or even a small camper.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe – The Cons

1. Slightly Less Cargo Room Than Usual

Though the Tahoe can tow more than its competitors, it compensates by having slightly lower cargo capacity than most in its class. Behind the third row the Tahoe only has 15.3 cubic feet. With the back row folded down, that expands to 51.7 cubic feet, and with the back two rows folded that size grows to 94.7 cubic feet.

2. Mid-tier Fuel Economy

No full-size SUV has good gas mileage, and the Tahoe fits right in the middle of the pack. The base model with front-wheel drive measures in at 16 miles per gallon in the city and 23 miles per gallon the highway.

3. Third Row Seats Somewhat Small

The seats in the Tahoe are comfortable, but the third-row seats are somewhat tiny for those taller than average. You’ll be able to fit two adults in the back and three children with ease, however.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition

Similar full-size SUVs like the Ford Expedition and the Toyota Sequoia are somewhat closely styled, but the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe beats all of its competitors with ease. Its luxurious interior and high-powered engines are a cut above the rest.

Conclusion

The 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe is by far the best large SUV on the market. Its ride is smooth and quiet and the suite of safety features makes this car a joy to drive.