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2018 Chevrolet Tahoe review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise
7 photos

Chevrolet Tahoe highlights

Customer rating

Pros

  • Standard smartphone integration
  • Impressive towing capacity from the standard V8 engine
  • Quiet and nicely trimmed cabin

Cons

  • Sluggish engine and brake responses
  • High trunk floor reduces cargo space and makes loading items difficult
  • Maneuvering in tight spaces is a challenge

Mileage (EPA estimate)

16 city, 22 highway, 18 combined

Pricing for current inventory

(no current inventory)

7 photos
Price
Year

The big 2018 Chevy Tahoe is available with a more powerful V8 engine upgrade

A full-size SUV, the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe seats up to eight, can tow up to 8,600 pounds, when properly equipped, and considering its size is even OK on fuel economy with an EPA-estimated 19 mpg combined score. Various factors may impact towing capacity, including weight of passengers, cargo, and options/accessories. Fuel economy figures are based on EPA estimates for when vehicle sold as new. Fuel economy may vary for reasons like driving conditions and vehicle history. Unless specified, figures are for vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission. See fueleconomy.gov. A new RST Performance Edition was added to the 2018 Chevy Tahoe options list, headlined by a more powerful V8 engine, plus suspension and other tweaks.

The Tahoe interior has tons of headroom and the front and second row have plenty of legroom, although the second row adjusts only the seatback angle without any fore-aft adjustment. The cramped third row is for kids only.

Even though it’s a previous-generation vehicle, the 2018 Tahoe’s interior remains modern looking and easy to use. We like that Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ are standard, but wish we could say the same for a full suite of driver assist systems. The biggest drawback is the lack of cargo space behind the third row; if you need more space, a Suburban might be what you’re looking for.

All Chevrolet Tahoe years

What is new for the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe?

  • Tahoe trims have been upgraded with Flex Fuel Vehicle as standard equipment this year.
  • The Premier trim now comes with Fold-Away Third Row as standard equipment.

2018 Chevrolet Tahoe trims

Curious how Chevrolet Tahoe trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

LS:

  • 355-hp, 383-lb-ft of torque 5.3L
  • Rear Air Conditioning
  • Rear Defroster
  • Cruise Control
  • Third Row Seat
  • Cloth Seats
  • Power Seats
  • Fold-Away Third Row
  • Power Mirrors

LT:

Premier:

  • Includes all features available on the LT
  • 420-hp, 460-lb-ft of torque 6.2L
  • Rear Seat Heaters
  • Quad Seats
  • A/C Seats
  • Heated Steering Wheel
  • Blind Spot Monitor
  • Smart Key
  • Power Folding Third Row
  • 20 Inch Plus Wheels
  • View our Chevrolet Tahoe Premier inventory

Chevrolet Tahoe photos

5 reasons to buy the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe

What We Like

Interior quiet and seat comfort: It wasn’t too long ago that luxury cars strove for the kind of interior quiet you get with the Chevy Tahoe. Credit the old-school body-on-frame construction, which isolates much of the road and drivetrain noise from the cabin. The first and second-row seats are plenty supportive for long road trips, offering a plush cushioning that’s hard to beat.

Climate control: It’s easy to take climate control for granted, but if you’re driving a big black Tahoe in the Texas sun, you’ll be grateful for the powerful fan and near-instant cold air this system provides. Admittedly a bit loud when it first engages on a hot day, there’s a lot of air to move around, and it quiets down quickly once the cabin reaches a tolerable temperature.

Towing capacity: If you need to tow a big boat or other large loads with your SUV, the Tahoe is a great pick. With up to 8,600 pounds of capacity when properly equipped, the Tahoe’s towing setup includes trailer brake controls as well.

What Needs Improvement

Cargo space: The 2018 Tahoe uses a solid rear axle, which takes up a lot of room that in competitor’s vehicles can be turned over to cargo space. Which is a long-winded way of saying, there’s not a lot of space behind the third row. You’ll get a bigger trunk in a Honda Accord from the same year (15.3 cu.-ft vs. 16.7 cu.-ft). The third row does fold to add more space, but the resulting sloping load floor still leaves something to be desired. 

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Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

3.8 out of 5

8 customer reviews
3
1
2
Above Average

RepairPal gave the Chevrolet Tahoe an overall reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Chevrolet Tahoe 27th out of 32 among Midsize SUVs.

View RepairPal's full rating of the Chevrolet Tahoe

Chevrolet Tahoe features and specs

Base 2WD 4D Sport Utility

Standard Features

  • ABS Brakes
  • Air Conditioning
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Android Auto
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • CD Audio
  • Cloth Seats
  • Cruise Control
  • Fold-Away Third Row
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Parking Sensors
  • Power Locks
  • Power Mirrors
  • Power Seat(s)
  • Power Windows
  • Rear Air Conditioning
  • Rear Defroster
  • Rear View Camera
  • Running Boards
  • Side Airbags
  • Third Row Seat
  • Tow Hitch
  • Traction Control
  • 20 Inch Plus Wheels
  • Alloy Wheels
  • Full Roof Rack
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Remote Start
  • Satellite Radio Ready
  • Vinyl Seats

Drive Wheels

Rear Wheel Drive (2WD)

Engine size

5.3L

Horsepower

355

Torque (ft-lbs)

383

Engine type

Gas

Fuel capacity

26

Wheelbase

116"

Overall length

204"

Width

80.5"

Height

74.4"

Leg room

F 45.3"/M 39"/R 24.8"

Head room

F 42.8"/M 38.7"/R 38.1"

Front tires

P265/70R17

Rear tires

P265/70R17

Seating capacity

9

Max towing capacity

660/6600 lbs.

Transmission

Automatic

2018 Chevrolet Tahoe FAQ

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Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.

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