Road Test: 2013 - 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe
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Tahoe is USA’s 2nd largest fresh water lake. Maybe that was the reason for naming the full-size Chevrolet SUV the Tahoe. The 2013 Chevy Tahoe is almost the same as the previous year’s model but it is still a popular choice here in the Gulf region beginning in the lowest price range compared to its stable mates the GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade.
We shall describe the few differences between all these vehicles soon. For starters, all the cousins’ need a key to be turned to start and the top trims have a remote starting function on the remote controller, which itself is separate from the key. Our test car was a top end LTZ trim and certain features described might not be available in the lower trims and might be available as an add-on option.
Drive
All versions of the 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe have a single option for the engine, a 5.3-liter V8 delivering 320 horsepower and 454 Nm of torque. The transmission is six - speed automatic and comes with 2H, 4A, 4H & 4L modes on the transfer case.
In our on-road testing we were able to do 0-100 kmph in just about 9 seconds and upto 140 kmph in 17 seconds (see videos here):
It's average for a full-size SUV and the maximum speed it allows to be driven is 185 kmph. We were able to get an average fuel economy of 18L/100kms in city and about 12 L/100 kms on highway with average speeds of 90 kmph and an overall average of 17 L/100 kms combined. As in most off-road conditions the fuel consumption almost doubles.
The Tahoe was able to brake from 120-0 kmph in about 4.5 seconds, check it out:
The V8 growl is deep and throaty and urges you to rev it higher, but is quiet on cursing speeds. Overall the drive is pleasant and steering is responsive with a decent feedback despite which one does feel the weight and size of the vehicle. The gear changes are prominent during quick startups and overtaking.
The suspension itself is extremely quiet. What we mean is that you don’t hear thuds and bumps or feel them abruptly if you go over speed breakers, potholes and bumps on and off the road, but it has significant suspension rebound and bounce. Also one can continuously feel the slight sway and pitch motions even on the smooth UAE road. Off road the suspension works pretty well but one would be continuously worried about the front bumper clearance. Approach angle is really low with the stock bumper and makes any attempt for a speedy climb up or down a sand dune quite impossible without the risk of damaging the front bumper. Even if one tries to cross a dune crest sideways, the bumper would get caught by the crest. This however appeared to be the only major off road handicap and can be easily fixed by replacing the stock front bumper by a higher clearance bumper or a visit to the insurance office after every sand drive!! Check out our sand dune climb here:
The traction control and stability control can be switched off completely via the provided switch but it does not have a locking front or rear differential to get one out of a diagonal stuck.
Interior
The Chevy Tahoe on the outside, to our eyes, is one of the most handsome and well proportioned full size SUVs. The interior is well appointed and the dashboard and center console layout is quite user friendly. The fit and finish is acceptable with no squeaks and rattles. The seats are comfortable and the material used is pretty decent but the front dash is hard and tacky to touch. We wonder why there are chocolate color (or dark brown, if one prefers to call it) dashboard and door trims, Grey A/C vents, black center console and beige seats? To our eyes it was not at all pleasing.
Like a few other SUV’s the Tahoe also doesn’t have locking rear seat belts that can be used to restrain kids and their car seats. It has anchor points for child seats but a majority of child car seats don’t come with a strap for the child seat anchor point.
The front seats are quite comfortable but they cannot be called snug. The leather in the top LTZ trim really warms up and the seat cooling is a blessing. The 2nd row and the third row seem to have a fixed back position and we were unable to recline them for a more comfortable and adaptive seating position. The A/C vents for the 2nd row are almost on top of the passenger’s head and would frost the eyeglasses, if they would be wearing any, by the direct blast to the head and face. The third row of seats has almost no height from the vehicle’s floor and would make the adults sit with their knees almost at the chest level or cross-legged. The third row seats however can be taken out with one swift pull on the handle on the back and stored in your garage for more boot space. The second row can be unlatched and folded electrically via a switch on the respective side just behind the seats but they have to be pushed back in position manually.
The BOSE sound system is nice and does not crackle even at high volume with a high bass. It comes with a speed sensitive automatic volume adjustment. The video can be played on the front center display when the vehicle is stationary only and on the single roof display all the time. We were however not able to play VCDs while DVDs play just fine.
Verdict
Starting at the base price of AED 155,500 for the LS, the Tahoe is not exactly cheap. The other trims being the LT at AED.162,500, AED 176,000 for the Z71 and AED 204,500 for the LTZ. The standard equipment across the entire range includes keyless, power mirrors, air conditioning, an electrochromic rearview mirror, illuminated visors, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
