The Chevy Tahoe in its 2017 iteration got a pretty significant update compared to the 2015 model year. One thing it retained though is its solid rear axle and body-on-frame architecture, opposed to the trend of independent suspensions that circles among new and modern SUVs. Its current main competitors are Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada, and Toyota Sequoia, but it’s clear that the Tahoe will put up a strong fight, especially with new and updated smooth and handsome exterior.
2017 Chevy Tahoe engine
The 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe is offered in few trims, but for the review the LT trim was used which offered rear-wheel drive instead of the available four wheel drive system. The 2017 Tahoe has a very impressive modern look, with the sheet metal that shows smooth sides and a neatly squared-off rear end. Under the hood of this vehicle is the 5.3 L V8 makes 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque which has been increased to better suit its towing power. The powerplant is finely balanced, and thanks to the cylinder deactivation it maintains reasonable fuel economy, but it still can rip the road when you floor it and be very agile when needed. Cylinder deactivation technology cuts fuel to half of the engine’s cylinders, letting the Tahoe post fuel economy figures of 16 MPG city and 23 MPG highway. The throttle is also set up in a way to help you maneuver in the city or other tight spaces with a leeway in pedal travel, which is also good when you have a trailer hitched up.
Safety
As far as safety is considered the LT trim we reviewed offered a Luxury package that hosted blind-spot monitors, a rearview camera with cross-traffic alert and forward collision alert. Another neat thing inside is the Chevrolet’s Safety Alert Seat that is practically impossible to ignore since it buzzed on either side of the seat bottom when a “situation” came up. Lane drift prevention was also there and worked like a charm, and let me tell you this is a feature that might save drivers who fall asleep at the wheel. The strangest thing though was the absence of the adaptive cruise control, which is only available at the Tahoe’s top trim.
The ride and tech
Although it is big, robust and has the truck platform, Tahoe’s ride quality is surprisingly good. This all comes from the Chevy’s Magnetic Ride Control, basically, an adaptive suspension technology that makes millisecond adjustments to damper stiffness. But there is a catch to it, you will need to buy the Tahoe LTZ trim to have it, which bumps the overall price to mid-60s. There another good thing about the LTZ trim as this version comes with Chevrolet’s MyLink navigation head unit. The LT trim that is reviewed came with the non-nav version of MyLink, but it had the 8 inch touchscreen on the dashboard and intuitive icons, but thanks to MyLink supporting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, iPhone users can plug their smartphones and make use of handful of approved apps on the touchscreen, including Apple Maps for navigation.
The conclusion
2017 Chevy Tahoe has a very easy going, down-to-business look and offers surprisingly easy and good driving experience with a handful of very useful and meticulously picked out technology. The only big objection is the lack of adaptive cruise control which Chevy should consider adding to the rest of trims below the LTZ. As I mentioned in the beginning, the competition to the 2017 Tahoe is great, and it will be difficult to fight especially with the fact that Nissan’s Armada is hitting the streets soon with a more powerful engine and likely a lower base price. But there is something to Tahoe, especially now when it’s making huge steps toward radical changes, like keeping the traditional architecture but embracing newer connected technologies. Plus the Tahoe always had passenger carrying and towing capabilities as its strong side, and we don’t see that it will change in the future. Expect a heavy fight in this segment where Chevrolet isn’t going to give up that easy.
