The 2014 Tahoe has been spied in full camouflage not far from GM’s proving grounds, with a Toyota Sequoia and Ford Expedition in close proximity. And for once, the Tahoe wasn’t towing two other vehicles into a nearby repair shop. But it’s clear that engineers are determining how their upcoming full-bodied SUV stacks up against rivals. And unlike the Ford and the Toyota, the new Chevy Tahoe (known as K2UC to insiders) and 2014 GMC Yukon (K2UG) are expected to keep their live axle setup rather than switching to an independent rear suspension, probably for the sake of towing prowess.
The full-size SUV segment has been dominated by GM for longer than most of us have been alive. And the automaker plans to keep it this way by combining new fuel efficient enhancements while retaining the rugged capabilities consumers have grown to love. Rumors of anything from an eight-speed automatic transmission to some sort of diesel engine finding their way into the powertrain setup have been speculated, but we’re definitely more likely to see the next-generation small-block V8 engine GM has in store for us over anything else. Displacement has been expected to remain the same as the current 5.3L and 6.2L offerings, but will receive direct injection this time around. There’s also a rumored 5.5L V8, but that could be for something else.
From what we can make out of the heavy camo, the Tahoe’s mirrors have become considerably sleeker, while LED lights accompany the front fascia along with front-mounted ultrasonic parking sensors — could those be for a self-parking system of sorts? We certainly hope so.
Speaking of the fascia, there appears to be an oval-like shape in the center of the grille, rather than a bowtie. We’ll assume this is some sort of trickeration by the dress-up crew; it almost had us fooled, if not for the typical GM number and tag marking locations on the windows and covered Chevy logos on the wheels.
GM has high expectations for this new generation of SUVs, and for good reason, as they’ve just spent $500 million (not a typo) on the Arlington, Texas plant in the past three years. The full-size pickups are to be updated first, followed by the SUVs. But as it stands, which would you rather have: Asia’s new TrailBlazer? The new Traverse? Or this new Tahoe?
Horsepower and grip take the win.
Amid a legal battle with a GM supplier.
Generally following the market trend.
Plus, special leases on all-new premium three-row crossover.
View Comments
but what i don't get is that why putting the oval?
*this just in, Ford didn't really get their Blue Oval back, GM bought it*
haha wow that's some jumbo size Ford Badge lol
I think I'd take the Tahoe.
I would take the Trailblazer. Good combination of size, ride, price, and versatility. Besides, we want to lure the Trailblazer into North American market; Tahoe and Traverse will definitely be available here. Trailblazer gives me more range of choices.
that 5.5L V8 is very well rumoured to be the base engine in the C7. More power and more mpg that the current base 6.2
But then again you can find those front parking sensors in the Volt, SRX, XTS too and they dont have any self parking feature.
Yet the Ford offers it in some of their smallest models.
I don't think Fiesta has one does it?
The new TrailBlazer's size and versatility wins me over the chunky Tahoe. If I wanted something that large, I might as well get the Suburban. At least it has a trunk, and a third row that isn't laughable. The Traverse would be the next choice if I had nothing significant to tow.
So then if it's a Ford you would rather have a Explorer than Expedition?
No. Why would I want a fwd crossover that poses as an SUV (Explorer)? The TrailBlazer is a legit SUV.
just saying.... isn't the explorer the same dimensions as the trailblazer?
These are all about the same size: Traverse, Explorer, Durango, CX-9, Pathfinder (new) for CUVs, and the Tahoe, Expedition, Sequoia on the SUV side.
They better keep the suburban because that's one of the longest running nameplates
Suburban ain't going anywhere. i do recall reading somewhere that they might drop the Tahoe nameplate in favor of keeping the Suburban on as the sole BOF SUV, but that is apparently not the case.
By that, you mean rename the Tahoe the Suburban, and renaming the Suburban the Suburban XL?
How about just Tahoe and Tahoe XL?
Nope. Deep-sixing the Subarban name would be foolish.
No. The Tahoe would have gone away completely. Had the Volt not gone into production, I suspect that is what would have happened. However, the CAFE room it gives them should allow both BOF SUVs to stay for a while.
According to my research, the Suburban nameplate IS the oldest ever. F150, 911, and even the SL aren't as a old as it.
As for the Suburban itself, considering it occupys a unique part of the full-size SUV segment, I would like to cannibalize the Tahoe (thus better positioning it and making the name more aware) and offer better drivetrains (ex: 6-pot diesels, perhaps Voltec 2.0).
With better and more efficient powertrains, the Suburban can stay around longer and perhaps help shed the image of a gas guzzling SUV.
some people need the suburban.......you seat 7 and your not squeeze like a sardine in a can..found this funny some car company advertise 7 passenger 7 kids maybe..
I should hope that more power is part of the package, seeing as the 6.2L V8 was dropped from the Tahoe after MY 2009, and the current 5.3L is kind of outclassed as well, especially if rumors saying that the Expedition/Navigator twins will get the EcoBoost 3.5L V6 for 2013 prove to be true.
Also (I know I'm gonna get flamed for this), does anyone else see a hint of the Super Duty in the new front end (besides the trollbait oval)? I mean, it looks blockier than the current Tahoe.
I see a much more modernized current generation Silverado than a Super Duty, which I like that the split bar grille is still to stay.