Since the introduction of the Chevrolet K5 Blazer, General Motors has molded the shape of the personal SUV space. Arguably for the better, large personal vehicles such as the original Chevy Blazer have become part of the Americana vehicle archetype. Right up there with muscle cars like the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, to the Corvette, adventurous Jeeps, and the full size pickup truck such as the F-150 and Silverado. These are vehicles that people still romanticize about, both in America and abroad, in the face of an autonomous vehicle doomsday clock, fueled by lack of driving passion and Silicon Valley micro-dosing.
To wit, Chevrolet’s marketing team will openly admit the differences between customers of the Tahoe and Suburban nameplates. For the uninitiated, the Tahoe and Suburban may appear as the exact same vehicle, and to offer both marques simultaneously is pointless. But looking at the unfiltered data, and the demographics of the Tahoe and Suburban couldn’t be more different, and their places in the market couldn’t be more distant.
Those buying a 2018 Chevrolet Suburban, with an MSRP of $50,200, are likely a structured single-income family household, with one spouse averaging a salary well above $100K annually. The Suburban is used as a multi-role family carryall, that needs to fit the whole family, plus copious containers of cargo, to wherever it is they’re going. They might even be towing something, as well.
As for the $47,500 MSRP Chevrolet Tahoe, which features a shorter wheelbase, buyers likely represent a dual income household. Maybe there are kids, but it’s not for sure. The towering Tahoe has three rows of seating, despite owners largely using it for personal daily use, such as commuting. Customers buy the Tahoe out of discretion, not out of necessity, unlike the Suburban. It’s a vehicle that sold nearly 100,000 copies in 2017 based on preference and taste, to make a statement. A personal vehicle. Like a Camaro, or a Corvette.
So why does it feature a barely usable third row?
Reader Richard ponders the same.
“I think a third row seat delete should be an option. Not everyone needs three rows,” Richard notes in an email to GMAuthority.
At the moment, the only three-row vehicle that deletes its least-used row is the midsize GMC Acadia, with the All Terrain trim level. The notion is that it frees up more trunk space for those involved in the coveted “active lifestyle.” Which, if we’re honest with ourselves, that normally amounts to needing space for a duffle bag, a cooler, and a tent. Yet it’s the kind of personal adventurousness that the original Chevrolet Blazer pioneered fifty years ago, before the nameplate downsized and made room for the Tahoe in its previous space.
Deleting a third row in vehicles like the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and short wheelbase Escalade could indeed give a more personalized vibe to these American money machines. It would eliminate what is, in our opinion, an essentially redundant feature of the cramped third row seats, while opening the trunk space up to more Suburban-level capabilities. As it stands, the trio of short wheelbase GM fullsize SUVs provide neither ample third row seating nor practical trunk space, unless the seats are folded flat. The flat folding is made possible via a raised loading floor, compared to the previous generation.
There’s more potential here than simply removing a set of seats. General Motors could make the second row of the Cadillac Escalade more luxurious by putting more focus on the second row of seats, such as giving them greater reclining abilities and more leg room, made possible by setting the seat frames closer to the back near where there is no longer a third row. It could give the Chevrolet Tahoe a more tactical feel with a less cluttered interior. Same goes for the Yukon or Yukon Denali.
Let us know how you feel about Richard’s third-row delete idea in the comment section below.
Comments
Why do we have them? Because automakers over reacted to the minority of buyers wanting the option.
From the start the third row should have been an option that could be chosen if needed. Most of these vehicles have 1-4 people at best in them 98% of the time. The storage space under the floor could be much more viable to most owners.
The GMC Acadia at least offers this in the All Terrain. You also can opt for the two captain chairs in the second row or the 60/40 seat if you want the third passenger in the back second row.
It is not like they need a major redesign on this. It could be easily offered with minor changes.
Right now I am hauling around two third row seats I expect to never need or use. Weight and wasted space along with added cost to me.
I am not saying not offering the third seat but give me the option to delete it should I chose.
I purchased my first Tahoe, a 2000 Z71 with a 1999 body that came with a Brush Guard and NO third seat. The second seats folded flat, giving a huge cargo space. I replaced it with a 2008 Z71, and could not get it without the third seat. So, I removed it the first day I got it and have not replaced it since. The second seats in this model “fold”, but not flat. Not good.
The new Tahoes now have a fold flat third seat, that reduce height space. Worse.
I agree, more ” no third seat ” options need to offered. The ideal candidate is the Z71, which is, supposedly, an “off road”, not a “soccer mom” model. Maybe that will convince me to replace my 2008.
I think Chevy offered this as an option starting in 2018 on LS trim to bring the starting MSRP down. Wouldn’t be a bad idea for higher trim levels, as an option.
According to the order guide, you can only delete the 3rd row with either a fleet order, or the LS Custom Package, which adds Z71 wheels and a custom chrome grille, and in the configurator, costs $3,800. So it definitely doesn’t bring the MSRP down.
The Custom option package is a $3800 deduction. You loose the rear seat and the obnoxious raised package tray that was added to make the load floor flat when the 3rd row was folded. Many people did this removal on their own and covered the bare floor with a Weathertech floor mat. It was a nice touch to add the chrome grill and nicer wheels to the package. I would get it for sure, but with an updated Tahoe coming soon I’ll wait. I may reconsider if they drop the 8 or 10 speed in, just can’t see spending almost $50,000 and getting an old 6 speed tranny and no blind spot detection option (on the LS Custom).
2020 C8 CORVETTE Convertible
Why are they comparing a current Tahoe to a old blazer?
Not comparing them. Just mentioning the iconic status of the K5 as well as current Tahoe and how they both seem to line up as vehicles purchased to make a statement.
The ’99 Suburban’s rear seats are removeable…
Until 2015 the Suburban rear seats were removable. Before 2000 the 3rd row seats were an extra cost option.
I think that your previous 2 row full size SUV buyer is now your crew cab pickup buyer.
GM will never miss the opportunity to miss out on a profit. If they didn’t offer the 3rd row standard the other manufacturers would and then point fingers and make you question why GM doesn’t offer it. We had a 2007 Tahoe and the 3rd row was a huge waste because they didn’t fold flat into the floor, it got better in 2015 when they changed that design.
GM Could always make it “standard”, but then offer a credit option to delete it, and instruct dealers to keep a min/max percentage range of models without the third seat on the lot. That way, it shows as standard in any comparison by other manufacturers, but those that don’t want/need it can save a few bucks by ditching it . I would venture to say more than half would opt to delete it if offered money back. I would personally rather have a cargo floor that can be made completely flat, instead of “flatish”, and bonus if there could be a storage compartment under the floor where the seat would normally fold into.
YES! YES! YES!
Why does the Tahoe have a rear seat? Chevy has the traverse and Suburban, and the rear seat in the Tahoe is basically useless, not to mention that if, or when you do manage to get people in the 3rd row the remaining trunk space is basically non-existent.
I personally think that the Traverse should replace the Tahoe and GM should make the Tahoe more like the blazer (off road worthy), or build an SUV on the Colorado platform. GM defiantly needs a smaller (than the Suburban) body-on-frame SUV, but i think it should be more like the Blazer/Jeep Wrangler 4-door.
Ford is bringing back the Bronco, and Jeep continues to do well with the Wrangler, why shouldn’t GM get in on the action? After all, returning to the midsize pickup segment seems to have worked well.
GM tired a off road truck called hummer and the public killed It! Was it perfect? No! But it was the best off road truck on the market.
If GM builds another version will the public just kill it off again?
The Hummer was a niche design for one. And for two, It wasn’t a Chevy.
I have a 2015 Tahoe with “fold flat” third seat. It does not fold flat and the raised floor limits cargo capacity. I removed third seat (7 bolts), stored it in my garage, bought a floor mat to cover the missing carpet. Much easier to carry stuff. I have had 3 Tahoes but will not buy another until the third seat is optional.
Hey David,
Did you have the power folding option on the 3rd row? I’m hesitant to buy my third consecutive Tahoe because of how much cargo space the 3rd row and plastic tray take up! I’ve loaded numerous items into my 2008 with the 3rd row removed leaving little room to spare. I’m hesitant to buy another Tahoe until I know I can remove the 3rd row, and how the cargo area will look once I do. Any chance you can share a couple photos of the cargo area and floor mat you used?
Thank you in advance, JJW
It should always have a third row. Many people want them. It is not up to any of you guys to decide what people want. Stating that few people want or need the third row is stupid and not backed up by the research. They could have a delete option but few will want it.
My own “research” is that in the three years I’ve had my Yukon (standard), I’ve used the 3rd row seat exactly twice. Both times it was only for convenience where two vehicles could have been used, but we all piled in to mine. The adults in the 3rd row were not exactly comfortable. For all the work the manufacturers do to reduce vehicle weight by a few pounds here and there, they could just offer a “delete” on the 3rd row seat and BAM- 80 pounds saved right now!
Richard’s email is right on the money and glad to hear someone else feels the same way. For me to consider an SUV I’m looking for the ‘utility’ aspect of the vehicle, meaning how much gear/equipment can I get in there and those 3rd row seats just waste the space in addition to taking a notch out fuel economy by carrying around a useless 150lbs seat around. The lift height required to get gear in the back is increased by about 4-5 inches because of that seat, that would be nice to have free. Some might say “well then there’s the Equinox or Terrain”, not big enough for me and I’m not wanting to pay the premium price tag for the Acadia All Terrain and be so close to the Tahoe which has greater capability when you include the towing aspect.
Yes SUV’s are a key component to today’s automotive world but there needs to be balance between serving families as well as those who’d look for the usefulness of their potential, there’s a sweet spot for 3 row SUV’s and there’s also the same for 2 row and the later needs to be addresses, and as Richard points out, there’s further packaging options that could be beneficial for both OEM’s and consumers that would be profitable. So if GM manages to offer “seat delete” option, I know where I’m going first for an SUV.
I’m not buying a Tahoe because 98% of the time it’s just me. 2% of the time my wife joins me. Big V8, 4×4, auto transmission gets my money every time. I don’t care about sun roofs or entertainment in the back seat. Fold flat is a must. Build it I’ll buy.
Suburban’s have been in my family since 1972. Suburban’s used to be 2 rows standard with the 3rd row seats as an EXTRA COST OPTION. Do the same now, standard 2 rows for the Tahoe’s/Suburban’s, Yukon’s, and Escadale’s. Had a 2000 Suburban and had the standard 3rd row removable seat in it just 3 times in 16 years. My 2016 Suburban with the fold not so flat 3rd row seat has been set up and used just once in over 2 years. With the 3rd seat folded flat, and the behind 3rd row seat in floor storage, my 2016 Suburban has 13 cu ft less cargo space (2000=143 cu ft max cargo space, 2016=121 cu ft max cargo space) then my 2000 Suburban had even though the 2016 is 4″ longer overall and 2″ wider overall. The 3rd row seat is useless for people who actually use the vehicle for what it was originally designed for, hunting, fishing, camping, hauling/pulling, and working.
I JUST ORDERED MY 2018 TAHOE AND WISH I HAD THE OPTION TO DELETE THE THIRD ROW . MY 2ND ROW SEAT BARELY GETS USED,BUT I STILL LOVE THE TRUCK. MY 2018 IS THE RST VERSION WITH ALL THE TOYS
Gm needs to bring back the K5 full-size Blazer or 2 door tahoe .Will sell like hotcakes. If they made it with a removable top like it past models. It might take a huge bite out of the jeep market.
Won’t happen. A 2 door vehicle is a hard sell these days. Look at all of the 4 door sedans available and the few 2 door coupes available in various models. Second row seating in a 2 door vehicle is too hard for the soccer Mom’s and grocery getters to get their kiddoes and child seats in and out of. Plus as people get lazier and fatter it’s too hard for an adult to get in and out of the back seat in a 2 door vehicle.
Have been looking at the 2018 Tahoe Custom which comes standard without the 3rd row seat. Only drawback is despite the name, has barely the LS list of options available. It’s a bare bones SUV and the price difference is only about 4k less than a much nicer LT version on year end clearance.
I agree with the writer. The 3rd row is mostly empty and should be an option. i would think the weight reduction may help the MPG, also. I think GM is leaving the 3rd row in .. not because of demand… but because of higher MSRP.. I personally don’t like the elevated seating – just to give flat back storage… I loved my 2 door 1996 Tahoe … with only 2 rows. Maybe i’m just nostalgic ??? I also don’t understand why this market doesn’t support more Coupe cars, either. Oh well.. .maybe i’m getting old.
Have 250,000 miles between 2 Tahoes. First one didn’t have the rear seat, current one does. Have never used the rear sests. The tracks are a pain to clean I would rather not pay for seats that are never used not to mention the improved cargo area with no seats. The 3td riw shoild be an option fir thise who want the additional seating. Started to look at the 2018 Tahoe and was disappointed to learn there is no choice regarding the 3rd row. Not sure what I’m going to do, really like the Tahoe overall.
This has got to be one of the dumbest arguments I have ever heard! Can you imagine someone saying that they don’t want to pay for all of the crayons in the box because their no way I’ll ever use all of the colors! The crayons come in a box for a reason!
I like the idea of a third row delete. I’ve owned 3 Suburbans, a 1992, 2002 and I include my present 2015 GMC Yukon XL Denali. I hate the third row, that does not remove, and doesn’t fold flat, in my Denali . I also would want a panel between the second row bucket seats ( I could not order a rear bench seat in the Denali ) to keep everything packed in the back from visiting the floor between the second row seats when I need to use vigorous braking. I used my old Suburbans with the third seat removed and had a benach rear seat, this allows much better use of the space, in my opinion.
Thats weird you couldn’t order a rear bench seat for your Denali because we did a custom order with it for our 2017. It’s so much better than the captains chairs for our use. We’re in Canada although your dealer should have given you the option.
My 2016 Yukon Denali has a 2nd row bench seat. It’s a zero cost option from buckets.
Something that no one has mentioned is the fact that some families NEED the 3rd row. If you have more than 3 kids, it’s a necessity. I have a 07 Suburban LTZ and it has the captain seats in the 2nd row with removable 3rd row. We use all 3 rows a lot.
The article mentions how the Suburban, which you have, is regularly used with all three rows. It’s extremely rare for the Tahoe.
I personally don’t like the elevated seating – just to give flat back storage.
I wanted an Acadia without a third row seat. I have no use for a third row seat. I didn’t buy the All Terrain with two seat rows as the interior colors are ugly and I also didn’t want to pay for mandatory awd on All Terrain.
Make third row seats optional. Very few people need them. Save weight, increase mpg and get storage well space in lieu of third row seat.
The flat folding seats don’t take up much room when down, so is it really that big a deal? In the Tahoe they are there for those times when you want to transport a few more people. Lots of people use them. In fact I’d say the majority of people with Tahoes I see, are families with multiple kids, and they do end up using the seats. I think the people driving a Tahoe as a “personal vehicle” without a family/kids are a small minority, yet they are very vocal, as evidence by this article.
My all time favorite vehicle and still is today a Chevy K5 Blazer. The two doors and tight turning radius makes it a great in town vehicle and the capability as a rugged truck for hauling and towing makes it the only thing I use on weekends. I don’t need 4 doors and three rows of seats for my family or as my daily driver so the Tahoe we own is used as a vacation wagon. If GM built a new K5 fashioned on the ’75-’91 model, I would surely be a buyer! Front buckets and a rear bench with 2 doors is missing from the market!
I literally bought an All Terrain Acadia for this reason (& a few others). Me thinks the Bronco is going to attack this segment with laser guided ferocity & likely ridicule my “all terrain” capability (which is more of a “maybe something a tad rougher than a dirt road terrain”). She’s a great road vehicle though. More rattles than my ’05 Trailblazer already, but really my only complaint.thus far.
My current ride is an ’08’ Trailblazer bought new. It doesn’t have three rows and I like it. I never needed a third row and people I talk to don’t either. I’m about to replace it and don’t need a Tahoe Custom Limited Edition. I thought about the Acadia (All Terrain) but hate that basketball orange leather interior. Regardless of the SUV or crossover the unnecessary extra seats = unnecessary extraweight, in my opinion. Not everyone needs/wants 3 rows.
STOP!! We have this all wrong! The better and more obvious solution is to make a third row seat an OPTION, period, end of story! If you think you want and need a third row seat, then pay for it. Simple.. isn’t it, That’s how this all started years ago. This all got distorted when soccer-mom-zilla took control of the market. If you need that many seats, buy a mini van! But no way!…elitist yuppie, millennials driving a mini van!…perish the thought! So with this, we have to add third row seats to as many suvs that we can squeeze them in to. Not only that, we had to create a new segment of vehicles called crossovers to further accommodate these people. For the many consumers that do not need third row seats, and for whatever reason, remain silent or don’t care to comment, I please ask manufacturers to not charge us and include this useless, space robbing item in our vehicles! I am sure a third row seat adds a considerable amount of money to the price of a vehicle. Why should we have to pay for this if we never need or have the opportunity to use it?
As stated at the beginning of my rant, if you need it bad enough, then YOU should pay extra for this feature! Don’t make me take the burden of cost for this useless feature.
A 3rd row doesn’t cost that much to add to a vehicle. And, the majority of buyers want it, enough that companies decided to just put it standard. That’s just the way it is. Acadia offers the all terrain with 3rd row delete. I believe Toyota Forerunner does as well.
That said, I agree in principle. You can get a Tahoe or Suburban without the console and put 3 in front, 3 in back. As long as two of those 6 are children or small people, you’ll be fine, and then you get a big trunk for cargo. So yea, that would be nice if you could spec one without a 3rd row.
Exactly John P. That’s what i stated earlier. Before the 3rd row seat became standard in the Suburban’s in 2000 the 3rd row seat was a $250 extra cost OPTION. Who knows how much the manufactures are charging us in the base price now for a 3rd row seat we don’t want or need. Let the people who want the 3rd row seats pay extra for it just like any other option that person just has to have.
Clearly you don’t see how this works in order to keep cost down making a item standard equipment keeps the cost per unit lower.
In the world where people complain because cars and trucks don’t have a long list of standard equipment manufactures add things like 3rd row to the list!
I think you guys are making a big deal out of nothing
Why because the vast majority want the 3rd row. It is none of your business if I need it or not. I may think you don’t need to be on the internet but that’s not my business. Every option you have costs more on the line. Dealers carry what sells not what a few people want. If you don’t like the third row take it out. If they do offer a delete option special order one. I am sick of people who think they know what people want or need. Well I know what you need. It’s called a 4 door pickup with a cap. But again it’s not my business.
Anyone know how big a pain in the rump it is to remove the third row? Mine is the manual fold option, so I’m hoping it isn’t to bad.
Pay for something you don’t want. Struggle to remove it. Store it for years. Struggle to re-install. Thanks GM and the baby factories overproducing and using up limited resources.
I bought a used 2007 Tahoe that didn’t have the 3rd row installed but had the anchor points there. I have never had the need to use a 3rd row. So instead, I built a storage system in the back for when we go camping I can store gear and be more organized. I used 4 bolts that is used for the seat anchor/latches. 5 min and I can have the whole storage space. You can check it out on Instagram: @Tahoe.Adventures
I have a 1999 Tahoe Z71 before they ever added the third row. It’s perfect for what it was designed to be, a sport utility vehicle. I have plenty room for my camping gear and the dog, and if I don’t want to pitch my tent, I can fold down the 2nd row bench seat and have 78″ of perfectly flat surface to sleep on.
If you need a third row seat, get a damn Suburban.
I too have a classic 2000 Tahoe Z71. I parked it next to a 2019 Tahoe with 3rd row and laughed at the dealer trying to get me to downgrade to a 2019. I have 30% more useable space with my 18 yr old Tahoe
I removed the third seat (7 bolts), stored it in my garage, bought a floor mat to cover the missing carpet.
I purchased my first Tahoe (used) without 3rd row seats because it was similar to my parents Trail Blazer that I loved driving in 1984 even though it was an older vehicle. The Yukon I have now I ended up removing the 3rd row and storing them – what a pain in the …. AND have to pay more for something that is worthless. I wouldn’t own this type of vehicle except I live on dirt roads and live in a northern state, so necessary – trucks are worthless to me.
I agree that the 3rd row back seat should be an option. I like the luggage roll bar feature on my 2002 Tahoe Z71. The roll bar makes it possible to load my canoe by myself. This feature is no longer available. I will continue to drive my 2002 Tahoe with the luggage roll bar & NO 3rd row seats until it blows up or they make em that way again!
I am very disappointed with my 2017 Chevy Silverado does not have air vent for the back seat a big pick up truck with no air vents in the back
We had two loaded Tahoe LTs, a 1999 then traded for the new body style 2000, both without 3rd row seats. I don’t think it was even an option back then. Both had front bucket seats with a second row split bench seat that actually folded flat to create a totally level loading floor when needed. Both had large cargo areas to accommodate whatever we carried. Loved them! We then purchased a 2010 Escalade which came with the removable third row seats which are totally useless and have never used them. They’re heavy to remove and the floor is not totally flat due to the tracks and the plastic track trim. We were considering a new 2018-2019 Escalade but noticed they have non-removable not-so-fold flat 3rd row seats with the cheap idiotic raised plastic cargo floor which reduces the cargo height by 5-6 inches. Totally useless and a waste of money and weight. The “utility” has been lost in the SUV. For the $90-$100K purchase price, one should at least be afforded an option to delete them. We hate the third row seats and want the cargo space back! If I wanted a third row seat, I would purchase the extended length Escalade or a Suburban. We will not buy another GM full sized luxury SUV until a change is made.
I agree totally. I have a 2000 Tahoe Z71. I looked to buy new but found the space to be far less than what I currently have. Who wants to go from more to less. These 4WD vehicles were supposed to be about hauling stuff. If i wanted a 7 passenger vehicle I’d get a mini van
I have owned Tahoe’s/Yukons since 2000. (’00,’03, ’07,’10,’15,’17)
When the first one showed up with mandatory 3rd row seating I was disappointed. I didn’t want or need the 3rd row.
It is the first thing I do when I get the new vehicle home from the dealer. Pull the 3rd row out and down the basement they go.
Cover the floor with a weatherTech mat and floor mat and have usable space back. I also order 2nd row bench seats, no buckets needed there.
I really wish it would be an “include option” order if you want them otherwise leave them out.
If it’s so easy to fix why dont you do it and not make the factory do it? I support the way GM does it, 8t comes with 3rd row. Use it if you want or remove if you dont it’s up to the owner!
Then if you sell the truck the next person might be looking for a SUV with a 3rd row. And you would be screwed because now you dont have it and it becomes harder to sell!
Did you ever think of that?
GM makes so many pickups small ones full size with different seating n door configurations. Why the hell don’t they just make a full size (on frame) Fullsize 2 door Blazer bucket n bench Tahoe with what ever 2nd row seating and the 3rd fold flat in to floor. Suburban the same way or 3rd removalable. The pick up line up fullsize n the compact is ridiculous with what was mentioned above. My .02
I had a 2003, 2009, 2013 Tahoe with the option 3rd seat which I removed and stored for the storage. What a surprise when I purchased my 2017. I did not think that small slope would make a difference. First time I went shopping, 2 mellons fell out of the back when I opened the hatch. Not Happy I have had all cargo slope to the back hatch which makes me very careful when I unload. My cargo mat slips to the back and sometimes the hatch will not close. Disappointing. This was to be my last Tahoe if the slope to the back was not removed, glad it is being removed or an option.
There definitely needs to be an option for deleting the third-row seating. When I bought my 2009 Yukon the third row seats were easy to remove. I took them out the day I brought the vehicle home. I have competition dogs and my dogs travel in Zinger crash crates. I am now purchasing a new Yukon. The higher flooring doesn’t allow for my 30″ tall crates to slide in. The rear opening is now exactly 30″ and the interior floor to ceiling is 34″. Due to the rear floor storage compartment, that no one seems to know how to remove, I won’t be able to get my crates in the rear entry. The third-row seats would be forever folded down and are a complete waste of space. The other kicker is that if you want a Denali you can’t get one with 60/40 second row seats unless you have it built. These luxury SUV’s shouldn’t just be geared toward families with two-legged kids. I know many dog sport people that stay with the older versions of the Yukon, Tahoe, and/or Suburban for the same reasons I have mentioned. I held out getting a new Yukon for as long as possible because I knew this would be an issue.
I agree that GM should create a Tahoe that doesn’t have a third row, because I myself have no use for an extra row. I think they should replace the LS model with a model that doesn’t have a third row.
They have. It’s called the Custom Edition, and is only available on the LS model. I bought one.
Would like an article on how the 2020 VETTE adjustable front suspension works??
A market exists for affluent (not uber-rich) buyers who like creature comforts, but work hard 6 days a week and want a running board for the lady and luxury on Sunday on the way to church. Many drivers never treat their vehicle as a bus for passengers. My 2016 has such a high rear deck, due to the cramped 3rd row seat, cargo space is very limited. If my hobby is cabinet making, I can’t put a $60 sheet of hardwood plywood in my Silverado and let the rain ruin it. If I have 7 tool boxes out for anyone to see and steal, having room to carry a bus-load of people does me no good. As a former engine builder, the 6.2 is a must and the “touring exhaust” was not cherry bombs, but authoritative when you nail it entering the expressway. So, yes, GM engineering and marketing, OFFER a 3’rd seat delete and it will sell.
Also need to bring back the 2 door Tahoe
I have a 2015 Chevy tahoe and love the third row seating and how easy it is to change over to cargo space very handy first SUV I felt was capable of both options
The 2007-2013 Z71 Chevy Tahoe has the rare factory option of no 3rd row seating. I have the 2008 version of the Z71 with no 3rd row seating. My 2nd row seating is bench style. Bought it because of this 3rd row delete feature. The rear cargo area is completely flat and big. No humps or hardware in the way unlike those that remove their 3rd row seats. Love it. Oddly, it does not have 4WD, so it’s a Z71 package without the “offroad 4WD”. It does have all the other Z71 hardware just no 4WD. A rare bird from GM. I don’t use 4WD much, so I still bought it. So, there are a few rare ones out there. I also have a 1987 K5 Blazer … my Tahoe feels a lot like a K5 Blazer inside with the unique configuration.
GM is missing a big market here IMO. They need to make more Tahoes like this or bring back the real K5 Blazer setup (no leather, no fancy interior crap, no 3rd row, etc.). If GM did it right listening to owners of old K5s, they would have a huge market and take a bite out of Jeep sales.
Actually having to accept 3 rows of seats is a deal breaker for my consideration of a Cadillac SUV. Guess Jeep Grant Cherokee is a good choice again.
I am an old mechanic from the 60s and 70s and have allways been more interested in under the hood and under the vehicle.I would like more info on the building the car and truck.I have been to a couple of factories that let you walk the assemby line except for a few areas.Today we have people from around the World getting to see what they will not let me see in the Factories.I know this for a fact because I have seen this with GE in Schenectady NY .Why is that?I can think of many things I have worked on that should have been corrected in the auto industry but the big guys are mostly looking at the money factor.
Having a third row area is important for parents that have children who want to be in their own space. We have a 2021 Tahoe LT with third row sitting. My kids like it better than the bench sitting on the second row. It is convenient to have than not to have. I would rather have it. The 2021 Tahoe is rummier and has a lots of space. So far so good.
I am a big guy and like the Tahoe but the third row seats are worthless to me and take up space. I currently drive a Blazer but it’s hard for me to get in and out. I was hoping that Chevy would take their que from Ford and come out with a 2 door Tahoe but no such luck. A 4 door Tahoe with third seat delete would be the next best thing because just folding the seat down you lose 6” to 8” headroom.