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Chevrolet Tahoe

The Chevrolet Tahoe is a full-size SUV marketed globally by General Motors. The Tahoe replaced the original Chevrolet Blazer as GM’s entry level, body-on-frame SUV.

First Generation

1995 Chevrolet Tahoe.

1995 Chevrolet Tahoe

The first-generation Chevrolet Tahoe was essentially a rebranded Chevrolet Blazer, but with the addition of a longer, four-door variant. Notably, this generation was the only generation in which a Tahoe could be optioned with two doors.

The first-gen Tahoe, as well as the GMC Yukon, rode on the GMT400 platform. The Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL also used this vehicle platform. Despite the shared platform, the Tahoe and Yukon were significantly shorter in length than the Suburban and Yukon XL. Production took place at assembly plants internationally, including the GM Arlington plant in Texas, the GM Janesville plant in Wisconsin, the GM Silao plant in Mexico, the GM Cordoba plant in Argentina and the GM Valencia plant in Venezuela.

1997 Chevrolet Tahoe.

1997 Chevrolet Tahoe

General Motors never gave the first-gen Tahoe a mid-cycle refresh but did introduce a few updates every year.

Powerplant specifications included:

First-Generation Chevrolet Tahoe Engine Options
Model Year Engine Horsepower Torque (pound-feet) Fuel Type Aspiration Notes
1992 – 1995 5.7L V8 L05 200 310 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated -
1994 – 1999 6.5L V8 L56 180 360 Diesel Turbocharged Two Door 4WD Models Only
1996 – 2000 5.7L V8 L31 255 335 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated -

Transmission options included two four-speed automatics and a five-speed manual transmission.

2000 Chevrolet Tahoe Limited.

2000 Chevrolet Tahoe Limited

Production spanned from model years 1995 to 2000, while the 1999 Tahoe had a trim lineup that ranged from Base, LS, LT and Z71. It’s worth noting that GM sold the Chevrolet Tahoe Limited alongside the second-generation Tahoe for the 2000 model year only.

Second Generation

2000 Chevrolet Tahoe.

2000 Chevrolet Tahoe

The second-generation Chevrolet Tahoe debuted for the 2000 model year, and was sold in conjunction with the aforementioned Tahoe Limited. Based on the GMT800 platform, this generation of the Tahoe received a complete overhaul over the preceding model, including softer, more aerodynamic styling features and an interior overhaul.

Production took place at the GM Arlington plant in Texas, the GM Janesville plant in Wisconsin, the GM Silao plant in Mexico, and the GM Kaliningrad plant in Russia.

2000 Chevrolet Tahoe.

2000 Chevrolet Tahoe

For the 2003 model year, the Chevrolet Tahoe received a mid-cycle refresh. This revision included new safety features, new radio system, a redesigned instrument cluster, and a updated steering wheel, as well as minor electrical and powertrain revisions.

In regard to powertrain, engine options included:

Second-Generation Chevrolet Tahoe Engine Options
Model Year Engine Horsepower Torque (pound-feet) Fuel Type Aspiration Notes
2000 – 2006 4.8L V8 LR4 285 395 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated -
2000 – 2006 5.3L V8 LM7 295 335 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated -

Transmission choices consisted solely of a four-speed automatic.

2001 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71.

2001 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71

Production of the second-gen Chevrolet Tahoe spanned from the 2000 to 2006 model years, while the trim lineup on the 2006 Tahoe ranged from LS, LT and Z71.

Third Generation

2007 Chevrolet Tahoe.

2007 Chevrolet Tahoe

The third-generation Chevrolet Tahoe launched in late 2005 as a 2007 model year vehicle. This generation Tahoe rode on the GMT900 platform, and had a much more angular design theme as compared to the second-gen Tahoe, as well as a significantly redesigned interior.

Production of the third-generation Tahoe began on December 1st 2005 at the GM Arlington plant in Texas, later following suit at the GM Kaliningrad plant in Russia and the GM Valencia plant in Venezuela.

2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid.

2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid

The 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe saw a relatively mild mid-cycle refresh, with a slightly raised front bumper, revised interior door trimmings, and improved safety with side torso airbags and optional side blind zone alert.

Powertrain choices included:

Third-Generation Chevrolet Tahoe Engine Options
Model Year Engine Horsepower Torque (pound-feet) Fuel Type Aspiration Notes
2007 – 2009 4.8L V8 LY5 295 305 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated -
2007 – 2014 5.3L V8 LMG 320 340 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated Flex Fuel Capable
2008 – 2009 6.0L V8 LFA 332 367 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated Paired With Two Electric Motors
2008 – 2009 6.2L V8 L92 403 415 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated LTZ Model Only
2010 – 2013 6.0L V8 LZ1 332 367 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated Paired With Two Electric Motors

Transmission options included a four-speed automatic, six-speed automatic, and CVT.

2011 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ.

2011 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ

Production of the third-generation Chevrolet Tahoe spanned from the 2007 to 2014 model years, while the trim lineup on the 2014 Tahoe ranged from LS, LT and Z71.

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Fourth Generation

2016 Chevrolet Tahoe.

2016 Chevrolet Tahoe

The fourth-generation Chevrolet Tahoe debuted in February 2014 as a 2015 model year vehicle, and rode on the GM K2XX platform (K2UC for Tahoe and K2UG for Yukon). This generation of the Tahoe saw an overall improvement in aerodynamics and efficiency, as well as entirely different sheetmetal from its Chevrolet Silverado brethren. On the interior, passenger space was increased, and fold-flat second- and third-row seats were now standard affair. Overall, this generation of Tahoe increased the daily livability of the Bow Tie’s full-size SUV.

Production of the fourth-gen Tahoe began in December 2013 at the GM Arlington plant in Texas. These first vehicles were used for testing purposes, as the Tahoe officially arrived on dealership lots in February the following year.

2018 Chevrolet Tahoe RST.

2018 Chevrolet Tahoe RST

General Motors never gave the fourth-gen Tahoe a mid-cycle refresh but did introduce a few updates every year of production.

Powerplant options included:

Fourth-Generation Chevrolet Tahoe Engine Options
Model Year Engine Horsepower Torque (pound-feet) Fuel Type Aspiration Notes
2015 – 2020 5.3L V8 L83 355 383 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated Flex Fuel Capable
2018 – 2020 6.2L V8 L87 420 460 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated RST Package Only

A six-speed automatic served as the only transmission choice.

2019 Chevrolet Tahoe.

2019 Chevrolet Tahoe

Overall, the fourth-generation Chevrolet Tahoe was an extremely popular full-size SUV offering. GM recorded three out of six years of production where the Tahoe sold more than 100,000 units.

Production of the fourth-gen Chevrolet Tahoe spanned from the 2015 to 2020 model years, while the trim lineup on the 2020 Tahoe ranged from LS, LT and Premier.

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Fifth Generation

2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71.

2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71

The fifth-generation Chevrolet Tahoe was unveiled at the Little Caesars Arena in Michigan on December 10th 2019. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this next-gen Tahoe didn’t begin production at the GM Arlington plant in Texas until May 18th 2020, and arrived on dealership lots in June 2020.

The fifth-gen Tahoe rides on the GM T1 platform, which it shares with the Silverado 1500. However, this generation of Chevrolet’s full-size SUV it noted for the introduction of an independent rear multilink suspension setup with coil springs over the pickups live axle and leaf spring setup. This new suspension system improved ride quality, as well as created more room in the cargo area and for second- and third-rowing seating.

2022 Chevrolet Tahoe High Country.

2022 Chevrolet Tahoe High Country

The fifth-gen Tahoe retains much of the preceding Tahoe’s boxy styling, but with a more rounded design. On the inside, the interior has been completely overhauled, with a standard 10.25-inch infotainment screen, as well as a driver-centered steering wheel. An Air Ride Adaptive Suspension system is standard affair on higher trim levels.

2022 Chevrolet Tahoe RST.

2022 Chevrolet Tahoe RST

Fifth-gen Tahoe powerplant options include:

Fifth-Generation Chevrolet Tahoe Engine Options
Model Year Engine Horsepower Torque (pound-feet) Fuel Type Aspiration Notes
2021 – 2025 5.3L V8 L84 355 383 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated -
2021 – 2025 6.2L V8 L87 420 460 Gasoline Naturally Aspirated -
2021 – 2024 3.0L I6 LM2 277 460 Diesel Turbocharged -

A 10-speed automatic was the sole transmission offering.

Production of the fifth-generation Tahoe is currently ongoing, and the trim lineup of the current 2023 Tahoe ranges from LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premier and High Country.

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More Chevrolet Tahoe Resources

Follow these links for more Chevrolet Tahoe information:

Chevrolet Tahoe Pages

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