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

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

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

As for powertrain, the 1995 Tahoe was equipped as standard with the 5.7L LO5 V8 gasoline engine, while 1996 and onward models received the updated 5.7L L31 V8 gasoline engine. Additionally, the turbocharged 6.5L Detroit Diesel V8 engine was only available for two-door models with 4WD. Offered exclusively in foreign markets, a turbocharged 4.2L I6 diesel engine was also available. The GM four-speed automatic transmission or five-speed manual transmission were the only transmission options.

2000 Chevrolet Tahoe Limited

In regards to output, the LO5 V8 produced 200 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, the L31 V8 developed 255 horsepower and 335 pound-feet of torque, and the Detroit Diesel churned out 180 horsepower and 360 pound-feet of torque.

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

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

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.

Speaking of powertrain, the second-gen Tahoe introduced two new engines, the 4.8L LR4 V8 gasoline engine and the 5.3L LM7 V8 gasoline. While smaller then the outgoing 5.7L Small Block, both engines produced more power, albeit less torque as well.

2001 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71

The 4.8L LR4 was rated at 285 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, while the 5.3L LM7 was rated at 295 horsepower and 335 pound-feet of torque.

It’s worth noting that a 5.7L Small Block V8 Tahoe was sold exclusively in Mexican markets.

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

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 1^st 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

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.

As for powertrain, the third-gen Tahoe saw a bump in fuel economy to the tune of the 2 to 3 mpg thanks to the addition of Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation technology. The 4.8L LY2 V8 was standard from model years 2007 to 2009 and produced 295 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque, while the 5.3L LY5 V8 lasted the entire model run, and developed 320 horsepower and 340 pound-feet of torque.

2011 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ

For just the 2009 model year, the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ was available with the 6.2L L92 V8 gasoline engine. First offered in the 2007 Cadillac Escalade, this all-aluminum powerplant churned out 395 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of torque.

Starting with the 2008 model year, the third-gen Tahoe was also offered as a hybrid. This model featured the shared GM / Chrysler Advanced Hybrid System 2, which combined the 6.0L LFA V8 gasoline engine with two supplemental electric motors. The 6.0L LFA produced 332 horsepower and 367 pound-feet of torque alone, while the electric motors brought total output to 379 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque.

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.

Third-Generation Chevrolet Tahoe Photos

Fourth Generation

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

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

In the powertrain department, the fourth-generation Chevrolet Tahoe was standard with the 5.3L L83 V8 gasoline engine, rated at 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, throughout its entire production run. It’s worth noting that this engine produced more power when fed flex fuel, boosting output to the tune of 376 horsepower and 416 pound-feet of torque.

Later on, the 6.2L L87 V8 was made available for the 2018 Tahoe RST Performance package. This powerplant churned out 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. As for drivetrain options, the only transmission offered was the GM six-speed automatic transmission.

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.

Fourth-Generation Chevrolet Tahoe Photos

Fifth Generation

2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71

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

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

In regards to engine options, the fifth-generation Chevrolet Tahoe has three powerplant choices. These include the naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 L84 gasoline engine, rated at 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine, rated at 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and the 3.0L I6 LM2 turbodiesel Duramax, rated at 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.

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

Fifth-Generation Chevrolet Tahoe Photos