Why the Chevy Tahoe Is the Perfect Family Vehicle

The Chevy Tahoe is a great family vehicle for many reasons, though one of the most obvious is the ability for the Tahoe to accommodate up to nine people with the right seating. Unless you buy a passenger van, you won’t find many vehicles that can cart around that many people at one time. While seating is an excellent reason to buy a vehicle if you have a family, the Tahoe also has a very family-friendly ability to keep your little ones entertained and comfortable, and it has lots of space to pack luggage and snacks. Buying a used Chevy Tahoe will save you money on the purchasing price of a brand-new vehicle, and knowing what features come with specific trims can help you decide which Tahoe is right for you.

Overview

In 2015, the Chevy Tahoe received a redesign for its fourth generation, which meant a whole new foundation, engine, styling, suspension, and interior. For all practical purposes, the Tahoe might as well have been a whole new SUV. When you consider all the new additions and then add new technology to the mix, few rivals could compete with the luxurious ride that became the Chevy Tahoe. Since then, the Tahoe has received a few added safety features or mild adjustments for fuel economy or appearance, but nothing major until 2021.

What buyers can expect in a Chevy Tahoe from 2015 to present models is a three-row SUV, which puts comfort and convenience in the foreground. When you sit in the plush interior, the quiet cabin with a smooth driving experience will give you a sense of luxury, even with the least expensive trims. Controls are placed within easy reach of the driver’s seat, and all the modern equipment for smartphone connectivity and charging is part of the convenience of the upgraded Tahoe. The exterior employs straight lines and a bold front end in its styling, and there is no doubt about the truck-based foundation being underneath this SUV.

Trims

The Chevy Tahoe is available in three trim levels: LS, LT, and LTZ. In 2017, the LTZ trim was changed to Premier, but three trim levels remain. Going back to 2015, the base, or LS trim, is the Tahoe to buy if you want three full rows of seats to hold nine passengers. The other trim levels hold either eight or only seven if the second row of seats was converted to captain’s chairs. With the base trim, you will find a plentiful array of features which afford a very comfortable ride, though the upper trims will offer more of the entertainment and safety features many families may be seeking.

In general, the LS trim will have conveniences like tri-zone climate control, rear privacy glass, remote start, powered accessories, a fold-flat third-row seat, cloth seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an eight-inch infotainment screen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, OnStar capability, a 4G hotspot, HD radio, five USB ports, a 110-volt outlet, rear parking sensors, and Chevy MyLink. The LT trim will gain additional features like a Bose audio system, leather seats, heated front seats, driver’s seat memory, powered liftgate, and the Enhanced Driver Alert package of safety features as standard.

Some Tahoe LT trims could have options like the captain’s chairs in the second row, a sunroof, or a rear-seat entertainment system. With the uppermost trim, whether the LTZ or Premier, magnetic ride control is standard and will smooth out every bump in the road. Heated and ventilated seats up front, along with the heated steering wheel, will make driving comfortable in any weather. Wireless charging, auto-dimming mirrors, xenon headlights, a hands-free powered liftgate, and power-folding third-row seats are a few of the luxuries to be found on the upper trim. Rear seat entertainment is optional for this trim, as is a head-up display and adaptive cruise control. The rear entertainment system can come with a Blu-ray player and wireless headsets, and in more recent years, it can stream content, too.

Engine, Towing Capacity, and Storage

The Chevy Tahoe has only one engine option between 2015 and 2018: a 5.3-liter V8 that makes 355 horsepower. With such a powerful engine, the Tahoe is able to tow up to 8,600 pounds with proper towing equipment and rear-wheel drive. With four-wheel drive, the towing capacity is reduced to 8,400 pounds. Some models may have the Max Trailering package, which adds a brake system and an upgraded suspension to prep the Tahoe for towing.

Both two-wheel and four-wheel drive are available for all trims, and the Tahoe even has the ability to go off-road. LT models could be outfitted with the Z71 off-road package, which upgrades the suspension, adds skid plates, fog lights, and 18-inch wheels as some of the additional equipment for off-road terrain. This package makes an excellent addition for families who enjoy camping and traveling in places where the roads are maintained less than well-traveled roadways.

The interior cargo capacity of the Tahoe is almost 95 cubic feet with all the seats folded down. When the second row is in place, the capacity for luggage or cargo is about 51.7 cubic feet, and trunk space behind the third row is about 15.3 cubic feet. Plenty of storage is located throughout the cabin in doors, bins, and pockets to stow away smaller items. Roof rails are standard equipment for all trims to allow for traveling with bikes, kayaks, or an extra luggage rack.

Safety

Standard safety features on all trims for the Chevy Tahoe include a wide range of capabilities. Airbags aside, the Tahoe will have electronic stability and traction control to help keep the vehicle on the road in slippery conditions, a collision warning system that will sense an impending impact and alert you, rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, and automatic emergency service deployment if OnStar is connected. The stability control will also link to trailer sway control when a trailer is hitched to the Tahoe. Child seat tethers and door locks are also standard equipment in the rear seats.

For upper trims, safety features like a driver’s safety alert seat, front parking sensors, forward collision alert, lane-departure assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring could be found on a used Chevy Tahoe. If the Enhanced Driver Alert package is installed—which is available for any trim—these additional safety features will be added, along with automatic high-beams and power-adjustable pedals. All these features are exceptional equipment to keep your family safe on the road, whether it’s preventing an accident, mitigating an impact, or calling for emergency services to get you to safety.

It’s Time to Find a Tahoe

When considering a used Chevy Tahoe for family travel and daily use, the space and capabilities of the Tahoe make this a perfect vehicle for road trips and around the town errands. If you want an SUV that can handle the adverse conditions of bad weather, rough terrain, and can help avoid accidents to keep your family safe, the Tahoe fits the bill. To have a vehicle with so much capability, from being able to tow a trailer for camping or equipment to be able to go off-road when you want to explore, will keep your world as wide as you wish it to be.

Anyone who plans to take a large group on a trip needs to travel with sports teams and all their equipment, or just has a large family will love both the space and the comfort of the Chevy Tahoe. Everyone can stay connected on the drive, and the driver can also have the navigation running while you drive to your next adventure. When you are ready, visit Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick near Lexington, KY, to find your Tahoe. Now there’s only one question left, where will you take your Chevy Tahoe?

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