CAR REVIEW – 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV

I was provided with a week long test drive of the Chevrolet Tahoe featured in this post. This post has not been monetarily compensated. Please note that, as always, any personal opinions reflected in this post are my own.

I have always enjoyed driving an SUV. I have personally owned four SUVs in varying sizes. Of those no doubt my favorite is the full-size SUV. Despite many years of driving, one of the full-size SUVs that I have never had the opportunity to drive but always wanted to was the Chevy Tahoe. I think I was so curious about it because I saw so many of them. Well, recently I finally had my chance to drive one.

When I first looked at the 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe XLT I couldn’t help but think it was very attractive and streamlined. Some of the SUVs on the market look square-ish, and this is not one of them. To me it’s got a rather elegant appearance. I hesitate to gush further on the appearance and call it pretty for fear people will think I am saying it’s a “chick car”. It’s not. It’s suitable for anyone, and is especially suitable as a family vehicle.

The Chevy Tahoe is a big SUV. I felt very safe and secure while driving it.This SUV comes with seven air bags standard! There’s a standard front center air bag to go along with the standard front bucket seats that is designed to activate between the driver and front passenger to offer added protection in side-impact collisions. There’s also a 360-degree sensor system to ensure optimal air bag deployment comes standard and includes sensors on every door, a rollover sensor, and front and rear impact monitors. I am used to driving a vehicle approximately this size. I felt very comfortable behind the wheel. I appreciated the blind spot protection that would have been helpful in some of my older models, particularly while towing. The Tahoe also has a Lane Departure Warning system. What was really interesting about this one is that along with flashing a light the system also makes your seat vibrate to get your attention. It surprised me but I can see where it’s effective.
The Tahoe has no problem getting up to or maintaining speed at take-off, while merging, in around town traffic and on the highway with its 355 hp EcoTec3 5.3L V8 engine. This all-new engine offers an etimated 23 MPG on the highway. Sadly, we had a lot of weather so I didn’t get to really take her out and stretch her legs on the highways as much as I would have liked. It had a nice and smooth ride, not bumpy at all like some SUVs. The ride was also relatively quiet, with minimal noise from the outside, engine and exhaust. The steering on this 4-wheel drive SUV was quite responsive. Obviously a SUV of this size doesn’t corner like a car does, but all in all considering it cornered well.

Getting into the vehicle is super easy as it has power retractable running boards. The driver’s compartment to be very comfortable. And I do mean VERY comfortable. The soft and supple leather seats were nicely padded in all of the right places. Turn on the heated (or air conditioned) seats and you’ll just about melt. And speaking of toasty, I loved the heated steering wheel on the cold and snowy days!
There was lots of headroom, legroom, hiproom, shoulder room and every other kind of room. The console in the middle of the front seat had space for charging and cup holders. When you open the console you see a huge compartment that can actually hold a laptop, or something of similar size such as files.


The dashboard had a lot of features and was a little different then I am used to. Gauges were boldly marked and easy to read. Certain things could be configured to read digitally in the center panel, such as the speedometer if you choose.

The center of the front compartment contains the Chevrolet MyLink 8-inch diagonal color touch-screen. You can arrange the icons to suit your needs, and customize a lot of the information you see. Controls for the SiriusXM Satellite Radio and HD Radio, navigation, telephone, climate and more are in there. Whatever feature you are using occupies the screen. The one thing that I couldn’t figure out is how configure the screen to display more than one thing at once, either by dividing it multiple sections like the Ford screens allow. That would have been something I would have really liked to do because I just find it the most convenient to use.

A secret compartment lies behind the screen, where the driver can store valuables such as a wallet, or place an electronic device to charge. If you’re into feeling like James Bond, the screen is passcode-protected to help keep valuable items safe and securely out of reach while the vehicle is in Valet mode. I found it very cool. Beneath the screen is where you find access to the CD/DVD player as well as the manual sound and climate controls.
Another cool thing is how connected the vehicle allows people to be. With up to 13 charging locations, including up to six USB ports and Wireless Charging to connect phones, plus a 110-volt three-prong plug to charge your laptop and other devices, there’s no shortage of places to plug in. Chevrolet MyLink allows you to sync up by bluetooth or USB to provide the system access to your contact list, playlists and select mobile apps.

The middle seating section was also comfortable. The captains chairs make for a very comfortable passenger ride. The one downfall I found with the captains chairs is that there was no center console.

The built-in entertainment system was well positioned in the center of the middle row, enabling everyone seated in the middle and back row to see the screen.

Which brings me to the back seat. It’s functional. I personally couldn’t sit back there for any duration. It only has 2 foot of leg room, which just won’t work well for a long duration for someone that’s 6 foot tall. It is perfect for tweens and smaller passengers. Behind the third row is a storage section that is roomy enough to hold a few totebags, or groceries. If you have the third row and need more storage room you can always fold the third row down with the press of a button. With the middle and third row seats flat the Tahoe contains 94.7 cu. ft. of cargo space.
About the cargo space. Tahoe’s power liftgate is programmable power so it will only raise to certain heights and not hit your garage door. How cool is that! And more coolness, there’s a sensor under the rear bumper that enables the user to open the liftgate with a kick. No more juggling packages to open the back! Love it!
It was easy to understand why I have seen so many Tahoes on the road through the years. It’s got eye-appeal and is very capable. It’s a lot of vehicle with a lot to like.
The MSRP for the 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe starts at $46,300.
CONNECT
Chevrolet website – Chevrolet on Facebook – Chevrolet on Twitter