Used 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe

One year into a new generation, the 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe full-size SUV is thriving. It was named one of the Best Family Cars of 2021 by Kelley Blue Book.

Yes, it’s still based on a truck (the Chevrolet Silverado) and uses a traditional body-on-frame construction, but it has more space and a comfier ride than ever before, plus impressive towing abilities, as well as a decent amount of modern tech.

The Tahoe is a perennial best-seller among full-size SUVs in the United States, especially when counted with its long-wheelbase variant, the Chevrolet Suburban. Not everyone needs a huge, 3-row SUV that seats up to nine people, but those who do are lucky enough to have this as one of their choices.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban is reviewed separately.

If anyone has experience of being in an earlier generation of the Tahoe and decided they need something with a better ride quality, check out this new Tahoe. This fresh model ditches the old solid rear axle for an independent setup that’s far more sophisticated and refined.

It can be improved even more by the optional Magnetic Ride Control (available in the higher trims), deploying electronically adjustable shock absorbers with near-instantaneous responses to the driving conditions of the moment. In tandem with the adaptive air suspension (also available in pricier versions of the new Tahoe), ride comfort attains luxury-car levels.

Both V8 gasoline engines are willing and able. The optional diesel is also a hard worker, whose maximum torque comes in strong and early, great for ascending mountain roads.

Gears are selected by buttons instead of a lever or column shift. This requires some getting used to, but it means the center console’s space is maximized.

We’re glad to see a vehicle of this size come standard with parking sensors at both ends. Considering the 2022 Tahoe is made for transporting many people, we recommend going for as many advanced safety systems as possible.

The LS offers the option of a 9-seater arrangement with a 3-person front bench. The regular arrangement is two up front, with three places in each of the second and third rows. The LT, RST, and Z71 have a pair of second-row captain’s chairs on their options lists, and these are standard in the top Premier and High Country trims.

Space is generous in all three rows. Even back in the third row, where there’s 34.9 inches of legroom. The (sliding) second row has a similarly expansive 42 inches. Seat coverings range from durable cloth to perforated leather.

A powered, movable center console (it slides forward and back by 10 inches) is yet another standard feature in the two upper trims and optional in the three below. It includes a drawer, secure storage, manual sliding armrest, and cup holders for those in the second row.

The area behind the third row seems like it could fit the entire inventory of an airport mall’s luggage store, measuring 25.5 cubic feet. As the seats fold, cargo volume expands to 72.6 and then a cavernous 122.9 cubic feet.

The Chevy Tahoe doesn’t try to disguise its size. Instead, this large SUV makes a virtue of it. There’s a family resemblance to the Silverado, which is just as imposing.

The base LS trim has 18-inch alloy wheels. Sizes go up to 22 inches with the High Country version. RST trim is the most assertive member of the lineup with black-finished exterior elements, including its wheels and grille. The Z71 has a front skid plate contoured to emphasize this variant’s off-roading credentials.

DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER
Newly available from the LT trim and up, this digital driver information display complements the freestanding 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen to make the Chevy Tahoe’s cabin feel nicely tech-rich.

DIESEL ENGINE
Although diesel is about as popular with some people as a bout of flatulence on the International Space Station, it nevertheless does two things extremely well. A turbocharged diesel engine generates a lot of torque, and torque is the force that gets things moving. It’s also less thirsty than a gasoline engine. A couple of great attributes to have especially while off-roading, one might think, yet Chevrolet has decided not to make it available in the Z71 model.

LS is the lowest trim level of the 2022 Tahoe range, but still comes with a respectable amount of standard equipment. Included are 18-inch alloy wheels, LED exterior lighting, rain-sensing wipers, heated side mirrors, side steps, keyless entry/ignition, remote start, 3-zone automatic climate control, cloth upholstery, two 120-volt outlets, programmable Teen Driver key, and power-adjustable front seats.

Driver assistance features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance/lane-departure warning, rear seat reminder, front/rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams. The new Buckle to Drive feature this year encourages seat belt use by keeping the vehicle in Park until the driver’s seat belt is clicked into place.

A 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen comes in all new Chevy Tahoe models, along with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, Wi-Fi, six USB ports (including Type-C), satellite radio, and Bluetooth.

Despite all these features, we still recommend the next-up LT trim if finances allow, to gain useful extras like the new-for-2022 12-inch digital driver information display, memory settings for the driver’s seat, heated front seats, self-dimming rearview mirror, universal garage door opener, hands-free liftgate operation, and wireless charging. A Bose 9-speaker audio system and navigation are also added.

Apart from 4-wheel drive, the LS trim isn’t eligible for many options. One thing we do advise, however, is selecting the Driver Alert package at $495. This is also optional in the LT, RST, and Z71 models (standard in the top two trims). It includes blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

Those three higher trims are also offered with a Luxury package bringing a 360-degree camera system and rear pedestrian alert, plus self-dimming side mirrors, power-adjustable steering column, heated steering wheel, and heated outboard second-row seats. A dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system and a powered dual-pane panoramic sunroof are offered from the LT level and up.

A Sport Performance package for the RST is new this year, adding the larger V8 and the Magnetic Ride Control suspension (which is also optional in the Z71, standard in the Premier and High Country).

A new Off-Road Performance package is also offered with the Z71, which is already the dedicated tarmac-shunning version of the Chevy Tahoe — with a front skid plate, all-terrain tires, and 4-wheel drive as standard. This bundle is essentially the bigger V8. An Off-Road Capability package brings Magnetic Ride Control and the adaptive air suspension, plus an electronic limited-slip differential.

Premier is one rung down from the top, leaning toward luxury. It has a Bose 10-speaker surround-sound system as standard, along with heated/ventilated front seats, and a Safety Alert Seat (warning drivers of hazards in a most fundamental way). It’s eligible for a head-up display and the big V8, both of which are standard in the High Country model.

Premier and High Country are the only trims that qualify for the new Reverse Automatic Braking feature. It’s the same situation with adaptive cruise control, which is included in a choice of option bundles. For example, the High Country Deluxe package also adds a powered panoramic sunroof, power-retractable side steps, adaptive air suspension, and the Max Trailering package with extra cooling.

The principal form of propulsion in the 2022 Tahoe range is a naturally aspirated 5.3-liter V8 developing 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque.

A 6.2-liter V8 is standard in the top High Country trim, producing 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. This engine is also optional in the RST, Z71, and Premier trims.

The larger of these two V8 engines runs on premium gasoline, the standard 5.3 is fine with regular. Both have a stop/restart function that saves a few drops of fuel while idling.

For the same amount of torque as the bigger V8, but with lower fuel bills, Chevrolet offers a 3.0-liter diesel engine — turbocharged, and configured as an inline-6. It’s offered as an option in all trims except for the Z71.

All 2022 Tahoe engines connect to a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive (RWD) standard in most cases. Four-wheel drive (4WD) is available across the range, standard in the Z71.

These fuel economy estimates from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) relate to 2021, but we don’t expect any changes for 2022.

5.3-liter V8
355 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
383 lb-ft of torque @ 4,100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/20 mpg (RWD & 4WD)

6.2-liter V8
420 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
460 lb-ft of torque @ 4,100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/20 mpg (RWD), 14/19 mpg (4WD)

3.0-liter turbocharged diesel inline-6
277 horsepower @ 3,750 rpm
460 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/28 mpg (RWD), 20/26 mpg (4WD)