2020 Chevrolet Tahoe

The Tahoe can be had in one of three trims: LS, LT, and Premier. Pricing starts at $49,295 including destination for the LS and climbs to $63,995 for the Premier.

GM's tried-and-true 5.3-liter V8 engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission holds down the fort under the Tahoe's big hood. Premier models offer a 6.2-liter V8 with a 10-speed automatic as an option. The combo is good enough for a 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds – an impressive showing for what's a decidedly not-sporty SUV weighing well over 5,000 pounds.

Pulling 8,600 pounds of trailer requires two-wheel drive, but four-wheel-drive models only concede 200 pounds of towing ability. All three trims offer four-wheel-drive as a $2,000 option. Either way, if you want to lug around that kind of weight you'll need the $580 Max Trailer Tow package. It includes a 3.42 rear axle, rear level-ride suspension, and a trailer-brake controller.

Big as Texas and more upright than a refrigerator, the Tahoe excels at hauling all sorts of things and people. Only the LS can seat nine people, thanks to its front-bench credit option; the rest of the lineup seats up to eight.

Cargo capacity measures out to 52 cubic feet behind the rear seat; fold it down and there's 95.0 cubes to play with. Even with the third row upright, there's still 15 cubic feet worth of luggage or grocery space.

Though the rear-suspension design leaves the third row somewhat cramped, first- and second-row occupants will have plenty of stretch-out space in all directions. Abe Lincoln wouldn't need to doff his cap or scrunch his legs to sit comfortably in the back, thanks to 39 inches of second-row head room and leg room.

If you somehow need even more room than what the Tahoe offers, Chevy will gladly sell you a Suburban instead.

There's plenty of modern safety features to go around on the Tahoe. Automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keeping assist, and lane departure warning are all standard on LT and Premier trims and are optional on the LS. Premier trims also get front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane change alert.

Teen Driver, GM's nanny system designed to keep new drivers from acting recklessly behind the wheel, is standard on all trims.

Once you're past the LS trim, the only major optional driver-assistance features are adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and high-speed emergency braking. This trio of features is exclusive to the Premier's option list.

As with its approach to safety, the big Chevy doesn't skimp on in-car technology. Even LS models enjoy an 8-inch touchscreen, wi-fi capabilities, and smartphone integration. There's also standard OnStar and cloud services capability, though these features do require a monthly subscription and there's no complementary period included on any trim level.

The Premier does its best impression of a Cadillac with standard navigation, wireless charging, a Bose 10-speaker audio system, and keyless entry and starting. Optional is a large 8-inch driver information center that replaces the standard 4.2-inch unit normally nestled in the gauge cluster.

The Tahoe lineup begins with the LS. Don't call it a stripper, though. Standard features include six-way power front seats, SiriusXM satellite radio, rear parking assist, and multiple USB ports and 12-volt outlets. Tri-zone climate control serves to keep all rows comfortable. Cloth upholstery is standard; leather isn't available.

To upgrade safety features, tick the box for the Enhanced Driver Alert Package ($695). This includes automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, intelligent headlights, power-adjustable pedals, and a safety alert seat.

The middle of the range is the LT. Compared to the LS, the LT adds leather front seats seats, power-adjustable pedals, memory seats, a power programmable liftgate, and a manually adjustable tilt and telescoping steering column.

Buyers can equip their Tahoe with a moonroof with the romantically-named Sun, Entertainment, and Destinations Package that costs $3,430, which also includes navigation and a rear-seat entertainment system.

The top-dog Premier adds a host of standard features over the LT, including heated and cooled front seats, heated rear outboard seats, a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, power second row bucket seats, a power-folding third row, a hands-free liftgate, and a power tilt and telescoping steering column. Mechanically, the Premier benefits from GM's excellent electromagnetic dampers, known as Magnetic Ride Control.

The big deal here is the available 6.2-liter V8. The cheapest way into it is through the 6.2L Performance Package. It costs $3,570 and includes, besides the powertrain, a head-up display and 8-inch driver information center. The 6.2 Value Package costs $5,175 and adds to that list rear-seat entertainment and a power sunroof.

Compare Tahoe Trims Side-By-Side