2023 Tahoe SS specs

  • The 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe adds the Performance model to its lineup at the 2022 North American International Auto Show.
  • The 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe Performance boasts 433 hp and 467 lb-ft from its 6.2-liter V8.
  • The new Performance model also features larger front rotors, Brembo brake calipers, and a lower ride height.

    The Chevrolet Tahoe RST already has gobs of power and a screaming V8 under the hood, but the company doubles down on performance SUVs with the aptly named Chevy Tahoe RST Performance at the Detroit auto show. Building on the already potent RST model, the RST Performance adds extra horsepower to the 6.2-liter V8, bigger brakes, and a revised suspension.

    That said, the 6.2-liter’s performance gains are on the minor side. The Tahoe RST Performance’s V8 boasts 433 hp and 467 lb-ft of torque; the new model is up 13 hp and 7 lb-ft. You might not feel that performance boost in the seat of your pants, but the dyno doesn’t lie. Chevrolet also bumped the top speed from 112 mph to 124 mph.

    Joining the extra power, the RST Performance adds larger front rotors that are still clamped by Brembo calipers. Chevrolet finished the front and rear Brembo calipers in a torch red finish that looks good behind the black 20-inch wheels. According to Chevrolet, this brake package brings you to a dead stop from 60 mph in 133 feet, which is a 6.4-foot improvement from the base RST.

    Underneath, Chevrolet switched to police-spec springs, retuned dampers, and police-spec suspension calibration. This Tahoe RST Performance is also nearly half an inch lower than the standard RST, which might not mean much on a racetrack but does make the RST Performance look more aggressive.

    Chevrolet says that the RST Performance is heading to production before the end of 2022 and will be available on the 2023 model year Tahoe. The extra power and brakes will set you back an extra $8525 on top of your already spendy Tahoe RST.

    Do you think this Performance pack is enough to warrant the extra cost? Tell us your thoughts below.

    Wesley Wren Wesley Wren has spent his entire life around cars, whether it’s dressing up as his father’s 1954 Ford for Halloween as a child, repairing cars in college or collecting frustrating pieces of history—and most things in between.

    Overview

    With tons of space inside for passengers and cargo, the 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe is big in all the ways you want it to be—but it feels more agile on the road than other large SUVs. Three engine options are available, and the Tahoe delivers decent towing capacity with any one of them. The entry-level engine is a 355-hp V-8 but a beefier 420-hp V-8 is just a check-box away on the order form. Unlike past generations of the Tahoe, a six-cylinder diesel inline-six is now also available. Three-row seating is standard and even the base LS trim comes equipped with popular infotainment and driver-assistance features. Off-road adventurers will find the Z71 model best suited for their interests, as it includes a two-speed transfer case, an adjustable air suspension, and meaty all-terrain tires. A more refined experience can be found in the pricier Premier and High Country models, but if you’re not careful you’ll find yourself paying Cadillac Escalade money for a Chevy. If you need even more room for cargo, consider the even bigger, mechanically similar Chevrolet Suburban, which we review separately.

    Where This Vehicle Ranks

    What's New for 2023?

    The 2023 model year brings three new paint options for the Tahoe: Silver Sage Metallic, Sterling Gray Metallic, and Radiant Red Tintcoat. An optional black grille is now available and it swaps the traditional Bowtie logo for all-caps letters spelling out the brand name. Premier and High Country models can now be optioned with GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving feature. A Performance package is now available on the RST model which adds a sport exhaust system, suspension tweaks, upgraded brakes, and 13 more horsepower from the 6.2-liter V-8 engine.

    Pricing and Which One to Buy

      We think the mid-level RST and Z71 models hold the best value, with the former being flashier and the latter being geared toward adventurous folk. We prefer the Z71's standard four-wheel drive, rugged appearance, and exclusive off-road equipment. We'd also upgrade from the standard 5.3-liter V-8 to the newly available 6.2-liter V-8, which brings an extra 65 horsepower and 77 pound-feet of torque. Our Z71 would also be equipped with the Z71 Signature package, which includes a whole host of desirable features. The highlights include blind-spot monitoring, a heated steering wheel and second-row seats, memory settings, a panoramic sunroof, a power-folding third row, and upgraded towing equipment.

      Engine, Transmission, and Performance

      The Tahoe has been powered by a V-8 for its entire life, which continues for this latest generation. However, its standard 355-hp 5.3-liter and available 420-hp 6.2-liter blocks are joined by a 3.0-liter diesel six-cylinder engine. While the oil-burner has the least horsepower of the three, its 460 pound-feet of torque matches that of the bigger V-8. Every Tahoe is equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission and either rear- or all-wheel drive. We tested the off-road-oriented Z71 model with the standard V-8, which also has a two-speed transfer case that provides traditional four-wheel drive, 20-inch wheels wrapped with all-terrain tires, and underbody protection. Our example had adequate acceleration, a firm brake pedal, and an impressively quiet cabin at highway speeds. The Z71 package also brings air springs (that allow the Tahoe's ride height to be automatically and manually lowered or raised) and adaptive dampers, which are standard on the upper-echelon Premier and High Country. The latter and the RST model both ride on glitzy 22-inch rims for added curb appeal.

        Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

        The most fuel-efficient Tahoe features the available diesel engine, with ratings of 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The standard 5.3-liter V-8 is estimated to be slightly thriftier in the city than the optional 6.2-liter V-8, but both are rated at 20 mpg on the highway. We tested a diesel-powered Tahoe on our 75-mph highway route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, and observed 27 mpg. For more information about the Tahoe's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

        Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

        The full-size Tahoe boasts a spacious interior, with what feels like acres of space compared with smaller, mid-size SUVs. Three rows of seats are standard, and the second-row seats slide fore and aft to provide flexibility that enables adults to sit comfortably in the wayback. The Tahoe's interior packaging also provides a low, flat load floor thanks to its independent rear suspension; the cargo area with the second and third rows folded balloons to 123 cubic feet. And we managed to fit six carry-on suitcases behind the third row. While we like that Chevy replaced the old column shifter with a push-button-and-slider setup, the motorized, retractable center-console lid seems gimmicky, especially since the control switch is located on the roof. Thankfully, the rest of the Tahoe's interior ergonomics are less egregious.

          Infotainment and Connectivity

          Placated passengers translate into relaxing road trips, and the Tahoe's robust infotainment and connectivity features help ensure that translation. Every model is outfitted with a 10.2-inch touchscreen that includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. In addition to its various interior charging ports, the three-row Chevy offers an optional Bose stereo system and an available rear-seat entertainment system with two 12.6-inch displays mounted behind the front seats.

            Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

            The Chevy offers several high-tech towing assists in addition to its loaded roster of standard driver-assistance technology. GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving feature is available as an option on the Premier and High Country trim levels. For more information about the Tahoe's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

            • Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
            • Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
            • Available adaptive cruise control with hands-free driving mode

            Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

            Although the Toyota Sequoia offers better complimentary maintenance, Chevy's limited and powertrain warranties are identical to those of every other SUV in the full-size class.

            • Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
            • Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
            • Complimentary maintenance is covered for the first visit

            Specifications

            Specifications

            2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71

            VEHICLE TYPE
            front-engine, rear/4-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 4-door wagon

            PRICE AS TESTED
            $76,175 (base price: $60,495)

            ENGINE TYPE
            pushrod 16-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
            Displacement
            325 in3, 5327 cm3
            Power
            355 hp @ 5600 rpm
            Torque
            383 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm

            TRANSMISSION
            10-speed automatic

            CHASSIS
            Suspension (F/R): control arms/trailing arms
            Tires: Goodyear Wrangler TrailRunner AT, 275/60R-20 115S M+S TPC Spec 2369MS

            DIMENSIONS
            Wheelbase: 120.9 in
            Length: 210.7 in
            Width: 81.0 in
            Height: 75.9 in
            Passenger volume: 178 ft3
            Cargo volume: 25 ft3
            Curb weight: 5866 lb

            C/D TEST RESULTS
            60 mph: 7.5 sec
            100 mph: 20.5 sec
            Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 8.4 sec
            Top gear, 30–50 mph: 4.1 sec
            Top gear, 50–70 mph: 5.5 sec
            1/4 mile: 15.8 sec @ 89 mph
            Top speed (governor limited): 115 mph
            Braking, 70–0 mph: 184 ft
            Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.63 g
            Standing-start accel times omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.

            C/D FUEL ECONOMY
            Observed: 14 mpg

            EPA FUEL ECONOMY
            Combined/city/highway: 18/16/20 mpg

            More Features and Specs

            Will there be a 2023 Tahoe SS?

            The 2023 Chevy Tahoe SS will most likely be a four-door model with more than enough power to send it flying. Currently, the most powerful engine in the Tahoe lineup is the 6.2-liter V8 engine. It pumps out 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque.

            How much does the 2023 Tahoe SS cost?

            What's New? The 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe is a roomy and comfortable full-size 3-row SUV with seating for up to nine. Prices start at $52,000.

            Is there a SS Tahoe?

            SS Tahoe was a steamship that operated on Lake Tahoe at the end of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th. Scuttled in 1940, the wreck presently lies in 400 feet (120 m) of water off Glenbrook, Nevada.

            What is Tahoe SSV package?

            The 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe Special Service Vehicle (SSV) gives your department a versatile platform to take on a variety of tasks. Built on the next-generation Tahoe platform, it offers exceptional space, as well as trailering capability.

            What is the fastest Tahoe?

            More power plus pursuit-rated chassis and suspension upgrades make the RST Performance Edition the fastest version of Chevy's full-size Tahoe SUV.

            What Tahoe has the most horsepower?

            "The High Country's engine is the largest offered on Tahoe, a 6.2-liter V8 churning out 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, with an exhaust note that's more than a little Corvette-inspired, especially at full clip.