The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Classy styling
- Powerful V-8s (or a turbodiesel)
- Vastly improved ride and handling
- Lots of screens
- Loaded with family-friendly features
Dislikes
- Low fuel economy
- It’s expensive, even compared to pricey rivals
- My how you’ve grown
- Towing slips behind rivals
Buying tip
features & specs
The 2022 Chevy Tahoe upgrades to business-class seating and top-tier power, but safety gets smudged in federal testing.
What kind of vehicle is the 2022 Chevy Tahoe? What does it compare to?
The Tahoe is Chevy’s three-row, nine-seat SUV that isn’t a Suburban. It’s shorter than that mammoth utility vehicle, but it’s still a massive vehicle that compares to vehicles like the Ford Expedition and GMC Yukon.
Is the 2022 Chevy Tahoe a good SUV?
It’s a strong performer with either of its available V-8s, rides and handles better than it ever has, and comes with the latest safety technology. Fuel economy and crash tests have been disappointing so far. We give it a TCC Rating of 6.8 out of 10 (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What’s new for the 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe?
The marvelous 6.2-liter V-8 is more widely available, and an electronic limited-slip differential slots into the Tahoe Z71. The Tahoe LT and higher-spec versions get a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and active lane control and parking sensors now are standard.
New last year, the 2022 Tahoe wears a confidently angular look. It’s boxy, sure, but the wide electric-razor grille and kicked-in LED headlights give it major presence, especially in someone else’s rearview mirror. The Tahoe’s cabin keeps the momentum up with an elegantly functional design, from its big dash-mounted touchscreen to the electronic gear shift that’s replaced the bulky console lever. In the High Country’s leather-trimmed interior, the Tahoe’s a soft-spoken luxury hideaway.
GM fits a 277-hp turbodiesel in any Tahoe except the off-roady Z71, and makes it standard on the High Country. We’d skip it in favor of either the 353-hp 5.3-liter V-8 or the 420-hp 6.2-liter V-8. With abundant torque channeled smartly through a 10-speed automatic and rear- or four-wheel drive, the V-8 Tahoes can tow more than 8,000 lb and poke through traffic with ease, though gas mileage is low despite the fancy new gearbox. The Tahoe has a composed ride that gets better yet with the adaptive damping and air springs on the most expensive models (of course), and genuinely drives like a smaller vehicle.
That sensation evaporates when nine people clamber aboard. The base-spec Tahoe with a front bench seat has room for them all; of course, most will prefer Tahoes with second-row captain’s chairs, leather upholstery, and heating and cooling. They’ll still enjoy a place for up to seven people, and more than 122 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front row.
The Tahoe has automatic emergency braking standard, and can be ordered with a rear camera mirror, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system. The NHTSA gives it a four-star overall rating, though, and the IIHS hasn’t tested one yet.
How much does the 2022 Chevy Tahoe cost?
The base $51,845 Tahoe LS has keyless start, 18-inch wheels, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. We like the $57,245 LT and its 10.2-inch touchscreen, digital gauges, and leather upholstery. Prices boot-scoot to about $75,000 for a swank High Country with 22-inch wheels, adaptive dampers, and a power-folding third-row seat.
Where is the 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe made?
In Arlington, Texas.
2022 Chevrolet Tahoe Styling
The angles have it, inside and out.
Is the Chevy Tahoe a good-looking SUV?
It’s handsome in a square-jawed fashion, with minimal chrome fuss on its boxy body and with a newfound sophistication in its cabin. We give it an extra point inside and out, for a 7 here.
The Tahoe’s LED headlights cut across a smoothly integrated grille in opposition to vertical fog lights. The bands of horizontal mesh across the nose have the au courant electric-razor feel. It’s an imposing look—and a clean-shaven one, too?—and not just because the hood sits so high. The Tahoe sits on massive 22-inch wheels in top trims, which scales up to meet its huge shoulder lines and to balance out massive vertical LED taillights. It’s big, but not busy.
The interior of the Tahoe clarifies some of the clutter of the past, with a 10.2-inch touchscreen mounted simply on a dash that doesn’t need heavy details to sell its design. The electronic gear shifter and digital displays don’t come off as fussy inconveniences; they work with the bands of screen functions and climate controls to keep the cabin orderly and neat. Base versions wear black with metallic glints of trim, while the ritzy Tahoes can wear saddle-toned leather and contrast stitching.
2022 Chevrolet Tahoe Performance
The Tahoe hits its prime with big V-8 power and adaptive damping.
With the latest in suspension and engine technology, the 2022 Tahoe can drive more like a smaller crossover SUV than a rugged tow appliance. It’s at its best with its larger V-8 and with adaptive damping; even with the smaller and more popular V-8, it’s a 7 for performance here, thanks to its muscular drivetrains and its towing and hauling ability.
How fast is the Chevy Tahoe?
It’s quick for such a large vehicle, but the widely available turbodiesel isn’t in the same league as the two V-8s. The 277-hp 3.0-liter inline-6 turbodiesel does have 460 lb-ft of torque; it’s available on all but the Z71 and is standard on the top High Country Tahoe.
At the top of the lineup, GM’s 420-hp 6.2-liter V-8 churns out a diesel-like 460 lb-ft of torque, and doesn’t come with nearly the upfront price penalty. Now available on all but the LS and LT Tahoes, with a rippling exhaust note and with solid mid-seven-second acceleration to 60 mph, it’s a reasonable upgrade for those who need more of everything, whether they really need it or not.
Most drivers will be fine with the most common Tahoe powertrain, which teams the 10-speed automatic and a 355-hp 5.3-liter V-8. With 383 lb-ft of torque, this Tahoe can tow up to 8,400 lb, and can post acceleration nearly as strong as that of the bigger V-8.
The 10-speed shifts invisibly under a steady foot, but heavy throttle flips it down toward the low gears to a roaring 6,000-rpm peak.
Is the Chevy Tahoe 4WD?
Rear-wheel drive is standard on all but the Z71. Four-wheel drive costs extra on every version except the Z71.
Chevy’s fitted an independent suspension to this newest Tahoe, instead of a live rear axle. The benefits are clear and tremendous: the shimmying over railroad tracks has been obliterated, and the heavy body lean into corners has been tamed. It’s better yet in versions with magnetic ride control—GM’s version of adaptive damping, which tamps down ride motions and smooths out the wrinkles in the pavement even on Tahoes with massive 22-inch wheels.
Add on the air suspension found on the High Country and Z71, and the Tahoe can trim or boost its ride height by about four inches, lowering the truck at highway speeds to conserve fuel with better aerodynamics, or dropping it a couple of inches for easier parking-lot entry and exit. In off-road modes, the air suspension can rise two extra inches to keep from scratching up its skid plates.
2022 Chevrolet Tahoe Comfort & Quality
Adults fit in all three rows in the Tahoe.
With the Tahoe, Chevy boxes up an interior worthy of a starting five (family or hoops), with extra seats for up to four more people and a cargo well deep enough to carry all their stuff. It’s a 9 here.
The Tahoe has three rows of seats, and in base spec, the front’s a bench seat split three ways. On spendy versions, a wide console separates the driver from the front passenger; the seats become buckets, the cloth upholstery changes to leather, and the front seats get heating and cooling. In leather-trimmed front seats, the cushions seem narrow, though the seatbacks are supportive and firm.
The second row has a bench or a pair of captain’s chairs, with leather trim and heating in most editions. Leg and head room are vast, and the Tahoe’s floor is low enough for easy access. Row three’s the best thing about the latest Tahoe: it’s much more roomy, with 34.9 inches of leg room and the seats fold flat to turn 25.5 cubic feet of space behind the third row to as much as 122.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats. One quibble: the power-fold third row in high-spec Tahoes requires moving the second-row seats to fold them down completely.
The Tahoe’s base versions work well with durable trim and upholstery; the pricey versions approach the glam levels of rivals like the Expedition, with an electronic gear shifter, wood trim, perforated leather, and a hushed sense of luxury that’s a world apart from its humble origins.
2022 Chevrolet Tahoe Safety
The Tahoe doesn’t have complete crash-test scores.
How safe is the Chevrolet Tahoe?
The NHTSA gives it just four stars overall, and it hasn’t been rated by the IIHS. For now we’re holding off on a score until we have more data.
When we do rate it, the Tahoe will get at least one extra point for standard automatic emergency braking, but might give it back for poor rearward vision due to its roofline and the presence of third-row-seat headrests.
Active lane control, blind-spot monitors, and front and rear parking sensors become standard this year, and enhanced emergency braking that works at speed above 50 mph and adaptive cruise control are offered on the High Country and Premier trims. A rear camera mirror, a surround-view camera system, and a 15-inch head-up display can be fitted, but no word yet on Chevy’s version of Cadillac’s driver-assist Super Cruise.
2022 Chevrolet Tahoe Features
The Tahoe’s caught up with rivals in standard features and options.
Chevy fits each Tahoe with a big touchscreen and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, publishes an options list that should come with subtabs, and doesn’t forget the active safety. It picks up those extra points for an 8 here, missing out only on points for value and for great warranty coverage.
The base $51,845 Tahoe LS has an 8.0-inch touchscreen, keyless start, power front seats, cloth upholstery, 18-inch wheels, remote start, and a split-fold third-row seat.
Which Chevy Tahoe should I buy?
But the $57,245 LT gains wireless smartphone charging, a 10.2-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, Bose audio, and leather upholstery, and can be had with four-wheel drive and the turbodiesel. It’s our pick of the lineup.
Among the other models, the $62,445 Z71 gains skid plates, 20-inch wheels, black side steps and a black grille, and all-terrain tires, along with standard four-wheel drive. The $63,445 RST gets heated front seats and 22-inch wheels, while the $68,195 Premier piles on luxury touches like adaptive dampers, perforated leather, and cooled front seats.
How much is a fully loaded Chevrolet Tahoe?
The $73,595 Tahoe High Country has 22-inch wheels, adaptive damping, a rear camera mirror, second-row heated seats, and a power-folding third-row bench. Options range from a twin-screen rear entertainment system to a panoramic sunroof, and a power center console.
Regardless of price, the Tahoe carries a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty with one scheduled maintenance visit free.
2022 Chevrolet Tahoe Fuel Economy
Turbodiesels help matters, but the Tahoe’s a big drinker.
Is the Chevrolet Tahoe good on gas?
No. It’s OK on diesel fuel: rear-drive Tahoe turbodiesels earn EPA ratings of 21 mpg city, 28 highway, 24 combined, and 4WD editions hang in there at 20/26/22 mpg. But those diesels are rare.
More Tahoe buyers opt for the 5.3-liter V-8, which checks in at 16/20/18 mpg. That earns a 3 here. It holds for both rear- and four-wheel-drive models. It’s not much worse with the bigger V-8, either; the 6.2-liter engine delivers an EPA-rated 15/20/17 mpg in rear-wheel drive, or 14/19/16 mpg with four-wheel drive.
