2012 Chevrolet Tahoe

Change

2012 Chevrolet Tahoe

Starting MSRP $38,755–$56,075

Best Bet

Expert Reviews

By Cars.com Staff

Cars.com National January 6, 2012

Vehicle Overview

Chevrolet's Tahoe full-size SUV has available four-wheel drive and seating configurations for up to nine people. Both the Tahoe and its corporate sibling, the GMC Yukon, compete with other full-size SUVs such as the Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada and Dodge Durango.

New for 2012

LTZ models add a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel and a blind spot warning system while LT versions gain heated seats. The Tahoe's standard electronic stability system now features electronic trailer-sway control and hill start assist. A new stereo with a 30-gigabyte hard drive, navigation, a 7-inch touch-screen, recording capability and a USB port is available.

Exterior

The Tahoe's headlights flank a wide grille split by a horizontal bar with a large Chevy bowtie logo. An available Z71 off-road package adds unique exterior details, including large color-keyed fender flares and a chrome front grille insert. Exterior features include:

  • 17-, 18- or 20-inch wheels, depending on the model
  • Heated side mirrors
  • Roof rack
  • Optional fog lights
  • Optional power sunroof
  • Optional power-articulated running boards

Interior

A curvaceous dashboard and flush-mounted buttons give the Tahoe a carlike interior. Three rows of seats provide room for up to nine people. The third row is removable, but it doesn't fold to the floor like in the Ford Expedition. Interior features include:

  • Standard three-passenger third-row seat
  • Standard Bluetooth connectivity
  • Optional power-adjustable pedals
  • Optional leather seats
  • Optional Bose stereo
  • Optional heated seats in first and second rows
  • Optional cooled front seats
  • Optional ultrasonic rear parking assist
  • Optional backup camera with image in the rearview mirror or navigation screen if equipped
  • Optional rear-seat DVD entertainment system

Under the Hood

Tahoes are powered by a flex-fuel 320-horsepower, 5.3-liter V-8 engine that makes 335 pounds-feet of torque on gasoline or 326 hp and 348 pounds-feet of torque on E85 ethanol. The engine has a cast-iron block on two-wheel-drive models and an aluminum block on four-wheel-drive Tahoes. When properly configured, the Tahoe can tow up to 8,500 pounds. Mechanical features include:

  • Six-speed automatic transmission
  • Fuel-saving 3.08 axle ratio
  • Heavy-duty trailering package with 3.42 axle ratio
  • Optional integrated brake controller for electric-controlled trailer brake systems
  • Optional locking rear differential

Safety

Four-wheel-disc antilock brakes are standard, as is an electronic stability system that features rollover mitigation technology, which senses impending rollovers and applies individual brakes in an attempt to keep the Tahoe on all four wheels. Additional safety features include:

  • Standard side-impact airbags for the front seats
  • Standard side curtain airbags
  • Front seat belt pretensioners

Additional Reviews

Cars.com Expert Reviews

David ThomasCars.com NationalMay 1, 2012
Cars.com StaffCars.com NationalJanuary 6, 2012

Closest Dealers Listing this Car

Find dealers and new car inventory in your area.
See listings
*Invoice prices are made available by Cars.com and are not dealer advertising. All prices are subject to regional variations. Prices last updated 9/23/10. Click here for more information.

Research Competing Vehicles

Choose up to three models to compare to the 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe

2012 Buick Enclave

2012 Buick Enclave

Starting MSRP
$36,500
2012 Dodge Durango

2012 Dodge Durango

Starting MSRP
$28,995
2012 Ford Expedition

2012 Ford Expedition

Starting MSRP
$36,530