The
2011 Chevrolet Tahoe is a large sport utility vehicle (SUV) with third row seats that offer additional passenger room but compromise cabin and leg space. Powered by a 5.3-liter V-8 engine coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission, the Chevy Tahoe is offered as a rear-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicle. The Hybrid employs a 6.0-liter V-8 engine with electric motor and uses four-wheel drive.
Seating configurations on the Chevy Tahoe vary from the 2+2+2 with six seats to the nine-seat, three-row bench seat configuration. Boasting a large, comfortable cabin and towing capabilities, the Tahoe delivers a smooth ride, powerful engines, and refined body. The Tahoe comes with excellent safety systems and options include deluxe features, such as blind zone alert and a rear parking assist camera. Fuel economy as rated by the EPA is in the 15 mpg city / 21 mpg highway range, although the Hybrid gets 20 mpg city / 23 mpg highway, which is actually quite impressive.
New for 2011
For 2011, the LS trim on the Chevy Tahoe received audio system controls with two headphone jacks, Bluetooth, floor console with storage area, wood grain interior trim, luggage rack center rails, body color door handles and mirror caps, and premium cloth front bucket seats as standard. The LTZ four-wheel drive trim level added standard chrome recovery hooks and two-speed transfer case.
Essentials
Engines: 5.3L V-8, 6.0L V-8 with hybrid electric motor
Transmission: six-speed automatic
Body Style: SUV
Trims: LS Sport Utility, LT Sport Utility, LTZ Sport Utility, Hybrid Sport Utility
On the Outside
There are no significant exterior design changes for the 2011 Chevy Tahoe model year, except the LTZ trim is now available with 20-inch chrome wheels. Mocha Steel Metallic, Steel Green Metallic and Ice Blue Metallic arrived as new paint colors.
From the Inside
A 40/20/40 cloth split front bench seat is available as an option to the cloth buckets of the LS trim of the Chevy Tahoe. A power-operated, flip-and-tumble second row seat and a touch-screen navigation system are options.
Driving Performance
The Chevy Tahoe's ride and handling are top-notch for a body-on-frame SUVs and displays refined ride quality and reasonable handling for such a large SUV. While steering feel and feedback are good, the iron block (2WD) and aluminum block 5.3-liter V-8 engines are a bit of compromise, because they give up power in exchange for better fuel efficiency.
Safety Equipment
Standard safety equipment on the Chevrolet Tahoe includes head curtain airbags with three-row rollover protection and front safety belt pre-tensioners that can deploy in rear-end collisions. Also standard are StabiliTrak and OnStar. Options include blind zone alert and a rear parking assist camera.
Gas Mileage
LS, LT, LTZ: 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway
Hybrid: 20 mpg city/23 mpg highway
Plusses
- Roomy interior
- Powerful V-8
- Hybrid fuel efficiency
- E85 fuel flexible engine
Minuses
- Tight cargo space with third row up
- Out-dated design
- Lack of flush folding third row
Rating
Practicality in a pleasing SUV package
People Who Like the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe Also Like
- Ford Expedition
- Toyota Sequoia