Source: Victoria Mason
It seems fitting that the last car I review for 2015 is one that we have actually considered buying, the 2016 Chevy Tahoe 4WD LTZ. It is agreed that we are still a few years out from making the actual purchase but getting a feel for what the market has to offer in large SUV’s or any other car purchase can take time. It is a big buy and one not to be taken lightly. Our next vehicle has to be large, in charge (yeah, I said it) and able to haul the whole family with supplies for a week-long road trip and maybe even carry our beast of a Doberman. That is not an easy find and I like to do more than just kick the tires. Driving the 2016 Chevy Tahoe LTZ for a week gave me the opportunity to think about what my family really needs for the future and that is always exciting.
All the Feels
When driving day-to-day or traveling as a family the biggest need for us is convenient space. I have to emphasize that part because it can be big and downright bulky and frustrating. While the Chevy Tahoe LTZ didn’t fully meet our cargo needs for a family road trip (the Yukon XL with extended cargo probably would) it is still a large vehicle that makes an impression. The imposing black paint job with its sculpted panels, running boards and well-thought out interior design create a relaxed, comfortable drive that runs that fine line between feeling like you are driving a truck (you are, don’t you forget it) while the interior feels more like a car and in the best way. I love that. It is the one aspect that I go full mom-mode on. It needs to make my daily kid-hauling practical, durable, comfortable and even a bit luxurious. All that makes the car a long-lasting joy to drive.
I want the latest technology with a quiet ride (355-horsepower V8 engine) and a cabin that makes my ride enjoyable. The Tahoe creates a true truck-like ride (8,600 towing capacity) and it meets those other needs for my family and me. It creates an impression while on the road that others see and you feel while driving it. The push to activate third row drop-down seats, bucket seat second row and multiple charging points are all necessary in our day-to-day life.
So is the console wireless charging station with more than ample storage underneath.
What’s New
The 2016 Chevy Tahoe combines classic Chevy truck style and feel with a few new items. OnStar is updated with 4G LTE WiFi hotspot capability and an 8-inch color touchscreen. The display is head-up and has digital readouts that you can also reconfigure. The MyLink system is compatible with Apple CarPlay too. My favorite is obviously the lane departure intervention with forward collision warning. Driving in and around the District this feels imperative.
Inside
A lot can be said for feeling connected to the road. It is a big factor in how much I love a car, but so is the interior. There is so much to love with the 2016 Chevy Tahoe.
It typically seats 8 passengers (60/40 split) but go up a trim level package to get the 40/20/40 split seats and make it a 9 passenger SUV. All the basics like rear parking sensors, remote ignition, power front seats and heated seats are here. A 50/50 split in the third row is nice too.
Controls on the centerstack are all easy to use and reach. The only issue was the cumbersome entertainment system with its wireless headphones. Great idea, difficult to use. Playback on the Blu-ray DVD player was interrupted and the headphones would not always cooperate. We ended up not using it even on a long road trip which was more than disappointing. The six-speaker sound system with HD and satellite radio are all here with the CD player plus five USB ports and an auxiliary audio jack. The hidden compartment with a charger behind the display is not only cool but a nice security feature for hiding valuables when not in the car.
Outside
The Tahoe with its seating for eight passengers is tall. I use the running boards daily to climb in and out of it and I’m 5’6″. I didn’t have an issue packing up the back cargo space but if I were shorter I might as it possesses a tall back-end. It has three trim packages the LS, LT and LTZ. You can read all about how the options break down on Chevy’s website. I can’t mention it enough that this is a truck-based vehicle. There is nothing about it that is going to feel like a crossover or SUV except on the interior. It drives like a truck with impressive power-steering but parking it can be tricky until you get used to its size.
Finally, we were sad to see the Chevy Tahoe LTZ go.
Source: Victoria Mason
It felt right for our family. We are in the car a lot these days and the Tahoe was comfortable for us. I’m curious to see how its competitors stack up against it, but that’s for another day.
Priced as reviewed the 2016 Chevy Tahoe 4WD LTZ came in at $70,435 with all the options. Standard vehicle price is $64,610. A 5 year/60,000 mile warranty is standard and the Tahoe gets 18 mpg combined city/hwy or 22 highway, 16 mpg city.
Overall, I think that the Tahoe is best in its class right now. It could use a bigger third row that and longer cargo space but that is my personal opinion that would suit my family and its needs. Check it out for yourself if you are shopping for an SUV with great towing capacity, drive-ability and comfort.
*This is not a sponsored post. Opinions are 100% my own. Car provided by Chevrolet and esi.
