The History and Evolution of the Chevy Tahoe
The Chevrolet Tahoe has always been known for being big — big on size, big on interior leg space and cargo room, and big on power. When you drive a Tahoe, you’ll feel like a king on the road, and you’ll have a comfortable, roomy ride.
Though the Chevy Tahoe has always stuck to these roots, it has evolved a bit over time, experiencing slight tweaks to its overall design and its mechanics since it was introduced in 1992. Here are just a few of the ways that the Tahoe has evolved over the years here at Chevy dealers in Albany, NY:
Name Change
When the Tahoe was first introduced, it wasn’t known as the Tahoe. GMC introduced the vehicle as the Yukon, but Chevrolet called its model the Blazer. Both models had two doors. It didn’t start calling it the Tahoe until 1995, when it introduced it as a four-door version.
The Tahoe was introduced in Mexico as the Chevrolet Silverado in 1995. It was introduced in Venezuela as the Chevrolet Grand Blazer in 1993. It was introduced in Bolivia as the Tahoe in 1995.
Weight
The first two-door Tahoes weighed about 4,500 pounds. When the four-door version was introduced in 1995, the body weight was increased to about 5,500 pounds. That weight held steady for all future versions of the Tahoe.
Platform
Both the Tahoe and the Yukon were based on the Suburban, but they had a shorter body for improved handling. They were all built on the GMT 400 platform. Unlike some other SUVs that were built on a car chassis, the Tahoe and Yukon were built on a truck chassis, ensuring that they were equipped for heavy loads and rough terrain. The Chevrolet Silverado shared the platform.
The second generation of the Tahoe ushered in the GMT 800 platform in 2000, and the third generation in 2007 introduced the GMT 900 platform. Both platforms were still shared by full-size pickup trucks.
While the second generation was using a new platform, two limited edition models stayed on the GMT 400 platform: The two-wheel drive Chevrolet Tahoe Limited and the four-wheel drive Tahoe Z71. Both special edition models were produced in 2000 only.
Engine
The first Tahoe had a standard 5.7-liter L05 v8 engine, but that was quickly replaced by a turbocharged 6.5-liter diesel V8 engine in 1994. A 5.7-liter Vortec 5700 V8 engine was introduced in 1996 that was more powerful than the previous two, putting out 255 horsepower and 335 pounds per feet of torque.
Both manual and automatic transmission were available in the first generation models.
When the second generation was introduced in 2000, two new engines were introduced and only an automatic transmission was available. The two new engines were the 4.8-liter Vortec 48000 V8 with 275 horsepower and the 5.3-liter Vortec 5300 V8 with 280 to 295 horsepower.
In 2004, both engines were upgraded to put out more horsepower. The Vortec 4800 could now get 285 to 295 horsepower, and the Vortec 5300 could put out a consistent 295 horsepower. Flex Fuel was optional on both.
Several engine changes were introduced in the third generation. This generation kicked off with a 6.0-liter Vortec 6000 V8 with 403 horsepower. The engine was standard on two-wheel drive models. In 2010, a 6.2-liter Vortec 6200 V8 engine with 405 horsepower became standard for four-wheel drive models. The Yukon Denali got the same engine in 2012.
For the fourth (and current) generation, the 2015 model got an updated version of the 6.2-liter Vortec 6200 V8 engine that puts out 407 horsepower.
Design Changes
As with many other vehicles, the Chevy Tahoe has experienced a design evolution over the years that has taken it from a practical, rudimentary looking vehicle to a sleek, sophisticated automobile.
The boxy design started getting upgrades right away. The front clip was revised in 1994. The next year, revised side mirrors and a drive-side air bag were added. In 1998, air conditioning was added for rear passengers (a huge relief for those in the back of the huge Tahoe), as were improved air bags. Heated front seats became an optional feature.
The Tahoe got a facelift in the second generation, with only the grille and the headlights carrying over. The overall design was softer and more aerodynamic, so you didn’t see the hard lines that made it look so boxy. Inside, new seats, door panels and dashboard made interior seem more lush. New interior gadgets included a DVD entertainment system, satellite radio, Bose audio and more.
The third generation got another redesign, including a new front fascia and hood. The large grille was divided by a body color bar instead of a chrome bar. The interior was updated with real wood trim, chrome accents, door panels and seats.
The current model ushered in the fourth generation, and it is the sleekest and most imposing version yet. It features inlaid doors, aluminum hood and lift gate (reducing weight and improving fuel efficiency), a new grille, and updated head lights. Inside, folding second- and third-row seats became standard, more leg room was added, and features like a touch screen radio, rear-seat entertainment system and touch screen navigation were added.
Conclusion
The Chevrolet Tahoe is the perfect combination of style and utility. You can seat up to eight passengers, or you can fold down the seats to carry plenty of cargo. You don’t have to choose between the passenger comfort of an automobile or the practical use of a truck for hauling cargo.
You can have both in one stylish package. It is ideal for families, but it is just as useful for business executives who need to entertain clients.
When shopping Chevrolet, Albany, NY residents know to come to DePaula Chevrolet. We have the largest selection of new and previously used Chevrolet vehicles around, including several generations of the Tahoe. Come see us and take a test drive today.
Published on March 12, 2015