2012 Chevrolet Tahoe

The 2012 Chevy Tahoe deserves strong consideration when buying a large, traditional SUV, on account of its comfortable cabin, road manners and impressive towing capacity. Nevertheless for pure passenger use, a considerable crossover might determine better. The 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe is just unchanged. The optional navigation method is now hard-drive based, providing quicker responses and digital music storage capability. Around the Tahoe LTZ trim, a whole new heated steering wheel is standard.

The Tahoe is big but relatively athletic due to its size, that has a strong V8 engine and well-tuned suspension. The few clumsy manners it’s while travelling are often overlooked when it comes to the eight-passenger seating (with likelihood of nine), 8,000-pound-plus towing capability and respectable off-road prowess when properly equipped. From the era on the crossover, few vehicles offer this type of combination.

Within its segment, the 2012 Chevy Tahoe compares well on the Ford Expedition and Toyota Sequoia. The Expedition offers a more practical stow-away third seat but has less towing capacity. The Sequoia will be the Tahoe’s most serious competitor, using a similar blend of performance and utility. We’ll also mention when pure passenger use is more significant than toting and towing, a considerable crossover SUV including the Chevy Traverse or Ford Flex could be a more practical choice. These vehicles promise better on-road handling, superior fuel economy and more flexible interior arrangements.

2012 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ SUV

The 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe comes in three trim levels: LS, LT and LTZ. The Tahoe Hybrid is reviewed separately. Eight seats are standard, but there’s two optional seating arrangements: second-row captain’s chairs drop the count to seven with an available 40/20/40 front bench seat ups it to nine.

The base Tahoe LS comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, tri-zone manual heating and cooling, power front seats, a 60/40-split second-row seat and 50/50-split removable third-row seat. Also standard are Bluetooth, OnStar as well as a six-speaker head unit that has a CD player, rear audio controls, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and an iPod/USB audio interface. An optional Convenience package has power-adjustable pedals, remote ignition, rear parking assist along with a rearview camera system.

LT models include most available LS equipment plus foglamps, a locking rear differential, tri-zone automatic climate control, driver memory functions, leather upholstery along with a nine-speaker Bose speakers. Among options inaccessible for the LT are second-row captain’s chairs along with a Luxury package with heated front and second-row seats (with power release), power-folding mirrors and also a power rear liftgate. An optional Z71 Off-Road package adds specially tuned springs and shocks, 18-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tires, skid plates and different front and rear fascias.

LTZ-trimmed Tahoes add the LT Luxury package pleased with the captain’s chairs as standard equipment and add 20-inch wheels, a better air suspension, perforated leather-trimmed seating with more adjustments, heated and ventilated front seats, power flip-and-fold second-row seats, a hard-drive-based navigation system plus a 10-speaker Bose surround-sound sound system with digital-music storage. The second-row split bench seat is still optional. LTZ options include power-retractable assist steps as well as a blind-spot warning system.

All 2012 Chevrolet Tahoes come with a 5.3-liter V8 generating 320 horsepower and 335 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission transmits power over the rear wheels on 2WD models or all wheels on 4WD models. The 4WD Tahoe emerged that has a range of a traditional two-speed transfer case or a single-speed unit without low-range gearing (unavailable on LTZ).

Standard safety equipment within the 2012 Chevy Tahoe includes antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and OnStar emergency telematics. Rear parking sensors and a rearview camera can be obtained on every Tahoe, as you move the Tahoe LTZ can be had using a blind-spot warning system.

The Tahoe’s cabin features a beautiful design supported with high-quality fit and handle, including wood trim on the LTZ model. The control layout is simple along with the switchgear operation is intuitive. Large front seats provide comfort and support for long drives, although the lack of a telescoping controls might be a drawback for many drivers.

One of the Tahoe’s advantages over its level of competition is the opportunity to accommodate nine occupants with all the LS’s available front split bench seat.

Fully set with cargo and passengers, the 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe weighs over 3 tons. Even so the spirited V8 engine provides energetic acceleration, plus the suspension is supple enough to yield a compliant and cushioned ride. LTZ buyers obtain the Autoride suspension that has variable shock damping and air-assisted load-leveling, quite useful when towing. The steering isn’t particularly responsive with regards to handling, but within the plus side, the Tahoe’s tight 39-foot turning circle does help it become reasonably maneuverable around.