With the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe, you won’t be wanting for capability if your Venn diagram circles a big family, lots of stuff, and the need for a trailer.
Five years into its fourth generation, the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe has the less than desirable position of being the last model before a full redesign breaks cover for 2021. As such, there are no mechanical or interior changes this year, but option packages are shuffled amongst trim levels. As well, a pair of new 22” aluminum wheel designs are on hand to add some bling, one in gloss black with silver accents and the other in a bright silver finish.
2020 Chevrolet Tahoe – media.chevrolet.com | Shop 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe on Carsforsale.com
Hard-to-beat people or trailer hauling capability
6.2L V8 turns it into a hard charging machine
Plenty of fancy amenities
A smooth ride with Magnetic Ride Control
Get ready to be a regular at the gas station
Does everything it was designed to do
All 2020 Chevrolet Tahoes are equipped with a 5.3-liter V8 making 355 horsepower and 383 lb-of torque paired with a 6-speed automatic. Power is routed to the rear wheels, though four-wheel-drive (4WD) with a 2-speed transfer case is a roughly $3000 option for all models. Optionally, a 6.2L V8 motor that makes 420 horsepower and a heady 460 lb-ft of torque can be selected, but only on Premier trim models. This bigger engine comes with a slick shifting 10-speed automatic.
The 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe rides on coil-over-shocks with a stabilizer bar up front and a semi-floating axle out back, which is in line with this SUV’s pickup truck roots so don’t expect to be nimbly carving up the highway. And while the optional 22” wheels look killer, the lower profile rubber has a reputation for rattling bones on rough roads and being prone to bubbles – or flats. Fortunately, Magnetic Ride Control is also on hand and uses GM’s trick, magnetic-fluid filled dampers to adjust viscosity in real-time for a smoother ride.
A big upside to the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe’s truck-based chassis is its robust trailering capability that allows for up to 8,600 pounds of towing. That’s when outfitted with a RWD, 5.3L V8 model and the Max Trailering package, which brings a 3.42 rear axle ratio, trailer brake controller, and special suspension. This is in addition to the lineup standard trailer sway control, external engine-oil cooler, auxiliary transmission oil cooler, and 7-pin wiring harness. Hill Start Assist is also a standard feature that comes in handy when hauling goods on steep roads. Max payload for the 2020 Tahoe is 1,894 pounds and with the optional 6.2L motor, towing is capped at 6,600 pounds.
It should come as no surprise that the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe is not a fuel-efficiency champion, though Chevy does put its best foot forward with active front grille shutters and cylinder deactivation technology. However, this is a 5000+ pound, brick-shaped behemoth that smashes air out of its way versus slipping through, which translates to an EPA rating of 15 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway for a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) model with the 5.3L V8. Adding 4WD drops the highway figure by one. Those with the 6.2L motor can expect similar values of 14/23 mpg for city/highway driving in RWD setup or 14/22 with 4WD.
Three rows of seating are standard on the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe, though the way back is best suited for kids even with its 25” of legroom. That third row bench folds flat as does the middle row, to open a max cargo volume of 95 cubic feet. Up front, two bucket seats are standard fare, but a no-cost bench can be selected allowing for up to 9 passengers total. Those front buckets can be quite comfy with leather seating and climate-controlled cushions on higher trims. Acoustic laminated glass and tri-zone HVAC are standard creature comforts, though you’ll need a Premier model or optional package to enjoy a sunroof, heated steering wheel, and hands-free liftgate.
Regardless of trim, an 8” touchscreen is the infotainment interface for the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe. It has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto software as well as a Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM, and OnStar connectivity. Five USB ports and a 6-speaker stereo are standard, but additional USB hookups and a 10-speaker, Bose Centerpoint surround sound audio system are available. Back seat passengers will appreciate the optimal rear entertainment system, though drivers would be more interested in the heads-up-display and wireless charging pad options available with Premier models.
Along with frontal, front-side, and full-length curtain airbags, the Tahoe has an additional airbag mounted between the two front seats to provide protection for driver and front passenger in side impacts. While rear parking sonar and a backup camera are standard items, you’ll need an LT trimmed model or higher plus packages to access the full suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), which includes adaptive cruise control, Safety Alert Seat and lane departure assist. Parents will appreciate the full LATCH setup in all second-row positions with top tethers on hand for the third row inside the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe.
With a $50,000 starting point, “base model” may be a misnomer for the LS Tahoe, and considering the level of features on hand, it undersells this entry-level trim. The standard 5.3-liter V8 sits under the hood with 18” wheels, side-assist steps, and a roof rack plus heated side mirrors all included. Rear parking sonar, a backup camera, and Teen Driver software are on hand with an available Enhanced Driver Alert package adding IntelliBeam automated high beams, power adjustable pedals, and automatic emergency braking (AEB) to the mix.
Cloth upholstery finished in Jet Black or a Cocoa and Dune scheme is found on the power adjustable front buckets along with a leather-wrapped steering wheel. All 2020 Chevrolet Tahoes are fitted with an 8” central touchscreen for infotainment duties as well as Apple and Android smartphone integration software. A Wi-Fi hotspot, five USB ports, OnStar, and Chevy Connected Access capability are all included as well.
A power-operated tailgate plus more ADAS like forward collision and lane departure warning are added to LT models. Heated front seats with leather upholstery available in a black and gray two-tone style are also part of the deal along with triple-zoned, automatic climate control, power-adjustable pedals, and memory settings. The stereo gets an upgrade from a basic 6-speaker system to a Bose 9-speaeker setup. Checking the Luxury package box nets a heated steering wheel and second row seats, a power-adjustable steering column, and a power-folding third row.
Premier trim is the only model offered with the bigger, 6.2L V8 power plant. Even with the smaller motor selected, this trim comes with blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front parking sonar. Exterior add-ons include 20” wheels, HID headlights, and Magnetic Ride Control. Inside, the available Cocoa and Mahogany leather looks sharp, an auto-dimming rearview mirror is included as are ventilated front seats, and a power-release second row. Opting for the RST (Rally Sport Truck) Performance Edition brings 22” rims and a full roster of blacked-out exterior trim. Stand-alone options on the Tahoe Premier include a sunroof, navigation system, hands-free liftgate, and Qi wireless charging pad.
All 2020 Chevrolet Tahoes have 3 years or 36,000 miles of warranty protection for basic vehicle components and body corrosion. Roadside assistance and the powertrain are covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles and any rust is under warranty for a 6-year/100,000-mile period. In the first year of ownership, there is one factory-scheduled maintenance visit included as well.
2020 Chevrolet Tahoe – media.chevrolet.com | Shop 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe on Carsforsale.com
When you need to transport a big family or haul a lot of cargo (or both), the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe is hard to beat. It’s big, it’s comfy, and it can haul serious keister when properly outfitted. If you also plan to regularly tow a trailer load of toys or gear, the Tahoe becomes a very compelling full-size SUV choice.