2018 Chevrolet Tahoe

Pros: Ample passenger and cargo space; quiet interior; tractable and easy to drive for the size; 3rd-row seats fold flat with the cargo floor as do 2nd-row seats; towing capability

Cons: Fuel economy; tight-quarters maneuverability; cramped legroom in 3rd-row seats; jittery ride with available 20-inch wheels; high-end models get very expensive

CG Says: The 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe gains a 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 engine and 10-speed automatic transmission as part of a new RST 6.2L Performance Package that is optional on the Premier model. There is also a new Custom Package that can reduce the price of the LS model by deleting the 3^rd-row seat and substituting less expensive wheels. Tahoe is a large SUV with three rows of seating that can hold up to nine passengers with available front- and second-row bench seats. The 3rd-row seatbacks fold flat into the floor. Designers had to raise the cargo floor to accomplish this, which makes for a higher liftover, but also allows for some handy under-floor storage bins. Tahoe shares its basic design with the Chevrolet Suburban, which is 14 inches longer in wheelbase and 20 inches longer overall. GMC sells versions of the Tahoe and Suburban named Yukon and Yukon XL, respectively. The base engine is a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower. Safety features include forward collision alert, low-speed automatic braking, lane-departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. Some of the safety features use GM’s Safety Alert Seat, which vibrates to warn the driver of potential obstructions. Interior materials are of high quality, especially on higher-end models. Enhancing the upscale feel are available features such as adaptive cruise control, a power-folding 3rd-row seat, and keyless entry and starting. The very notion of a hulking, V8-powered full-size SUV seems anachronistic to many shoppers these days, but for those who need the power, interior room, and towing capacity that only a large SUV offers, the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe is an excellent choice.