1999 Chevy Tahoe Review
1999 Chevy Tahoe Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
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Pros
- Lots of cargo space. Powerful V8 engine. Easy to drive.
Cons
- Unrefined on-road ride. Mushy brake pedal. Oddly reclined seatbacks.
What’s new
The standard cargo net is deleted, and new colors are added as Tahoe enters final model year on this platform.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe LS 2dr SUV 4WD and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.52 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$344/mo for Tahoe LS
Tahoe LS
vs
$204/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
Vehicle overview
Compact sport-utility vehicles get most of the attention nowadays, but for folks with big families(or scads of goods to lug around) they're just not spacious enough inside. Chevrolet offers a solution to this problem with the Tahoe, based on the full-size C/K pickup platform but garageable in either two- or four-door body styles.
At a glance, the four-door Tahoe and larger Suburban look nearly identical, but a Tahoe measures 20 inches shorter. Beneath the hood sits a Vortec 5700 V8, rated for 255 horsepower. Two-door 4WD Tahoes with LS or LT trim can be equipped with a 6.5-liter turbodiesel V8 instead of the Vortec 5700.
From the driver's seat forward, Tahoes are virtually identical to Chevy's full-size C/K pickups. Space is massive up front. Capable of towing as much as 7,000 pounds, four-door Tahoes seat either five or six passengers, and an underbody-mounted spare tire helps boost cargo space.
On the Interstate, the Tahoe rides nicely, but the wide body takes some getting used to if you're accustomed to compacts. Turning onto smaller roads, it suddenly feels more like a truck. Easy to control either way, this sizable machine is reasonably maneuverable, if driven with discretion. The V8 is strong, and the four-speed automatic transmission shifts neatly.
Think about the "entry assist" running boards if your regular riders aren't so nimble. They help. So do the robust grab bars that ease entry into the rear seats. Rear cargo doors are standard, but a lift glass version is available.
In 1998, Chevrolet introduced an optional automatic four-wheel drive system that shifts between 2WD and 4WD as conditions warrant. No longer is it necessary to push a button on the dashboard to actively engage four-wheel traction. For 1999, the cargo net has been deleted from the standard equipment list, and new colors have been added to the paint chart. Why has Chevrolet begun producing the 1999 Tahoe already? Seems there was a little problem with meeting 1998 Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards, so by switching to a 1999 model year designation, GM has bought itself a little time to make up for the lousy fuel economy the Tahoe tends to get.
Because Chevrolet targets customers with an income of $85,000 a year, luxury conveniences are part of upscale Tahoe packages. The typical prospect is a 40-year-old man who currently drives a Chevy Blazer and is attracted to a vehicle's size and power. Those attributes the Tahoe has in abundance, as does its little-different GMC Yukon counterpart.
With the introduction of the Ford Expedition a few years ago, Chevrolet lost its dominance of the full-size SUV market. Further complicating matters, the Tahoe is based on a decade-old platform, while the slightly larger, slightly less expensive Expedition is derived from more modern F-Series underpinnings. The Ford's edge will shrink by 2000, when a completely redesigned Tahoe based on the all-new Chevrolet Silverado pickup debuts. Buyers might want to wait for a while, because the new truck will be much improved. However, a 2-door Tahoe will not make the cut for the next millennium, so snap one up now while you have the chance. This single remaining full-size 2-door SUV has a limited future.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe.
5 star(48%)
4 star(36%)
3 star(15%)
2 star(1%)
1 star(0%)
98 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
Love My 1999 Chevy Tahoe
tramhue, 12/19/2012
1999 Chevrolet Tahoe LT 2dr SUV 4WD
I can honestly say I really enjoy the reliability of my 1999 Chevy Tahoe with it's powerful 5.7 liter engine. I am a HVAC and water-proofing contractor and this truck exceeds all my expectations. I also charter fish on Lake Erie and this vehicle tows my Sea-Ray with little effort. I had to replace the fuel pump a couple years ago..and get a tune-up after 140 K miles, but let me tell … Chevy cannot improve much on this vehicle.
4 out of 5 stars
Made In The USA SUV with good towing capability
V8-Snail, 02/22/2016
1999 Chevrolet Tahoe LS 4dr SUV
I bought the vehicle used in 2014 at only 69,000 miles for $2,680.00, I know buying a 15 years old vehicle even with the low mileage was very risky, however what the heck I have good mechanical ability. Gas mileage is a joke for this truck, I think I am going to make a bumper sticker that said "I am supporting OPEC, one full gas tank at the time". It doesn't help my truck had the towing … package with 3.73 rear diff gearing, even freeway driving only give me about 15 MPG. Of course in the SoCal freeway we need to drive at 80MPH to keep up with the traffic flow, and this high speed doesn't help.
So the first thing you will have to replace on the 5.7L vortec (L31 Engine), is the intake manifold gasket and replace the coolant with the regular green prestone stuff. This would cost at the minimum about $700 at the dealership. So learn how to do this yourself.
Second, make sure you drain and replace filter on the auto transmission fluid, and while you at it might as well install the corvette servo and Transgo shift kit (4L60E-HD2). This make your slush box shift a little quicker and actually make the the heavy vehicle feels lighter on its wheels.
Third, check the high pressure power steering hose, most of the time this will also go bad.
Fourth, check the brakes and replaced all worn out parts, this vehicle have a very underrated braking system thus you need it at the tip top conditions just to have a decent stopping distance. I also replaced the brake master cylinder to the NBS Tahoe (2001-2003) master cylinder. This help the braking a little but caution still needed when driving this heavy vehicle.
Fifth, tune up by replacing the plugs, dist. rotor and cap, and belt. I don't see the need to replace the plug wires on tune up. Use the good oil for older high mileage vehicle, like Valvoline Maxlife.
Other things that needed to repair on mine:
1. Passenger door latch - bent, caused difficulty in opening the door.
2. Power window main switch - rear passenger window will not work from the driver controller.
3. Radio light off - didn't fix yet.
4. Vanity mirror light and cover off the sunshade broken - didn't fix yet.
5. Cracked top dashboard - GM used a very low quality plastic in my opinion, all the interior plastics are suspect and especially the top dash cover.
6. Headlights sometimes dimmed - didn't fix yet and not really sure why.
7. Drive shaft u joint broke - this got me and the family stranded in the middle of the freeway and required towing, and the repair and replacement cost for the damage to drive shaft and transmission yoke was a little over $900.00 almost half the value of the truck. I should just left this beast on the 15 Freeway, but i just loved it too much. The way you sit high and have good visibility at all angle it's just priceless! It's also good for towing, even just towing the uhaul trailer.
This truck inside creaks and groan as you drive through rough surface and the dash completely rattling during driving through an unimproved road, but still I loved it.
3.13 out of 5 stars
They don't make them like they use to!
BigRed1, 05/03/2005
1999 Chevrolet Tahoe LT 4dr SUV 4WD
I have a 99 Tahoe Z71 powered by a LT1/340hp V8 (Yes, its original). Rear axle seals have always been a problem. Finally had to replace the axles. Brakes a huge problem; finally replaced with "greenstuff brakes", the jury is still out on that verdict. Transmission and engine still real strong after 121k miles. It's all the small stuff; power steering pump, alternator, fuel pump. … However, try to tow 8000 pounds with your Toyota over the PA mountains! Gas mileage is 14/17. I can only use super unleaded fuel. I had to replace the entire exhaust system because both cats went out at 90k miles. Absolutely crazy; cats usually outlast the vehicle.
4.63 out of 5 stars
Prime Example Of American Trucks!
heavychevy99, 08/11/2011
1999 Chevrolet Tahoe LT 4dr SUV 4WD
This is my 2nd go round with a tahoe. My first was a 97 and was an excellent rig! My current tahoe is a 99 and basicly reflects the 97 i had but has a few more cool options, Heated seats, Rear AC for the kiddos, This rig is hard to beat for the money spent. I paid $3800 for this 99 and it has 170K on it and still going strong. The Engine performs excellent, has great power and tows my … 7000lb boat all the time. I read a few reviews of people bashing the transmissions in these tahoes but if you take care if it it will return the favor ( I.E. DO NOT TOW HEAVY LOADS IN OVER DRIVE! ) and treat it to a nice trans cooler and it will last forever. All in all this is an excellent SUV for the money!
1999 Tahoe Highlights
LS
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 13 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $344/month |
Drivetrain | four wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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