2003 Chevrolet Tahoe Review and Specs

Summary

What Edmunds.com says

With room for up to nine passengers, gutsy V8 engines and a long list of available options, it's no wonder the Tahoe is the best-selling fullsize sport-ute on the market.

Pros

Strong engines, roomy and versatile interior, numerous available amenities.

Cons

Spotty build quality, interior materials could use improvement.

What's New for 2003

The Tahoe gets a host of new upgrades for 2003. On the inside, you'll find new tri-zone climate controls, an enhanced driver-information center and a redesigned center console and instrument panel. New options includes second-row bucket seats and adjustable pedals. A revised lineup of entertainment options offers buyers a Bose audio system, as well as XM Satellite Radio and a DVD-based entertainment system. For increased safety, there are dual-stage airbags, a standard front-passenger-sensing system, three-point belts for all second-row passengers and an available StabiliTrak stability control system on Tahoes with the 5300 V8. The braking system has been upgraded for what Chevrolet says is better pedal feel and performance and Tahoes sold in California are now fitted with a new catalytic converter that earns the truck ULEV certification. Deleted items on the Tahoe are minor. No longer standard are third-row floor mats, an underhood light, a 7-to-4 pin trailer brake adapter, an auxiliary door lock switch in the cargo area and a lock for the center console.

Consumer Ratings & Reviews

Horrible car

Written by: K Daniels on 10/15/2009

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating


Performance:	1	Fun-to-Drive:	1	Build Quality:	1
Comfort:	1	Interior Design:	1	Reliability:	1
Fuel Economy:	1	Exterior Design:	1

Vehicle

2003 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 4WD 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 4A)

Review

Purchased new Z71 with all the options. Truck now has 86000 miles on it and is falling apart. Transfer case and front differential gone, speedometer, heater fan, windshield wipers, mirror defrost, seat heater, fuel pump, U-joints, turn signals all not working. Truck needs over 5K of repairs. These are all items that should never go out, especially on a low mileage car. This is my 4th chevy truck. All others have gone 150+ miles without issues. GM is not building a product that will last and will not stand behind their product. I will not buy another GM product again.

Favorite Features

Problems with this vehicle have tainted any positive opinion. I am ready to drive it off a cliff.

Suggested Improvements

Build cars to last.

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Best Car Ever

Written by: Jon on 08/05/2009


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	10	Exterior Design:	10

2003 Chevrolet Tahoe LS Rwd 4dr SUV (4.8L 8cyl 4A)

Honestly, I think this is the best car gm made lately. We bought it in 03 with 26k on it and now it have almost 160k and I haven't had any Major issues at all! Only done preventative maintenance and it has never (I mean never!) let me down. I've gone all over the country, pulled a trailer for over 1000 miles at a time, hauled tons of stuff and it just keeps going. It has hands down outperformed any vehicle I have ever had. (including imports) we just purchased a lower mileage Yukon and I kept the Tahoe with my business. I'm going to see just how far it will go (I'm guessing 300k or so) we'll see!

comfort,room,ability,dependability,and about the best value I've seen in a GM

GM-change back to the 00-06 tahoe, the news ones look cheap to me(on the outside-plastic bumpers and no chrome)

lovemytahoe

Written by: lovemytahoe on 07/11/2009


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	10	Exterior Design:	10

2003 Chevrolet Tahoe LS 4WD 4dr SUV (4.8L 8cyl 4A)

This vehicle was purchased as a work vehicle as I am self employed. After four years I replaced it and kept it as a personal vehicle. It has never let me down. The original brakes lasted 70k miles. With the exception of a cheap speedometer repair at 75k miles it has never cost me anything but maintenance. It runs strong and has sports car handling. It averages 16 miles per gallon and gets 21 on the open road. It has the best a/c I've ever had in a car and still looks like new, inside and out. I expect 200k miles out of it as I know two guys who went well over that with their 03's and were forced by their companies to replace them.

engine,brakes,a/c,comfort

interior light should have a way to stop it from turning it self off after 10 minutes .

Mostly happy...so far

Written by: Walter K. on 06/23/2009


Performance:	8	Fun-to-Drive:	7	Build Quality:	5
Comfort:	9	Interior Design:	9	Reliability:	8
Fuel Economy:	6	Exterior Design:	8

2003 Chevrolet Tahoe LT 4WD 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 4A)

We paid $44K for the 2003 TahoeLT4WD and looking back now the amount surprises me. Not that the truck is not a great value but we have invested in brake pads (twice), rotors (once) and other rear-end parts. There is a leak from the overhead A/C control that spills water (when heavy rain) onto the front passenger. The truck drives powerfully, holds the road very well and eats up potholes and off-road bumps with ease. The interior layout works real well with 4 captain chairs and 2 removable third row seats. We hope to get another 70k miles before any more investment or trade in. I would recommend this truck to anyone with need to travel distances safely with kids and a dog. It's worth it.

Elevated ride height, handling, interior design and function, seats make the back seats easily adjustable.

Leakage issues, heaviness of vehicle contributes to frequent brake repair and 14 mpg gas highway is expensive for long trips.

My Favorite Car

Written by: kpnj on 06/19/2009


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	8
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	9
Fuel Economy:	3	Exterior Design:	10

The Tahoe is by far my favorite car. WE leased this car new in 03 and bought it when the lease was up. I have 2 kids and a great dane. This car fits everything! The only problems are that I've had to replace the fuel pump and transmission. Minor annoyances have been the parking brake and electrical issues, but "Bessie" has started every single time for 113,000 miles. We will be heartbroken to see her go.

Extremely comfortable! Very roomy. 9 people at once no problem. Very smooth, quiet ride.

Electrical system, fuel pump.

2003 Chevrolet Tahoe Consumer Ratings & Reviews