2020 Chevy Tahoe Review

Name: 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe Review
Brand: Chevrolet
Price: 27491 USD

Chevrolet Tahoe LT 4dr SUV Exterior. Luxury Package Shown.

Chevrolet Tahoe Premier 4dr SUV Exterior

+137

When it comes to SUVs that can tow, the Tahoe is showing its age. It has a nicely trimmed cabin, but its solid rear axle is an obvious cost-cutting measure that degrades ride comfort and third-row legroom. Its high rear load floor drops the Tahoe to last-in-class for cargo space and loading ease.

Used Tahoe for sale

$27,491 - $52,950

29 listings

See Cars for Online Purchase See All for Sale

Appraise This Car

Chevrolet Tahoe model years

Chevrolet Tahoe for Sale

See Edmunds pricing data

Has Your Car's Value Changed?

Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.

See pricing history

2020 Chevrolet Tahoe Review

byKurt Niebuhr^{Senior Vehicle Test Editor
Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of Edmunds' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.}

Pros

Seating for up to nine people
Standard V8 offers impressive towing capability
Interior is well-trimmed and quiet
Optional 6.2-liter V8 adds performance and capability

Cons

Sluggish engine and brake responses
High trunk floor makes loading difficult and reduces cargo space
Maneuvering in tight spaces is a challenge

What's new

Minor revisions to optional feature availability
Part of the fourth Tahoe generation introduced for 2015

Overview

The crossover SUV is quickly becoming the multi-tool of the automotive world. And while its versatility allows it to be many things to many people, sometimes you need a little bit extra, be it with passenger seating or towing capacity. For those situations, there's the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe, a full-size SUV capable of carrying up to nine people and equipped with a maximum tow rating of 8,600 pounds.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe Fleet 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A) 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 $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$241/mo

$254/mo

Avg. Large SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

Allowing for all this capability is a decidedly old-school body-on-frame construction (much like a truck) and a pair of stout V8 engines: the standard 355-horsepower 5.3-liter V8 and the optional 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 engine found in other GM products such as the Silverado. Four-wheel drive is optional, as is the Tahoe's aforementioned ability to seat up to nine people with variations allowing for eight or seven passengers.

But the Tahoe's capability comes at the cost of refinement. Over imperfect roads, the Chevy shudders and shakes, and its responses to throttle and braking inputs can be annoyingly slow. It doesn't help that Ford's Expedition was recently revamped. It excels at providing passengers with excellent comfort, refinement and convenience and offers solid towing capabilities.

The Tahoe exists for the few buyers who need more capability than most SUVs offer but are unwilling to buy a full-size truck. And even with its shortcomings, as a workhorse, the Chevy is tough to beat.

Notably, we picked the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe RST as one of Edmunds' Fastest SUVs for 2019.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Below Average

7.0

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

6.5/10

How does the Tahoe drive? Sluggish throttle tuning overshadows an otherwise stout 355-horsepower 5.3-liter V8 and six-speed automatic. The brakes are slow-acting, too, and the Tahoe feels large and heavy at all times. Towing ability is a saving grace as is the addition of Chevrolet's robust 6.2-liter 420-hp V8 engine.

But there's no getting away from the antiquated rear suspension setup. On anything less than a perfect surface, the solid rear axle skips and jumps across the road, transmitting bumps and shakes into the cabin. The available off-road package is of some value, but the Tahoe's limited ground clearance and sheer size will keep the adventures on gravel roads.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the Tahoe? Thanks to its body-on-frame construction and excellent door seals, this Tahoe is about as quiet as SUVs get. The first two rows of seats are roomy and comfy, but the same can't be said for the third, which is a shame for a vehicle of this size. Although the suspension is adept at controlling big bumps, seemingly insignificant ripples and road patches tend to give the cabin the shakes, making the Tahoe feel a bit crude and truck-like.

The climate control always has a handle on cabin temperature. Outside temperatures over 100 degrees never fazed the Tahoe or any of its occupants, and even though the blower could be a bit loud at full speed, this setting was rarely needed.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? The first two rows of the Tahoe are excellent in terms of ease of use, room and access, and even the third row is fairly accessible. But the rear floor is high because of the solid-axle suspension, which eats up third-row legroom. Cargo room is also compromised by the high rear floor to the point where loading larger or heavier items might require a helping hand.

Thankfully, visibility is fairly good in all directions thanks to tall windows and relatively thin pillars. The outside mirrors are simply too small for the Tahoe, but with standard rear parking sensors and a backup camera, it's not much of a hassle to park.

Technology

7.5/10

How’s the tech? It's up-to-date with today's consumer demands. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration and a quick-acting touchscreen cover a lot of ground when it comes to daily use of the infotainment system. Features such as 4G LTE Wi-Fi and up to 14 charging ports cater to the Tahoe's likely family-hauling duties.

Some of the driver assistance features, such as the lane departure system's vibrating seats, are mediocre and feel a bit gimmicky in their execution. The backup camera lacks clarity, and we wish the audio system was of higher-quality, especially on the top trim levels.

Storage

6.0/10

How’s the storage? Its 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row trails behind the nearest competitor's 18.6 cubic feet. Cargo space behind the second row trails similarly, with 51.7 cubic feet compared to 55 cubic feet. Even worse, the load floor is quite high and sloping. In-cabin storage is considerably better.

When properly equipped (using the 5.3-liter V8, two-wheel drive and trailering package), the Tahoe can tow up to 8,600 pounds. That's a strong showing and goes some way toward redeeming the Tahoe's below-average driving dynamics and less-than-stellar cargo capacity.

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA rates the 5.3-liter 4WD Tahoe at 17 mpg combined (15 city/21 highway), which is better than a Toyota Sequoia but not a Ford Expedition. We averaged 17.3 mpg over 845 miles of mixed driving, including 19.5 mpg on our standard test loop. The 6.2-liter with 4WD is slated to return similar numbers at 17 mpg combined (14 city/22 highway) although that engine requires premium unleaded.

Value

7.5/10

Is the Tahoe a good value? The Tahoe's old-school chassis doesn't come at a discount relative to the competition, and the relative age of the platform makes its higher-priced options harder to swallow. Fully loaded, a Tahoe can top out near $80K. That said, its nice-looking cabin is generally a pleasant place and is packed with modern touches. Build quality is generally good, but there are still plenty of hard plastics with rough edges throughout the cabin.

The Tahoe offers a pretty strong powertrain warranty, and your first scheduled maintenance visit is free. Extra peace of mind may come with a roadside assistance program that lasts five years/60,000 miles.

Wildcard

6.5/10

Certain aspects of the Tahoe's performance seem designed to discourage fun, most notably the laggardly throttle, brakes and steering. This is understandable given the truck's mission, but these measures extend too far into the realm of everyday driving and become annoying. Still, if you need your full-size SUV to work hard for a living, it's difficult to overlook the Tahoe.

Which Tahoe does Edmunds recommend?

The 6.2-liter V8 is a very tempting option for the Tahoe, but the price tag associated with it, and the top trim level where it exists, is a bit too steep for us to recommend. Instead, we like the midgrade LT model, which comes well-equipped with power-adjustable leather seats, a power liftgate and an upgraded nine-speaker audio system. The affordable Max Trailering package ensures impressive towing numbers, and there are Midnight Edition, RST Edition, Z71 Off-Road, and Luxury packages to dress up the LT to your tastes.

2020 Chevrolet Tahoe models

The 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe comes in three trim levels: LS, LT and Premier. Moving up through the three trim levels brings more standard features and available option packages, ranging from appearance to powertrain options. Thanks to the wide array of available upgrades, the Tahoe can be tailored for a variety of needs, from something more work-centric to fairly luxurious.

The LS comes fitted with a 5.3-liter V8 engine (355 horsepower, 383 lb-ft of torque) and a six-speed automatic transmission. And it is the only trim available with three bench seats and seating for nine. Features such as remote engine start, triple-zone climate control and power front seats make it more than just a big work wagon. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are here, too, and the available Enhanced Driver Alert package adds a suite of useful driver aids.

The LT trim brings leather upholstery and other interior luxury features, but the Luxury package dresses the LT up further and adds more driver aids. Should you want to venture off the highway and onto the trail, the Z71 Off-Road package, which is unique to the LT, equips the Tahoe with an off-road suspension and off-road tires and underbody protection.

The Premier trim lives at the top of the Tahoe lineup and is the only way to get the adaptive Magnetic Ride Control suspension and even more creature comforts such as ventilated seats. It is also the only way to access the 6.2-liter V8 (420 hp, 460 lb-ft) and its accompanying 10-speed automatic transmission. Selecting the Premier Plus Edition dresses the Tahoe to the nines and includes the 6.2-liter V8. That powerful V8 is available on other packages but most notably in the 6.2L Performance package, which is new for 2020.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3.5/5Above Average

#27 out of 32 among Midsize SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Chevrolet Tahoe from 2008-2022.}

$623/yr

vs. $485/yr
for Average Midsize SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.14x/yr

vs. 1.18x/yr
for Average Midsize SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

17.4%

vs. 13.5%
for Average Midsize SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe.

5 (51%)

4 (12%)

3 (9%)

2 (9%)

1 (19%)

3.7

43 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 43 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

2018 Tahoe reviews after 2 mos, 1yr, 3yrs, 4yrs

Ken, 01/07/2019

2018 Chevrolet Tahoe LT 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A)

I have owned a 99 Yukon, 99 Suburban, 2005 Suburban, and 2013 Tahoe, and all served me well. This has so much great new technology for driving, like blind spot, cross alert traffic when backing up, backup camera (which I have had and enjoyed since I put the first one in my '05 Subby) front collision alert, lane keeping, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, & heated steering wheel, … which all came with the luxury option as I recall. It is worth it! I wish they would not make the front seats and backs with the edge bolsters on the new vehicles. It is not as comfortable for sitting as my '05 or '13, and feels narrower. Headlights got low grade because I am shopping to replace the low beam bulbs with ones that give more light and more distance. It is not an easy job since I will have to remove the air filter box on passenger side to get to bulb, but once I find ones that will last a while, (based on reviews) I am doing that upgrade. Now the good news. The wipers cannot be heard while running which is a great update. Maybe better soundproofing in the glass, but appreciated! Quiet ride, handles very well, and great tech options for phone, etc, in 8" display. Multiple displays of your choice in small screen under the speedo are also great. The one problem I am having is loud vibration in back end at low speeds. I actually took it to local Dlrship to see if they had not filled tranny at factory. New tranny oil is clear and hard to read. They said it was OK. I got an appointment to have car looked at, and on the day I went in, after 90 minutes of waiting they told me they knew my problem without bringing it in the shop. Pressure problem in fuel line going from tank is causing loud vibration of the line. Sounds like noisy rear air ride compressor running intermittently, and a lot at low speeds. They had another one just like it with same problem last week. They found TSB #17-NA-304 that explained that fuels lines need replacing. I went yesterday and had the fuel line & fuel hose replaced to fix it, and it now sounds great!. Car has just 2,100 miles. This is my 14 month, @ 13,000 mile update- Jan 2020: There have been no problems with the Tahoe, and it has performed well. I am pleased with my latest large Chevy SUV. I do want to add that the only real safety concern I have is the inability to see to the left and right in the evening, and at an intersection that is not well lit, like my residential neighborhood. The headlights do nothing to cover those areas, especially the right side, where I worry that as I turn right in the dark, I could come upon a pedestrian that I could not see walking. This big rig needs cornering lamps that illuminate when the directional is on to be safe in those situations. Turning on the fog lights helps a bit, but it should not have to be needed to make a turn in darkness. My 2001 Lincoln Town Car had them, and that was 19 years ago! January 2021- 3 yr 3 month update @ 34,000 miles: The Tahoe does great in all facets. I did upgrade the OEM Michelin Energy Saver tires (treadwear rating of 480) at 30K miles for Michelin Defender LTX, which have great tread. OEMs were worn down more than I liked in terms of heading towards hydroplaning issues in water and I am happy I made the upgrade. My main complaint remains that I cannot see forward at night when taking turns, or even on dark road trying to see if anyone is walking on the shoulder. Headlights project straight forward only and not near the car. It is worst when cornering, and I worry that someone could be run over if walking in the dark because there is no visibility. I try to turn on my fog lights at night for that reason because it does help a bit with widening the lighted profile just in front of the vehicle to each side. Cornering lights would be a necessity for me to consider getting a new Tahoe. Mechanically, the Tahoe has been perfect. I average 20-21 mpg highway, and have overall 17.8 mpg since purchase (I have not reset trip 1 indicator since I did it on the test drive with 19 miles, and I use trip 2 for fill up resets. The overall MPG would be much better, but in the summer, I sit in car with A/C on while I am parked at the ocean, and do same thing with heat on in winter. This car has been everything I had hoped for (except cornering lighting issue) and the luxury package gave me all the tech I needed. I am seeing used 2018 Tahoe LT's like mine at car dealerships with similar or higher mileage that are selling for as much of more than I paid when new 3 yrs and 3 months ago, with the $10k year end discount I got. JULY 2022- 3 yr 9 months review: Mileage just turned 39,000. Only maintenance since last review was two more synthetic oil changes at local Chevy dealer, and an alignment after getting new Michelin Defender LTX tires at 30K miles when OEM Michelins were too worn for my liking. I did replace the original battery in July 2021 (@33 months) without checking on any remaining warrantee. Otherwise, this car has performed very well. I am impressed with the ongoing quality and the comfort in the Chevy large SUVS, and after recently driving our daughter's 2019 Mercedes GLS450 while in Colorado, I prefer my 2018 Tahoe by a long shot. July 2023, 4 yr 9 month review--- Air Conditioning unit lost all coolant and failed due to leak at a weld of fitting for the ac line to the condenser in 11/2022 at 41k miles. Condenser and new AC lines and freon had to be put thru on my non GM extended warrantee, even though there was a GM recall on several Tahoe model years up thru 2017 for exact same problem. At same visit, also had torn boot on left front axle, so axle was replaced under GM power train warrantee. Otherwise, the Tahoe keeps on going without other problems. It has 48K now in 7/2023, and is on original front and rear brakes. (My '05 full time AWD Suburban went 73K before I had to have the brakes and rotors done.)

Big and spacious!

Josiah, 03/04/2020

2019 Chevrolet Tahoe LT 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A)

A great vehicle for a family. My mom just bought her 2019 Chevy Tahoe and she loves it! It's big and spacious. It also has very decent legroom. The only thing I didn't like during the drive was poor acceleration and speed. It was also very sensitive to the road and strong winds. Overall a great big vehicle with heated seats and sunroof.

Love my 2019 Tahoe Midnight Addition!

William Bennett, 06/11/2019

2019 Chevrolet Tahoe LS 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A)

I’ve had this SUV for about 5 weeks now and I love it. I have the LS Midnight Addition with upgraded black leather seats by Katz. I have truly enjoyed every minute of it. The vehicle looks amazing, drives great, has plenty of room, overhead air vents, wood grain trim, heavy duty interior w/ beautiful finishes, dual front power seats, dual front and rear climate control, hidden …

Tahoe RST most beautiful truck ever!

Heidi Rollo, 10/22/2019

2020 Chevrolet Tahoe LT 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A)

This has been the best vehicle by Chevrolet I have owned by far. Best vehicle I’ve ever owned period! The options are insane! This vehicle is so impressive I cannot tell you how pleased I am!

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe, so we've included reviews for other years of the Tahoe since its last redesign.

See all 43 reviews of the Chevrolet Tahoe

Write a vehicle review

2020 Chevrolet Tahoe video

The Best SUVs for 2020 & 2021 — The Top-Rated Small, Midsize, Large, Luxury SUVs and Crossovers

SUVs are the most popular vehicles on the road today, and they come in all shapes and sizes. In this video, Carlos Lago breaks down the best SUVs for 2020 and 2021. With so many models to choose from, it can be a little overwhelming trying to find the perfect SUV for you and your…

2020 Tahoe Highlights

Trim:

Fleet

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$46,800
Engine Type	Flex-fuel (ffv)
Combined MPG	18 MPG
Cost to Drive	$241/month
Seating	8 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	15.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Tahoe models:

Forward Collision Alert: Warns the driver to take action to avoid colliding with a vehicle or other object in front of the SUV.
Lane Keep Assist: Alerts the driver when the SUV drifts out of its lane and delivers steering input to keep the vehicle in its lane.
Safety Alert Driver Seat: Vibrates the driver's seat cushion when a safety alert occurs.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover3 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover22.8%

People who viewed this also viewed

GMC Yukon
1.0 average Rating out of 1 reviews.
Starting at $58,200

See GMC Yukon Inventory

Ford Expedition
3.7 average Rating out of 3 reviews.
Starting at $55,105

See Ford Expedition Inventory

Chevrolet Suburban
4.5 average Rating out of 2 reviews.
Starting at $57,600

See Chevrolet Suburban Inventory

2020 Chevy Tahoe Review

2020 Chevrolet Tahoe Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe Fleet 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A) 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 $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Tahoe does Edmunds recommend?

2020 Chevrolet Tahoe models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

2018 Tahoe reviews after 2 mos, 1yr, 3yrs, 4yrs

Big and spacious!

Love my 2019 Tahoe Midnight Addition!

Tahoe RST most beautiful truck ever!

2020 Chevrolet Tahoe video

The Best SUVs for 2020 & 2021 — The Top-Rated Small, Midsize, Large, Luxury SUVs and Crossovers

2020 Tahoe Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Chevrolet

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe Fleet 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A) 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 $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}