High-functionality SUVs are a hot commodity and Chevrolet is dipping their toes into the water with a souped-up Tahoe recognized as the RST Performance Edition.

Essentially a cop auto in plain clothing, the model is surprisingly restrained for a functionality variant. The Tahoe rides on black 20-inch wheels that are wrapped in police-spec Firestone Firehawk Pursuit tires. They’re joined by black badging and Torch Red calipers, which let other individuals know this is not your common loved ones hauler.

The rest of the style carries more than from the Tahoe RST and this signifies there’s a black grille and handy side actions. Other highlights consist of LED lighting units, rain-sensing wipers, and a hands-cost-free energy liftgate that projects a bow tie emblem onto the ground.

Quick Facts

A Well-Equipped Cabin That’s Starting To Show Its Age

The low-crucial appears continue inside as the only modify is the addition of sport pedals. That becoming stated, the RST Performance Edition comes regular with the Luxury Package and it adds a heated steering wheel and a energy tilt/telescoping steering column. They’re joined by a energy-folding third-row and heated second-row seats.

That’s on best of an currently impressive list of regular gear that consists of a 12.three-inch digital instrument cluster, a ten.two-inch infotainment program, and a nine-speaker Bose premium audio program. Buyers will also uncover heated leather front seats, red contrast stitching, a wireless smartphone charger, and a tri-zone automatic climate manage program.

This definitely tends to make for a nicely-equipped SUV, but the Tahoe is beginning to show its age. The infotainment program abruptly feels modest as the Toyota Sequoia delivers a 14-inch show, even though the 2024 Traverse will have a screen that spans 17.7 inches.

Besides the modest show, the cabin feels underwhelming for one thing that charges about $80,000. There are also a handful of questionable touches – which includes an oddball shifter and a dash-mounted cubby – that haven’t gotten greater with age.

It’s not all negative news as crucial touchpoints are nicely padded and there’s a ton of physical switchgear, which is increasingly uncommon these days. The Tahoe is also cavernous as there’s a lot of space in all 3 rows, even though entry and egress is not excellent for these in the back.

Buyers will uncover 122.9 cubic feet (three,480 liters) of cargo space, which is 36 cubic feet (1,019 liters) much more than the Sequoia. It also bests the Jeep Wagoneer and the whole Ford Expedition lineup.

An Upgraded six.two-Liter V8 With 433 HP

Under the hood, there’s a beefy six.two-liter V8 engine. However, this is not your run-of-the-mill variant as it has a cold air intake with a cone-style air filter as nicely as an air box with a clear lid. They’re joined by a cat-back exhaust, which is quiet about town but sounds excellent when pushed.

Thanks to the alterations, the output climbs to 433 hp (323 kW / 439 PS) and 467 lb-ft (632 Nm) of torque, which is an boost of 13 hp (ten kW / 13 PS) and 7 lb-ft (9 Nm). This enables the RST Performance Edition to be the quickest Tahoe about as 60 mph (-96 km/h) comes in five.78 seconds, even though the best speed climbs to 124 mph (200 km/h). Those are modest improvements of .17 seconds and 12 mph (19 km/h), respectively.

While we’d rather have a supercharged V8 sourced from the Cadillac Escalade-V, the further functionality is welcome and the complete-size SUV is impressively fast for one thing that weighs about five,845 lbs (two,651 kg). Mashing the accelerator provokes a fast response from the almighty V8 and the lumbering giant roars to life with impressive gusto.

Putting the engine aside, there’s a smooth shifting ten-speed automatic transmission and a regular 4-wheel drive program. It’s also worth noting the model can haul much more than just butt as the towing capacity remains unchanged at 7,600 lbs (three,447 kg).

A Sportier Driving Experience, But Don’t Expect A Miracle

While it is usually difficult to get excited about brakes on mainstream models, the Performance Edition has a Brembo braking program that tends to make it really feel like hundreds of pounds have melted off. As a outcome, the model comes to a halt like a smaller sized and lighter crossover.

Their impressive functionality is largely due to front discs that are about 25% larger than these located on the regular Tahoe RST. This enables the model to go from 60- mph (96- km/h) in 133 feet (40.five meters), which is an improvement of six.four feet (1.9 meters). They’re also nicely-mannered about town and have a good pedal really feel.

Brakes are only component of the story as the Performance Edition cribs heavily from the Tahoe PPV playbook. As component of this work, the model has been outfitted with police-spec springs and chassis tuning. They’re joined by new dampers and a police-spec ride height, which is .four inches (ten mm) reduced in front and .eight inches (20 mm) reduced out back.

Thanks to Officer Tahoe, the Performance Edition hugs the road even though maintaining physique roll in verify. Cornering is notably flatter than in other versions of the complete-size SUV and the whole driving expertise feels elevated. Nevertheless, you ought to maintain your expectations in verify as the model’s size and weight will make themselves recognized when pushed.

Despite the suspension and chassis tweaks, the Tahoe is surprisingly civilized. The model feels at residence on smooth pavement, but factors turn out to be much more truck-like as circumstances worsen. Nothing ever comes across as harsh, but you could be in for a bumpy ride on pockmarked roads.

The steering and throttle have a relaxed really feel, but Sport mode livens factors up a bit. Unfortunately, the program defaults to Normal each and every time you begin the engine and that is annoying, specifically for a functionality variant.

Lastly, there’s a host of driver help systems which includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. They’re joined by Rear Pedestrian Alert, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, and an HD Surround Vision program that offers an assortment of diverse camera views.

A Nice Package, But It’s Not Cheap

While the Tahoe RST Performance Edition will not appease hardcore enthusiasts, it has wonderful brakes and a slightly much more strong six.two-liter V8. Buyers will also be rewarded with a sportier suspension and enhanced driving dynamics.

The Performance Edition package charges $eight,875 and the upgrades are relatively modest. However, pricing is not negative when you think about the firm charges $three,025 for the Luxury package and $three,495 for a Brembo brake upgrade. Of course, purchasers will nonetheless be on the hook for at least $78,565 which includes location.

This brings the Tahoe dangerously close to the Ford Expedition and its optional Stealth Performance package, which adds a sport-tuned suspension, black accents, and a higher-output three.five-liter EcoBoost V6. The latter packs 440 hp (328 kW / 446 PS) and 510 lb-ft (691 Nm) of torque, which effortlessly beats the Chevy. However, we’re not complaining as it is good to see one more sporty complete-size SUV.