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2012 Chevrolet Tahoe

Rating7.5

Ranked #4 in Fullsize Suv

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Starting MSRP 

$37,510 - $56,075

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Key Spec of 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe
fuel economy

15/18/21

fuel type

flexible

horsepower

320 hp @ 5400 rpm

basic warranty

3 yr./ 36000 mi.

New Cars
Old CarsBuild In & Price

2012 Chevrolet Tahoe Price, Review, Ratings and Pictures

Updated on: December 28, 2021

Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor

The Chevrolet Tahoe is a good SUV that boasts a handsome old-school boxy design. Although the design seems pretty dated it is still appealing to a lot of buyers due to its elegant styling. The interior is impressive and is equipped with the latest technologies and creature comforts. The 2012 Tahoe is athletic considering its size and provides excellent towing capacity and decent off-road prowess.

2012 Chevrolet Tahoe Latest Updates

  • May' 17, 2022 : Chevrolet To Offer Super Cruise Among Other Updates On The 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe And Suburban SUVs Read More »
  • Apr' 1, 2022 : First-Ever Chevrolet Silverado Pursuit Vehicle Joins Hands With The Tahoe PPV Read More »
  • Feb' 2, 2022 : Battle Of Mid-Size American Brutes: 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe Vs 2022 Ford Expedition Read More »
See detailed review
ProsConsWhat's New

Its V8 engine is smooth

Less spacious than rivals

2012 Tahoe gains some new features like Navigation System

Great towing capacity

No telescopic steering wheel

Excellent quality and finishing in the interior

Cramped third-row seats

Composed handling

Sprightly acceleration

Over All Rating

7.5

Out of 10

Pricing and Features6.00
Pricing and Feature8.00
Features8.00
Engine and Performance7.60
Fuel Economy5.00
Interior8.00
Exterior7.00
Safety8.30
Competition9.00
Notable Rankings

#4 in Fullsize Suv

#10 in Suv

Pictures & Videos

Exterior [6]Interior [5]
2012 Chevrolet Tahoe exterior
2012 Chevrolet Tahoe exterior
2012 Chevrolet Tahoe exterior
2012 Chevrolet Tahoe exterior
2012 Chevrolet Tahoe exterior
2012 Chevrolet Tahoe exterior

Trims

Base$37,510 onwards

  • 1St row LCD monitor
  • 50-50 split-bench 3rd row seats
  • Driver Lumbar support
  • Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning
  • Navigation system
Build Car

LS$38,755 onwards

  • 17-inch silver aluminum Wheels
  • ABS and driveline Traction control
  • Driver Lumbar support
  • Dual zone manual front air conditioning
  • Heated mirrors
  • Premium cloth Seat trim
  • Rear air conditioning with controls
  • Remote keyless entry
  • Seek-Scan Radio
  • Siriusxm AM/FM/Satellite
Build Car

LT$43,905 onwards

  • Dual zone automatic front air conditioning
  • Front Fog/driving lights
  • Front passengers heated-cushion
  • Leather Seat trim
  • Ultrasonic Parking assist
Build Car

LTZ$52,970 onwards

  • 1St row LCD monitor
  • 20-inch polished aluminum Wheels
  • Front passenger Lumbar support
  • Navigation system
Build Car
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Used 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe For Sale

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2011 Chevrolet Tahoe35
Price Drop, $1000
Previous Price: $11990, 20 Mar 2022
New

2011 Chevrolet Tahoe LT

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

$10,990
Est. $149/mo
Excellent Deal
$5,009 Below market
RMV: $15,999
Smyrna, TN
N/A
Check Availability
2013 Chevrolet Tahoe34

2013 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV

LT

$15,010
Est. $203/mo
Excellent Deal
$6,381.5 Below market
RMV: $21,391.5
Lutz, FL
N/A
Check Availability
2012 Chevrolet Tahoe15
Price Drop, $2000
Previous Price: $12999, 18 Aug 2021

2012 Chevrolet Tahoe LT

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

$10,999
Est. $149/mo
Excellent Deal
$4,580 Below market
RMV: $15,579
Seattle, WA
N/A
Check Availability
2011 Chevrolet Tahoe

2011 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV

LS

$11,999
Est. $162/mo
Excellent Deal
$4,991 Below market
RMV: $16,990
Bennettsville, SC
N/A
Check Availability
2011 Chevrolet Tahoe26
Price Drop, $1501
Previous Price: $12500, 21 May 2022
New

2011 Chevrolet Tahoe LT

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

$10,999
Est. $149/mo
Excellent Deal
$5,350 Below market
RMV: $16,349
Keyport, NJ
N/A
Check Availability
2013 Chevrolet Tahoe23
Price Drop, $860
Previous Price: $16150, 14 Jan 2022

2013 Chevrolet Tahoe LT SUV

LT

$15,290
Est. $207/mo
Excellent Deal
$6,101.5 Below market
RMV: $21,391.5
Dallas, TX
N/A
Check Availability
2013 Chevrolet Tahoe5

2013 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV

LT

$15,295
Est. $207/mo
Excellent Deal
$6,096.5 Below market
RMV: $21,391.5
Richardson, TX
N/A
Check Availability
2013 Chevrolet Tahoe40
Price Drop, $2000
Previous Price: $14900, 20 May 2022

2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Police

Police 4dr SUV (5.3L 320 hp 8cyl FFV 6A)

$12,900
Est. $175/mo
Excellent Deal
$5,095 Below market
RMV: $17,995
San Antonio, TX
N/A
Check Availability
2013 Chevrolet Tahoe27
Price Drop, $1000
Previous Price: $14995, 20 Apr 2022
New

2013 Chevrolet Tahoe LT

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

$13,995
Est. $190/mo
Excellent Deal
$5,487.5 Below market
RMV: $19,482.5
Plano, TX
N/A
Check Availability
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See all used 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe for sale

Colors and Styles

2012 Chevrolet Tahoe in Champagne Silver Metallic color
Champagne Silver Metallic

Expert Review, Pricing Analysis and Buying Guide

 Its compliant rear suspension allows for a smoother ride. The V8 engine on offer is spot on and robust and delivers a strong acceleration off the line. With a powerful engine, it is able to tow tremendous weights. In this segment, its key competitors are the GMC Yukon, Ford Expedition, and Nissan Armada. Let’s find out how it stacks up against the rivals in its competition.

Features
8.0/10

The Chevrolet Tahoe is offered with three trims namely LS, LT, and LTZ trim. All the three trims get the same 5.3L V8 engine but add on to its features list as it moves up to the higher end. The base trim priced at $38,755 comes equipped with features we see in a luxury model and gains, translating features like 17-inch alloy wheels Tri-zone manual climate control A/C. The LTZ trim which is priced at $52,970, comes with Heated and ventilated front seats, Navigation System, and 20-inch wheels along with many in addition to the base features.

Trim

LS

LT

LTZ

MSRP (2WD)

$38,755

$43,905

$52,970

MSRP (4WD)

$42,815

$46,755

$56,075

Key-features

17-inch alloy wheels

Most features of LS, plus:

Features of LT Luxury Package content, plus:

 

Tri-zone manual climate control

Fog Lamps

20-inch wheels

 

Power front seats

Rear-locking differential

Captain’s chair

 

Bluetooth

Tri-zone automatic climate control

Upgraded air suspension

 

6-speaker sound system

Driver memory functions

Heated and ventilated front seats

 

CD Player

Leather upholstery

Heated steering wheel

 

Satellite Radio

9-speaker Bose Sound System

Navigation System

 

Auxiliary Audio Jack

Theft-deterrent system, vehicle, PASS-Key III

heated power-adjustable mirrors

 

iPod/USB Audio interface

driver 6-way power seat

10-speaker Bose Sound System

We Recommend

The 2012 Tahoe is offered in three trims with the same engine and gets plenty of features even in the base model. Priced at $43,905, the LT trim is the one we would recommend. Along with the base features, the LT trim comes equipped with a 9-speaker Bose Sound System, Leather upholstery, Rear-locking differential, and much more, making this trim more appealing to buyers.

Engine and Performance
7.6/10

The 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe features a 5.3L V8 engine which gives out a total power output of 320 horsepower and 335 lb-ft of total torque. The SUV comes standard with an RWD system with AWD available as an option. The engine comes mated with a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The AWD model comes with a single-speed unit without low-range gearing or a traditional two-speed transfer case. 

The engine offered is more than capable and can pull the fully-loaded vehicle flawlessly. Along with the steady acceleration, it comes with a typical V8 sound. The ride quality of the Tahoe feels refined along with decent handling. It feels more responsive as compared to other SUVs in the segment.

Models

2012 Chevrolet Tahoe 

2012 GMC Yukon

2012 Ford Expedition

2012 Nissan Armada

MSRP

$38,755

$40,085

$39,140

$39,870

Engine 

5.3L V8

5.3L V8

5.4L V8

5.6L V8

Drivetrain

RWD

RWD

RWD

RWD

Transmission

6-speed automatic

6-speed automatic

6-speed automatic

5-speed automatic

Power 

320 hp @ 5400 rpm

320 hp @ 5400 rpm

310 hp @ 5100 rpm

317hp @ 5200 rpm

Torque

335 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm

335 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm

365 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm

385 lb-ft @3400 rpm

0-60 MPH (sec)

8.1

8.1

8..5

8.3

Quarter mile (sec)

15.9

16

14.7

14.6

Top Speed (MPH)

139

N/A

N/A

120

The 5.3L V-8 engine offered in the Tahoe gives out better output figures than its competitors. In the 0-60MPH dash, the Ford Expedition is the slowest clocking 8.5 seconds. The Nissan Armada comes with a 5.6L V8 engine, the largest among the lot, and offers performance figures on par with the Tahoe as it comes with the highest torque of 385 lb-ft.

Fuel Economy
5.0/10

In the 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe, the V8 engine gets claimed fuel efficiency of 15mpg on city roads, 21mpg on the highway, and 17mpg on combined usage. Along with decent fuel economy figures, it features a large 26-gallon fuel tank thus it gets an impressive range of 546 miles on the highway.  

The Tahoe features the Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation that efficiently switches among 4-, 6- or 8-cylinder modes according to the need thus improving the vehicle’s fuel efficiency. All the models of the Tahoe are available with E85 compatibility but return a low estimated EPA- 11 mpg for the city and 16mpg for the highway.

Models

2012 Chevrolet Tahoe 

2012 GMC Yukon

2012 Ford Expedition

2012 Nissan Armada

MPG (City)

15

15

14

13

MPG (Highway)

21

21

20

19

MPG (Combined)

17

17

16

15

Fuel Capacity (gallons)

26

26

28

28

Range (City/ Highway) (miles)

390/546

390/546

392/560

364/532

The fuel efficiency of the Chevrolet Tahoe is impressive and is among the best in the segment. The Ford Expedition returns an EPA of 14MPG in the city and 20MPG on the highway while the Nissan Armada is the one with the lowest EPA figures in the segment. Even with a larger 28-gallon fuel tank the Armada still stands at the bottom in terms of overall range too. The range offered by Ford with a similar tank size as to Armada is on par with the Tahoe.

Interior
8.0/10

The interior of the 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe feels luxurious and seats a total of nine passengers when equipped with bench seats. It features an attractive design along with high-quality material and decent finishing. The first row is pretty wide and also offers plenty of headroom. Along with this, the bucket seats offered are partitioned by a wide console. The Tahoe is also offered with a front bench as an option. 

It offers plenty of space to the passengers in the front but space in the third row is still an issue as the second-row seats don’t move forward. Along with this, it offers less cargo capacity due to its short length. The seats in the third row of the vehicle don’t flat fold and are difficult to remove due to their heavyweight. The cargo capacity without the third row features 60.3 cu ft of space and 16.9 with the seats on.

Models

2012 Chevrolet Tahoe 

2012 GMC Yukon

2012 Ford Expedition

2012 Nissan Armada

Seating Capacity

9

8

8

8

Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

41.1/65.2/41.3

40.3/65.2/41.3

39.6 /63.2/41.2

39.7/65/41.8

Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

39.2/65.2/39

39.2/65.2/39

39.8/63.7/39.1

40/64.7/41.9

Third Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

37.9/61.7/25.6

37.9/61.7/25.6

N/A

35.9/63.7/32.2

Cargo Capacity (cu-ft)

16.9

16.9

18.6

20

The dimensions of the Chevrolet Tahoe offer a spacious cabin compared to its rivals with space for an extra passenger. The third row on the Chevy offers the least headroom after the Nissan Armada and the least legroom after the GMC Yukon. The Nissan Armada is the one with the largest cargo capacity along with a foldable third-row thus more convenient in carrying more cargo. Standout interior features:

  • Dual-zone A/C
  • Cloth Upholstery
  • Driver Lumbar Support
  • Heated front seats(optional)
  • Second-row heated seats (optional)
  • Power release fold and tumble second-row seats (optional)

How intuitive is the 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe’s infotainment unit?

It gets a long list of features as standard with intuitive controls. The dashboard layout seems pretty straightforward and the navigation system which is offered as an option is also easy to use. Along with these, it gets various features like satellite radio, a USB port, and Bluetooth as standard. It also gets various additional features like navigation, rear-seat audio controls, and a nine-speaker Bose stereo system. Standout infotainment features:

  • 6-speaker sound system
  • CD Player
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Satellite Radio
  • USB/iPod interface
  • Rear-seat entertainment system(optional)
  • 9-speaker Bose Stereo System (optional)
Exterior
7.0/10

The 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe doesn’t get any exterior updates for this year and features a conservative and stylish design. The vehicle boasts a bold and plain design but somewhere feels a bit aged. It gets 17-inch alloy wheels and a 20-inch set in the LTZ trim. The body looks mildly round at the corners and looks decent along with the well-sculpted lines it gets. 

In the front, the broad grille is divided by a horizontal band on which sits the Chevy logo, and on the sides of the grille, it features big boxy-shaped headlamps. This distinctive big SUV-like design might not appeal to some people but it sure looks handsome with a bold road presence. Moreover, it is among the most compact vehicles which gives it better handling and less body roll when compared to its rivals.

Models

2012 Chevrolet Tahoe 

2012 GMC Yukon

2012 Ford Expedition

2012 Nissan Armada

Curb Weight (lbs.)

5448

5448

5549

5251

Length (in.)

202

202

206.5 

207.7

Width (in.)

79

79

78.8 

79.3

Height (in.)

76.9

76.9 

77.2 

77.2

Ground Clearance (in.)

10.5

9

8.7 

9.8

Wheelbase (in.)

116

116

119

123.2

As to the dimensions, the Armada is the lengthiest and the widest SUV. It also gets a 9.8-inch ground clearance; 0.6 inches less than the Tahoe. The GMC Yukon and the Expedition get the shortest wheelbase while the Armada gets the largest which translates to better interior space. Among the rivals, despite being the largest SUV, weighs only 5251 lbs. Some of the Standout exterior features:

  • 17-inch alloy wheels
  • Roof rails
  • Fog lamps
  • 20-inch Alloy Wheels(optional)
  • Rear intermittent wiper with washer
  • Solar-Ray deep-tinted glass
Safety
8.3/10

The Chevrolet Tahoe gets several safety features as standard like the dual front, side, and curtain airbags that cover all rows of seats, traction and stability control, OnStar, and tire pressure monitors. Due to its height and wide pillars the outward visibility is hampered. As an option, it gets a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, and a side blind-spot warning system. 

The vehicle has been tested by the NHTSA where it earned 4 out of 5 stars overall. It has not been crash-tested by the IIHS. In the test conducted by NHTSA, it earned an overall score of four stars with a five-star rating in both frontal and side-impact, and because of its height, it’s more vulnerable to roll over. Standout safety features:

  • Traction Control and Stability Control
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring system
  • On-star emergency telematics
  • Rear parking sensors
  • Side Blind-spot monitor
Final Verdict

The Chevrolet Tahoe is a good SUV with an impressive performance along with elegant styling. The cabin offered is pretty spacious and pretty luxurious and top-notch quality interior. The performance is decent and is among the best as compared to its key competitors. The handling of the vehicle is good, offering a composed driving experience. The SUV is very spacious but the third row seems cramped up a bit. To sum it up, the Chevrolet Tahoe with its impressive performance and spacious cabin is suitable for daily use and appealing to many.

Features

vehicle bio
base price

$56075

body style

4dr SUV

engine type
displacement

325 cu in

horse power

320 hp @ 5400 rpm

torque

335 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

transmission

6 speed automatic w/OD and auto manual

dimensions
length

202 in

wheelbase

116 in

width

79 in

curb weight

5567 lbs

Height

76.9 in

Ground Clearance

10.5 lbs

capacity
cargo volume

108.9 cu ft

passenger capacity

5 Seats

fuel economy
city/combined/highway

15/18/21 mpg

highway range

546 mi

warranty
basic warranty

3 yr./ 36000 mi.

See All Features & Specs

2012 Chevrolet Tahoe User Reviews

3.2

[45 Reviews]

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1

[0.0%] [0 Reviews]

2

[13.0%] [6 Reviews]

3

[40.0%] [18 Reviews]

4

[44.0%] [20 Reviews]

5

[2.0%] [1 Reviews]

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A

Amelia

2012 Chevrolet Tahoe

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

7

User Overall Rating

Posted On: March 19, 2022

Affordable and large SUV

Pros - Smooth ride, stout towing ability, Stylish exterior looks, spacious seats in the first two rows, composed handling and quick acceleration

Cons - Cramped third row seats

Spacious SUV with stout towing ability. Tahoe is more like a friend to me, its mixture of truck toughness and surprisingly refined ride quality is something worth praising. Along with the top notch cabin quality and the fact that my entire basketball team can fit into this SUV is a surprise. Although the third row is a little cramped. I feel Tahoe is so versatile, no matter how rough the roads ar...

7/10
Features
7/10
Interior
8/10
Design
7/10
Safety
8/10
Reliability
8/10
Deal Value
9/10
Dealer Review
Read more »
ML

Mac Lockman

2013 Chevrolet Tahoe

LS 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A)

7

User Overall Rating

Posted On: March 29, 2022

Drives good

Pros - Power, Spacious, Refinement.

Cons - Fuel-economy.

Gas guzzler. I rented the Tahoe for a month which cost me $260 and this made it easier for me to decide if I needed this car. The Tahoe is powerful, spacious and very refined. The only downside is the 17 mpg range. The rental option these guys offered really helped me a lot and the they kept the whole process very quick and easy.

7/10
Features
8/10
Interior
7/10
Design
7/10
Safety
6/10
Reliability
6/10
Deal Value
8/10
Dealer Review
HS

Helen Self

2013 Chevrolet Tahoe

LS 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A)

4

User Overall Rating

Posted On: January 31, 2022

Not dependable as presumed!!!

Pros - *Comfortable cabins *Seating capacity up to 8 adults *Solidness

Cons - *Problematic rides *Terrible highway mileage *Surplus road noise

Aberrant gas consumption The truck requires the hands of servicemen every month after surpassing 90K miles on the odometer. I've done the scheduled maintenance regularly but the vehicle is not reliable as expected and the driveline consumes gas like anything. I'm aware that the power-packed V8 engine will be offering limited miles per gallon but a highway range of just 10mpg makes it unfit for va...

4/10
Features
5/10
Interior
4/10
Design
4/10
Safety
3/10
Reliability
3/10
Deal Value
7/10
Dealer Review
Read more »
Add A Review

Top Cars

Top User Reviews

7/10

User

Rating

Affordable and large SUV

Spacious SUV with stout towing ability. Tahoe is more like ...

by Amelia

7/10

User

Rating

Drives good

Gas guzzler. I rented the Tahoe for a month which cost me $...

by Mac Lockman

4/10

User

Rating

Not dependable as presumed!!!

Aberrant gas consumption The truck requires the hands of se...

by Helen Self

6/10

User

Rating

Carries a large family

Poor gas mileage It's obvious that the Tahoe is a large v...

by Jadiel Russo

8/10

User

Rating

Strong and capable large SUV

Tough and comfortable large SUV with ample towing capacity....

by Oliver Anderson

view more reviews

Chevrolet Tahoe 5 year Cost To Own

Cash Price(MSRP)
$55,469
5 Year Cost To Own
$62,797
Total 5 year Cost To Own -  $62,797
Year 1Year 2Year 3Year 4Year 5total
Depreciation$9,782$2,638$2,463$2,919$2,720$20,522
Insurance$1,125$1,116$1,152$1,229$1,237$5,859
Fuel$2,633$2,710$2,785$2,920$2,985$14,033
Maintenance$485$743$794$2,267$1,318$5,607
Repairs$-16$4$125$346$471$930
Financing Interest$3,433$2,736$2,067$1,291$514$10,041
Taxes and Fees$4,637$312$322$259$275$5,805
Total Cost-To-Own$22,079$10,259$9,708$11,231$9,520$62,797
Read more about Cost-To-Own »

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