Expert Review, Pricing Analysis and Buying Guide

7.5

Overall Rating

For 2013, the Tahoe is carried over with no major updates other than three new color options, including Champagne Silver Metallic, Concord Metallic, and Blue Ray Metallic. The transmission has also been updated and now allows engine braking in both regular and towing modes. The Chevrolet Tahoe competes with other truck-based SUVs like the GMC Yukon, Ford Expedition, and Nissan Armada.

8.0/10
Features

7.6/10
Engine and Performance

5.0/10
Fuel Economy

7.8/10
Interior

7.0/10
Exterior

8.3/10
Safety

2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Features

8.0/10

For 2013, the Chevrolet Tahoe continues to be available in three trim levels, starting with the base LS trim with a price tag of $40,405 and $44,465 for the RWD and AWD variants, respectively. Standard features include 17-inch aluminum wheels, front bucket seats with power adjustability, 8 passenger seating with bench seats in the middle row, premium cloth upholstery, tri-zone climate control, and satellite radio.

Upgrading to the LT model gets you the option of comfortable captain's seats in the middle row, leather upholstery, automatic climate control, power-adjustable pedals, heated front seats, and a capable 9-speaker audio system from Bose. Customers looking for even more luxury can opt for the range-topping LTZ model which includes captain seats as standard, perforated leather upholstery, 12-way power-adjustable front seats, an updated infotainment system with navigation, power tailgate, and 20-inch polished aluminum wheels.

Trim	LS	LT	LTZ
MSRP (RWD)	$40,405	$45,555	$54,620
MSRP (4WD)	$44,465	$48,405	$57,725
Key Features	17-inch aluminum wheels	In addition to or replaces LS trim features with:	In addition to or replaces LT Premium trim features with:
	Front bucket seats with 6-way power adjustability	Optional captain seats in the second row	Standard captain seats
	Premium cloth upholstery	Leather-upholstery	Perforated leather upholstery for the first and second-row seats
	Tri-zone manual climate control	Heated front seats	12-way power-adjustable front seats
	OnStar connectivity	Tri-zone automatic climate control	20-inch polished-aluminum wheels
	8-passenger seating with second-row bench seats	Power-adjustable pedals	Touchscreen infotainment system with navigation
	SiriusXM satellite radio	Bose 9-speaker audio system	Power-remote liftgate

We Recommend

Since the Tahoe comes well equipped right from the base LS model with features like tri-zone air conditioning, satellite radio, premium cloth seats, power-adjustable front bucket seats, and more, it should be adequate for most customers. Chevrolet also offers plenty of options to choose from, including front bench seats, which will increase the passenger capacity to 9. The more luxurious LT model is priced at $5,000 more, making the LS trim the best value for money option of the lot.

2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Engine and Performance

7.6/10

Regardless of the model you choose, the 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe continues to get a 5.3-liter V8 engine producing 320 hp and 335 lb-ft of torque as standard. The engine is paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the rear wheels. The optional four-wheel-drive system adds around $3,000 to the base price and is available with either a traditional two-speed or single-speed transfer case without low-range gearing.

Performance is adequate for its size, and the Tahoe sprints to 60 MPH in just 8.4 seconds and crosses the quarter-mile in 16.3 seconds. With some options, the maximum towing capacity stands at 8,500 pounds. The Tahoe is also available with a hybrid powertrain for customers looking for best-in-class efficiency. Despite the bulk, the Tahoe picks up pace surprisingly well, providing quick response and acceleration. The Tahoe also handles well for a full-size SUV with a good balance between ride quality and handling.

Models	2013 Chevrolet Tahoe LS	2013 GMC Yukon SLE	2013 Ford Expedition XLT	2013 Nissan Armada SV
MSRP	$40,405	$41,760	$40,605	$36,890
Engine	5.3-liter Naturally Aspirated V-8	5.3-liter Naturally Aspirated V-8	5.4-liter Naturally Aspirated V-8	5.6-liter Naturally Aspirated V-8
Drivetrain	RWD	RWD	RWD	RWD
Transmission	6-speed automatic	6-speed automatic	6-speed automatic	8-speed automatic
Power	320 hp	320 hp	310 hp	317 hp
Torque	335 lb-ft	335 lb-ft	365 lb-ft	385 lb-ft
0-60 MPH (seconds)	8.4	8.3	8.5	7.9
Quarter-Mile (seconds)	16.3	16.3	16.4	16
Top-Speed (MPH)	120	120	120	120

Opting the Z71 pack will also add a lot of off-road-ready features, including upgraded shocks, aggressive tires, skid plates, and an automatic locking differential. While performance is average across the board, the Nissan Armada is the quickest, followed by both the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon. When comparing the price tag, GMC Yukon comes out to be the most expensive option in the segment.

2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Fuel Economy

5.0/10

As expected, with a massive 5.3-liter V8 under the hood, the Chevrolet Tahoe returns a decent 15 MPG in the city and 21 MPG on the highway, which results in a combined mileage of 17 mpg. Surprisingly, the four-wheel-drive model returns identical figures to the rear-wheel-drive model. The fuel capacity is adequate at 26-gallons, giving the Tahoe a highway range of 546 miles.

Models	2013 Chevrolet Tahoe LS	2013 GMC Yukon SLE	2013 Ford Expedition XLT	2013 Nissan Armada SV
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/Combined) (Miles)	390/546/442	390/546/442	392/560/448	364/532/420

Both the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon share the same drivetrain and return a best-in-class combined rating of 17 MPG. The Ford Expedition takes the second spot, followed by the Nissan Armada. When comparing the overall range, the 2013 Ford Expedition with its 28-gallon tank offers the best in class range of 448 miles combined, which is only 6 miles extra than the GM twins which hold the second spot.

2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Interior

7.8/10

With no updates to the interior, the 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe gets a rugged and borderline luxury interior with plenty of wood trims and high build quality. Customers have a choice of three seating configurations. The base LS model gets an 8-seater configuration as standard, with front bench seats available as an option, upping the seating capacity to 9. Similarly, the LT model also gets an 8-seater configuration as standard, however, it also gets optional captain seats in the middle row. The range-topping LTZ model gets a 7-seater configuration as standard, with second-row bench seats available as an option. The interior layout is good, with well-placed controls and a column-style shifter.

The seats offer plenty of support, but unfortunately, the Tahoe lacks telescopic adjustment for the steering wheel, making it harder to find the ideal driving position. Like most full-size SUVs, the third-row seats are cramped for adults with limited headroom and legroom. Cargo space is limited to just 16.9 cubic feet with all the seats up, and the 50/50 split third-row seats cannot be folded flat, and have to be removed to increase cargo area to a maximum of 109 cubic feet.

Models	2013 Chevrolet Tahoe LS	2013 GMC Yukon SLE	2013 Ford Expedition XLT	2013 Nissan Armada SV
Seating Capacity	8	8	8	8
Front Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Leg Room, in inches)	41.1/65.3/41.3	40.3/65.2/41.3	39.6/63.2/41.1	39.7/65/41.8
Middle Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Leg Room, in inches)	39.2/65.3/39	39.2/65.2/39	39.8/63.7/39.1	40/64.7/41.9
Rear Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Leg Room, in inches)	39.7/61.7/25.6	37.9/61.7/25.6	N/A	35.9/63.7/32.2
Trunk Capacity (cubic feet)	16.9	16.9	18.6	20

Both the GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Tahoe can seat up to 9 passengers, and the Tahoe offers slightly more passenger space in the third row. Compared to the GM twins, the Nissan Armada manages to provide more space in the third row by compromising first and second-row space to an extent. The Ford Expedition is the most cramped SUV in comparison, with less space in all three rows. Some standout interior features include:

12-way power-adjustable front bucket seats
Tri-zone automatic climate control
Heated and cooled front-row seats
Heated steering wheel
Power-remote liftgate
Power-adjustable pedals

How intuitive is the 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe’s infotainment unit?

The lower trims of the Tahoe get a basic infotainment system with features like Bluetooth connectivity, USB, satellite radio, CD player, and a 6-speaker audio system. The range-topping LTZ trim gets an updated touchscreen infotainment system with built-in navigation, SiriusXM NavTraffic, and a 10-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround sound system. A lot of these features are also available as an option on the LT trim with a 9-speaker Bose audio system. Chevrolet also provides a rear-seat DVD player with an LCD color display in the second and third-row seats as an option on both LT and LTZ trims. Some standout features include:

Touchscreen infotainment system with navigation
Satellite radio with traffic updates
Rear-seat DVD player with LCD
10-speaker Bose surround-sound system
Satellite radio
Bluetooth and USB connectivity
CD player

2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Exterior

7.0/10

Other than a few new color options, the 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe continues to get a rugged and bulky design that can easily be termed handsome. From the front, the typical Chevrolet two-slat grille is flanked by edgy headlights and an imposing front hood with strong character lines. From a distance, the Tahoe fits the typical boxy SUV proportions. Rugged elements like flared wheel arches, subtle cladding, and dark roof rails improve the look further. Higher trim levels also get big 20-inch aluminum wheels and several other exterior features like chrome door handles and assist steps.

Models	2013 Chevrolet Tahoe LS	2013 GMC Yukon SLE	2013 Ford Expedition XLT	2013 Nissan Armada SV
Curb Weight (lbs)	5467	5467	5550	5372
Length (inches)	202	202	206.5	207.7
Width (inches)	79	79	78.8	79.3
Height (inches)	76.9	76.9	77.2	77.2
Ground Clearance (inches)	10.5	9	8.7	9.8
Wheelbase (inches)	116	116	119	123.2

With a wheelbase of just 116 inches, the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon are more compact than rivals like the Ford Expedition and Nissan Armada. However, the Tahoe gets the highest ground clearance of 10.5-inches, making it more capable off-road. When comparing the curb weight, Ford Expedition is the heaviest option in the competition at 5,550 lbs. Some notable exterior features include:

20-inch polished aluminum wheels
Automatic headlights with DRLs
Power-assist steps with chrome accents
Roof-mounted luggage rack with side and center rails
Chrome door handles

2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Safety

8.3/10

Although the IIHS hasn’t put the 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe through its safety tests, yet it managed a 5-star overall rating in the NHTSA safety tests, making it a very safe SUV. Chevrolet includes plenty of standard safety features with the Tahoe, but active safety features are limited to the range-topping LTZ model which gets side blind zone alert and a standard rear-vision camera. Other notable features include a tire pressure monitoring system and GM’s OnStar connected services. Some standard safety features include:

OnStar connected services
Tire pressure monitoring system
StabiliTrak electronic stability control
Rear vision camera
Blind zone alert (LTZ trim)

2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Final Verdict

With plenty of space on offer and a practical cabin, the Chevrolet Tahoe is still one of the remaining truck-based full-size SUVs that is renowned for its rugged and dependable nature. While a crossover might suit a regular family, the Tahoe should be considered if you’re in the market for a traditional full-size SUV with decent off-road capabilities and good towing capacity. While there are some misses like third-row space and limited cargo area, the 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe will still satisfy most customers despite the higher prices.

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2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Price, Review, Ratings and Pictures

2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Latest Updates

Pros

Cons

What's New?

2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Consumer Reviews and Ratings

2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Reviews

Definitely not a good buy

Pros - Second row comfort is too good.

Cons - Cumbersome drive, Limited storage, Cheap cabin.

Large bulky SUV with an outdated design

Pros - Good towing capacity, powerful engine and a handsome cabin.

Cons - Poor quality interior materials, low gas mileage, difficulty to park and maneuver and the third-row seat does not fold into the floor, restricting the available space.

Nothing more than a Lemon!

Pros - Spacious interiors--Cabin quality

Cons - Flawed transmission unit--Unreliable rides--Heaviness

Features

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drivetrain

engine type

displacement

horsepower

torque

transmission

chassis

suspension front

suspension rear

dimensions

wheelbase

length

width

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curb weight

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warranty

basic warranty

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Pictures & Videos

Trims

Base$39,205 onwards

LS$40,405 onwards

LT$45,555 onwards

LTZ$54,620 onwards

Colors and Styles

Ratings

Expert Review, Pricing Analysis and Buying Guide

7.5

2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Features

2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Engine and Performance

2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Fuel Economy

2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Interior

How intuitive is the 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe’s infotainment unit?

2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Exterior

2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Safety

2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Final Verdict

Similar Cars

Top User Reviews

Definitely not a good buy

Large bulky SUV with an outdated design

Nothing more than a Lemon!

rugged and bulky large SUV

Poor truck I've ever owned!