2011 Chevrolet Tahoe

The 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe comes in three trim levels i.e. LS, LT, and LTZ. While the price difference between these trims is substantial, the list of features you get with each of them easily justifies why one will have to pay extra. The base ‘LS’ trim comes with front power-adjustable bucket seats, a six-speaker audio system, and manual climate control. The LT upgrades on that by having automatic climate control, leather-trimmed seats instead of cloth ones, an updated 9-speaker Bose audio system. The LTZ tops out by having the biggest list of features including heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, power mirrors, and a liftgate.

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We would suggest the LT trim for the best value for money. The base LS trim is best suited for those looking for a balanced package of performance and features.

As for more features, we suggest you opt for two packages. A Convenience Package that loads power-adjustable pedals, a rearview camera with rear parking assist, and remote ignition and the Luxury package that loads heated front and second-row seats, a power liftgate, and power-folding mirrors.

The 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe engine is a 5.3 Liter V8 engine that whips out 320 horsepower and a torque of 335 lb-ft. The mighty V8 is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, and power is sent to the rear wheels by default. However, a four-wheel-drive system can be had by paying extra which is a must for people who solely want Tahoe for towing. The automatic transmission is smooth and rarely misses, but the real gem here is the V8 engine. 

For such a big vehicle, it is quick and stays active all the time. This is why it can tow up to 8,500 pounds. On top of that, it can move the Tahoe from 0-60 mph in 8.5 seconds and can finish a quarter-mile in 15.9 seconds.

The Chevrolet Tahoe’s V8 engine might be impressive but the Nissan Armada takes the lead when it comes to sheer torque output producing an output of 385lb.-ft. The Toyota Sequoia is the quickest one, taking 8 seconds to the 60mph mark, despite making slightly less power than the Tahoe. However, the GMC Yukon is Tahoe’s mechanical twin so it shares the same stats with slight differences and is almost a second quicker to the quarter-mile mark. 

For a full-size SUV, having a powerful V8 engine often leads to poor fuel economy. But the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe gas mileage figures do give a pleasant surprise. It manages to return 15 mpg in the city, 21 mpg on the highways, and 17 mpg combined. These numbers are pretty good for its class but the deal gets better as the 26-gallon fuel tank has resulted in one of the best driving ranges in its class (ranging from 390 to 546 miles). 

From the above stats, it's very clear Chevrolet Tahoe takes the lead here by offering the best fuel economy and driving range which is shared by its sibling GMC Yukon as well. Both the Nissan Armada and the Toyota Sequoia fall behind averaging 15 and 16 MPG, but they sure offer bigger fuel tanks. Still, their driving range is lower than that of the GM twins.

For a vehicle this traditional, it gets very surprising once you get inside. The 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe interior offers quite an attractive package. Everything looks elegant with smooth textures and premium-quality materials. And it gets harder to find any missed spots or unfinished corners. The dashboard is a bit simpler than usual but everything is placed elegantly on it. But, lack of tilt and the telescopic steering wheel can be a problem for some. When it comes to the seats, the Tahoe can be had in a seven, eight, or nine-seater configuration. Though by default eight seats are available where you get power-adjustable bucket seats at the front, a 60/40 split-folding bench for the second row, and a 50/50 removable bench seat for the third. 

Heated and ventilated seats are available on higher trims and cloth trim gets replaced by leather upholstery. As for hauling cargo, Tahoe’s standard 16.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity is decent for its class. But, we must say that third-row removable seats are way heavier to remove which is inconvenient.

The spacious cabin of Chevrolet Tahoe offers somewhat similar volume as its rivals, but the third row has a shortage of legroom which is lesser than what you would find in the others. On the other hand, the decent cargo capacity is lesser than what Armada and Sequoia offer. But that can be fixed by folding down the second-row seat and removing the third-row seat. 

Standout interior features:

• Leather upholstery
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Heated second-row seats
• Optional second-row captain chairs
• Tri-zone automatic climate control

How intuitive is the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe’s infotainment unit?

For entertainment, the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe offers a decently-loaded infotainment system. Sure it might not come with a touchscreen but it does offer features such as USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity for phones, auxiliary input jack, iPod interface, and satellite radio. A six-speaker audio system with cd player and rear audio control is available in the base model which is decent enough. 

But go higher and you will find a 9 speaker BOSE audio system in LT and the same system with 10 speakers in LTZ. We must say both are pretty good for such a big-sized vehicle. The top trim comes with a navigation system with real-time traffic which according to us is a must-have, so just get it by paying extra if you don't want to buy LTZ. 

Standout infotainment features:

• Sirius XM radio
• 10 speakers BOSE audio system
• CD Player with rear audio controls
• Bluetooth phone connectivity
• iPod interface

As for the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe exterior, we must say that you are not going to find any changes over last year’s model. It is heavy as it weighs 5,636 pounds which results in pronounced body rolls. The design looks a bit more boxy than usual but it never feels bland especially because of its dual halogen headlamps with front fog lamps. On sides, body-colored side mirrors, door handles, and solar deep tinted windows are available. The higher trim comes with power-folding side mirrors. The rear comes with simple taillights but with a wide liftgate which is low enough to load heavy stuff and yes power liftgate is available via luxury package or as standard on LTZ. 

As for the wheels, 17 to 20 inches sizes are available according to the trim levels but we would advise sticking with the lower sized ones because bigger ones affect the ride quality. When stacked against its rivals, the Chevrolet Tahoe seems similar in size to the others. But both the Armada and the Sequoia are a bit longer and beefier in appearance as well the dimensions. The Tahoe, on the other hand, is a bit heavier than the Yukon and the Armada. 

Standout exterior features:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Power folding side mirrors
• Power liftgate
• Suspensions system with active damping
• ORVMs with integrated turn signals and ground illumination system

For a heavy vehicle with a powerful engine, it is necessary to have proper safety techs and strong build quality. For that Chevy loaded the 2011 Tahoe with a decent set of features such as stability and traction control packed under StabiliTrak, multiple airbags at various key positions, daytime running lights, and a tire pressure monitoring system. OnStar emergency telematics is available which loads emergency services. 

For easy parking, a rearview camera and rear parking sensors are available, and yes if you go higher on trim levels, more airbags and a blind spot monitoring system are available. Its truck-like body might be traditional but the strength it offers is decent which is why it received good ratings in crash tests by NHTSA. 

Standout safety features:

• Blind-spot monitoring system
• OnStar emergency telematics
• Rearview camera
• Rear parking sensors
• Tire pressure monitoring system

The 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe might be quite traditional or a bit basic from the outside but it’s the interior that counts. It does offer an impressive engine that is as good on the road as it is fuel-efficient. For occupants, the customizable cabin is spacious, attractive, and offers adequate space. On top of that its decent list of features and good towing capabilities makes it one of the best in its class. The only drawback it has is limited legroom for third-row occupants. So if one can ignore that then yes we would advise considering the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe.