2014 Chevrolet Tahoe

The line-up for the Chevrolet Tahoe is pretty short and straightforward. It is available in 3 trims which are LS, LT, and LTZ. Standard seating of 8 can be varied between 7 to 9 depending on the arrangement chosen. The trim’s elderly nature can be spotted by the comfort and entertainment variation across them. One of the instances is the 6-speaker audio system which adds 3 more speakers with Bose badging for the LT trim. This even mutates further with an extra speaker in LTZ. Not just that, the permutation of seat flexing doubles from 6-way to 12-way when you travel from the LS to LTZ.

The LTZ, being the top dog, has been given 20” wheels while others have either 17” or 18”.On the whole, if you list there are some inspiring packages like the Luxury, Sun, Entertainment, and Destination Packages with an off-roading specialist Z71 Off-road package. The safety features transcend the reference level with the Blind-spot monitoring system and StabiliTrak. Thus, it is one of the most packed SUVs which is available at an affordable rate.

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The LTZ is definitely the most desired trim but it is almost $10,000 more expensive than the LT. Not all buyers have such a high budget hence we recommend you to go for the LT with the 4WD configuration. It comes with all the necessary and important features which are not available on the base trim LS. Should you need more features, you can always add additional packages.

The 2014 Chevy Tahoe is fitted with a 5.3L V8 engine under the hood. This engine is capable enough to put out 320 hp at 5400 RPM and a max torque of 335 lb-ft at 4000 RPM. This engine is mated to a shiftable 6-speed automatic transmission. Power can be delivered to the rear wheels or all four wheels with the RWD being the standard drivetrain configuration. A towing capacity of up to 8500 lbs and that too with acceleration to reach 60 mph from a standstill within 8.5 seconds can be considered decent for the Tahoe.

All the 4 cars mentioned above come with a V8 engine and an RWD drivetrain as standard. The fastest to 60mph from a standstill is the 2014 Nissan Armada taking only 7.4 seconds. However, the Toyota Sequoia is the most powerful of the lot but its heavy curb weight does really drag it down on the straight-line acceleration. Nissan Armada is the least expensive of the lot and is fitted with a bigger engine too but it runs out of steam soon.

Naturally aspirated V8s are not exactly known for their mileage. The 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe is no exception to this but its fuel economy is better than most of its competition. The figures remain the same regardless of the drivetrain option. The vehicle returns 15mpg in the cities, 21mpg on the highway, and a commendable combined fuel economy of 17mpg. It comes fitted with a large 26-gallon fuel tank which puts its driving range over 500-miles on the highway.

The Chevy Tahoe has the best fuel economy but its fuel tank is the smallest among its rivals. The Ford Expedition and Nissan Armada come equipped with larger fuel tanks. The 28-gallon fuel tanks help both the cars attain a good overall range but as the Ford does slightly better in fuel economy it leads the segment in driving range. As mentioned earlier, in the quest for a performance curve the 2014 Sequoia consumes fuel like anything. 

The 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe offers a roomy and spacious interior. The adjustable bucket seats have been technologically upgraded to power-heating which helps you get cozy in it. The premium clothing also changes to a leatherette feel as per the trim hierarchy. The capacity to seat 7 to 9 people enhances its family friendliness. There are additional packages like the Convenience Package which can be availed of for improved comfort. The inherent ergonomics with dampened noise and cabin insulation is also the added advantages that come with it.

Best among all is the Tahoe which is a cornerstone in this specific segment while the Toyota Sequoia offers the most squeezed-up spacing. But, the cargo space behind the third-row seat is immanent in Tahoe to 16.9 cu ft. The Armada may have the highest cargo volume, but the third row is not as content as the first two, otherwise, who knows, it could have dethroned the Tahoe. Standout interior features:

• Tri-zone automatic climate control
• Driver memory functions
• Leather upholstery
• Second-row captain's chairs
• Heated front and second-row seats

How intuitive is the 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe’s infotainment unit?

The infotainment system in the 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe comes with a 7.0-inch touchscreen display. The system is interactive and often responsive. The features with which it is equipped are quite basic. The features list includes satellite radio, OnStar services, CD player, rear audio controls, Bluetooth, and USB charging port. This system is coupled to a 6-speaker audio system in the LS trim, a 9-speaker Bose audio system in the LT trim, and the LTZ is equipped with a 10-speaker Bose audio system. Navigation, however, is reserved only for the top-tier trim LTZ. Standout infotainment features:

• 7.0-inch touchscreen display
• 10-speaker Bose audio system
• Bluetooth
• Rear-seat entertainment system
• Voice recognition
• Navigation (LTZ)

The Chevrolet Tahoe has never been an outlier and never has ever been tried to be so by the brand even in 2014. The silhouette is not as curvy as one would imagine it to be. The front fascia has a simple appearance with a wide front. There are some chances that the headlamp could have made the difference but it is not the case for now. The 17,18 or 20-inch wheels are more functional-oriented than look-based. The lip spoiler has been attached for increasing the downforce to counter lift. There is hardly any curvature or stamping on the panels or fenders.

At 116.0-inches, the 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe has the shortest wheelbase and relatively more compact dimensional limit while the Nissan Armada is the biggest one among all. This brings a huge difference in the two assets. One is handling and the other is interior spaciousness. The outer compactness does not compromise with stretching inside the Tahoe and further gives it an edge over others in controllability and off-road dynamics. Standout exterior features:

• 20-inch wheels 
• Height-adjustable power liftgate
• Rear lip spoiler
• Power sunroof

Chevrolet is never shy of offering advanced safety features in their cars. The same can be said for the 2014 Tahoe as it is equipped with abundant safety features and driver-assist systems. The federal authorities, however, think that there is room for improvement. The NHTSA has awarded it a 4-star rating out of a possible 5-stars in their crash test analysis. The IIHS hasn’t fully tested the Tahoe yet but they have given its safety features a “Good” rating in most tests which is the best possible score a car can attain. The list of safety features and driver aids include:

• Blind-spot monitoring system
• OnStar services
• Rear parking sensors
• Forward collision warning system
• Tire pressure warning system
• Traction control

Having a total possible capacity of 9 passengers, the Chevrolet Tahoe is an ideal SUV to move a big family around. If you like the subtle exterior looks and body style of this Tahoe, then this is the last chance to get your hands on it since Chevy will bring a new generation in 2015. Its V8 engine offers enough performance to maneuver this big vehicle. It offers decent interior space and is equipped with a plethora of features to make its price tag worthy. Overlooking its low cargo space, the 2014 Chevy Tahoe is a good and reliable buy.