R Black
Member
I'm planning on posting an extensive review of the 2020 Tahoe based on my experience thus far. Moot, to some extent I suppose because they've moved on to the next gen. but perhaps of some use to used car buyers.
I thought I'd share a few random thoughts thus far;
Generally speaking, this is NOT a 'FUN' vehicle to drive. Perhaps that will change as I become super familiar and used to it, but a major contributing factor to this is the lack of visibility in almost every direction. There is a lot of craning and torso swiveling involved in driving this thing.
My GMT400, Scout II, 1st Gen Wagoneer, Full sized Blazer and '74 'A' Body GM . . . were/are fun to drive, owing significantly to the fact their 9 to 3 - O' clock visibility is excellent.
Some of the best things about this 2020 Tahoe are;
It's highway gas mileage. Absolutely astounding for an SUV hovering near the 5k lb mark.
I like the fact it has a PRNDL and an actual shift lever and ignition key in column.
The 9.5" solid rear axle is a nice touch.
I love the fact the rear license plate lights are incandescent as well as some of the rear tail lights especially the stop/turn/tail 1157 equivalents. Does an end run on irritating problems that could occur.
One of the absolute coolest things about this car is . . . you can drive it in the rain, and/or use the windshield washer fluid ... WITH THE FRONT WINDOWS OPEN! The water never ends up whipping around the 'A' pillar and showering you and the interior.
Some of the worst things;
I don't like a vehicle telling me what to do, even if non-audibly. I know when conditions might be icy, I don't need my vehicle telling me that. My '74 does everything I tell it to do and never makes any comments.
Visibility in all but the narrow radian facing forward is atrocious.
Oddly there is no front foot well lighting.
There is no stealthy way to enter, start and drive away. The vehicle jacklights you for several long seconds and there is no option that nixes all interior and dash lights voluntarily. As well, I believe there is no option for leaving doors open without Batt drain while making camp, cleaning, or an involved unloading process.
Off road ability is reduced compared to earlier generations.
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Additional comments
I've found the ride and handling of this SUV to be very similar to some of the GMs that utilized the basic coil sprung 'A' body Independent unequal length A- arm front and control arm rear suspension GM used at roughly the same size between '65 and '96. Very close, in fact, to my '74 Cutlass which just so happens to have stock soft springs with what could be described as FE3 level sway bars. The reason for this could be ... because this Tahoe has almost exactly the same type of suspension! Coil springs all the way around, unequal control arms in front, and uppr and lower control arms in back with a solid rear axle. Read this as saying the ride and handling seem very good, though admittedly I have not run it through any strenuous paces.
While I have little complaint about the passenger room per se, I find the cargo area behind the rear seat puny.
There is less cargo room back there than in a Scout II, a vehicle 10" narrower, and with a wheelbase 16" less. In fact, overall interior volume is less, or only as voluminous as that same Scout II. The difference being the Tahoe somehow manages to eck out ample full-sized passenger comfort because of it's wheelbase and body width at the 'B' Pillar.
By my research the 2016-20 Tahoe has 96 cu ft cargo area behind folded 2nd seat add 3.5 assuming the 96 applies to 3 row seating. That's about 100cu ft with a Tahoe behind folded 2nd seat and w/o 3rd row. Blazer (2nd gen) had 107 cu. ft., that's with a shorter vehicle with a 10" shorter wheelbase. More than 107 cu ft on the base model w/o interior panels. Bottom line is this thing probably doesn't even have the cargo volume of a Scout II behind similarly adjusted seating. Technology, safety and comfort have come at a significant cost to usable interior volume. Making up a little for that, is the power and gas mileage of these contemporary rigs.
I thought I'd share a few random thoughts thus far;
Generally speaking, this is NOT a 'FUN' vehicle to drive. Perhaps that will change as I become super familiar and used to it, but a major contributing factor to this is the lack of visibility in almost every direction. There is a lot of craning and torso swiveling involved in driving this thing.
My GMT400, Scout II, 1st Gen Wagoneer, Full sized Blazer and '74 'A' Body GM . . . were/are fun to drive, owing significantly to the fact their 9 to 3 - O' clock visibility is excellent.
Some of the best things about this 2020 Tahoe are;
It's highway gas mileage. Absolutely astounding for an SUV hovering near the 5k lb mark.
I like the fact it has a PRNDL and an actual shift lever and ignition key in column.
The 9.5" solid rear axle is a nice touch.
I love the fact the rear license plate lights are incandescent as well as some of the rear tail lights especially the stop/turn/tail 1157 equivalents. Does an end run on irritating problems that could occur.
One of the absolute coolest things about this car is . . . you can drive it in the rain, and/or use the windshield washer fluid ... WITH THE FRONT WINDOWS OPEN! The water never ends up whipping around the 'A' pillar and showering you and the interior.
Some of the worst things;
I don't like a vehicle telling me what to do, even if non-audibly. I know when conditions might be icy, I don't need my vehicle telling me that. My '74 does everything I tell it to do and never makes any comments.
Visibility in all but the narrow radian facing forward is atrocious.
Oddly there is no front foot well lighting.
There is no stealthy way to enter, start and drive away. The vehicle jacklights you for several long seconds and there is no option that nixes all interior and dash lights voluntarily. As well, I believe there is no option for leaving doors open without Batt drain while making camp, cleaning, or an involved unloading process.
Off road ability is reduced compared to earlier generations.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Additional comments
I've found the ride and handling of this SUV to be very similar to some of the GMs that utilized the basic coil sprung 'A' body Independent unequal length A- arm front and control arm rear suspension GM used at roughly the same size between '65 and '96. Very close, in fact, to my '74 Cutlass which just so happens to have stock soft springs with what could be described as FE3 level sway bars. The reason for this could be ... because this Tahoe has almost exactly the same type of suspension! Coil springs all the way around, unequal control arms in front, and uppr and lower control arms in back with a solid rear axle. Read this as saying the ride and handling seem very good, though admittedly I have not run it through any strenuous paces.
While I have little complaint about the passenger room per se, I find the cargo area behind the rear seat puny.
There is less cargo room back there than in a Scout II, a vehicle 10" narrower, and with a wheelbase 16" less. In fact, overall interior volume is less, or only as voluminous as that same Scout II. The difference being the Tahoe somehow manages to eck out ample full-sized passenger comfort because of it's wheelbase and body width at the 'B' Pillar.
By my research the 2016-20 Tahoe has 96 cu ft cargo area behind folded 2nd seat add 3.5 assuming the 96 applies to 3 row seating. That's about 100cu ft with a Tahoe behind folded 2nd seat and w/o 3rd row. Blazer (2nd gen) had 107 cu. ft., that's with a shorter vehicle with a 10" shorter wheelbase. More than 107 cu ft on the base model w/o interior panels. Bottom line is this thing probably doesn't even have the cargo volume of a Scout II behind similarly adjusted seating. Technology, safety and comfort have come at a significant cost to usable interior volume. Making up a little for that, is the power and gas mileage of these contemporary rigs.
