We can all agree here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis that customers are absolutely crazy for SUVs these days! The Chevy Tahoe could be considered a jack of all trades, as it is excellent for towing weekend toys, work halls, and tackling off-road trails that can be tricky to maneuver. Many drivers who just took on more domestic responsibility aren’t quite ready for the “minivan life” yet, and the Z71 trim is perfect for anyone who loves off-roading.
The skid plate up front will provide the best in security for the parts underneath, and we also love the added touch of a high-clearance fascia with cool red recovery hooks. When dealing with multiple obstacles in your way and challenging inclines, the approach angle is one of your best weapons for off-road mastery. These prevent valances from being entirely ripped off and running the front end dangerously into obstacles. The available air suspension provides an approach angle of 34.5 degrees along with a 2-inch boost over normal ride height, displaying massive improvement over models that are more road-focused.
The Z71 also features machined aluminum 20-inch wheels nicely wrapped in 275/60 Goodyear Wrangler TrailRunner AT tires, black assist steps, and black roof-mounted side rails. On top of the Z71’s standard abilities, there’s the option to beef things up even further with the Off-Road Package. This bundles the Max Trailering, Driver Alert, Luxury, and Off-Road Capability packages. Boulder and Baja-style assaults are also going to be that much better with the electronically controlled limited-slip differential, Magnetic Ride Control dampers, and adaptive air springs.
The adaptive air suspension is one of the most exemplary steps forward in technology for off-roading ever! It is intelligent enough to periodically adjust for road conditions, lowering to improve aerodynamic effect and efficiency. Fans of “historic relics” such as the manual transmission will love the fact that this adaptive air setup is also adjustable manually for easier egress and crawling over hazards. It is a quiet system, lacking the noisy hassle of air compressors and possessing a seamless quality during the drive.
The Motor Trend team’s testing model was a Radiant Red four-wheel-drive 2023 Chevy Tahoe Z71 with the 5.3-liter V8 making 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. This setup pilots the big SUV up to speed, working through the 10-speed automatic and leaving you fully enjoying the audio treats that V8s are known for. Their Z71 sped from 0 to 60 mph in just 7.3 seconds, with the 6.2-liter offering the strongest foot-to-the-floor acceleration.
Quick tip on an awesome benefit for long trips? The rear entertainment system with dual 12.6-inch screens now comes with built-in apps, rendering it even more useful! You’ll be confidently working with a payload of about 1,700 pounds, with a fully equipped model able to crank out about 8,200 pounds. The crew also faced an unexpected surprise in the form of the strongest winds they had ever had to deal with at Bonneville Flats, and the well-equipped rig handled the impromptu job with A-grade confidence.