Chevrolet Tahoe III - a frame SUV with mileage at the price of a budget car from the salon

A large Chevrolet Tahoe SUV can now be purchased for less than a new budget car. For the third generation model, produced from 2006 to 2014, they ask from 1 to 2,7 million rubles, the average cost is around 1,5 million.


For that kind of money, you can now buy a new Lada Vesta, but can it compare with such a huge SUV as the Chevrolet Tahoe III? But how costly is a frame car to maintain, what are its pros and cons, and will it ruin the owner? This can be understood after careful analysis of the model.

History and features

Chevrolet Tahoe III began to be assembled in 2005-2006 at factories in the USA, Venezuela, and China. The car was also in demand in Russia - at first it was delivered here from America. Since 2008, assembly has been established in Kaliningrad.



Most SUVs found on the used market in Russia are equipped with a V8 Vortec engine with a displacement of 5,3 liters, developing 324 hp. With. Chevrolet Tahoe III with other engines was not officially delivered to us.

For the US market, cars were equipped with the following powertrains:

• ✅ 4,8 per 295 liters. With.
  
• ✅ 6,2 with a capacity of 396 hp With.
  
• ✅ Hybrid 6,0 for 332 liters. With.
  

All SUVs produced in Russia have a 4x4 wheel formula, although rear-wheel drive models were also made for the USA. Such modifications were not supplied to us, rightly judging that they would not be bought - who needs an “unfinished” SUV?

The non-alternative V8, which was installed on the Chevrolet Tahoe III of the Kaliningrad assembly, has an interesting feature that helps save fuel. Half of the cylinders may be switched off if the engine is running without load.

Appearance and body

The first reason people buy Chevrolet Tahoe III is stylish design. The car looks like a typical gangster SUV from the 90s, so it commands respect on the road, helped by its dimensions.



A huge car is inconvenient for a city, especially for a big one. The first week it is very annoying, but then you get used to the dimensions. But this does not solve the issues with parking - the car definitely takes one and a half places, and the width of the body often simply does not allow opening the doors between cars in parking lots near shopping centers.



The SUV body resists corrosion well. But the Chevrolet Tahoe III is just a fairly "fresh" car - it's too early for it to rot. And so - this is a typical American SUV, and upon careful examination of parts of the specimens, you can find pockets of rust.



First of all, the car begins to rot along the bottoms of the doors, under the plastic body kit. If problem areas are repainted, this is rather a plus. In any case, it is advisable to carefully treat the purchased car with an anti-corrosion compound - you can do it yourself or at a specialized station.

Kaliningrad-assembled cars have one important nuance - the VIN number on the frame often rots in a couple of years if it is left untreated. This can create a serious problem when registering a Chevrolet Tahoe. There is a way out of the situation - there is a second VIN on the frame, only it is difficult to find it, plus it is usually smeared with anticorrosive.

Salon and electrical

The Chevrolet Tahoe III is considered a premium car, but its interior is nowhere near as luxurious as that of the single-platform Cadillac Escalade. Although in fact the cars are the same, the manufacturer specifically made the Tahoe simpler.

The plastic inside looks frankly cheap - some owners alter the front panel and the entire interior in leather or Alcantara. But in terms of comfort, the car does not cause any complaints from both the driver and passengers. Some versions are equipped with retractable steps, on all Chevrolet Tahoe III the tailgate is powered.



A good word to note is soundproofing. But there are not enough niches, pockets and other compartments for various little things in the cabin.
Chevrolet Tahoe III is comfortable for the driver and passengers of almost any height and build. People under 2 meters and weighing up to 150 kg feel comfortable anywhere. Even the third row is spacious enough.

The SUV is suitable for transporting building materials. If you throw out the third row, then the car turns into almost a Gazelle.

Model reliability

Despite the age, we recall that the oldest Chevrolet Tahoe III was released in 2006, the model rarely breaks down. You just need to understand that it all depends on the previous owner. Like most American SUVs, Tahoe allows you to mock yourself for a long time and for several years you can not even service it, although this is not advisable.

The V8 engine deserves mention - it calmly takes care of 500 km, and the owners assure that with proper maintenance, the motor is capable of driving a million kilometers without major repairs.

Only almost no one has driven so much in a Chevrolet Tahoe III to prove it. The average mileage of cars that are offered on the Russian used market is 150-300 thousand kilometers. The fuel consumption of the engine is 5,3 gasoline in the city of about 20 liters, so this is not a car for every day.



Indirectly hints at the reliability of the Chevrolet Tahoe III and the fact that the model is often used by special services. Him, not the Cadillac Escalade!
Automatic transmissions also do not cause any complaints - they are structurally old and reliable. It is worth noting that the 6-automatic transmission, which has been installed since 2010, is better than the four-speed ones and certainly makes the SUV more economical.



Of the shortcomings of a large SUV, brakes should be noted, which are not adapted to dynamic driving in the city. Drives quickly overheat - in the summer this can even lead to the fact that they will lead. But if you move in the usual mode for SUVs, there will be no problems with the braking system.

Suspension also causes criticism - it is tough. For those who are accustomed to frame cars, this does not cause discomfort. But if you transfer from a business class sedan to a Tahu, then the shaking will be noticeable, especially in the second and third rows.

Maintenance costs

Despite the reliability, the Chevrolet Tahoe III is not a budget class car. The annual cost of its maintenance is seriously different in a big way. For example, the banal replacement of technical fluids after purchase is under 70 thousand rubles at current prices today.



Serious sums are always asked for the repair of the Tahoe at the service station, despite the fact that the SUV is structurally simple. If it is possible to repair it yourself, this will help save about 2/3 of the amount, because you will only have to spend money on spare parts.



Saving after buying a frame American SUV will not work. If you need a car to move from one point to another, then this is not about the Chevrolet Tahoe III. But how much joy this car brings to the owner! For that alone, it's worth buying!