2002 Chevrolet Tahoe

A Premium Ride suspension is newly standard on LS and LT Tahoes. Several new features have been added to the Tahoe LS, including six-way power front seats, foglamps assist steps, heated mirrors, a rear defogger and the Homelink remote-control universal transmitter. New preferred-equipment groups are supposed to simplify the ordering process at the dealership.

An optional (and easily removable) third-row seat gives the Tahoe 9-passenger accommodation.

A 50/50, split-folding third-row bench is optional in all Tahoes except the Z71, providing nine-passenger seating. Otherwise, Tahoes hold six. Seats can flip forward to increase cargo volume or be removed completely to yield a flat load floor.


Considering its abundant size, the Tahoe handles with appealing ease, even around town. Although a Tahoe looks huge from outside, it's surprisingly easy to drive, reasonably easy to judge on the highway, and not so bad for parallel parking. No one is likely to call the Tahoe's ride gentle, but in standard form, it's impressively smooth for an unabashedly truck-based SUV. As expected, the going gets harsher with the Z71's off-road suspension, but even that model isn't so bad on well-surfaced pavements. In serious off-road treks, the Z71 Tahoe behaves admirably.


Performance is energetic with either engine, but naturally, extra horsepower and torque make a difference when you're hauling so many pounds. Automatic-transmission reactions are more abrupt than in some sport-utility models, but few truck-based vehicles qualify as calm-shifting.


Tahoes aren't intended to whip smartly through heavy traffic, sweeping curves and quick urban corners, but they maneuver reasonably well in most driving situations. Unlike some big sport-utilities, Tahoes are enjoyable to drive as well as spacious and comfortable. Although steering demands only a light touch, there's little sensation of being separate from the road.