In the golden autumn of October, the nationwide media test drive for the 2025 TAHOE took place in Zhongwei, Ningxia. Against the backdrop of the vast yellow sands of the northwest, a legendary journey akin to an epic western movie was staged.
This model, which inherits the legendary history of the "SUV progenitor"—the Chevrolet SUBURBAN CARRYALL, is the first high-end imported vehicle and lifestyle platform specially tailored for the Chinese market, introduced by Dalange.
In 1935, General Motors launched the Chevrolet SUBURBAN CARRYALL, revered as the "father of SUVs," establishing a brand new category of vehicle. The TAHOE is closely related to the SUBURBAN. The first generation was born in 1995, and it has now evolved to its fifth generation (2025 Chevrolet TAHOE).
As one of the most iconic star models under General Motors, the name TAHOE comes from North America's largest alpine lake, Lake Tahoe. It embodies an imposing exterior, spacious comfort, powerful performance, exceptional handling, intelligent technology, and outstanding safety, earning its reputation as a true "hexagonal all-round warrior."
The new vehicle was officially launched in August this year, offering two variants: the Classic version and the High Country version, with official guide prices of 648,000 yuan and 728,000 yuan, respectively.
It is worth mentioning that the models released in China this time are the latest versions of TAHOE, synchronized with the global lineup, boasting authentic American heritage.
Since its inception in the 1990s, nearly 3.5 million TAHOEs have been delivered, consistently topping the sales charts for full-size SUVs in North America.
However, before the test drive, a lingering question arose: Although the TAHOE is impressive, it arrives late in an increasingly competitive Chinese market. Is there still a need for an American full-size SUV?
After the test drive, gazing at the majestic TAHOE silhouetted against the solitary smoke of the desert and the setting sun on the long river, we found our answer.
What unique advantages does the TAHOE have compared to other models on the market?
One of a kind, the TAHOE's confidence in entering the Chinese market now is indeed unique.
As a genuine American full-size SUV, the TAHOE offers true seven-seat capacity, an impressive presence, and hardcore off-road capabilities that embody American automotive culture.
In terms of body size and internal space, the TAHOE leads its class, creating a new category of super SUVs in the domestic market.
The new vehicle's dimensions are 5382×2058×1940mm, with an ultra-long wheelbase of 3071mm, providing a grand presence and an imposing aura.
It carries forward the classic ultra-wide and open front-end design, enhancing its visual impact. The Classic version features a dynamic blackened front design, exuding power and aggression. The High Country version balances the exquisite horizontal chrome accents with a black grille and showcases full wood decor, a logo-embossed steering wheel, front seat headrests, a co-instrument panel, perforated leather seats, and a unique color combination interior design.
The all-new Chevrolet family-style double C-shaped front headlights are paired with innovative welcome lighting effects, ensuring high recognition and presenting an audacious and bold demeanor. The newly designed LED daytime running lights are sleeker and more refined, supporting intelligent high/low beam switching and automatic height adjustment.
The second-row independent seats can be folded down at the push of a button for easier access to the third row. The trunk offers 722 liters of space when all seats are occupied, fully accommodating the travel needs of a family of four. When the second and third-row seats are folded down, it provides an impressive 3480 liters of space, easily fitting in all of the family's camping gear.
When opening the trunk, the air suspension can automatically lower the vehicle for easier loading, complemented by a wide-opening, completely flat cargo floor design. An attractive detail is that the rear window can be opened independently, making it convenient to retrieve small items.
Additionally, the entire lineup comes standard with tri-zone automatic climate control; the built-in high-efficiency air filter effectively removes PM2.5 and odors. The ultra-large panoramic sunroof and rear windows enhance visibility and comfort for all passengers, elevating the overall experience.
In the high-end SUV market in China, comparable products to the TAHOE, in terms of size, performance, and features, typically sell for around one million yuan. In contrast, the TAHOE is officially priced in China at 648,000 to 728,000 yuan, offering exceptional value in the full-size SUV market.
Does the Chinese market need an SUV of the TAHOE's size?
In recent years, the demand for MPVs in the Chinese market has been rising sharply, reflecting higher expectations for space and riding experience in seven-seater vehicles.
Meanwhile, a high-end full-size SUV like the TAHOE combines the handling charm of an SUV, the spacious comfort of an MPV, and the off-road capabilities and cargo capacity of a pickup, making it a rare breed in the Chinese market that could easily replace three types of vehicles.
The new vehicle is equipped with General Motors' TurboMax* 2.7T variable-cam turbocharged engine, specifically developed for global mid- to large-sized multifunctional vehicles, paired with a Hydra-Matic 10-speed high-performance automatic transmission, delivering a maximum power output of 223 kW, 303 horsepower, and a peak torque of 500 Nm. Its performance parameters are equivalent to a 5.3L V8 naturally aspirated engine, but with more advanced technology, offering stronger low-end torque, earlier power delivery, and faster response for a more relaxed driving experience.
Additionally, compared to the 5.3L V8 naturally aspirated engine, vehicles equipped with the 2.7T turbocharged engine have a tax rate approximately 28% lower, effectively reducing ownership costs for consumers. Another economical advantage is that the TAHOE supports the use of 92# fuel, with high thermal efficiency and good economy, theoretically allowing for a cruising range of over 750 kilometers, making it a reliable partner for long-distance journeys.
Furthermore, compared to naturally aspirated engines, turbocharged engines are better suited to high-altitude environments, exhibiting less power loss and easily handling the diverse terrains and conditions across China.
Versus MPVs, the TAHOE's spaciousness and high-end features not only meet the demands for a luxurious travel experience but also maintain a trunk space of 722L even when fully occupied, surpassing most MPVs in practicality. Moreover, its on-road handling and off-road capabilities are far superior to what most MPVs can offer.
In comparison to pickups, the TAHOE is outfitted with a non-body-on-frame design, an mLSD mechanical limited-slip differential, an intelligent part-time four-wheel drive system, MRC electromagnetic suspension, and four-wheel adaptive air suspension, along with a range of robust off-road features, achieving cargo and off-road capabilities comparable to high-performance pickups. Moreover, it is not subject to regulations such as "mandatory scrappage years" or "prohibition from entering cities" that are applicable to pickups.
For instance, its four-wheel adaptive air suspension can actively lower the vehicle height by 20mm during high-speed driving to reduce aerodynamic drag and enhance stability. When parked and turned off, it can automatically lower by 50mm to reduce ground clearance, making it easier for passengers to enter and exit.
The MRC electromagnetic shock absorbers bring superior chassis support, monitoring and calculating road frequencies 1,000 times per second, adjusting the damping in real-time, and adjusting the suspension's height and stiffness according to road undulations. This enables the TAHOE to effortlessly handle various road bumps and different driving conditions, without fear of rough terrain, ensuring driving stability and passability.
Does the Super Cruise system equipped on the TAHOE hold an advantage over new competitors?
In fact, the Super Cruise system developed by General Motors is the world's first auxiliary driving system that allows for easy, intelligent, and safe driving on closed highways, achieving over 257 million kilometers of driving records to date.
The Super Cruise system has reached a level of intelligent driving comparable to new competitors, exhibiting similar capabilities but with greater maturity, stability, and reliability. While some new players in the market still await over-the-air updates for their smart driving functionalities, all features of the TAHOE are readily available and functional as intended.
The TAHOE is equipped with over 20 intelligent driving assistance systems, including standard features across the lineup like ACC with lane centering assistance (HOLCA), ILC lane change assist system, APA automatic parking assistance, HAS hill start assist, ALC automatic lane change assist, traffic sign recognition, AEB full-speed emergency braking, low-speed congestion assist, and intersection warning with emergency braking. The HDC hill descent control function enables gentle descents with a single button, allowing for smooth downhill driving without needing to control speed through the accelerator.
Furthermore, the TAHOE's intelligent cockpit system is also at the forefront of the industry, having been optimized for Chinese user habits, incorporating a wealth of mainstream applications and services, such as Kuwo Music, iQIYI, and other audiovisual apps or mini-programs, while also supporting Apple CarPlay for seamless connectivity. It utilizes a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8195 chip, with computing power approximately 1.4 times that of the mainstream 8155 chip, ensuring smooth operation and leaving room for future over-the-air updates.
