2015 Chevy Tahoe 4WD LTZ: Ride as Smooth as an Enchanted Mine Train
Ride in the new Chevy Tahoe featuring safety, space, comfort & connectivity
Looking for a new family SUV isn’t so easy these days. Between finding everything we need (safety, space, utility) and surviving sticker shock, I would have said it’s about as difficult as digging for gems and gold until I test drove the 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD LTZ. The ride is as smooth as an Enchanted Mine Train!
I had the opportunity to dig, dig, dig for those gems last weekend when the writers of TravelingMom.com and AGirlsGuidetoCars.com were hosted by Disney for our annual retreat at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. We got to enjoy one of the first rides on the newest attraction in Walt Disney World, The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in the Magic Kingdom, and the final and crowning addition to New Fantasyland. It is truly one of the smoothest, most enjoyable roller coasters I’ve ever ridden, and I consider myself a roller coaster enthusiast!
Then, it was “off to work we go” as the writers continued mining for treasure, test-driving a bevy of the latest 2015 Chevrolet vehicles throughout Disney property. I was eager to find out if my test drive of the 2015 Chevy Tahoe 4WD LTZ would prove to be a lump of coal or a glimmering diamond.
There were several features of importance to me, as my family is actually in the process of trading in our current SUV. In honor of the opening of Disney’s Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train, I’ve assigned a rating system for several of the features that are especially important to our family:
Diamond: Exceeds expectations
Ruby: Above average
Gold: Average
Cubic Zirconia: Below average
Coal: Disappointing
SAFETY: The Hope Diamond
The Tahoe came out on top with safety. Driving on slick roads in Disney during a rain storm, I really appreciated the four-wheel-disc brakes with Duralife rotors and standard StabiliTrak electronic stability control, along with great visibility that comes with being higher up off the road. It’s offset with expansive windows, large mirrors, and an available “Side Blind Zone Alert.”
As I crossed over the center line on the highway a couple times, I noticed a little “rumble” in my seat. The “Safety Alert Seat” vibrates with the detection of a potential crash threat. It sure got my attention!
Best of all, though, is the OnStar system, standard on every Chevrolet vehicle, giving you access to roadside assistance 24/7 at the touch of a button.
You can also use the OnStar Remote Link Key Fob Services smartphone app, which allows owners to lock or unlock doors, activate the horn and lights, and remotely start a properly equipped vehicle.
OnStar Advisors currently respond to approximately 185,000 calls every day, and, in most cases, it offers a faster roadside assistance response than 911. It’s not just convenience, it’s life-saving, and that, my friends, is what I’m looking for. So, Chevy Tahoe ranks a big, glittery diamond for safety!
SPACE: Solid Gold
Space in the Tahoe, especially when compared to the Chevy Suburban, was one area in which I felt there could be improvement.
It seats seven, with second row bucket seats, and a third row bench seat which seats three. The seating capacity and the leg and head room in the first and second rows nearly ranked a diamond rating.
However, the second row seats do not move forward or backward to allow more leg room for the third row, which makes that third row not so comfy for adults. In my family of tall people, this means the third row would be for the young children only. Since we travel often with grandparents, that’s not the best situation.
In addition, the trunk space is minimal. Yes, the seats do fold down (at the push of a very convenient button, which I LOVE), and there is a hidden storage compartment in the trunk, but if you need the third row for passengers, you will have to use the clam shell for luggage on vacations.
COMFORT: Diamond in the Rough
The Tahoe has a lot of power, which is important to me, driving in the mountains of Appalachia. But I don’t want to sacrifice comfort, and I really don’t like the feel some SUV’s have of riding in a big tank of a truck. Thankfully, the 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe offers a smooth ride.
Plush leather seats, room to move around and adjust comfortably, heated and cooled front seats, heated back seats, and a heated steering wheel were great pluses. It was also a quiet riding experience, allowing for conversation without having to shout over the roar of an engine or road noises.
OTHER AMENITIES: Ruby
This Tahoe sported the “Sun, Entertainment, Destination Package,” costing an extra $3,255.00. It includes a power sunroof, the Chevrolet MyLink Audio System with 8-inch color touch and navigation screen in the dash, rear seat DVD & headphones, and an additional nine months access to XM Radio.
There are some other features that really added to the experience, such as the extra storage compartments and connectivity devices in the front seat. Check those out in this short video showing you how much you can store at your fingertips, and where you can connect all of your personal electronic devices.
Speaking of connectivity, OnStar will soon offer their “OnStar 4G LTE” system, equipping many Chevy’s with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Essentially, your Chevy will have the ability to be work station, play station, and tail-gating party central on wheels, connecting multiple personal devices to high-speed, wireless internet! To learn more about this amazing feature to come, click here.
I really did want more and bigger cup-holders, and perhaps some additional storage compartments behind the seats and in the side walls for all of the things we carry with children along for the ride.
OVERALL: Ruby
In conclusion, the 2015 Chevy Tahoe is impressive, and will remain on our list. It’s a great vehicle with lots of bells and whistles. There are two reasons I’m not rating it a “Diamond” overall. First storage capacity – I was hoping for more trunk space. And second, price.
Standard vehicle price is $62,000, and with the extra features such as this one, the total came to $68,635. This is only $3,000 less than the Chevy Suburban, which offers more seating, and much more storage space. I am truly impressed with the Chevrolet SUV’s, though, especially because of OnStar and the upcoming 4G LTE system. So, we will continue to compare the two in our search.
See what a group of Traveling Mom writers thought about the Tahoe on our group test drive, in our fun and informative video:
I highly recommend you head to your nearest Chevy dealer to test drive the 2015 Chevy Tahoe to see if you uncover the gem you’ve been looking for all along!
Disclosure: Chevy loaned us the vehicles for our test drives, and is providing a gift card toward my travel expenses to Walt Disney World. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Categorized:Car Reviews