As you were previously shopping for a new vehicle, did you ever find yourself yearning for a ride that offered a combination of the best SUV attributes and the best pickup truck attributes? Well, that’s now a distinct possibility with the 2018 Chevy Tahoe Custom. In mid-August, the brand announced the impending release of the vehicle, noting that the 2018 Chevy Tahoe Custom will provide “the uncompromised capability of Chevrolet trucks and SUVs in a great looking package.”
“The Tahoe Custom is a response to strong customer demand for Tahoe, as well as the full-size SUV segment moving upmarket,” said Chevrolet Trucks’ marketing director Sandor Piszar. “In the past five years, the average transaction price for the segment has climbed fueled by customer appetite for features like heated and cooled seats, adaptive cruise control and a head-up display. This created an unmet need in the marketplace for customers who want the cargo and towing capability of a full-size SUV to go camping, boating or off-roading but don’t necessarily want all of the option content offered on a Tahoe Premier.”
While it will presumably take some time for the vehicle to officially hit dealer’s lots, we’re still anticipating the impending release. Below, we’ve reviewed some of the notable attributes of the 2018 Chevy Tahoe Custom. Then, when you inevitably start searching through the inventories of Chevy dealers, you’ll already know what model you want to target…
Notable Additions
When all is said, engineers essentially added a number of useful amenities to the nameplate’s LS trim. For starters, the brand included their rugged 18-inch painted aluminum wheels, and they accompanied this inclusion with a set of all-season tires. To further impact the exterior cosmetics, engineers included a revamped chrome grille. These various additions will surely have your fellow drivers gawking at your ride.
On the inside, owners will notice that the third row has been completely removed, but this predictably leads to more cargo room. Now, when all of the seats are in place, owners can capitalize on the incredible 54-cubic-feet of space, which is more room than most vehicles provide. Even more impressively, drivers can unlock up to 112-cubic-feet of space behind the front row, meaning you’ll have few issues fitting any equipment, projects, or luggage.
Innovative Technology
Predictably, the vehicle is equipped with a number of technological features that should influence the entire driving experience. The brand included their MyLink system, which provides access to an assortment of applications via the eight-inch color touchscreen. If drivers want to take advantage of their phone’s basic capabilities, they can seamlessly connect their gadget to the unit thanks to the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
Your passengers will surely appreciate the inclusion of the 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, which provides a strong wireless internet connection for up to seven devices. If your occupants want to keep their respective gadgets fully charged, then they can also rely on the five USB ports and five power outlet (including the much-desired 100-volt three-prong outlet).
Before drivers even enter their vehicle, they can capitalize on the remote start technology. During those cold winter warnings, you’ll be able to warm up your SUV’s interior from the comfort of your own house.
Optimal Performance
This variation of the beloved nameplate is equipped with the brand’s incredible 5.3-liter V8 engine, which combines the efficiency of an SUV with the muscle of a pickup truck. Ultimately, drivers can anticipate a hulking 355 horsepower from the unit, which is more than enough power to overcome any of your fellow drivers on the highway. These power specs also influence the vehicle’s incredible towing capacity, as the Tahoe Customer can haul up to 6,600 pounds (or 8,600 pounds with the max trailering package).
Meanwhile, thanks to fuel-saving technologies like direct injection and Active Fuel Management, the system also manages to deliver a best-in-segment 23-mile-per-gallon highway fuel efficiency. While you’ll surely be dishing out some extra money for this version of the Tahoe, you’ll be able to save some extra cash at the gas pump. These efficiency specs will be especially elevated thanks to the vehicle’s clever aerodynamic design, which can partly be attributed to the inclusion of the active aero shutters. Ultimately, you’re not going to be able to find a more fuel-efficient SUV elsewhere.
Topnotch Safety
The Tahoe has always been known for its safety capabilities, and that sentiment will also apply to this specific version of the model. The SUV includes a number of notable functions that should help prevent accidents and protect in the event of an emergency. For starts, customers can opt for the Enhance Driver Alert Package, which includes an array of notable safety functions like the
- Forward Collision Alert
- Safety Alert Driver Seat
- IntelliBeam headlamps with automatic high-beam control
- Lane Keep Assist
- Low-Speed Forward Automatic Braking
Meanwhile, the standard rear-vision camera will allow drivers to monitor everything that’s happening behind their vehicle, while the tire pressure monitor will alert them when it’s time for a re-fill (this will also vicariously help them avoid any collisions).
Perhaps the most notable safety inclusion is the Teen Driver technology. This function will be especially notable to parents, as the unit proves to be the perfect driving companion for an inexperienced driver. Essentially, the unit helps promote safe driving habits, and it automatically activates all of the vehicle’s premier safety functions when a teen has taken the wheel. When the younger driver’s trip has concluded, parents can monitor their habits via the in-vehicle report card.
Ultimately, this specific version of the vehicle will sell for $44,995 (plus a $1,295 destination fee), which is a bit pricier than the standard version of the vehicle. However, when you consider everything that the model provides (including a powerful engine, useful technologies, and an array of safety functions), it may be worth that extra bit of money.
