In 1995, Chevrolet introduced the Tahoe as the successor to the full-size K5 Blazer. Now in its fifth generation, the newest Tahoe features a lot of upgrades over those early editions. But is the 2023 Tahoe worth the extra cash over the 2022 model?

The 2022 Chevy Tahoe

U.S. News says the 2022 Chevy Tahoe provides three rows of comfortable seating and cargo capacity surpassing the space in other large SUV models. In addition, a complete redesign in 2021 updated the infotainment system and added to the available active safety technology. 

Three engine options, two drivetrain configurations, low entry-level price, and a plethora of cargo and passenger space placed the 2022 Tahoe near the top of the “2022 Best Large SUV for Families” list by U.S. News. 

The 2022 Tahoe features seating options that provide comfortable space for seven to nine people. The base Tahoe LS has seating for eight, with bench seats in the second and third rows and bucket seats up front, or add the optional bench front seat to make room for nine people. All other trims seat eight people in the standard configuration but opting for second-row captain’s chairs reduces seating to seven.

The 2022 Tahoe features three engine choices, including the base 355-horsepower 5.3-liter V8. For more horsepower, opt for the 420-hp 6.2-liter V8, or if you require additional pulling power, there’s the 277-hp 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder diesel engine. 

While the big V8 and the diesel engines share maximum torque values of 460 lb-ft, the diesel creates its power lower in the RPM range for better acceleration, particularly while under a load. Drivetrain options include two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive systems.

2023 Chevy Tahoe improvements

According to another U.S. News review, the 2023 Chevy Tahoe’s only upgrade from the 2022 model is the addition of Chevrolet’s Super Cruise. Super Cruise is a “partially autonomous driving system.” Unfortunately, while Super Cruise is nice, it’s only available on Premier and High Country 2023 Tahoe trims.

Is the 2022 Tahoe a better bargain?

The 2022 Chevy Tahoe is the better bargain, with its starting price of $52,000, about $2,200 less than the 2023 model, and all of the same basic standard features as the 2023 model. Upgrading to the Premier or High Country trims is the only way to take advantage of the 2023’s only upgrade, Super Cruise. 

The Premier model starts at $67,600, and the High Country model starts at $72,900, but you’ll also need to add to the $4,825 Advance Technology Package to get Super Cruise, according to Chevrolet’s online build and price tool.

Given their shared powertrain options, fuel economy for either year model falls in the mid-teens for the gasoline-engine-equipped two-wheel drive Tahoe in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. The diesel engine Tahoe gets the best fuel mileage, with 21 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway. Opting for the four-wheel drive Tahoe drops fuel economy figures by one to two mpg. 

When comparing base models, the 2023 Tahoe presents no perceivable advantage over the 2022 model but has a higher starting price. However, it could prove challenging to find a 2022 Chevy Tahoe on a dealer lot that has the options you’d prefer, in which case you’ll have to pay the extra money for the 2023 model.