2002 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban: Road Test
2002 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban ▼
- MSRP: $33,204 - $40,401
- Invoice: $29,054 - $35,351
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Our road test for the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban includes a full evaluation of the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban help you decide if a 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| Tahoe LS 2WD, 4.8 V8 | Tahoe LT 4WD, 5.3 V8 | Suburban LT 4WD, 5.3 V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5 | 5 | 3.9 |
Aided by smooth automatic's astute shifting, acceleration is always adequate, though the 4.8 V8 feels taxed in towing or heavy hauling. Maximum towing capacity with largest available engine: 8700 lb on Tahoe, 12,000 lb on Suburban.
FUEL ECONOMY
| Tahoe LS 2WD, 4.8 V8 | Tahoe LT 4WD, 5.3 V8 | Suburban LT 4WD, 5.3 V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 2 | 2.1 |
Test Tahoe averaged 12.2 mpg, Suburban 11.5; both were 4x4s with the 5.3-liter V8. Have not measured fuel economy with a 6.0-liter Suburban 2500, but test Denali XL with that engine averaged just 9.8 mpg. All engines use regular fuel.
RIDE QUALITY
| Tahoe LS 2WD, 4.8 V8 | Tahoe LT 4WD, 5.3 V8 | Suburban LT 4WD, 5.3 V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 4.8 |
Base suspension affords better overall ride control than the optional Autoride system. It absorbs bumps better and is more surefooted on rough pavement. Z71 is stiff, so try before buying. With any setup, high center of gravity and lots of curb weight can trigger typical full-size SUV pitching on wavy surfaces.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| Tahoe LS 2WD, 4.8 V8 | Tahoe LT 4WD, 5.3 V8 | Suburban LT 4WD, 5.3 V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 2.7 |
These big SUVs don't corner like cars, but handling is better than their size implies. Good balance in changes of direction. The shorter Tahoe is relatively easy to maneuver, and as with ride, the base suspension affords better overall control than Autoride. Steering is reasonably precise but could use better road feel. Stopping power is good, with firm, progressive pedal movement.
QUIETNESS
| Tahoe LS 2WD, 4.8 V8 | Tahoe LT 4WD, 5.3 V8 | Suburban LT 4WD, 5.3 V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 5.2 |
Wind rush not intrusive. Low tire noise for full-size SUVs, but still audible at highway speeds. Engines throaty but smooth under full acceleration.
CONTROLS
| Tahoe LS 2WD, 4.8 V8 | Tahoe LT 4WD, 5.3 V8 | Suburban LT 4WD, 5.3 V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 6.5 |
Unobstructed gauges, and no control unreasonably far from driver. Available leather dresses things up, but grade of plastic and vinyl surfaces on most interior panels seems inappropriate for higher-priced LT versions.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| Tahoe LS 2WD, 4.8 V8 | Tahoe LT 4WD, 5.3 V8 | Suburban LT 4WD, 5.3 V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 9 | 9 | 8.5 |
Substantial seats, generous room. Drivers get commanding view of road, though close-by small objects are hidden, and no obstacle sensors are offered.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| Tahoe LS 2WD, 4.8 V8 | Tahoe LT 4WD, 5.3 V8 | Suburban LT 4WD, 5.3 V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 8 | 8 | 8.3 |
Spacious 2nd row. Tahoe's 3rd row is best suited for kids. Ample room for grownups in all Suburban seats. Step-in lower than Ford Expedition and Excursion, but rear doors' inexcusably narrow lower openings hamper ingress/egress, especially on regular-length models.
CARGO ROOM
| Tahoe LS 2WD, 4.8 V8 | Tahoe LT 4WD, 5.3 V8 | Suburban LT 4WD, 5.3 V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 9 | 9 | 8.8 |
Space behind 3rd row is generous in Suburban, limited in Tahoe. However, Tahoe's 50/50 split 3rd-row seat is more versatile than Suburban's one-piece bench. All 3rd-row seats fold easily. They also remove, though Suburban's are heavy and less-manageable than Tahoe's split bench. Cargo room is expansive with rear seats folded or removed.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| Tahoe LS 2WD, 4.8 V8 | Tahoe LT 4WD, 5.3 V8 | Suburban LT 4WD, 5.3 V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 10 | 9 | 6 |
Capable, comfortable, competitively priced, Tahoe and Suburban fit nicely into size gaps between Expedition and Excursion, and beat Toyota Sequoia in payload and towing capacity. As for the big base-price hikes, most Tahoe and Suburban buyers opted for the LS package anyway, tempering the increases somewhat. Overall, the Tahoe and Suburban emerge as better all-around values than their GMC Yukon and Denali counterparts, and are Best Buys.
Total Score
| Tahoe LS 2WD, 4.8 V8 | Tahoe LT 4WD, 5.3 V8 | Suburban LT 4WD, 5.3 V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63 | 65 | 64 | 56.8 |
Total Score: 63
Scores for all Large Sport-utility Vehicles
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