2019 / 2020 Tahoe Buying Help

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Miami-Dade

Staff member
Super Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2016
Posts
3,661
Reaction score
4,318
[QUOTE="Will Campbell, post: 1458977, member: 78816" And what about reliability? Dare I ask on a Chevy forum why the Expedition isn’t a consideration?[/QUOTE]



As far as reliability goes...The 5.3 in my 2016 Tahoe [besides the a/c Condenser which was a issue only in the 2015-2017 models] has had nothing but plain old regular maintenance. Bought it brand new. I just turned 87K miles. I am sure the 2019-2020 are even better so I would not worry.

I rented several Tahoe's Suburban's before buying my Tahoe. I get around 24 MPG or slightly higher if is ALL highway. The Suburban seemed to get around the same even though I never paid much attention to it. All on 87 octane fuel and the front and rear a/c was on the entire time.

I am sure most people here would much rather have a V8 then a 3.5 EcoBoost 6 Banger Expedition.
 
OP
OP
W

Will Campbell

TYF Newbie
Joined
Jun 22, 2020
Posts
6
Reaction score
5
[QUOTE="Will Campbell, post: 1458977, member: 78816" And what about reliability? Dare I ask on a Chevy forum why the Expedition isn’t a consideration?

This is extremely helpful and reassuring info. I’ve only had one GM product (a new 2019 AT4). It was a rattle trap (dash area; looked at everything; they never could fix it.) So, I traded it back in for my Toyota Sequoia (I’ve owned many Toyota’s: Land Cruisers, FJ’s, Tundras, 4Runners). Anyway, I really liked the AT4 save the infuriating rattle. Otherwise, do you or anybody else who has researched have any idea what percentage off MSRP is considered a good deal for a 2019-2020 Suburban?



As far as reliability goes...The 5.3 in my 2016 Tahoe [besides the a/c Condenser which was a issue only in the 2015-2017 models] has had nothing but plain old regular maintenance. Bought it brand new. I just turned 87K miles. I am sure the 2019-2020 are even better so I would not worry.

I rented several Tahoe's Suburban's before buying my Tahoe. I get around 24 MPG or slightly higher if is ALL highway. The Suburban seemed to get around the same even though I never paid much attention to it. All on 87 octane fuel and the front and rear a/c was on the entire time.

I am sure most people here would much rather have a V8 then a 3.5 EcoBoost 6 Banger Expedition.[/QUOTE]
 
Last edited:

GTNator

Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2017
Posts
1,287
Reaction score
860
Burb all the way in this generation - 2021 tahoe is stretched quite a bit (9 inches?), but you want to wait a few years for GM to work out the kinks. The longer wheelbase gives smoother ride, plenty of space for kids, dawgs in kennels, and gear without having to use a roof/hitch carrier. Also better for towing and has the bigger 31gallon gas tank for long trips. I actually commute in mine since it gets 21 mpg. I would love the 6.2L engine, but its only packaged on high level trims, and I specifically didnt want a sunroof, noise cancelling, or magnetic shocks (buffeting issues). You can add a lot of stuff to an LT (I did) with the information on this forum. Good luck!
Yup, I agree with everyone’s sentiments. Go with the long wheel base Suburban for maximum capability. Reliability is great in these vehicles, but like everything else, you have to take care of them and follow maintenance schedules. I do this and haven’t had any problems. It’s large enough to take everything, people are all comfortable during long road trips, and it’s safe. The perfect vehicle imo.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

sd172

Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2019
Posts
91
Reaction score
68
Location
South Dakota
This is extremely helpful and reassuring info. I’ve only had one GM product (a new 2019 AT4). It was a rattle trap (dash area; looked at everything; they never could fix it.) So, I traded it back in for my Toyota Sequoia (I’ve owned many Toyota’s: Land Cruisers, FJ’s, Tundras, 4Runners). Anyway, I really liked the AT4 save the infuriating rattle. Otherwise, do you or anybody else who has researched have any idea what percentage off MSRP is considered a good deal for a 2019-2020 Suburban?

You are going to have rattles in these GM products. My Tahoe has a very annoying headliner rattle that is weather dependent (between 20 and 40 F). As far as the reliability goes, it will depend on your luck and who was building your truck that day. It will definitely feel a lot more modern compared to the Sequoia, but there will be some caveats.
 

Hrocks

Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2012
Posts
90
Reaction score
61
You are going to have rattles in these GM products. My Tahoe has a very annoying headliner rattle that is weather dependent (between 20 and 40 F). As far as the reliability goes, it will depend on your luck and who was building your truck that day. It will definitely feel a lot more modern compared to the Sequoia, but there will be some caveats.
 

Hrocks

Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2012
Posts
90
Reaction score
61
I've been a very happy long term owner of a 2010 Tahoe LTZ . I gave it to my son who had to drive in bad weather to high school and now has it in college.

Here's where I don't make any new friends...If you check some previous posts, I was bent on buying a new Tahoe RST with the 6.2 and Brembo brakes a few years ago. That was until I started reading about the horror stories of the redesigned GM2KXX vehicles. I was convinced that the myriad of problems were typical of first year GM designs, so I went out and drove a bunch of new (then) Tahoe's, Yukons and Escalades. I heard and/or felt the droning and felt vibrations on the highway that were well documented on forums. Totally different from my 2010 Tahoe. Bottom line, I have two Lexus GX460's and could not be happier and impressed. I'm looking at going into a larger truck and am strongly considering an LX460. Not because I need the space, but I really love the mass of the vehicle. If you've owned that many Toyota products, I think you will find very quickly, the difference in the refinement and quality of the vehicles. There's a reason that people hold on to Sequoias, Land Cruisers and LX's until they get tired of driving them, only because they want something different and not because they're a headache.
 
OP
OP
W

Will Campbell

TYF Newbie
Joined
Jun 22, 2020
Posts
6
Reaction score
5
I've been a very happy long term owner of a 2010 Tahoe LTZ . I gave it to my son who had to drive in bad weather to high school and now has it in college.

Here's where I don't make any new friends...If you check some previous posts, I was bent on buying a new Tahoe RST with the 6.2 and Brembo brakes a few years ago. That was until I started reading about the horror stories of the redesigned GM2KXX vehicles. I was convinced that the myriad of problems were typical of first year GM designs, so I went out and drove a bunch of new (then) Tahoe's, Yukons and Escalades. I heard and/or felt the droning and felt vibrations on the highway that were well documented on forums. Totally different from my 2010 Tahoe. Bottom line, I have two Lexus GX460's and could not be happier and impressed. I'm looking at going into a larger truck and am strongly considering an LX460. Not because I need the space, but I really love the mass of the vehicle. If you've owned that many Toyota products, I think you will find very quickly, the difference in the refinement and quality of the vehicles. There's a reason that people hold on to Sequoias, Land Cruisers and LX's until they get tired of driving them, only because they want something different and not because they're a headache.
Yes, indeed. And I’ve owned a LX570, so I can attest to you it is built like a tank and the fit and finish is even better than that on a GX460 (I’ve had those USA Prado-like beasts too). Your post sums up my concern regarding the GM’s. Toyota is boring and usually about 5 years behind per tech upgrades, yet no rattles, and usually no surprises. Boring can be good. I’d truly like the larger Suburban or Yukon XL with the more comfortable cabin and updated features. Just going to drive and compare, and go from there. Thanks again for the post and enjoy those GX’s! Oh, and PS - If it were me, I’d go newer Land Cruiser instead of newer LX570 as the former uses regular unleaded vs premium, and is more easily modified while maintaining the same guts as the more luxury-like LX.
 

Rdr854

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2017
Posts
785
Reaction score
365
Location
Northern VA
Thanks so much for this helpful reply. I’ve read / heard other people say the Suburban was the best value choice overall if a person was considering a Tahoe or a Yukon. My only concern with it is I don’t know if I need that much space all of the time. I do the missions ministry as one of my duties at the church I serve. When I’m delivering loads of food supplies, the Suburban would come in handy. When I have my 7 year old and silver Labrador plus bikes, it would also come in handy. The other 60% of the time, a Tahoe or Expedition would suffice. Anything else about the Suburban you really enjoy? How’s reliability?

Will —

Sorry I have been out of pocket. I have the base LT with no options (which is a great value). The truck is very comfortable and quite frankly, it is a hard choice as to what is going to be a highway driver when I go into Washington DC. The Volvo V90 or the Suburban. I like them both that much. I do wish the headlights were better because they are pretty bad at night. Not near as good as the Volvo. I also wish that GM offered an approved after market accessory fir the heated steering wheel and fog lamps. Neither are available as official accessories and with the heated steering wheel, it requires a replacement of the steering wheel and clock spring to implement. Because GM will not approve it, I am not willing to take the risk that the airbag might not deploy when needed.

While I have had some minor warranty issues, the truck has not left me stranded or required an immediate visit to the dealer in the 12.3 K miles of ownership - except once where a brake booster sensor failed.

You also asked about the Expedition. I looked at the Expedition Max. It is a nice truck, but is more expensive out the door and not as well packaged when looking at base trucks, whether the base LS or base LT.
 

hcvone

Full Access Member
Joined
May 30, 2019
Posts
377
Reaction score
336
Location
Huntingdon Valley, PA - Town of Webb, NY
I had 6 Suburban's from 1989-1996, from 2003-2016 I had 12 Escalade's, standard length, I then switched to a 2019 Callaway Tahoe, standard lenght, my needs changed, early 90's I was towing a boat fairly long distance, and snowmobiles, by the mid 2000's I was only towing snowmobiles around the east coast and Canada, so the Escalade's did good, by late 2000's had a home in upstate NY so towing stopped, had some Range Rovers too, and a few AMG gl 63's, they just got stupid expensive, really happy with my Calklaway Tahoe, it's been 100% better than I ever thought it would be
 

5strmtrp

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2019
Posts
365
Reaction score
384
All,

Correct me if I’m wrong, Tahoe and Explorer. Suburban and Expedition?

Ive owned both GM and Ford’s, and a few imports, however, always liked the way a GM truck/SUV drove and handled. Have gotten both of the makes stuck off-road and always got the GM out, where I needed assistance getting the Ford out. In the past had major issues with spark plugs blowing out of the Fords motor early 2000’s Expedition, 2 transmissions, and electrical issues all under 100,000 miles. All mentioned on the same truck that I bought brand new from the dealer.

My pickup ‘03 Silverado 1500 that I still own n drive, likes to eat transmissions but every 100,000 miles. 345, 000 on it now!

GM’s powertrain to me seems to last longer, proper scheduled and preventative maintenance have always been #1 for any of my vehicles.

The size, Tahoe or Suburban comes down to your 80% daily needs. Haul alot daily Suburban, on occasion Tahoe.

Currently here 3 adults, one being a 6 foot 15 year old son, hopefully a pup in the next few weeks. I’m an adult leader for my sons Boy Scout Troop, camp a lot, use the back of the truck occasionally to sleep in. I do have to sleep sideways to fit but it’s on an occasion.


Hope this rant helps.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
129,116
Posts
1,810,688
Members
92,202
Latest member
Phoenix2k9

Latest posts

Top