2019 Custom Midnight thoughts

[Reyetwinger]

I recently bought this 2019 Tahoe Custom Midnight Edition 4 wheel drive. Some thoughts on it after having it a month or two.

I had an 03 Suburban and loved it but always avoided the Tahoe because having no kids the third seat was a waste to me that took up most of the cargo room in back. This model has a third row delete and a reduced price of about 3 grand. It reminds me a little of my mid 80's Bronco, except with 2 more doors of course. This I love about the truck and am very happy with the setup.

I like the truck a lot overall but there are some things that are annoying. First off you can not get this specific model with a 3:42 rear, just 3:08. You can get a Tahoe Custom with a 3:42, but not the Custom Midnight Edition. I am used to driving Rams with 395 HP and 3:92 rear gears so this is a disappointment. I always order the best rear gears and Dodge will let you just check off the box you want, Chevy wants to force you into a higher trim.

The other thing I find that I don’t like is the throttle response is really odd……in a bad way. It seems like the accelerator is stiff, like it’s fighting you to stay out of it. I find I’m either crawling around town or I try to get moving a little and it takes a lot of pedal travel and then all hell breaks loose as it drops down a gear or two. Not much middle ground. I also have a delayed shifting issue I mention in another thread.

It may sound like I don’t like the truck but I really do. I just am frustrated with GM denying you the ability to make simple substitutions on the drive train, especially the rear gears on this particular truck. It would also be great if you could order the 6.2 on something that isn’t the premier. It could be so much nicer if they would keep their torque management, throttle response, and fuel mileage stuff a bit more unobtrusive. Those are my initial thoughts.

 

[swathdiver]

Looks great Chris, I like the wheels too but really can't see them! LOL

Well, you can always add gears. These things always run better with the transmissions tuned. Is that a 5.3 with the 6-speed?

 

[Reyetwinger]

Yes that's exactly what it is, 5.3 with a 6 speed. I like that it doesn't have a lot of the options I wouldn't personally order anyway but for a decent price for any Tahoe. Just wish it had 3:42's.

 

[Beagleman]

I LOVE your ride Chris..... it is good to hear about the 3:42 gears, I have a '19 on order and will be here in 12 weeks ! I did opt for the Premier package with the 5.3 and the 3:42's reassuring I did the right thing, also I took a Deanli for a spin at the dealership, and I really didn't notice the throttle response, you mention....maybe I was just overwhelmed with the luxury and how cool it really is.....wonder if GM has an update for the throttle response thing....

 

[Reyetwinger]

Thanks. Maybe it's just me on the throttle response thing. I haven't bought a brand new Chevy since a 1998 Z28. I have had a bunch of brand new Dodges since then, all Hemi pickups with 3:92 rear gears and also still have a 392 Hemi Challenger so I am probably expecting too much from my Tahoe. The 3:08 doesn't help in that department lol. The pedal just seems stiff to me.

This is my daily driver so I really didn't want to spend a huge amount on it as it lives outdoors. I also don't want all the automated safety stuff, I just personally don't like not having total control and being nagged by my vehicle. So this specific model was perfect for me....except the forced 3:08. I do really like its looks and standard features though. If there is room in my garage in 3 years and the next generation looks good I will probably just give in and go upscale to get the better performance.

 

[Beagleman]

Yeah, mine, when it gets here will be my daily driver too, I figured, if I'm spending 80 large, I may as well get all the goodies, as I think I will only be here once, and nearly everything I have has been top drawer, I am going for the Borla exhaust, and have them looking into a cold air system too....I want it to sound cool, and look cool, but by the same token be as economical and functional as possible, a lot to ask, but I may be able to pull it off.... I also know this is a truck, so if I really want to rock and roll I can take my Corvette out, BUT with that said, I LOVE these rides, and this is the reason I'm going for a '19 I hear GM is changing the style for next year , and I really like these...IF GM goes the way of the 3500 Silverado, which I don't really care for, then I would have missed a golden opportunity.... how are you finding the new ride overall ? I am going from an '08 Trailblazer to the Tahoe.....just a little larger ..... Your former Hemi power is great stuff too, I hear.... never had one ...I'm GM all the way.. LOL

 

[Reyetwinger]

I totally hear you. I am concerned that IRS and start stop is coming in 2020 which is why I bought my 19. I usually order all mine and like you usually get the highest performance available. This time I said I'm just gonna take a low end trim off the lot and use it as a DD. Even a Tahoe LS isn't bad for a daily driver lol. I actually really like everything about it except the rear end. It's tight, no rattles, no vibrations or buffeting, it's comfortable, just a pleasant truck to use daily. I also like the way it looks. This is my first blacked out anything and I kind of dig it.

I was a GM guy my whole life. I had a ton of GM muscle cars. Bought the one in the pic in 86 and have it over 30 years. 67 SS Impala, 427, 4 speed Muncie M-20 with 3:73 12 bolt. I did get hooke

d on the Dodges performance for new vehicles over the last 15 or so years. They do move. I had 5 new ones in a row and never saw the inside of a service bay.

I had a bad experience with a new 98 Camaro Z-28 so I went off GM for awhile. Now I'm giving Chevy another chance as these Tahoe/Suburbans have no competition except the Ford which with its ugly looks and 6 cylinder is never happening for me. I don't include non US brands as competition as I have never owned one. It sounds like yours is gonna be sweet. Good luck with it.

 

[Beagleman]

'67 427 4 spd !!!!!!!!!!! Be still my heart....... beautiful rides, both cars, I have never been a Dodge guy, BUT those Challengers take it , they are really cool, and Dodge hit the nail on the head with that for sure.... got a local guy that has a Hellcat...... I don't mess with him in my Corvettes..... had a couple new Z 28's, one an IROC, liked them , wish I still had one ......one of my dream rides '65 Impala SS 409 4 spd.... I LOVE your garage......is that the beer fridge in the far corner?? LOL Yes, I agree with you as well, non American brands are not in the offing for me, never really been interested actually, I personally think the GM line is some of the nicest designed vehicles....thanks for the kind words.... it's going to be a LONG 12 weeks...

 

[Reyetwinger]

I agree with you on the 65 409. That's a rare bird, I think they only put the 409's in the 65's for a few months and then they went to the Mark IV engines. I would LOVE to have one of those, plus 65 is a great looking year. Far corner of my garage is a blast cabinet.

The 12 weeks will fly by. I ordered a Manual Hellcat last year and after waiting 7 months they still couldn't produce the car so I got my money back. 3 months will be a breeze!!

 

[Beagleman]

Yeah 409's until about mid year 65, no beer fridge?? LOL!! Yeah, you are probably right on the 3 month thing, I waited 6 for my 93 Corvette, and I thought it better to get new truck after winter, so I can get used to how it handles and any anomalies BEFORE I got into the snow.....

 

[Tahoe14]

I thought for years if you ordered 4x4 it automatically came with 342 gears.

 

[Reyetwinger]

I thought for years if you ordered 4x4 it automatically came with 342 gears.

Nope. All three trim levels start off with a 3:08 rear, 4X2, or 4X4. On the LS trim no matter how you try to configure it once you select Midnight Edition you are forced into the 3:08. It makes no sense to me and almost stopped me from buying my truck. I don't understand the reasoning behind that prohibition.

 

[aschevfan]

So you have a ls midnight edition 4x4 with rear seat delete. That is cool. I had no idea you could order one this way.

 

[Molinator]

I have a 2018 Custom Midnight and Have also noticed the accelerator issue.

That said, i really like the truck and look (traded in a 2011 Avalanche and was looking for something similar but not as unwieldy).

Small issue I have is the truck seems to “surge” slightly at low speeds in the am.

Had dealer check tranny and systems at 1st oil change but predictably found nothing wrong.

Since it’s a really minor thing I figured it’s just a characteristic of the vehicle and will move on, as nobody in my family but me seems to notice.

I replaced my chrome lugs with black totally darken my wheels.

Anyway - enjoy your ride!

 

[JB11]

Nope. All three trim levels start off with a 3:08 rear, 4X2, or 4X4. On the LS trim no matter how you try to configure it once you select Midnight Edition you are forced into the 3:08. It makes no sense to me and almost stopped me from buying my truck. I don't understand the reasoning behind that prohibition.

Your signature says it has 3.42 gears

 

[gat0r]

Your signature says it has 3.42 gears

orig post was also for a 2019,
sig shows 2020

as far as i know... max trailering pkg gets one the 3.42 gears...
so maybe he traded & upgraded it. shrug

 

[JB11]

orig post was also for a 2019,
sig shows 2020

as far as i know... max trailering pkg gets one the 3.42 gears...
so maybe he traded & upgraded it. shrug

Woops....my bad, I didn’t check the start date

I’m thinking of buying a custom 2WD with 3.08 but haven’t test driven one yet.

 

[sealandsky]

Based on what's parked in your garage, I don't think you'll every be truly satisfied with your current Tahoe set up. 3.42 gears may help, but I'd send your Tahoe to Callaway for some special attention. Their SC480 package should deliver something much more satisfying.

 

[Reyetwinger]

I traded in my 2019 Midnight Edition which had the 3.08's and ordered a Black 2020 LS Custom with the Max Trailer Package which has 3.42's. I had the dealer switch all the Midnight Edition parts from my 2019 to my 2020 so that's why my signature says LS Custom Midnight Edition with 3.42's. Technically if you look up the VIN it will not say it's a Midnight Edition because my configuration doesn't exist but in reality it's the exact same truck as the 2019 except the 2020 has the 3.42's, the two speed transfer case, and the rear air shocks.

In my opinion both my Tahoe's have what I consider a stiff accelerator pedal. It seems to fight you. The trucks have power but I need to really get into the throttle more than any other vehicle I have owned to get it. My Mom has a 4 cylinder Camry which just a light press gets it going pretty good. I had a beater minivan which was the same way as her Camry, but these 5.3 Tahoe's it seems I have to get pretty far into the throttle and then it gives me more than I want for the situation. It's hard to explain but it's like all or nothing. The throttle calibration is not to my liking is the only way I can put it. I'm not comparing it to my other cars which are fast, I'm comparing it to other daily drivers I have owned. I have owned a bunch of full sized pickup trucks too so I'm used to how a vehicle this size should respond to throttle inputs. That's just my observation and opinion.

 

[JB11]

I didn’t like the throttle lag on my Ram (5.7 with 8sp and 3.92) so I added the pedal commander. However the issue your describing sounds just the opposite.