Title: Towing test: 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe | Driving
Headings: First Drive: 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe
First Drive: 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe
GM's full-sized SUV feels more composed than ever during towing test

Content: for the 44 cm-longer Suburban, it’s 8,000 pounds. Curb weight on the 4WD Tahoe is 2,533 kilograms, but 2,637 kilograms for the Suburban, so the SUV’s V8 has a lot of work cut out for it under load. Yet it’s all so remarkably composed. With torsional rigidity now 50% stiffer than previous models, the Tahoe felt surprisingly at ease pulling roughly two-thirds of its maximum-rated load. Virtually no bucking or pushing — the typical and tiring bane of pulling a heavy load — could be felt on a hilly drive across the stunningly beautiful Gaspé region of Quebec. That’s partly, of course, because of the body on frame construction, but also from a greater use of higher strength steel in various parts of the frame, and GM’s magnetic ride control no doubt played a role. Created with Raphaël 2.1.2
Created with Raphaël 2.1.2
Both the Tahoe and Suburban will use the same 5.3-litre V8 with 355 horsepower and 383 lb.-ft. of torque. Sure, the V8 worked hard pulling the load uphill, but our Tahoe was clearly devoid of harshness and vibration thanks to hydraulic engine mounts, and it sounded terrific. A Hydra-matic six-speed automatic, controlled by an old-fashioned lever on the steering column, comes with grade braking and a tow/haul mode that maintains a higher rpm for longer.