Review: The 2023 Chevy Tahoe RST Performance Edition Is No SS, But That’s OK

High-performance SUVs are a hot commodity and Chevrolet is dipping their toes into the water with a souped-up Tahoe known as the RST Performance Edition.

Essentially a cop car in plain clothes, the model is surprisingly restrained for a performance variant. That being said, the Tahoe rides on black 20-inch wheels that are wrapped in police-spec Firestone Firehawk Pursuit tires. They’re joined by black badging and Torch Red calipers, which let others know this isn’t your typical family hauler.

The rest of the design carries over from the Tahoe RST and this means there’s a black grille and handy side steps. Other highlights include LED lighting units, rain-sensing wipers, and a hands-free power liftgate that projects a bow tie emblem onto the ground.

A Well-Equipped Cabin That’s Starting To Show Its Age

The low-key looks continue inside as the only change is the addition of sport pedals. That being said, the RST Performance Edition comes standard with the Luxury Package and it adds a heated steering wheel and a power tilt/telescoping steering column. They’re joined by a power-folding third-row and heated second-row seats.

That’s on top of an already impressive list of standard equipment that includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.2-inch infotainment system, and a nine-speaker Bose premium audio system. Buyers will also find heated leather front seats, red contrast stitching, a wireless smartphone charger, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system.

This certainly makes for a well-equipped SUV, but the Tahoe is starting to show its age. The infotainment system suddenly feels small as the Toyota Sequoia offers a 14-inch display, while the 2024 Traverse will have a screen that spans 17.7 inches.

Besides the modest display, the cabin feels underwhelming for something that costs nearly $80,000. There are also a handful of questionable touches – including an oddball shifter and a dash-mounted cubby – that haven’t gotten better with age.

It’s not all bad news as key touchpoints are nicely padded and there’s a ton of physical switchgear, which is increasingly rare these days. The Tahoe is also cavernous as there’s plenty of room in all three rows, although entry and egress isn’t great for those in the back.

Buyers will find 122.9 cubic feet (3,480 liters) of cargo space, which is 36 cubic feet (1,019 liters) more than the Sequoia. It also bests the Jeep Wagoneer and the entire Ford Expedition lineup.

An Upgraded 6.2-Liter V8 With 433 HP

Under the hood, there’s a beefy 6.2-liter V8 engine. However, this isn’t your run-of-the-mill variant as it has a cold air intake with a cone-style air filter as well as an air box with a clear lid. They’re joined by a cat-back exhaust, which is quiet around town but sounds great when pushed.

Thanks to the changes, the output climbs to 433 hp (323 kW / 439 PS) and 467 lb-ft (632 Nm) of torque, which is an increase of 13 hp (10 kW / 13 PS) and 7 lb-ft (9 Nm). This enables the RST Performance Edition to be the quickest Tahoe around as 60 mph (0-96 km/h) comes in 5.78 seconds, while the top speed climbs to 124 mph (200 km/h). Those are small improvements of 0.17 seconds and 12 mph (19 km/h), respectively.

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While we’d rather have a supercharged V8 sourced from the Cadillac Escalade-V, the extra performance is welcome and the full-size SUV is impressively quick for something that weighs around 5,845 lbs (2,651 kg). Mashing the accelerator provokes a quick response from the almighty V8 and the lumbering giant roars to life with impressive gusto.

Putting the engine aside, there’s a smooth shifting ten-speed automatic transmission and a standard four-wheel drive system. It’s also worth noting the model can haul more than just butt as the towing capacity remains unchanged at 7,600 lbs (3,447 kg).

A Sportier Driving Experience, But Don’t Expect A Miracle

While it’s normally hard to get excited about brakes on mainstream models, the Performance Edition has a Brembo braking system that makes it feel like hundreds of pounds have melted off. As a result, the model comes to a halt like a smaller and lighter crossover.

Their impressive performance is largely due to front discs that are around 25% bigger than those found on the standard Tahoe RST. This enables the model to go from 60-0 mph (96-0 km/h) in 133 feet (40.5 meters), which is an improvement of 6.4 feet (1.9 meters). They’re also well-mannered around town and have a nice pedal feel.

Brakes are only part of the story as the Performance Edition cribs heavily from the Tahoe PPV playbook. As part of this effort, the model has been outfitted with police-spec springs and chassis tuning. They’re joined by new dampers and a police-spec ride height, which is 0.4 inches (10 mm) lower in front and 0.8 inches (20 mm) lower out back.

Thanks to Officer Tahoe, the Performance Edition hugs the road while keeping body roll in check. Cornering is notably flatter than in other versions of the full-size SUV and the entire driving experience feels elevated. That being said, you should keep your expectations in check as the model’s size and weight will make themselves known when pushed.

Despite the suspension and chassis tweaks, the Tahoe is surprisingly civilized. The model feels at home on smooth pavement, but things become more truck-like as conditions worsen. Nothing ever comes across as harsh, but you could be in for a bumpy ride on pockmarked roads.

The steering and throttle have a relaxed feel, but Sport mode livens things up a bit. Unfortunately, the system defaults to Normal every time you start the engine and that’s annoying, especially for a performance variant.

Lastly, there’s a host of driver assistance systems including Adaptive Cruise Control, Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. They’re joined by Rear Pedestrian Alert, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, and an HD Surround Vision system that provides an assortment of different camera views.

A Nice Package, But It’s Not Cheap

While the Tahoe RST Performance Edition won’t appease hardcore enthusiasts, it has fantastic brakes and a slightly more powerful 6.2-liter V8. Buyers will also be rewarded with a sportier suspension and improved driving dynamics.

That being said, the Performance Edition package costs $8,875 and the upgrades are fairly modest. However, pricing isn’t bad when you consider the company charges $3,025 for the Luxury package and $3,495 for a Brembo brake upgrade. Of course, buyers will still be on the hook for at least $78,565 including destination.

This brings the Tahoe dangerously close to the Ford Expedition and its optional Stealth Performance package, which adds a sport-tuned suspension, black accents, and a high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6. The latter packs 440 hp (328 kW / 446 PS) and 510 lb-ft (691 Nm) of torque, which easily beats the Chevy. However, we’re not complaining as it’s nice to see another sporty full-size SUV.