What engines come in the Chevy Tahoe?
The Tahoe currently offers three engine options: a 5.3-liter V8, a 6.2-liter V8, and a 3.0-liter Duramax turbo-diesel inline-six. Availability varies by model year and trim, but all three have been part of the lineup in recent generations with GM’s 10-speed automatic transmission.
The following sections break down each engine option, including the key performance figures and where they typically appear in the Tahoe lineup. We also note how the diesel differs in use cases such as towing and highway cruising, and how transmission and drivetrain choices interact with each engine.
Gasoline engine options
5.3L V8 EcoTec3
Key specifications for the 5.3-liter V8 option currently offered in Tahoe models.
- Displacement: 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8
- Horsepower: 355 hp
- Torque: 383 lb-ft
- Transmission: 10-speed automatic
- Drivetrain: Available in 2WD and 4WD
- Notes: Advanced fuel-management technology such as Dynamic Fuel Management
In summary, the 5.3L V8 is the standard gasoline option for many Tahoe trims, delivering strong everyday acceleration and reliable towing capability with broad availability across drivetrain configurations.
6.2L V8 EcoTec3
Key specifications for the 6.2-liter V8 option in Tahoe models.
- Displacement: 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8
- Horsepower: 420 hp
- Torque: 460 lb-ft
- Transmission: 10-speed automatic
- Drivetrain: Available in 4WD and RWD; higher trims commonly paired with 4WD
- Notes: Enhanced towing capability and faster throttle response in performance-oriented configurations
The 6.2L V8 is the high-performance gasoline option, offering notably more horsepower and torque for heavier loads, quicker acceleration, and confident highway merging, typically at the cost of slightly lower fuel economy compared with the 5.3L.
Diesel option
Diesel option summary for the Tahoe, focusing on the turbo-diesel inline-six and its advantages for long highway drives and towing.
- Displacement: 3.0-liter Duramax turbo-diesel inline-six
- Horsepower: 277 hp
- Torque: 460 lb-ft
- Transmission: 10-speed automatic
- Drivetrain: Available in 2WD and 4WD, with availability varying by year and trim
- Notes: Strong low-end torque and improved highway efficiency typical of diesel engines
The diesel option excels for long trips and towing heavy loads, offering significant torque for steady acceleration and steady highway performance, often with better fuel economy on highway driving than the gasoline V8s.
Transmission and drivetrain notes
Across the Tahoe lineup, all engine options pair with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Drivetrain configurations typically include rear-wheel drive (2WD) or four-wheel drive (4WD), with 4WD more common on higher trims and on models equipped with the diesel or the larger gasoline V8.
Model-year and trim availability
Engine availability varies by model year and trim level. While the 5.3L V8 serves as a standard or broad-availability option on most trims, the 6.2L V8 appears on higher trims and performance-oriented configurations, and the 3.0L Duramax diesel is offered as a separate option on select trims with its own towing and efficiency advantages. Prospective buyers should check the current model year’s brochure or a dealer configuration tool to confirm which engines are offered on the exact Tahoe you’re considering.
Summary
Chevrolet’s Tahoe provides a trio of engine choices to balance power, towing, and efficiency: the 5.3-liter V8 for everyday performance, the 6.2-liter V8 for maximum capability, and the 3.0-liter Duramax diesel for long-distance cruising with strong torque. Each engine uses GM’s 10-speed automatic transmission and can be paired with 2WD or 4WD in various trims, making the Tahoe adaptable to a range of needs from daily driving to heavy-duty hauling.
