GM Reveals 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban RST

[cooden]

Originally Posted by snizzle

Admittedly, this is a small percentage of the overall market for these vehicles. Not that I wouldn't love to see a true SS.

But is it a small market? Dodge finally announced the Durango SRT after 2 years of rumors--and the dealers are already getting flooded with customers wanting info. The Grand Cherokee SRT would lose sales because it didn't have 3 rows. I know several people that buy the Denali/Escalade because they wanted the bigger motor--and it's for the "quickness", nothing to do with towing. And they didn't buy a Tahoe because the 6.2L wasn't offered. Personally, Chevy should have made the RST strictly with the 6.2L, only in Premier trim, do some trim changes in the interior, Brembos all around, include the exhaust, lower it 2"-3", offer 2wd or 4wd models & price it between $72K-$75K. I'll bet that it would have sold like crazy. I might have even been swayed (especially when 20% bonus tag rolls around) to get that over the Durango SRT. But as it is right now, the Durango SRT will be somewhere between $65K-$70K and have all of those things mentioned above--and that's what I'm getting.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by cooden

But is it a small market?

Yes.

Keep in mind, as with all vehicles, the vast majority of GM full size SUVs are used for nothing more than driving the kids to soccer practice. The market for any "sport truck" outside of off-road models is extremely limited.

The RST might be a parts bin special but it probably costs GM little to nothing extra to offer.

[snizzle]

Originally Posted by cooden

But is it a small market? Dodge finally announced the Durango SRT after 2 years of rumors--and the dealers are already getting flooded with customers wanting info. The Grand Cherokee SRT would lose sales because it didn't have 3 rows. I know several people that buy the Denali/Escalade because they wanted the bigger motor--and it's for the "quickness", nothing to do with towing. And they didn't buy a Tahoe because the 6.2L wasn't offered. Personally, Chevy should have made the RST strictly with the 6.2L, only in Premier trim, do some trim changes in the interior, Brembos all around, include the exhaust, lower it 2"-3", offer 2wd or 4wd models & price it between $72K-$75K. I'll bet that it would have sold like crazy. I might have even been swayed (especially when 20% bonus tag rolls around) to get that over the Durango SRT. But as it is right now, the Durango SRT will be somewhere between $65K-$70K and have all of those things mentioned above--and that's what I'm getting.

Just as an example, they produced about 4,508 GC SRT8s in 2016. Overall GC sales, 213,312. So roughly 2% of the overall GC market I would consider small, yes. The Durango SRT market percentage would be similar. As would a Tahoe SS i'm suggesting.

[lbls1]

Its about time that we see some steroids injected into the Tahoe. I agree with Chevy, in that they stopped short of calling this version an 'SS. I feel that the Tahoe is too large to really be considered as a sport truck, but on the other hand having good power and decent handling should not be against the law.

This new Tahoe version really doesn't have a direct competitor. I don't think that it is meant to compete with SRT or other mid-sized sport SUVs. It appears that Chevy wants to give Tahoe a better sense of performance and excitement with this option. I think its a good move.

[cooden]

Originally Posted by snizzle

Just as an example, they produced about 4,508 GC SRT8s in 2016. Overall GC sales, 213,312. So roughly 2% of the overall GC market I would consider small, yes. The Durango SRT market percentage would be similar. As would a Tahoe SS i'm suggesting.

You are correct that for Jeep it's a small market--the SRT's range from $70K-$80K. The Grand Cherokees range from $30K-$55K with leases for $299 on the lower end models. That's a HUGE price difference.

Now look at the Tahoe--ranges from $50K-$75K? How many $50K models do you see? I see none around. I have a '16 Tahoe LTZ ($73K) and I see at least half LTZ and half LT models driving around. I'm not even including the Denalis & Escalades I see. As mentioned above, the RST is a parts bin truck. People are already spending the money on these vehicles--unlike the SRT vehicles which are 2x the price of the mid level models they represent. My opinion is that Chevy could have offered this as a package all together--like a LT or Premier--and charged somewhere around $70K starting price. The Premier is the luxury version, the Z71 is the rugged version and the RST is the sporty version--that's how it should have been lined up.

[Camaro_Corvette]

Originally Posted by lbls1

Its about time that we see some steroids injected into the Tahoe. I agree with Chevy, in that they stopped short of calling this version an 'SS. I feel that the Tahoe is too large to really be considered as a sport truck, but on the other hand having good power and decent handling should not be against the law.

This new Tahoe version really doesn't have a direct competitor. I don't think that it is meant to compete with SRT or other mid-sized sport SUVs. It appears that Chevy wants to give Tahoe a better sense of performance and excitement with this option. I think its a good move.

I thought the Tahoe was too large to be sporty as well. Then I drove one for a week in california mountains. I am quite impressed with the handling that GM gave this whale.

[blakjak55]

Originally Posted by JerTM

So, the optional 6.2L in the Yukon Denali is now available in the Tahoe/Suburban. Sure they upgraded some pretty parts, brakes, and included some decent shocks. But no real innovation for the GM SUV.

It is nice. I would have gotten a Suburban had they offered the 6.2 in a two wheel drive package but had to go with the Denali instead. Escalade was an option too but price point became the issue for me then.

Still waiting for the Suburban/Denali Duramax package.

[Obzen]

Cool idea but it still looks boring as hell. This generation Tahoe/Suburban is just too boxy. It's got no personality, like they designed it purposely to be a nondescript government vehicle.

[lbls1]

Originally Posted by Camaro_Corvette

I thought the Tahoe was too large to be sporty as well. Then I drove one for a week in california mountains. I am quite impressed with the handling that GM gave this whale.

Nice. I like Tahoe a lot; They can be pricey though, even used. If I didn't have my other cars perhaps I would look into owning one. I'm not ruling it out though. Right now I'm stuck on Sierra Denali...I'd love to have this truck as either my retirement or pre-retirement vehicle lol!!!

[Royal Tiger]

Originally Posted by Obzen

Cool idea but it still looks boring as hell. This generation Tahoe/Suburban is just too boxy. It's got no personality, like they designed it purposely to be a nondescript government vehicle.

I love the looks of the Tahoe/Suburban/Escalade. Far better looking that that Baleen whale Navigator monstrosity.