2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Review: Spacious And Reliable SUV 

The 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe lasts around 300,000 miles with only some minor dashboard and oil consumption issues. At $10,840 to $14,284, it’s a great choice for a dependable full size SUV.

Is the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe a Good Used SUV?

• Yes, 2009 is a good year for the Tahoe. Owner reviews praise the dependable engines, comfortable seating, and strong 4WD system.
• Interior quality is average for a large SUV on the entry-level models, but the top-of-the line versions have nice leather and good technology for its age.
• Reliability ratings are above average. Tahoe models from 2008–2014 are all good choices with a sudden spike in complaints for 2015.
• Performance is good from the standard V8 engine, but the larger engines offer excellent power and towing performance.
• The 2009 Tahoe is reasonably safe for a large SUV earning 4 out of 5 stars overall in government crash tests, with the lowest score being 3 stars in the rollover test.
• Fuel economy is average for an SUV its size averaging up to 17 MPG, which should get owners about 440 miles of range out of the 26 gallon tank.

What Do Critics Say About the Chevrolet Tahoe?

• Consumer Reports says the Tahoe is comfortable and improved from earlier years, with high owner satisfaction scores.
• Edmunds gives the Tahoe a 4.6/5, praising the smooth and quiet engines, but doesn’t like the loose handling.
• Kelley Blue Book users rate the Tahoe 4.5/5 and enjoy the high towing capacity, but owners don’t like that the third row doesn’t fold flat and has to be removed.

What Common Problems Does the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Have?

Common problems found on the 2009 Chevy Tahoe include cracked dashboards, excessive oil consumption, and electric mirror issues. Overall, these problems are relatively minor compared to other large SUVs from 2009, and repair costs are more affordable as well.

Cracked dashboards are the most widespread complaint from owners, showing up at around 80,000 miles. When the dashboard is exposed to a lot of sun, it dries out and cracks. Some owners install a dash cover for under $100, and others replace the entire dash for around $1,000.

Excessive oil consumption is another problem mentioned by owners at around 100,000 miles. The larger V8 engines found in the Tahoe tend to consume more oil. Most owners check the oil regularly and add oil as needed, while others replace rings and gaskets costing over $1,500.

Electric mirror issues are another problem at around 82,000 miles. The electronic motor in the mirror wears out as the vehicle gets older and has to be replaced. Installing new electric motors costs about $200 per mirror.

There are 5 recalls, average for an SUV from 2009. The most serious recall is for the fuel system control module, which can fail and cause the engine to stall. Most of the other recalls are for airbags, and not a concern once they’ve been changed out.

How Long Will the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Last?

A well-maintained 2009 Chevy Tahoe should be able to last around 300,000 miles, which is about 100,000 miles more than rivals like the Dodge Durango. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to other large SUVs, according to Repair Pal, at $700 per year.

Since most 2009 Tahoe models will have over 100,000 miles buyers should be prepared to replace items including the A/C compressor for $850, radiator hose costing $600, and the fuel injectors which cost $800.

How Much Is the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Worth?

Blue book values range from $10,840 to $14,284, making the Tahoe thousands of dollars more expensive than the Nissan Armada and Ford Explorer. When new, the price range was $36,965 to $51,400. Depreciation is similar to rivals, losing about 10% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the Chevrolet Tahoe?

There are four models of the Tahoe available for the 2009 model year. The third generation of the Tahoe was launched for the 2007 model year, and replaced in 2015.

LS is the entry-level model with:

• 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
• Cloth Seating
• OnStar
• Power Windows & Mirrors
• Dual-Zone Climate Control
• AM/FM/CD Stereo With 3.5mm AUX & Bluetooth

LT1 is a step up adding features such as:

• Fog Lights
• Front Bucket Seats
• OnStar Turn-By-Turn Navigation

LT2 adds more items including:

• Remote Starter
• Power Adjustable Pedals
• Tri-Zone Climate Control
• Rear Parking Sensors

LTZ is the luxury model and comes with:

• 20-Inch Alloy Wheels
• Leather Seating
• Heated & Cooled Front Seats
• Premium Bose Stereo
• Power Rear Liftgate

What Engines Come In the Chevrolet Tahoe?

• The base engine is the average 4.8L V8 which makes 295 horsepower and gets up to 16 MPG combined.
• A step up is the more powerful 5.3L V8, which produces 320 horsepower while getting up to 16 MPG combined.
• The flagship engine is the very strong 6.2L V8 making 395 horsepower and offering up to 15 MPG combined. The towing performance is great with this engine at up to 8,200 pounds.

What Colors Does the Chevrolet Tahoe Come In?

How Big Is the Chevrolet Tahoe?

The 2009 Chevy Tahoe is a full size SUV, similar in size to the GMC Yukon and Nissan Armada. Passenger room is great throughout the cabin with plenty of room for adults in the first and second row, but the third row is best suited to smaller children.

Cargo space is excellent, offering enough room for 3-4 suitcases behind the third row, and over 8 suitcases behind the second row.

How Does the Chevrolet Tahoe Compare to the Competition?

The Chevy Tahoe is one of the best full size SUVs offered for 2009, offering dependable engines, a comfortable cabin, and earns our recommendation even with the low fuel economy.

The Chevrolet Suburban is a competitor which costs about $500 more. Passenger room is better in the Chevy Suburban since it has a longer wheelbase, but the Chevy Tahoe does better off-road. We recommend the Chevy Tahoe unless you need the extra cargo space of the Chevy Suburban.

The Ford Expedition is another competitor, which costs about $2,000 less. Interior materials are nicer in the entry-level Ford Expedition, but the Chevy Tahoe offers more powerful engine choices. We recommend the Chevy Tahoe since it has fewer complaints from owners, and usually lasts longer.

Do Owners Recommend the Chevrolet Tahoe?