Last year, Chevrolet announced a couple of new packages for the Chevy Tahoe and Chevy Suburban. Now that they’re all out it’s time to talk about what new options consumers can choose when choosing one of Chevrolet’s popular SUVs. We’re looking at two appearance packages, one to appease your dark side, and a performance package to get your heart pumping.
A Dark Appearance
The Midnight Edition is solely an appearance package for the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban. Technically, there’s two versions - Each can come on a Tahoe or Suburban, but one is restricted to the LT trim whereas the other is made for off-road adventure. Between the Chevrolet Tahoe and Chevrolet Suburban packages, the two share many of the same features, with the main difference being the wheels.
The off-road package is called the Z71 Midnight Edition. One could also call it a performance package, because it has additional features to increase off-road capabilities. The change in appearances comes down to a black mesh grille, a blacked-out Chevrolet bowtie (the emblem), black roof rack cross rails, 18-inch black painted wheels with Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac® tires (17-inch on the Suburban), a spray-in bedliner, a Chevy doorsill applique, premium all-weather floor liners, and of course a black body paint job with a Z71 hard badge.
The Z71 off-road package that comes with the Z71 offers:
- Z71 brand suspension, skid plates, grille design, running boards, front sill plates, and rubber floor mats with the Z71 logo
- Fog lamps
- Front and rear park assist
- Black recovery hooks
- A 3.42 rear axle
- A 2-speed transfer case
- Hill descent control
- A high-capacity air cleaner
- The Z71 decal on the cluster (console?), pillar, and liftgate badge.
A second Midnight Edition package is reserved for the LT trim of either the Chevy Tahoe or Chevy Suburban. It comes with 20-inch black painted wheels wrapped with all-season tires, a blacked-out Chevrolet bowtie, a black grille, a black spray-in bedliner, a soft-folding tonneau cover, a Chevy doorsill applique, and the black body paint job.
Performance: Engage
The RST Edition is the performance package of the two, bringing with it more than just an increase in horsepower, and it’s available on the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban models, specifically the LT and Premier trims. Of course, there’s a bit of an appearance change to set the RST Edition apart, starting with 22-inch Gloss Black wheels with custom silver accents and wrapped in Bridgestone tires, a gloss black sport grille, a blacked-out Chevrolet bowtie; body color grille surround, door handles, and headlamp accents; black mirror caps, running boards, exhaust tips, beltline moldings, pillars, window trim, and roof rails. Body paint choices are white, silver, black, and tungsten.
This sportier look gives the RST Edition a run for its money, standing for “Rally Street Truck”. The performance features include the Magnetic Ride Control suspension package. Made with a dual coil receptor to improve responsiveness to changing road conditions, it uses electro-magnetism to change the damper fluid’s properties, helps to reduce body roll, and enhances traction while providing more precise steering. If getting the RST Edition on the Chevrolet Tahoe, consumers will also get GM’s new 10-speed automatic transmission - the Chevrolet Camaro Z71 is the first and only car to have it thus far, so you know it will give the large SUV the same crisp handling as a sports car for maximum engine power.
Available add ons are a Borla performance exhaust system that increases exhaust flow by 28 percent, adding a small increment of horsepower gain at the rear wheels; and a performance brake package with red Brembo six-piston, fixed-aluminum calipers, and larger Duralife rotors.
If getting the Tahoe RST Edition, consumers may opt in for a 6.2-liter V-8 engine with CVVT and gasoline direct injection (GDI) that generates 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Otherwise, the standard engine is the 5.3-liter V8 that generates 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. In the end, the RST Edition creates a sporty SUV with better street performance and the capability to tow 8400 pounds.
“When you want to hustle, it is incredibly fast with significantly higher levels of acceleration, braking, and road-holding grip.” - Eric Stanczak, chief engineer for Chevrolet full-size trucks.
Sound good? You can check our inventory for 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban models, and ask us about the Midnight Edition packages.
Photo Source/Copyright: Chevrolet.com