Chevy Tahoe RST Performance Review – A Muscle SUV in a Family Suit

Big SUVs with serious speed used to be rare, but today it’s become a trend. Still, not every brand does it like Chevy just did with the new Chevy Tahoe RST Performance Edition. It’s huge, heavy, and can do 0-60 in under six seconds. That’s fast — especially for something that seats your whole family and still tows a boat.

But this isn’t just a regular Tahoe with some badges. It gets real performance upgrades, inside and out. Let’s break it down.

Powertrain and Performance

The regular Chevy Tahoe Tahoe RST already gets the larger 6.2-liter V8 engine (420 hp and 460 lb-ft). But the RST Performance version cranks it up a bit more — now making 433 horsepower and 467 lb-ft of torque.

Chevy gave it a revised intake and a special cat-back exhaust system with quad tips and etched Chevy logos. The sound is deep and muscular without being too aggressive. This change shaves time off the sprint — the RST Performance does 0-60 in 5.8 seconds, quicker than the standard RST. Top speed also climbs from 112 mph to 124 mph. It’ll do the quarter-mile in the low 14s — impressive for a full-size SUV.

Mechanical Upgrades That Matter

The engine isn’t the only thing that’s improved. Chevy also added larger Brembo brakes with bright red calipers, which give you both stronger stopping power and a sportier look.

The suspension is borrowed from the police-spec Tahoe, tuned for high-speed stability and quicker response. Ride height is slightly lower too — down 0.4 inches in front and 0.8 inches in back. The result is flatter cornering and more confident handling, especially for a vehicle this big.

For tires, Chevy went with Firestone Firehawk performance tires — also lifted from the police model. That means better grip and more control at higher speeds.

Visual Upgrades and Exterior Features                                                                     

While the RST Performance doesn’t scream “performance car” at first glance, it does carry a few key cosmetic tweaks.

• Black badging replaces the usual chrome trim, including the bowtie emblems.
• The roof rack is deleted, giving the SUV a cleaner profile and slightly better aerodynamics.
• 20-inch black alloy wheels complete the stealthy, aggressive look.

A small detail worth noting — Chevy moved the projector light for the foot-activated tailgate to the rear bumper instead of the side doors. A logo lights up on the ground, showing where to wave your foot. It’s subtle but clever.

There’s one feature that’s not so clever — reverse lights turn on when you unlock the car. It looks like the Tahoe is backing up, even if no one’s inside. That’s confusing in crowded lots and something GM really needs to rethink.

On the brighter side, the rear glass still opens separately from the tailgate, a rare feature these days. Great when you just want to toss in a bag without opening the full tailgate.

Interior Comfort and Sporty Touches

Inside, the RST Performance has a familiar layout, but a few extra touches help it stand out:

• Jet Black leather with red contrast stitching across seats, armrests, and the console.
• Sport pedals with rubber grips come standard.
• The Luxury Package is also included — adding heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

It doesn’t feel radically different from other Tahoes, but those red accents and upgraded tech make the cabin feel upscale and sporty.

Storage, Comfort, and Useful Details

Chevy has done a good job with clever storage spots. The center console has a slot that fits a smartphone perfectly, with a rubber base to keep it from sliding. There’s also a wireless charger, plus a storage light inside the console box that turns on when you open it — like a fridge light.

On the doors, there are double-tiered storage pockets, making it easier to reach smaller items.

The button-style gear selector on the dash takes some getting used to. Reverse and Drive are toggles you pull, while Park and Neutral are push buttons. It saves space, but doesn’t exactly feel performance-oriented.

Tech and Infotainment

The digital gauge cluster offers multiple configurable zones — left, center, right, and bottom — so you can personalize what info you see. You can’t make anything full screen (like a map), which some rivals do allow, but there’s plenty of customization.

The main infotainment screen is responsive, easy to use, and runs on Google’s system. Built-in Google Assistant is available and works well. The only real complaint here is the screen size — it could be bigger for a vehicle this large.

Thankfully, climate controls and key audio buttons remain physical, which makes daily use much more convenient.

A handy touch: there’s a dedicated button for the 360-degree camera next to the steering wheel. One press brings it up instantly, which is a blessing in tight spaces.

Final Thoughts and Price

The 2024 Chevy Tahoe RST Performance Edition is the most powerful and capable Tahoe you can get — and it doesn’t hold back on features either. It’s still a giant SUV at heart, but the tweaks make it genuinely fast, sharper to drive, and much more stylish.

At $81,000, it’s not cheap — but for buyers who want muscle car spirit in a practical package, it might be worth it.