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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 8 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $32,640–$41,775 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 6.5/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.5/10, while Technology at 5.8/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.3/10 for reliability, this suv trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 7.5/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.7/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 5.8/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $32,640–$41,775, 10 MPG, seating 8, the Chevrolet Tahoe sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. The value score of 5.9/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 14 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe sits in the middle of the field. Until its performance and reliability and value and technology scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe ranks #2376 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 3% of the segment. Its 6.5/10 overall score is 0.9 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $32,640 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 10%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Across the Tahoe model years we've scored, the 2012 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.5/10 | $60,764 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.5/10 | $60,764 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.5/10 | $58,995 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.5/10 | $57,225 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.4/10 | $55,455 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.2/10 | $53,685 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.3/10 | $51,915 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.2/10 | $50,145 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.3/10 | $48,375 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.2/10 | $46,606 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.0/10 | $44,836 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.1/10 | $43,066 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Electrical system / Ignition 30/12/2014 · 14V827000 | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected… |
|---|---|
| Air bags / Frontal / Passenger side / Inflator module 05/02/2021 · 21V051000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL originally sold, or ever… |
| Air bags / Frontal / Passenger side / Inflator module 05/02/2021 · 21V054000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
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