2018 Chevy Tahoe, Polaris RZRs and the Historic Pioneer Saloon

Nobody asked me, but . . .

If you’re a manufacturer of a full line of crossovers and SUVs and decide that one of them would make a perfect canvas for the adventurous among your customer base, you might create a special version configured for towing. That’s exactly what Chevrolet has done with the full-size Tahoe for 2018.

“The Tahoe Custom is a response to strong customer demand for Tahoe, as well as the full-size SUV segment moving upmarket,” said Sandor Piszar, Chevrolet Trucks marketing director. “In the past five years, the average transaction price for the segment has climbed fueled by customer appetite for features like heated and cooled seats, adaptive cruise control and a head-up display. This created an unmet need in the marketplace for customers who want the cargo and towing capability of a full-size SUV to go camping, boating or off-roading but don’t necessarily want all of the option content offered on a Tahoe Premier.”

Voila, the Tahoe Custom. For $44,995, including $1,295 destination fee, the 2018 Custom comes standard with 6,600 pounds of towing capacity (up to 8,600 pounds of towing with max trailering package), a maximum of 112 cubic feet of cargo space and a 355-hp, 5.3L V-8 engine that delivers an expected segment-leading 23 mpg highway based on EPA estimates.

The Tahoe Custom is based on the LS trim and adds 18-inch painted aluminum wheels, all-season tires and a chrome-accented grille. Plus, Tahoe Custom is minus a third-row seat, increasing cargo space behind the second row to a substantial 54 cubic feet for added utility.

Offered in 2WD and 4WD configurations the Tahoe features a considerably higher level of standard features than the Custom moniker might suggest, including:

Apple CarPlay & Android Auto compatibility
4G LTE connectivity with Wi-Fi hotspot (includes three-month/3G data trial)
8-inch color touchscreen radio
Standard rear-vision camera
Standard remote start
Standard teen driver mode
Available Enhanced Driver Alert Package that features Forward Collision Alert, Safety Alert Driver Seat, IntelliBeam headlamps with automatic high-beam control, Lane Keep Assist and Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking
Up to five USB ports and five power outlets — including a 110-volt three-prong outlet — to support electronic devices of all kinds (up to 11 charging locations)

All of this sounds good on paper—or the web—but what about real-world diving? Chevy took care of that part of the equation by inviting the media to spend time with the Tahoe Custom in its tow mode, allowing us to drive Customs fitted with about 4500 pounds of trailer and Polaris RZR quad from downtown Las Vegas to Jean, Nevada where we pulled into a BLM off-road area. There we were turned over to representatives from Polaris (https://offroad.polaris.com) and Zero1 (http://zero1.vegas/rzr-tours/) for a rundown on the technicalities of the RZR quads and a briefing on the off-roading to follow.

Zero1 is an organization that provides off-road driver training and desert experiences for everyone—from greenhorn neophyte to military combat driving to those interested in off-road racing. We would not be doing anything as serious as the Mint 400 during our day in the desert, but we would be driving two different versions of the RZR, a base, 168-bhp RZR XP Turbo and their latest XP Turbo EPS DYNAMIX Edition featuring unique Fox 2.5 PODIUM Live Valve with Bottom-Out Control shocks and a revolutionary active suspension, the world’s first and only intelligent suspension system designed for the off-road. “DYNAMIX is smart enough to monitor driver and vehicle inputs hundreds of times per second, capable enough to continuously adjust each individual shock on-the-fly, and so dynamic that instead of having to choose between a plush ride or performance, you now get the best of both every time you ride.”

Here are some of the suspension’s attributes according to Polaris:

CORNERING

Attack a corner and the outside shocks instantly firm up to reduce body roll, keeping you flat for the most grip possible. DYNAMIX is even smart enough to retune when you counter steer.

SPEED

DYNAMIX stiffens all shocks as speed increases. You can also floor it from a dead stop or throttle out of a corner and the rear shocks firm up to maximize HP as you rocket forward.

AIRBORNE

Take to the air with confidence as DYNAMIX adjusts all 4 shocks to maximum resistance so you don’t bottom out when you finally come back down to Earth.

BRAKING

Tap the brakes and DYNAMIX immediately strengthens the front shocks to minimize diving and maximize travel to avoid bottoming out. Especially effective during sudden foot stomps.

There’s also a mode switch giving you cockpit control over the suspension's baseline settings. Set your riding style with the mode switch and DYNAMIX Active Suspension adjusts from there.

COMFORT

More plush than any other ride in the industry. Designed for cruising around and eliminating the small chatter.

SPORT

The ultimate blend of performance and comfort for high-speed handling. Compared to Comfort, everything is ramped up for more responsiveness and performance.

FIRM

Cranks all four shocks to max stiffness for the firmest suspension in the industry. Designed for extreme encounters and nasty terrain.

Hmm . . . Impressive. But could the RZR EPX DYNAMIX Edition live up to the hype? We’d see about that!

We split into two groups, half in the regular turbos and the others, including yours truly, in the DYNAMIX version and headed out for some MLB trail riding, led by one of the Zero1 instructors in lead-follow fashion. And after about an hour we arrived back in civilization for a great lunch at the historic Pioneer Saloon in Goodsprings, Nevada.

We swapped vehicles after lunch and reversed our morning route back to where the Tahoes had been parked.

The verdict, please!

The RZR DYNAMIX Edition’s handling is, indeed, razor sharp, even in the comfort mode we were instructed to use. The active suspension with its high-tech Fox shocks really did an incredible job of smoothing out every bump, dip, wash board, whoop-de-doo, rock, boulder, sand wash the BLM trails threw at us. The control and compliance in the ride and handling are little short of amazing. You don’t have to fight the assisted steering. A light grip on the wheel and the occasional input are all that are necessary to keep the RZR headed down the trail. The DYNAMIX Edition tracks impressively true, even in areas deeply grooved and rutted from prior traffic.

The suspension is virtually impossible to bottom, even under the most adverse conditions. For example, under zero gravity—you’re airborne—the shocks fully extend and stiffen to cushion your landing. The result of running up a small crest only to be met by an unsuspecting steep drop off on the unseen far side is not met by a crashing nose dive of the front end into the trail at a steep angle, but rather with an automatic extension of the front shocks to control and soften your landing.

The RZR has 4-wheel disc brakes, ideal for aggressive off-road racing. But for our less aggressive trail driving, I found you can minimize braking if you are good at reading the terrain ahead and backing off the throttle to slow the RZR to an appropriate speed prior to arriving at those serious dips and crests.

The afternoon return drive was enlightening in how dramatic a difference the DYNAMIX suspension makes. In comparison to the active suspension, the word compliance will not be found in the RZR XP Turbo’s lexicon. The ride and road beat you up. Your spine signals tap-out at every bone-compressing jolt. The steering takes on a mind of it’s own. The morning fun has turned into fatigue. Lemme out. Give me back the DYNAMIX Edition!

The RZR DYNAMIX Edition is the off-road equivalent of the Mazda Miata MX-3: Every mile a smile. The EP Turbo? A well respected off-road quad. But in comparison to the DYNAMIX version, think solid axle, steel wheel, stage coach versus a 2017 Chevy Malibu.

So what about the Tahoe, the vehicle that took me to my off-roading adventure?

I’ve saved the best for last. It’s a great tow vehicle. So good that you are never aware that you’ve got 4500 pounds attached to your rear bumper unless you glance in your rear view mirror and see that Polaris RZR filling up your back window.

Dynamics? Terrific. Steering, ride, handling? All exceptionally well tuned. The Tahoe’s 355-bhp, 5-3.liter V8 tows seamlessly. At one point on I-15 heading back to Vegas I was passing slower traffic. I didn’t realize I was at 90 mph until I checked the speedo. It felt more like 50.

Really, the only time you realize you are pulling more than two tons of trailer is under braking. Then you have a sense that the brakes have to work a little harder. No drama . . . just a sense of mass pushing you from behind.

The Tahoe Custom has an exceptionally high level of build quality. Fit and finish, and the quality of materials are equally impressive. It’s utterly lacking in wind and road noise. The infotainment features function as advertised. Apple CarPlay synched to my iPhone seamlessly. I found the power-adjustable seats extremely comfortable. You could tow all day and never feel fatigued.

For $44,995 out the door, the Tahoe Custom represents an impressive package of stow, tow and go.