Though a bit less well-endowed than its more consumer-oriented siblings, the 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe Fleet 4WD still packs a lot of practicality and amenities. Stuff like 3 rows of seating for up to 9 passengers, almost 109 cubic feet of total cargo area and on-demand 4-wheel-drive (4WD) are all delivered with this Fleet variation, along with such standard appearance bling as heated power-adjustable outside mirrors, side assist steps, a roof rack, a trailer hitch and wiring, and 17-inch steel wheels.
Inside this full-size SUV, look for either cloth or vinyl upholstery, depending on seating configuration (front bucket or bench seats), as well as a power-adjustable driver’s seat and full power accessories. Then there’s standard cruise control, tilt-wheel steering, 3-zone manual air conditioning, OnStar Directions and Connections service and a single-CD player with 6 speakers and satellite radio. Options, meantime, are of a fittingly prosaic variety, like splash guards, taillight protectors and side window weather deflectors.
The traditional 5.3-liter Flex Fuel (FFV) V8 engine mates with a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission with rear locking differential for 320 hp and 335 lb-ft of torque. Expect some 5,200 pounds of towing capacity from the standard hitch, while variable valve timing (VVT) and cylinder deactivation do their utmost to keep mileage at a not-quite-respectable 15 mpg city/21 highway. Meanwhile, the on-demand 4WD system sports the traditional 2-speed transfer case with electronic hi-lo gear selection and auto-locking hubs.
Safety-wise, look for 4-wheel antilock braking (ABS) in this commercial-grade 4WD Tahoe, along with traction and stability control, 3-row head airbags and front side-mounted airbags. Daytime running lights also come standard aboard the 2012 Tahoe Fleet 4WD, as do OnStar emergency communications and alerts.
