DecodedCars2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV RWD Ls/Lt
- Engines
- 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline, FFV
- MPG (best)
- 16 combined · 14 city / 19 hwy
- Length
- 198.8 in
- Curb weight
- 4,828 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 20 similar 2005 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (4.8L 8-cyl and 5.3L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 199 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 117-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,828 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 16 MPG combined (14 city / 19 highway), 11% worse than the 2005 SUV - average of 18 MPG, for an estimated $4,200 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV RWD Ls/Lt | 198.8 in | 78.7 in | 76.4 in | 116.5 in | 65 / 65.7 in | 4,828 lb | 52/48 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tahoe 1500 2WD | 4.8L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | -11% | $4,200 | 555 |
| Tahoe 1500 4WD | 4.8L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | -4% | $4,200 | 555 |
| Tahoe 1500 2WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 15 | -17% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Tahoe 1500 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | -10% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Tahoe 1500 AWD | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | -10% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Tahoe 1500 2WD FFV | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 18 / 15 | -17% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Tahoe 1500 4WD FFV | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 17 / 14 | -16% | $4,800 | 635 |
| Tahoe 1500 AWD FFV | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 17 / 14 | -16% | $4,800 | 635 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2005 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2005 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe (this car) | 16 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser | 13 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2005 GMC Yukon | 16 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Ford Expedition | 14 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Dodge Durango | 16 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2005 Toyota Sequoia | 15 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback | 23 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (1)
Electrical System · Feb 11, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V070000 · 22 vehicles
- Problem
- Monroe Truck Equipment (Monroe) is recalling certain model year 2006, 2008 and 2009 Chevrolet C7500 vehicles, 2005-2006 Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles, and 2009 Ford F-350, and F-450 vehicles, equipped with Sure Power-brand battery equalizers or DC-DC converters containing a particular epoxy sealing, aka 'potting', compound. The specific potting compound used in the subject products for insulation was found to be capable of conducting electricity after being exposed to heat.
- Risk
- Once electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Monroe will notify owners, and Sure Power will replace the equalizers or converters, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2014. Owners may contact Monroe at 1-608-328-8127.
Not every 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 14 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Air Bags — 10 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 8 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 130,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Tahoe years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Tahoe | 24 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Tahoe | 24 | 210.6 in | Not rated | 3 | 27 |
| 2025 Tahoe | 24 | 210.6 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 51 |
| 2024 Tahoe | 24 | 210.6 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 69 |
| 2023 Tahoe | 24 | 210.6 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 233 |
| 2022 Tahoe | 24 | 210.6 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 197 |
| 2021 Tahoe | 24 | 210.6 in | ★★★★★ | 16 | 461 |
| 2020 Tahoe | 18 | 203.9 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 57 |
| 2019 Tahoe | 18 | 203.9 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 109 |
| 2018 Tahoe | 19 | 203.9 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 105 |
| 2017 Tahoe | 19 | 203.9 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 174 |
| 2016 Tahoe | 19 | 203.9 in | Not rated | 10 | 257 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →