2023 Chevy Tahoe RST Performance Edition Gets More Power, Police Parts

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky

The 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe RST Performance Edition was unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show on Wednesday with an array of mechanical enhancements borrowed from the Tahoe PPV – or Police Pursuit Vehicle.


While American muscle cars originally evolved from moonshiners modifying vehicles to ensure a swift getaway from police enforcing an unpopular law, automakers would actually find themselves utilizing components that had been reserved for law enforcement to make production hot rods even quicker decades later. Police vehicles often came with upgraded engines, brakes, shock absorbers, and even entire handling packages that weren’t available to the general public – at least not until manufacturers realized they could spin that into a profit on the passenger market, too. 

The new Chevrolet Tahoe RST Performance Edition runs with this concept by lifting the suspension from the Pursuit package. That means upgraded springs, dampers, sway bars, and some unique tuning with a ride height that’s 0.4-inches lower up front and 0.8-inches lower at the rear. Stopping power has likewise been enhanced by larger Brembo brakes and backed by claims that Chevy also improved pedal responsiveness. This is alleged to give the top-tier RST the power to bring itself to a halt from 60 mph in 133 feet. 


“The 2023 Tahoe RST Performance Edition is designed for those who want the best of both worlds – the everyday comfort and capability of a full-size SUV along with the driving excitement of a true performance vehicle,” said Scott Bell, Chevrolet's vice president. “It leverages the proven capability of Chevy’s pursuit-rated police vehicle packages and motorsports success to offer a confident, engaging driving experience for our customers.”

Though something tells me that most Tahoe RST shoppers aren’t going to be overly concerned with handling upgrades and the possibility of engaging in some late braking. If slinging oneself around a corner at the highest speed possible were a primary concern, GM fans would be probably looking at the Camaro. Hi-po Tahoe customers aren’t seeking a pony car suited for track days, they want a cargo-friendly rhinoceros that can charge down rivals on the highway or tow 7,600 pounds without breaking a sweat. 


To that effect, Chevy has outfitted the model with a 6.2-liter V8 outputting 433 horsepower and 467 pound-feet of torque through its 10-speed automatic transmission. This represents an increase of 13 horsepower and 7 lb-ft over the standard RST and would likely be a tad more impressive on a much-lighter vehicle. Depending on whether you option all-wheel drive, the performance Tahoe can weigh anywhere between 5,356 and 5,553 pounds. 

While quick, this doesn’t make the model blisteringly fast. Chevy has the Performance Edition hitting 60 mph in 5.78 seconds. That’s roughly the same as the Mazda MX-5, though the freer-flowing exhaust system that’s helping the RST shave off those fractions of a second will probably help it sound more menacing. The top speed was said to be 124 mph, which also seems a little lackluster until you’ve been told that’s 12 miles an hour more than the standard RST can manage. 


How much does all of this cost? Chevy said the Performance Edition will be an $8,525 upgrade for the standard Tahoe RST – with the optional 6.2-liter V8 we’ve been comparing it to in this article. That’ll put you at over $80,000 once the destination is factored in. However, it does come with the Luxury Package that incorporates some of GM’s advanced safety tech and luxo-features like a heated steering wheel and heated second-row seats to make the price a little easier to cope with. 

If that sounds too steep for a fancier, better-handling Tahoe, shoppers will still be able to purchase the RST without the police parts and larger engine. Unless Chevrolet decides to nix them before the year is over, customers can likewise snag the base RST equipped with either the 5.3-liter V8 or 3.0-liter Duramax turbo diesel for 10 grand less. The higher-riding Tahoe Z71 will also remain on offer for just about every powertrain you might want (minus the diesel).


However, if nothing but the RST Premium Edition will do, the model is supposed to commence production before the new year.

[Images: General Motors; © 2022 Tim Healey/TTAC]

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Matt Posky
Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

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  • Kcflyer Kcflyer on Sep 14, 2022

    so about half the weight of the new hummer.

  • Gregtwelve Gregtwelve on Sep 14, 2022

    "so it'll run good on regular gas.'


    I filled up the wife's car with Regular which was $3.39 per gal. Premium was $4.49.

    In the past the difference was only 50 or so cents per gallon. Apparently the difference now is over a dollar. That would have to be considered in the purchase of any vehicle whose manufacturer requires ( or "recommends") premium.

  • Master Baiter "That said, the Inflation Reduction Act apparently does run afoul of WTO rules..."Pfft. The Biden administration doesn't care about rules. The Supreme Court said they couldn't forgive student load debt; they did it anyway. Decorum and tradition says you don't prosecute former presidents; they are doing it anyway. They made the CDC suspend evictions though they had no constitutional authority to do so.
  • 1995 SC Good. To misquote Sheryl Crow "If it makes them unhappy, it can't be that bad"
  • 1995 SC The letters on the hatch aren't big enough. hard pass
  • Ajla Those letters look like they are from AutoZone.
  • Analoggrotto Kia EV9 was voted the best vehicle in the world and this is the best TOYOTA can do? Nice try, next.
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