Chevrolet named its full-size SUV introduced for 1995 the Tahoe.
The Tahoe replaced the two-door full-size Chevrolet K5 Blazer as Chevrolet’s principal short-wheelbase full-size sport utility vehicle. Chevrolet used the Tahoe name for the 1995 model year, while the related GMC version was called the Yukon. The two vehicles shared major mechanical components but had distinct branding and styling details.
The first Tahoe was available with two doors at launch, and a four-door version followed for the 1995 model year. It was built on Chevrolet’s truck architecture and offered rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. V8 engines were central to the model’s identity, providing the capacity expected from a full-size SUV.
The name refers to Lake Tahoe, the large alpine lake on the California-Nevada border. Chevrolet later expanded the Tahoe lineup with multiple generations and law-enforcement versions. It remains smaller than the long-wheelbase Chevrolet Suburban, which provides more interior and cargo space.