The 2003 Chevy Tahoe is available in LS and LT trim, plus there's a Z71 off-road package. Two V8 engines are available, the Vortec 4800 and the Vortec 5300. Two- and four-wheel drive is available. All models come with a four-speed automatic transmission.
LS ($33,605) comes standard with the Vortec 4300 V8, six-way power driver and passenger front seats, fog lamps, assist steps, heated outside mirrors with ground illumination, a rear heater and rear window defogger and Homelink universal transmitter for opening your garage door. The Vortec 5300 ($700) is optional. Tahoe LS 4WD retails for $36,305.
The LT package ($4,010) turns the Tahoe into a luxurious truck with leather seating surfaces, tri-zone automatic air conditioning, 60/40 split folding middle bench seat, Bose nine-speaker AM/FM stereo with six-disc in-dash CD changer, rear audio controls with dual headphone jacks, color-keyed door handles, power heated mirrors with turn signals and ground illumination.
LT comes standard with the Vortec 5300 V8 rated at 285 horsepower, which is 10 more than the Vortec 4800. More important is the difference in torque: The 4800 is rated at 290 pounds-feet of torque, while the 5300 is rated at 325 pounds-feet of torque. Torque is that force that propels you away from intersections and it is especially important for towing or hauling weighty stuff, like people.
Z71 ($5167) is a premium package specially equipped for off-pavement driving and is only available for 4WD models. Z71 includes the off-road suspension with gas shocks, off-road jounce bumpers, high-capacity air cleaner, Z71 badge, Driver Information Center, 60/40 split middle bench seat, Bose nine-speaker AM/FM stereo with six-disc CD changer, rear audio controls with dual headphone jacks, steering wheel audio controls, special air dam, tubular assist steps, front painted bumper, rear panted step bumper with pad, color-keyed door handles, round fog lamps, color-keyed grille, black roof rack with cross rails, dark gray lower rocker moldings, P265/70R17 tires, 17-inch cast aluminum wheels, power heated mirrors with turn signals and ground illumination, heavy-duty locking rear differential, 3.73 rear axle ratio, aluminum underbody shield, oil pan skid plate, differential skid plate, steel transfer case skid plate, wheel flares, Trailer Package with heavy-duty hitch platform, seven-lead wiring connector and external transmission oil cooler, OnStar, A95 leather seat package with front reclining buckets, adjustable head restraints, inboard armrest, heated driver and passenger seat cushions and seatbacks, power bolsters, two-position driver-side memory and storage pockets.