If you were to make a list of the most iconic American automotive nameplates, you would probably include cars like the Corvette, F-150, and this Chevy Tahoe. Used by everyone from soccer moms to Uber drivers to the Secret Service, the Tahoe is pure Americana. I’m thrilled that Matchbox decided to make a model of the Tahoe, and even more thrilled that they executed it so perfectly.
The proportions of this casting are absolutely perfect. Matchbox has always been good at making SUVs and trucks that look realistic, rather than the lifted monstrosities made by Hot Wheels, and this Tahoe is easily one of the best. Despite being constrained by the standard blister size, Matchbox was able to produce a model that feels big and chunky, just as a body on frame SUV should. It seems someone forgot to double check their work on the packaging though: the cardboard insert on the package labels this model as a 2020, whereas the model’s base identifies this model accurately as a 2022. The 2020 Tahoe was a completely different generation! While Matchbox has been producing some excellent models lately, they really need to pay closer attention to their packaging details (anyone remember the “Matchbox Recue” 5 pack?)
The design team sure didn’t miss out on any details, though. The Tahoe’s front end is spectacularly detailed, with the fifth-gen’s distinctive headlights and DRLs. The chrome detailing on the grille suggests this is a High Country, and the blacked out Chevy badge looks sinister while being a clever way to avoid having to add another color to the front print. I’m particularly impressed by the amount of depth and detail in the front end of this casting, with each silver trim piece protruding slightly.
The rear detailing is similarly excellent, with very detailed brake lights and the Tahoe’s distinctive chrome badging. I do miss the days of clever license plates on Matchbox models, but there’s enough other detailing on the rear of this Tahoe to make the license plate’s absence forgivable. Those quad exhaust tips are a nice touch!
The side profile shows just how perfectly these wheels fit Matchbox SUVs, allowing the whole casting to be in scale with its wheels. I love the chunky door handles and side mirrors that are perfectly fitting for a big truck like this, and the use of the gray base to make the running boards is a clever trick! It continues to impress me how Matchbox is able to wrap their headlight and brake light prints so far onto the sides of their recent models.
I’ve always thought the new generation Tahoe’s off-center sharkfin antenna looks a bit funny, but I’m glad to see it accurately recreated on this model. The extra light from that sunroof helps show off this model’s well-detailed three-row interior, a rarity among recent Matchbox SUV castings.
It’s great to see Matchbox do such a good job on this model, because the decision to model a modern Tahoe was nothing short of brilliant. In the sea of Matchbox’s recent boring, similar looking electric crossovers, the Tahoe stands out as a more unique model. Since the Tahoe is used so broadly by so many people, this model’s future potential is near limitless! I like to envision this black one as a secret service SUV, following the president’s limo as part of his motorcade, but it could just as easily be used as background traffic in a diorama to represent an Uber driver, or as an unmarked police car like the Taurus and Ram 1500.
The next version is on its way in a lovely shade of red that makes it look more like a civilian Tahoe, but I can already envision upcoming versions wearing a national parks livery, or with white doors as marked California Highway Patrol vehicles! It could just as easily wear a fire department livery as a chief’s vehicle, adding to one of Matchbox’s famous fire department themes. With so many potential uses, I hope Matchbox isn’t shy about using this casting going forward, because it’s already one of the all-time greats.
DiecastLeno 
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