The ongoing industry-wide effort to imbue bulky full-size SUVs with styling cues and driving dynamics that intrinsically belie their hefty, oversize stature gains momentum with Chevrolet?s announcement of RST packages for the Tahoe and the Suburban.
RST stands for Rally Sport Truck, and the packages start with your choice of four exterior colors (White, Black, Silver Ice, and Tungsten), then hit the delete button on nearly all the exterior chrome. The door handles and the grille surround are replaced with body-color pieces, and the grille, roof rails, window trim, mirror caps, and Chevy bow-tie emblems get the gloss-black treatment. Special 22-inch wheels with a chunky twin-spoke pattern are wrapped with 285/45 Bridgestone Dueler H/L tires.
It looks nice, but here?s where things get interesting: An optional Performance package will be offered, but for the Tahoe only. To get it, one must first purchase the RST, which opens the gate for the Performance package, technically making it the Tahoe RST Performance package. Got it" Good. Because here?s what you get: GM?s 6.2-liter V-8 and new 10-speed automatic transmission, along with the Magnetic Ride Control suspension, specifically calibrated to keep the Tahoe level during spirited cornering. At that point you?ve basically got a Tahoe equipped like a GMC Denali, but with styling that (Chevrolet hopes) appeals to the tastes of a younger, more urban demographic.

The 6.2 V-8, you’ll remember, produces a husky 420 hor...