Have you been exploring large SUVs for sale? Given that Chevrolet is a leading manufacturer of this vehicle class, with several models across the different SUV size categories, you’ll probably find yourself considering a Chevy. Two popular SUVs with three rows of seating from this brand are the Traverse and the Tahoe. So, what makes them so different that they each manage to hold their place in the Chevy lineup, given their similar size? It might not be obvious at first glance, but once you get a closer look at the features of these models, you’ll see clearly that they’re made for two very different drivers. After a close side-by-side comparison, there are a few reasons the Traverse stands out as the SUV best for drivers who stick to the city and the suburbs, and the Tahoe is great for road trippers and explorers. We’ll dive into why that is below.
First, Let’s Talk Price
You’ll notice right away that the 2024 Chevy Tahoe starts at just shy of $20,000 more than the Traverse.[a] That’s obviously a significant price difference, and it’s one reason we feel the Tahoe is great for travelers. The Tahoe is a great vehicle for hitting the road and visiting all your favorite campsites, national parks, and family getaways. Adventures take a lot of versatility and space when traveling with the whole gang. When you want a full-size SUV that can keep up with all your big family adventures, the price tag for the Tahoe might be worth it for all the convenience and utility it provides.
Meanwhile, the Traverse has a very reasonable price range for the value you get with it. It’s designed to fit about as many passengers but is in the smaller “three-row” segment of SUVs between midsize and full-size. The smaller size makes it a great companion for driving in the city and suburbs as a commuter vehicle, but it also has the room a growing family needs for daily needs. Its lower price point than the Tahoe makes it a great choice for families on a budget that don’t want to compromise on space. This gives you the ability to get the new car you’ve been craving and still be working towards your financial goals. Ethier way, both vehicles are great for family travel or if you need the space for lots of passengers or materials. However, each has its own capabilities suited for different drivers, so let’s dive into some of the major differences.
The Tahoe Has More Powerful Engine Options
Adventurous groups might be looking for an SUV with the most powerful engine option. That would be the Tahoe, with two V8 options—a 5.2L EcoTec3 and 6.2L EcoTec3—and a 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel I-6. The Traverse has just one engine option for the 2024 year, which is a 2.5L turbocharged engine. If you travel long stretches of freeway and want to accelerate without any struggle (like on road trips), then you’ll love the Tahoe’s 5.3L V8, which sees a maximum horsepower of 433.
The larger V8 can tow 8,300 pounds. Move over to the 5.3L V8, and you’ll unlock an extra 100 pounds of towing capabilities at 8,400 pounds. So, if you need to bring a large vessel like a small RV or boat to enhance your adventures, the Tahoe is the SUV for you. The Traverse can tow up to 5,000 pounds, which is solid for shorter-term excursions or smaller vessels.
The Duramax turbo-diesel is a great choice for explorers, too, because it achieves excellent fuel economy for such a large vehicle. The Diesel will get you 21 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway in the 2024 Tahoe. The Traverse’s numbers sit at 18 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway, so you’ll lose a bit of fuel efficiency in the Traverse When comparing the diesel powertrain. That won’t make a huge difference if you stay local, but for longer trips, the Tahoe’s diesel fuel efficiency matters.
The Tahoe Has More Storage Space
The Tahoe has an impressive 122.9 cu.ft. of maximum cargo space, while the Traverse has up to 98 cu.ft. So you’re looking at 24.9 extra cu.ft. of storage space in the Tahoe compared to the Traverse. That’s a significant amount of more room and speaks to the Tahoe’s adventurous nature. That’s the type of cargo space you need to pack things like coolers full of snacks, sleeping bags, camping gear, and plenty of luggage. The Traverse’s storage space is more than ready for big errand days and grocery runs in town, but when you’re going to be away from home for days or weeks on end and need the supplies that go with that type of travel, you’ll probably want that extra cargo capacity of the Tahoe.
The Tahoe Is Off-Road Ready
Both of these models can get good traction on slippery roads. The Traverse can be ordered as an all-wheel-drive vehicle, and the Tahoe is available with four-wheel-drive. However, four-wheel drive is better for more aggressive off-road environments. So, while the Traverse can handle some mild off-roading, the Tahoe can handle a bit more and give you a smooth ride while doing it.
The full-size Tahoe also boasts a body-on-frame design, which allows for a smoother ride and more command on bumpy roads. Plus, it boasts eight inches of ground clearance, whereas the Traverse has only up to 7.76 inches of ground clearance available on the Z71 trim. So, you can move over small obstacles and challenging terrain with more ease in the Tahoe.
The Tahoe Can Tow More
Here’s another clear road trip-ready feature: the high towing figures of the Tahoe. The Tahoe has a towing range of 7,700 to 8,400 lbs. The Traverse has a towing range of 1,500 to 5,000 lbs. That’s a significant difference. One can tow lightweight RVs, while the other will have to stick to campers and small boats. Clearly, if you plan on living away from home for an extended period of time and need to tow an RV to do so, the Tahoe is the way to go.
The Tahoe Has Rear Seat Entertainment and Luxury Trims
Busy parents staying in town can get away with not having a rear-seat entertainment system. If your kids are just along for the ride for drives to school or the grocery store, they can handle 15 minutes without watching a TV show. Meanwhile, road-tripping families know that young kids need to stay entertained (or else the tantrums will begin). So, the fact that the Tahoe has available rear seat entertainment screens for kiddos speaks to its road trip-ready nature. The Traverse does not have such a system, although you can outfit the Traverse with an aftermarket rear Seat Infotainment System with a DVD player.
It’s also worth mentioning for people with long trips planned that the Tahoe has two luxury trims—the High Country and Premium—that the Traverse doesn’t have. These will bring you features like memory functions for the driver’s seat, outside mirrors, and steering wheel, as well as 12-way power driver and front seat passenger seats. Heated second-row outboard seats keep rear-seat passengers warm, too. These are just some of the upscale features you’ll find across these trims that make them a pleasure to be in for long drives. The Traverse has fewer trims and sticks to more practical and sporty features.
Get the Tahoe for Trips; Get the Traverse for Daily Life
It’s easy to see now that the Tahoe and Traverse were designed with two very different drivers in mind. They both offer a lot of value to their appropriate shopper. It’s just important to understand their major differences so that you get the features you want and don’t pay for any features that you won’t be needing. Usually, if a manufacturer has similar vehicles, a deeper dive into their features will show you that they’re quite different, and that holds true for the Tahoe and the Traverse. The great news is that both come from Chevy, a reliable, reputable name. So you know you’ll get great comfort, innovative technology, and best-in-class safety features, no matter which one you choose.
