What To Know
- The Explorer also offers a variety of family-friendly features, such as a rear-seat entertainment system and a hands-free liftgate.
- The Tahoe also offers a variety of features that make it ideal for towing and hauling, such as a heavy-duty suspension and a trailer brake controller.
- It has a more sophisticated all-wheel drive system than the Chevrolet Tahoe, and it offers a variety of off-road features, such as a terrain management system and a hill descent control system.
The Ford Explorer and Chevrolet Tahoe are two of the most popular SUVs on the market. Both vehicles offer a spacious interior, plenty of cargo space, and powerful engines. However, there are some key differences between the two SUVs that may make one a better choice for you than the other.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Ford Explorer | Chevrolet Tahoe |
| — | — | — |
| Seating | 7 or 8 passengers | 7, 8, or 9 passengers |
| Cargo space | 18.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 87.8 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded down | 15.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 94.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded down |
| Engine | 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged 4-cylinder (300 hp, 310 lb-ft of torque) | 5.3L V8 (355 hp, 383 lb-ft of torque) |
| Towing capacity | 5,300 pounds | 8,600 pounds |
| Fuel economy | 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway | 15 mpg city/20 mpg highway |
| Price | Starting at $33,225 | Starting at $50,200 |
Interior
The Ford Explorer has a more modern interior than the Chevrolet Tahoe. The Explorer’s dashboard is sleek and stylish, with a large touchscreen display that is easy to use. The Tahoe’s interior is more traditional, with a more cluttered dashboard and a smaller touchscreen display.
Cargo Space
The Chevrolet Tahoe has a slight edge over the Ford Explorer in terms of cargo space. The Tahoe offers 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row of seats, compared to 18.2 cubic feet for the Explorer. However, the Explorer offers more cargo space with the second and third rows of seats folded down: 87.8 cubic feet compared to 94.7 cubic feet for the Tahoe.
Engine
The Ford Explorer comes standard with a 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The Chevrolet Tahoe comes standard with a 5.3L V8 engine that produces 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. The Tahoe’s V8 engine provides more power and torque than the Explorer’s 4-cylinder engine, but it also gets worse fuel economy.
Towing Capacity
The Chevrolet Tahoe has a maximum towing capacity of 8,600 pounds, which is significantly higher than the Ford Explorer‘s maximum towing capacity of 5,300 pounds. This makes the Tahoe a better choice for towing heavy loads.
Fuel Economy
The Ford Explorer gets better fuel economy than the Chevrolet Tahoe. The Explorer gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway, compared to 15 mpg city/20 mpg highway for the Tahoe. This means that the Explorer will save you money on gas in the long run.
Price
The Ford Explorer is more affordable than the Chevrolet Tahoe. The Explorer starts at $33,225, while the Tahoe starts at $50,200. This makes the Explorer a better value for the money.
Which One is Right for You?
The Ford Explorer and Chevrolet Tahoe are both great SUVs, but they offer different things to different buyers. The Explorer is a more affordable and fuel-efficient option, while the Tahoe offers more power, towing capacity, and cargo space. Ultimately, the best SUV for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
The Better Choice for Families
The Ford Explorer is the better choice for families. It has a more modern interior, better fuel economy, and a lower price tag than the Chevrolet Tahoe. The Explorer also offers a variety of family-friendly features, such as a rear-seat entertainment system and a hands-free liftgate.
The Better Choice for Towing and Hauling
The Chevrolet Tahoe is the better choice for towing and hauling. It has a more powerful engine and a higher towing capacity than the Ford Explorer. The Tahoe also offers a variety of features that make it ideal for towing and hauling, such as a heavy-duty suspension and a trailer brake controller.
The Better Choice for Off-Roading
The Ford Explorer is the better choice for off-roading. It has a more sophisticated all-wheel drive system than the Chevrolet Tahoe, and it offers a variety of off-road features, such as a terrain management system and a hill descent control system.
What You Need to Know
Q: Which SUV has a more powerful engine?
A: The Chevrolet Tahoe has a more powerful engine than the Ford Explorer. The Tahoe’s 5.3L V8 engine produces 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, compared to the Explorer’s 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, which produces 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
Q: Which SUV has a higher towing capacity?
A: The Chevrolet Tahoe has a higher towing capacity than the Ford Explorer. The Tahoe can tow up to 8,600 pounds, while the Explorer can tow up to 5,300 pounds.
Q: Which SUV gets better fuel economy?
A: The Ford Explorer gets better fuel economy than the Chevrolet Tahoe. The Explorer gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway, compared to the Tahoe’s 15 mpg city/20 mpg highway.