Chevy’s three-row stablemates, the Tahoe and Traverse, may share a badge, but they couldn’t be more different in how they get the job done. One stays true to its truck-based roots, while the other takes a smoother, more city-friendly modern approach. Either way, they’ve spent years proving there’s more than one way to move a crowd. Read this guide from your local Chevy dealership to see how they compare.
Chevy Dealership Guide: The Tahoe vs. the Traverse
Body-on-Frame vs. Unibody Construction
The Chevy Tahoe is essentially a Silverado with a third row and a roof over the bed. So, it’s a bit heavier, a bit tougher, and can handle serious work, be it off-roading or towing. In fact, the Tahoe can tow up to 8,400 pounds: nearly as much as some full-size pickups. The Traverse, on the other hand, is built on a unibody platform, so it’s lighter on its feet, more efficient, quieter, and drives more like a car than a truck.
Power
Most Chevy Tahoe’s come with a V8 under the hood, either a 335-horsepower 5.3-liter or a 420-horsepower 6.2-liter. Both are mated to a ten-speed transmission. But if you like big torque (up to 495 pound-feet) and fewer trips to the pump (up to 8 mpg more than the V8s), the available diesel inline-six is worth a look. Rear-wheel drive is standard on most Tahoe models.
The Chevy Traverse gets a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline six, making 328 horsepower. That’s nearly the same output as the Tahoe’s 5.3-liter V8 and notably more than competitors like the Explorer (300 hp), Telluride (291 hp), Highlander (265 hp), and Grand Cherokee (293 hp). Most Traverse models come with front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is available.
Cargo Room
With all seats up, the Tahoe offers 26 cubic feet, while the Traverse provides 23 cubic feet. However, when you fold down the second-row seats, the difference becomes more noticeable. The Tahoe opens up to a cavernous 71 cubic feet, while the Traverse expands to 57.8 cubic feet.
The key takeaway here is that the Chevy Tahoe makes sense if you need more interior space or prefer only two rows of seating, allowing you to take full advantage of its expansive cargo area. But if you’re often packing all three rows, the Chevy Traverse could be the better fit.
We can talk specs all day, but feeling the drive and seeing the space is the best way to decide. Stop by Park Hills Chevrolet in Park Hills, MO, and check out the Tahoe and the Traverse.

