Ford Expedition vs. Chevy Tahoe: What’s The Difference?
Source: Pixabay
Full-size family haulers are a favorite among many for several reasons. They boast more power and thrive better off-road when compared to midsize and compact SUVs. They also sit a lot higher, giving them a better and commanding position over the road ahead.
The Ford Expedition and Chevy Tahoe are two of the most popular full-size SUVs sold in North America today. The Tahoe was recently redesigned for its latest model while the Expedition continues to gain small and large improvements with time. In today’s post, we’ll provide a Ford Expedition vs. Chevy Tahoe comparison to help you decide which model is fit for you.
Ford Expedition vs. Chevy Tahoe Comparison
Ford Expedition vs. Chevy Tahoe: Engine and Towing Capacity
The Ford Expedition is available with one engine option – a 3.5L twin-turbo V6 that makes 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. This is linked to a 10-speed automatic transmission that ensures all that power is translated into actual on-road performance. Though Ford does not offer any other engine, it’s good to note that the Platinum trim level produces 400 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque.
The Chevrolet Tahoe is powered by one of three engines, depending on what you pick. The first is a 5.3L V8 that produces 355 horsepower. This is the most common engine across the Tahoe’s lineup. The second is a more powerful 6.2L V8 that makes 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. The last option is a 3.0L six-cylinder turbodiesel that offers 277 horsepower with 460 lb-ft of torque. Like the Expedition, the Tahoe also comes with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
When properly equipped, the Ford Expedition can tow up to 9,300 pounds. The Chevy Tahoe can tow 8,400 in comparison. The trailering and towing capacity will change depending on the engine and drivetrain option you choose. Both SUVs are available with AWD, 4WD, or rear drive.
FEEL SECURE IN THE CAR YOU CHOOSE
You don’t want to buy a car - you want to get the best deal on the car you’re looking for. The CoPilot app will notify you if there’s a similar vehicle in your area at a better price, so you’re always certain you got the best deal available.
Ford Expedition vs. Chevy Tahoe: Interior and Cargo Space
The Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe are three-row SUVs built to accommodate more passengers and cargo. The only model that comes without the third row is the Expedition XL STX. Other Expeditions offer 42 inches of headroom, 43.9 inches of legroom, and 64.9 inches of shoulder room at the front.
The second row comes with 40 inches of headroom, 41.5 inches of legroom, and 64.8 inches of shoulder room. The third row has 37.3 inches, 40.9 inches, and 64.2 inches, respectively. As for the Chevrolet Tahoe, it offers slightly more room at the front with its 42.3 inches of headroom, 44.5 inches of legroom, and 66 inches of shoulder room.
The second row, however, has less headroom when compared to that of the Ford Expedition. It offers 38.9 inches of headroom, 42 inches of legroom, and 64.8 inches of shoulder room. Lastly, the Tahoe will give you 38.2 inches, 34.9 inches, and 62.7 inches respectively at the rear. If more passenger space is a priority, the Chevrolet Tahoe wins.
In addition to towing, many people buy full-size SUVs for their ability to carry more cargo than your average SUV. The Ford Expedition offers 19.3 cubic feet when all the seats are in use. Fold the third row, and you’ll get 57.5 cubic feet and 104.6 cubic feet if you fold the second and third rows. The SUV can haul a maximum of 1,770 pounds when powered by the 3.5L EcoBoost engine.
When we take a look at the Chevrolet Tahoe, it wins again in matters cargo volume. It comes with 25.5 cubic feet when all rows are in use, 72.6 cubic feet when the third row is folded, and 122.9 cubic feet when the second and third rows are folded. The 5.3L and 6.2 Tahoes can haul up to 1,834 pounds, while the 3.0L can haul up to 1,655 pounds.
THE BEST TWO-SEATER CARS
If you’re in the market for a speedy two-seater, we’ve got you covered. Check out our list of the best two-seater cars on the market today.
Ford Expedition vs. Chevy Tahoe: Fuel Economy
Full-size SUVs don’t normally do well when it comes to fuel economy. Their large size and powerful engines make it hard to keep up with the best EPA estimates in the industry. The 3.5L V6 Ford Expedition covers 17 miles per gallon in city driving and 23 miles per gallon in highway driving.
This is if you go for the rear-drive setup. Adding four-wheel drive drops the highway estimates to 22 miles per gallon. The city rating remains the same. The rear-wheel-drive 5.3L V8 Tahoe is rated at 16 mpg in city driving and 20 mpg in highway driving.
Going for the 6.2L V8 or the four-wheel-drive 5.3L V8 gives you 15 mpg city and 19 mpg highway. The High Country model makes 14 mpg in city driving and 19 mpg in highway driving when equipped with 4WD. All models that have the 3.0L Duramax diesel engine are estimated at 22 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.
If you’re looking for the best fuel economy in a full-size SUV, the Ford Expedition is the better option here. However, the Tahoe gains the upper hand when powered by the diesel engine, making it an even better alternative.
Ford Expedition vs. Chevy Tahoe: Safety
The Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe are popular with families. As such, safety is a key concern for many buyers. This is considering they can each carry up to 8 passengers at any one moment.
The base Expedition features safety canopy airbags, side-impact airbags, dual-stage front airbags, tire pressure monitoring system, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beam headlights, Pre-Collision with Automatic Emergency Braking, a rear-view camera, SOS post-crash alert system, ABS, the SecuriLock Passive Anti-Theft System, and child safety locks.
Higher trims add the Reverse Sensing System, Inclination/Intrusion Sensors, and 360-degree camera system. These are available depending on the trim level you pick. The Chevrolet Tahoe also has a long list of features to keep its occupants safe.
This includes six or seven airbags, Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Following Distance Indicator, HD Rear Vision Camera, LED Daytime Running Lamps, Hill Start Assist, OnStar & Chevrolet Connected Services, Rear Pedestrian Alert, Front Pedestrian Braking, LED Daytime Running Lamps, Rear child security door locks, Rear Park Assist, StabiliTrak system for stability and traction control, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, and Teen Driver System.
Both vehicles are designed to keep you safe in case of an accident. The Expedition offers more standard safety systems on most trim levels. However, if you don’t mind paying for more, the Chevy Tahoe has a lot for you too.
8 QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN BUYING A USED CAR
So you’re in the market for a used vehicle? We’ve gone ahead and prepped some essential questions to ask when buying a used car.
Ford Expedition vs. Chevy Tahoe: Pricing
The Ford Expedition and Chevy Tahoe both start at above $50,000. This is no surprise as vehicles in this segment are typically higher priced. The base Ford Expedition with rear-wheel drive is priced at $52,935. The four-wheel-drive version costs $3,050 more - a difference that cuts across all trim levels. The most expensive trim is the 4WD Platinum Expedition. It starts at $79,765.
The base Chevrolet Tahoe that sports a 5.3L V8 costs $51,295 with rear-wheel-drive and $54,295 with four-wheel-drive. Prices here rise accordingly as you go higher and higher. The Premier trim costs $64,495. It’s important to note that switching to a 3.0L Duramax diesel engine increases all prices across the lineup by $995.
This is with the exception of the Tahoe High Country, which costs $71,395 with the gasoline V8 engine and $69,895 when equipped with the diesel. Adding four-wheel-drive to the V8 High Country increases the price to $74,395 and $72,895 when powered by diesel.
Verdict: Ford Expedition vs. Chevy Tahoe
The Chevy is the better model if you’re looking for more cargo volume and interior space. It also has more engine options to choose from and provides an opportunity for you to get what you want. The Expedition, on the other hand, can tow more weight and give you better fuel economy when powered by a gasoline engine. The best choice for you will depend on your lifestyle and what you’re looking to get out of your vehicle.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.
Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.
The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.
