Jeep Wagoneer vs. Chevrolet Tahoe: Compare Luxury SUVs

The newest kid on the block is the biggest one, and it’s shaped like a block. The 2024 Jeep Wagoneer takes on the bestselling Chevrolet Tahoe in a battle of full-size titans, but Chevy hasn’t let the Tahoe stand pat, refreshing it for 2025. In pricing and features they span a range from the utilitarian to the luxurious, making them popular in hockey rink and cheer competition parking lots. 

The return in 2022 of the Wagoneer nameplate, with wood-paneled sides that made their mark on history from 1963 to 1993, commenced with a luxury entrant in the Grand Wagoneer, similar to the Lincoln Navigator under Ford’s banner and the Cadillac Escalade in GM’s family of truck-based three-row family haulers. Jeep used GM’s largest passenger vehicles as a benchmark, then decided to one-up the General. It’s 4.0 inches longer than the Tahoe and offers up more cargo and passenger room, it can tow more, but it also costs more. For this compare, we’ll stick to the standard wheelbase on both the Wagoneer and the Tahoe. To be clear, the Wagoneer L runs about 10 inches longer than the standard Wagoneer, and the extended wheelbase on the Tahoe is the Chevy Suburban. 

America favors youth and newness, but that doesn’t necessarily make the Wagoneer superior to the Tahoe. The big old dog has plenty of tricks up its rows. Here’s how the two match up, and where the big barkers diverge.

Jeep Wagoneer vs Chevy Tahoe specs, performance, and towing

• Jeep scraps the V-8 for a 420-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-6 with 486 lb-ft of torque
• Base Chevy Tahoe’s 5.3-liter V-8 makes 355 hp and 383 lb-ft
• Tahoe 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-6 makes 305 hp and 495 lb-ft
• Tahoe’s top 6.2-liter V-8 makes 420 hp and 460 lb-ft

How fast is the Chevy Tahoe?

These beasts are built for comfort, and the full-size SUV segment conspires with pickup trucks to keep the V-8 engine alive. GM’s are the best, especially now that they’re paired with a seamless 10-speed automatic that’s almost telepathic except when the pedal is floored. Then it stays in low gears, roaring toward a redline. Tahoe’s best version, the 6.2-liter V-8, hustles the land barge to 60 mph in the mid seven-second range. It’s available on all but the LS and LT trims. 

The base 5.3-liter V-8 claims the highest tow rating of 8,400 pounds with rear-wheel drive. For frequent towing and regular highway hauling, the 3.0-liter turbodiesel blends smoothness with low-end grunt like few other engines. Quieter, cleaner, and all around better than older diesels, it’s only a $1,000 upcharge over the base V-8 and GM made it stronger for 2025, boosting output to 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque from 277 hp and 460 lb-ft. It tows up to 7,800 pounds with four-wheel drive. For frequent towing, we prefer the Chevy for its standard and available trailering packages with all kinds of camera views and heavy load upgrades, including a larger radiator and engine cooling fan. 

Is the Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD?

Rear-wheel drive comes standard, but four-wheel drive with a 2-speed transfer case for low-speed off-roading is available across the lineup for $3,000. 

Chevy fits the Tahoe with a fully independent suspension that counteracts the SUV’s prodigious weight to make it feel lighter and more agile. The available magnetic ride control dampers smother road imperfections even better, and an available air suspension can raise or lower the big rig by nearly four inches. The Tahoe remains flatter around corners and has a firmer, more controlled ride than the Wagoneer, but the Wagoneer’s softer setup smothers road imperfections better.

How fast is the Jeep Wagoneer?

For 2024, Jeep scraps the 5.7-liter V-8 used on base models for a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-6 across the lineup. It’s more potent than the old V-8, with an output of 420 hp and 486 lb-ft versus the retired V-8’s 392 hp and 404 lb-ft of torque. 

It’s quick for its cinder-block shape and size, trimming a full second off its 60 mph time to 6.3 seconds. The front end lifts and the big block pounces on the pavement. It’s remarkable for a vehicle weighing more than 5,800 pounds. The inline-6 ties up with an 8-speed automatic transmission, but at speed the twin-turbo requires a deeper stab of the throttle to get it to downshift. 

The quickness comes at the cost of towing capacity, however. The Wagoneer V-8 can tow up to 10,000 pounds. The Grand Wagoneer gets a high-output version of the twin-turbo inline-6, making 510 hp and 500 lb-ft, but it also rides calmer with its standard air suspension. Four-wheel drive is standard on the Grand Wagoneer, and towing is capped at 9,810 pounds. 

Is the Jeep Wagoneer 4WD?

To put it simply, yes. But nothing’s simple on a Jeep except for the crawling. Rear-wheel drive comes standard, but four-wheel drive is available for $3,000 across the lineup, except on Series III or Grand Wagoneer models, where 4×4 is standard. It comes in three different grades, however, with Quadra-Drive adding a 2-speed transfer case on demand and Snow, Sand, Mud, and Rock modes apportioning the most torque to the axle with the most grip. Quadra-Drive II adds an electronic limited-slip rear differential and a better crawl ratio for more tenacious off-roading. A rear load-leveling suspension comes standard to balance heavy cargo loads or when towing. An available air suspension and adaptive dampers cushion the ride on the road, and the suspension raises the ground clearance from 8.0 inches to 10.0 inches for off-roading.

Advantage: Wagoneer, but it gets expensive.

Jeep Wagoneer vs Chevy Tahoe fuel economy

• Tahoe turbodiesel rates at 21 mpg city, 28 highway, 24 combined with rear-wheel drive
• Base Tahoe V-8 drops to 15/20/17 mpg with RWD or 4WD
• Tahoe 6.2-liter V-8 rates at 16 mpg combined with RWD or 4WD
• Base Wagoneer inline-6 rates at 17/24/20 mpg with RWD; 4WD costs it 1 mpg
• Grand Wagoneer twin-turbo inline-6 with 4WD rates at 14/20/17 mpg

Chevy’s V-8s are among the most efficient on the market, thanks to cylinder deactivation that shuts down up to six cylinders at highway cruising speeds. Jeep’s new Hurricane engine can be fitted with mild-hybrid or plug-in hybrid systems, but that hasn’t happened on this iteration of the Wagoneer, yet. The outgoing V-8 had a mild-hybrid boost.  Despite diesel’s tarnished rep in recent years, it’s an excellent option for users who log mostly highway miles. It, along with twin-turbo engines and hybrid systems from rivals have proven a winning replacement for displacement.

Advantage: Tahoe turbodiesel.

Tahoe vs. Wagoneer prices, trims, and warranty coverage

• Base Tahoe LS costs about $58,000; 2025 pricing has not been announced
• Base Wagoneer costs about $65,000
• 4WD adds $3,000 to each model
• Best picks: Wagoneer base model, Tahoe LT

How much does a Jeep Wagoneer cost?

With a starting price of about $65,000, the Wagoneer seems expensive relative to the competition. Part of that is from the highest destination fee we’ve come across: $2,000, sneaked in under the list prices. But the base Wagoneer comes very well-equipped, with a power tailgate, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone charging, a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster, leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, a 9-speaker Alpine audio system, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The options add up, starting with a long-wheelbase Wagoneer L that adds $3,000 to $3,500, or Grand Wagoneer models that start at more than $90,000 and can run above Escalade territory at $120,000 with a rear-seat entertainment system and heavy-duty tow package. 

Which Jeep Wagoneer should I buy?

Skipping the wheelbase and Grand Wagoneer propositions, the Jeep Wagoneer is sold in base, Series II, Carbide, and Series III grades. The Series II includes nappa leather upholstery, adaptive cruise control to a stop, active lane control, and luxurious options such as power-folding third-row seats, second-row captain’s chairs, and a rear entertainment system.

The $75,000 Series III adds second-row heated seats and some nicer interior finishes, but we’d stick with the Base model now that the Hurricane twin-turbo is standard. 

Every Wagoneer has an average 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty with 5 years/60,000 miles for the powertrain.

How much does a Chevrolet Tahoe cost?

Pricing for the refreshed 2025 model hasn’t been announced, but the Tahoe positions itself as a relative value. It varies based on the three powertrain options, but the base LS costs a bit over $58,000 with rear-wheel drive and the 5.3-liter V-8. The 6.2-liter V-8 available on RST, Z71, Premier, and High Country trims costs between $2,000 to $8,000 more. 

Standard gear includes power-adjustable front seats, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, keyless and remote start, but the Tahoe can’t match the Wagoneer’s loaded equipment list. The warranties are aligned, however. 

Which Chevy Tahoe should I buy?

The $63,000 LT model upgrades from an 8.0-inch touchscreen to a 10.2-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone compatibility, as well as wireless smartphone charging, a 12.0-inch digital instrument cluster, a hands-free power tailgate, Bose audio, and leather upholstery. 

The top High Country model nudges into Wagoneer Series III terrain with its adaptive damping, heated second-row seats, and power-folding third row but, at $85,000, it’s a bit much. 

Advantage: Tahoe for value, base Wagoneer for loaded features.

Tahoe vs. Wagoneer specs and dimensions

• The Tahoe stretches to 210.7 inches long with a 120.9-inch wheelbase
• Wagoneer measures 214.7 inches long with a 123.0-inch wheelbase
• Tahoe cargo volume is 25.5 cubic feet, or 72.6 cubes with the third row down
• Wagoneer cargo volume is 27.4 cubic feet, or 70.8 cubes with the third row down

Is the Jeep Wagoneer bigger than the Chevy Tahoe?

Yes, in both standard- and extended-wheelbase editions. It’s as if Jeep benchmarked, then one-upped Chevy. Shocking, we know. Even the Wagoneer L measures exactly one inch longer than the Chevy Suburban.

In either case, both full-size SUVs fit up to eight full-size passengers. If Dick Van Patten were wrong and eight isn’t enough, Chevy still offers a $250 front bench seat to fit in nine people. Most shoppers opt for second-row captain’s chairs to seat seven. 

The Tahoe has 25.5 cubic feet of space behind its third row, and adults can functionally sit in the wayback with 34.9 inches of rear legroom, which is as much space as the second row of many compact crossovers. But the Wagoneer offers 36.6 inches of rearmost legroom, and good enough thigh support to seat two adults in comfort for extended journeys. Jeep outdoes Chevy in the front row, too, with comfy buckets standard with power adjustments, as well as heating and cooling. 

The Wagoneer has pushbutton second-row seats that are simple to operate for every age, and the captain’s chairs are even easier to move. The Tahoe’s second-row seats slide and collapse with two levers. When both rear rows are folded flat, it opens up 122.9 cubic feet of cargo room versus 116.7 in the Wagoneer. 

Advantage: Wagoneer.

Tahoe vs. Wagoneer exterior design and interior quality

• Both SUVs share a platform with pickup trucks

• The Wagoneer design channels its retro namesake, without wood paneling 

• The Tahoe mimics the blocky elements of the Chevy Silverado

Is the Jeep Wagoneer a good-looking SUV?

Big and beautiful, bald and beautiful, it takes a believer. The Wagoneer embraces the square ends of its original model, but it shares a platform with the Ram 1500 pickup truck and is so much bigger than any Wagoneer that came before it. It’s all about proportions, and the long nose and brawny stance of the 1980s Wagoneer has been replaced with a stout, vertical nose adorned with Jeep’s seven-slot grille. That grille is the only obvious relation to the Jeep brand as the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer portend a breakout luxury sub-brand. The massive greenhouse occupies much of the visual space down the side, in lieu of wood paneling, and the blockiness appears too pronounced in the rearmost windows, where it’s offset by a body-color D-pillar like the original instead of visually wrapping into the rear windshield as in the Tahoe. Automotive tastes have changed in 40 years. 

Inside, Jeep leans into its luxury promise with a wing-like dash tipped in chrome, and upholstery decked in richer grades of leather and cross-stitching up the lineup. With an available 45 inches of screens spanning the front, it doesn’t overwhelm the fine materials on the dash, though we’d skip the optional passenger screen. 

Is the Chevy Tahoe a good-looking SUV?

It’s more traditional, in the sense that Chevy created and keeps redefining the full-size segment. Most Tahoes feature a 10.2-inch touchscreen with a vertical gear panel on the left side. It’s a no-frills arrangement, much like the Silverado pickup, until you get to top trims like High Country that reach into Denali and Escalade territory. 

Outside, the Tahoe can ride on 22-inch wheels that make the sharp horizontal bands on its steep face even more imposing in rear-view mirrors. The rear end is more unified than the Wagoneer, even with the odd triangular mast over the rear door pillars. Advantage: Chevy Tahoe. 

Tahoe vs. Wagoneer safety

• Tahoe gets four stars from the NHTSA, including a three-star rollover rating
• Wagoneer gets the same results from the NHTSA
• Neither model has been tested by the IIHS
• Automatic emergency braking is standard on both

How do the Jeep Wagoneer safety features compare to the Chevy Tahoe?

The Tahoe comes better equipped and with more sophisticated driver-assist options. Automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitors are standard on both, and they really need to be with the huge blind spots over either shoulder, but Chevy tacks on active lane control as standard. 

Adaptive cruise control and surround-view camera systems are optional on both. The Tahoe can be fitted with the Super Cruise limited hands-free driving system that gives a welcome assist on road trips, but Jeep offers a night-vision system on the Wagoneer. 

Advantage: Chevy Tahoe.

Jeep Wagoneer vs. Chevy Tahoe: Which is better?

The Jeep Wagoneer eclipses its benchmark, mostly due to its loaded feature set. The extra roomy interior and its physics-defying twin-turbo inline-6 give it an edge, as well. It earns a TCC Rating of 6.6 out of 10. But it’s expensive, and the Tahoe’s overall value and established dominance in the segment still earn TCC Rating of 6.4 out of 10 which is high considering the fuel economy penalty. We’ll see if the 2025 Tahoe improves on that score in the summer of 2024. You can’t go wrong with either, but before making that decision, make sure they can fit in your garage.

Winner: Jeep Wagoneer.