Traverse, Tahoe, or Suburban? How Much SUV Do I Need?

SUVs are great for hauling around the kids, transporting cargo, or heading out on exciting adventures – but how much SUV do you really need? Is bigger always better? If you’ve been thinking about getting a Chevy SUV, you know that there are several excellent options to choose from. The following guide offers a quick comparison of Chevy’s popular SUV models – the Traverse, Tahoe, and Suburban. 

Dimensions and Seating

The midsize Chevy Traverse offers three rows of seating and is a comfortable vehicle that is suitable for most large families. It has a roomy, well-appointed interior and seating for seven, or eight with an available second-row bench seat.
The total length of the Traverse is 205.9 inches. It has an impressive 41.3 inches of headroom in the front row, with similar dimensions in the second and third rows. You’ll also find 41.0 inches of legroom up front, 38.4 in the middle, and 33.5 in the third row.
If you’re looking for a larger vehicle, consider the Chevy Tahoe. This full-sized three-row SUV is a bigger overall vehicle and has a larger cabin. It has an overall length of 210.7 inches and about an inch and a half more headroom in the first row when compared to the Traverse. In the front row, you’ll find 44.5 inches of legroom, 42.0 inches in the middle, and 34.9 inches in the third row.
The Chevy Suburban is a larger full-size SUV with three rows of seating. Overall, it’s 15 inches longer than the 2023 Tahoe, with the biggest difference being in the rear seat legroom and the cargo capacity. The Suburban’s first and second-row measurements are the same as the Tahoe, but the third-row seating offers 36.7 inches of legroom and 62.8 inches of shoulder room.

Cargo Space

The Traverse offers an impressive 98.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows down. With only the third row down, it still offers 58.1 cubic feet of storage and 23.0 cubic feet with all seats in place.
The Tahoe holds more, with 122.9 cubic feet of storage with the second and third-row seats stored away. Behind the second row, you’ll find 72.6 cubic feet, and 25.5 cubic feet of storage with all the seats in place.
The Suburban’s added length creates significantly more cargo space in every seating configuration. With the second and third seats down, the Suburban offers 144.7 cubic feet of cargo space. With the second-row seats in place, you’ll still have 94.8 cubic feet of storage and 41.5 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place.

Performance

You can’t compare these three models without talking about performance. The Traverse offers only one engine option – a 3.6-liter V6, which is paired with a smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission. This gives it 310 horsepower, 266 lb-ft of torque, and the ability to go from 0 to 60 in 6.8 seconds.
Stepping up to the Tahoe gives you the choice of three engine options – the standard 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 (355 hp, 383 lb-ft of torque), available 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8 (420 hp, 460 lb-ft of torque), or the available 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel I-6 (277 hp, 460 lb-ft of torque).
The 2023 Chevy Suburban also has the same three engine options. Towing capacity and fuel economy are also similar, but the Suburban has a slightly lower maximum towing capacity. The Tahoe’s diesel engine also gets a slightly better fuel economy. However, the Suburban has a larger fuel tank, allowing you to make fewer stops.
While there is little mechanical difference between the Tahoe and the Suburban, it is notable that the Tahoe weighs less, which gives it a feeling of being faster, since the same amount of power is moving a bit less weight.

Still Not Sure? Compare Your Options In-Person!

The best way to decide which Chevy SUV is right for you is to climb inside and check them out for yourself. We have a wide range of new SUVs to choose from and are happy to take you for a test drive.
Start your journey by exploring our online inventory now, then come by our showroom to learn more. We’re conveniently located on E. Main St. in Morgantown and we can’t wait to help you choose the perfect SUV for your needs.