Well I’ll keep it short so my wife and I are expecting our first born. Therefore we’re thinking about sizing up one of our cars. I’ve had Chevy for the past 8 years and I’ve liked all of them. So naturally I turn my head to the Chevy SUVs. My options are Tahoe or Traverse. Can’t really afford a Suburban. Now Tahoe is one tier up than Traverse obviously but I want to ask the group if it’s worth the extra $ with my circumstance. It’ll be me, my wife, our 85lbs German shepherd, and our baby that regularly ride the car. But we also go on road trips sometimes with my or my wife’s folks. With that being said, a lot of luggage. Do you guys think a Traverse will suffice in this case or is it worth for me to pay that extra and get the Tahoe? Also just overall which car do you guys think performs better?
With either of these vehicles, you can put people in the third row, or you can haul luggage around. Pick one. The trade-off will be less acute in the Tahoe, but you’re paying a size, fuel economy, and price penalty. With either vehicle, once you install your kid’s infant seat, expect to effectively lose use of the seat next to the infant seat. Being wedged in against hard plastic is not comfortable. The Traverse is cheaper to buy, cheaper to run, and the newer models are, statistically (e.g., Consumer Reports) more reliable than the full-size SUVs. This post will likely be inundated soon with commenters touting that their Tahoe’s, Yukon’s, and Suburban’s have gone 200k or 300k, while downplaying the not-insignificant amount of expensive unscheduled repairs it often took to get them there.
Cargo space: Traverse: 22.9 cubic ft behind 3rd row, 57.8 cubic ft behind 2nd row. Tahoe: 25.5 cubic ft behind 3rd row, 72.6 cubic ft behind 2nd row. The problem with both vehicles is that the more people that you put in them, the less room you have for the extra luggage that comes with the people. You/wife/kid/dog/grandparents are going to need all three rows. The extra money for the Tahoe gets you less than three extra cubic feet in that situation. Save the non-trivial extra costs for operating the Tahoe and put a luggage carrier on top of the Traverse when you need it. The only reason to buy the Tahoe over the Traverse is if you need more interior cargo space and never need more than two rows of seating or for the extra towing capacity (5000 vs 7600).
@Beck
That’s helpful, thanks!
May want to go smaller then rent a large SUV as needed for road trips. Depends on how frequently you are taking road trips but it would save wear and tear on your vehicle, your payments will be lower, and fuel consumption is lower on a daily basis not to mention maintenance on a smaller vehicle should be less expensive as well. If you need towing capacity, I’d go with the Tahoe though.
If you can’t afford a Suburban, I’m not totally getting how you can afford a Tahoe—they’re the same vehicle, but a Suburban is $3k (new) longer. I’ll rave that our Tahoe was the best vehicle I’ve ever owned, but if you’re concerned about the finances of a Suburban, a Traverse is probably a better bet, which don’t get me wrong they’re nice too. They’re just not a Tahoe/Suburban.
My husband and I have the Traverse and both my parents have Tahoe’s. The difference comes down to truck space and it’s honestly inches in my opinion the way the seats are laid out. We have a 2021; the captain seats are awesome, the third row goes down super easy, and there’s additional ‘secret’ trunk space in the trunk (typically where you might find a spare tire in other cars). I don’t see us ever ‘upgrading’ to a Tahoe in the future with the way the Traverse is made now.
@Val
Good to know, thanks!
Loved my Traverse, we even got the v92 towing package and towed our camper with it! Never had a single problem with it at all. Wound up getting a Ram in order to tow even more.
Farrell said:
Loved my Traverse, we even got the v92 towing package and towed our camper with it! Never had a single problem with it at all. Wound up getting a Ram in order to tow even more.
My next car after this will be a truck too, ideally a Silverado, but which model did you get for your Ram?
@Ben
I got a 1500 Limited - I love the trailer brake and tow mode stuff. It keeps track of the miles you tow each trailer which is cool. It has the air suspension too, so it will auto level when the trailer is hooked up.
If you plan on towing/hauling, get the Tahoe. Otherwise, the Traverse will do everything you need and generally makes more sense. We’re on our second Traverse (2010 and '19) and have been really happy with them. Family of 5 plus 2 dogs.
In 2017 when I had 3 kids, I had a brand new Traverse. I loved it and it did a great job, but as a V8 truck lover, now I have a Yukon XL Denali, and 5 kids. The Yukon XL works better for us because of the extra cargo space.
@Clove
Will definitely look into it too.
The Chevrolet Traverse and Tahoe are both popular SUVs, but they cater to different needs, and their reliability can vary based on factors like model year and maintenance. Here’s a general comparison of common issues with both vehicles: Traverse: • Engine Issues: Some older Traverse models (especially from 2009–2012) have been known to experience timing chain problems, which can be costly to fix. • Transmission Issues: The Traverse has had reports of transmission failures, particularly in models from the 2011-2013 range. Some owners experience slipping, rough shifting, or premature failure. • Electrical Problems: There have been issues with the Traverse’s electrical system, including problems with the battery and alternator, and occasionally malfunctioning sensors or warning lights. • Suspension Issues: Some models have been reported to have suspension problems, including premature wear of parts like struts and shocks. Tahoe: • Transmission Problems: The Tahoe, particularly in older models (2007–2014), has experienced transmission issues like hard shifting and slipping, though they are less frequent compared to the Traverse. • Fuel System Issues: There have been reports of issues with the fuel pump, particularly in models with the 5.3L engine. • Interior and Electrical Problems: The Tahoe can experience some issues with interior components like door locks, windows, and electronic systems. Some models have had issues with the dashboard lights and the OnStar system. • Brake Wear: Some Tahoe owners have reported quicker-than-expected brake wear, especially in models with heavy-duty towing packages. Which One Has More Issues? • Traverse: While the Traverse tends to have fewer major mechanical issues compared to the Tahoe, it does suffer more commonly from transmission and engine issues in certain model years. • Tahoe: The Tahoe, being a larger, more robust SUV, is built for heavy-duty use and towing, which means it might be subjected to more wear and tear. While its issues are less frequent than the Traverse’s, when problems occur, they may be more expensive to fix (e.g., transmission, fuel system, and suspension repairs). Overall, the Traverse might have more frequent but less severe issues, while the Tahoe may have fewer problems but could face more expensive repairs due to its size and capability. Both vehicles generally have decent reliability when well-maintained.
@Sam
genius but I’m thinking of getting the 2025 model or maybe 2024/2023 if my cash is tight.