It’s easy to feel torn between Chevy’s two larger-than-life SUVs, the 2019 Suburban and 2019 Tahoe. They both deliver three spacious rows of seating, helpful tech, and powerful engines that don’t quit. But only one will be a good fit for your family.
Discover the nuanced differences between these two SUVs and see which one is right for you. Do you need all the cargo space of a classic Suburban or will the Tahoe provide just enough room for your crew and their belongings?
Exterior
With the mighty Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, you’ll command attention on the road with the muscular stance and aggressive grille. From the front, you’ll hardly notice the differences, but when you look these from their profile, you’ll see the Suburban is longer and offers more cargo space. In turn, that means the slightly smaller Tahoe is easier to cruise around town in.
At 130 inches long, the Suburban’s wheelbase is 14 inches longer than the Tahoe’s. Plus, its 224.4-inch length makes the Suburban 20.4 inches longer overall than the Tahoe.
2019 Chevrolet Suburban Advantages
- Longer wheelbase
2019 Chevrolet Tahoe Advantages
- Same distinguished look as the Suburban
- Easier to maneuver on city streets
2018 Chevrolet Suburban
Interior
Seat up to nine passengers in the Tahoe and the Suburban when you order the bench option in the second row. Both are available with heated seats in the second row and provide plenty of clever cubbies around the cabin to keep your belongings within arms reach in every row. The dash and front area look nearly identical in both and offer an available 8-inch color touchscreen with next-generation MyLink connectivity.
The driver and front passenger enjoy the same 42.8 inches of headroom and 45.3 inches of legroom in both SUVs. In the second-row seats, the Suburban boasts a slight advantage of 39.7 inches of legroom over the Tahoe’s 39 inches of legroom. The third-row seats have the biggest difference with 34.5 inches of legroom in the Suburban and 24.8 inches of legroom in the Tahoe.
There are also big differences in cargo room. With the third row in upright, the Suburban boasts 39.3 cubic feet of load space, compared to the 15.3 cubic feet in the Tahoe. With the second- and third-row seats folded down, the cargo capacity is an astonishing 121.7 cubic feet in the Suburban and 94.7 cubic feet in the Tahoe.
2019 Chevrolet Suburban Advantages
- Roomier second and third rows
- Loads of extra cargo room
2019 Chevrolet Tahoe Advantages
- Smart storage compartments
New for 2018, Tahoe LS models are offered with a Custom Edition package. Custom includes features found on LS trim levels and adds 18-inch painted aluminum wheels, all-season tires, a chrome-accented grille and the third row removed for additional cargo space.
Performance
While both SUVs have the same two powertrains to choose from, the smaller Tahoe delivers a slightly better driving experience for navigating tight spaces, like parking lots. With a 31-gallon fuel tank on the Suburban, you can go further between fill-ups than you can with the 26-gallon tank of the Tahoe.
The base engine is a 5.3-liter V-8 that produces 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque and pairs with a six-speed automatic transmission. However, for the RST Performance and Premier Plus Special Edition Packages, the Suburban and Tahoe get a 6.2-liter V-8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque and a 10-speed automatic transmission.
2019 Chevrolet Suburban Advantages
- Earns the same fuel economy as the Tahoe, despite larger size
2019 Chevrolet Tahoe Advantages
- Better maneuverability thanks to smaller footprint
2018 Chevrolet Suburban
Features and Pricing
The Suburban and Tahoe are offered in LS, LT, and Premier trims, with rear-wheel drive and all-wheel-drive available on all three trims. The Suburban starts at $51,895, while the smaller Tahoe starts at $49,195.
2019 Chevrolet Suburban Key Features and Pricing by Trim
LS: From $51,895
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Tri-zone climate control
- 40/60 split-folding second- and third-row seats
- Rear parking sensors
- MyLink infotainment system on an 8-inch touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
- Bluetooth
- 4.2-inch multi-information display
- Keyless entry
LT: From $56,895
- Programmable liftgate
- Heated front seats
- Leather upholstery
- Nine-speaker Bose audio system
Premier: From $66,595
- HID headlights
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Keyless start
- Front parking sensors
- Leather-wrapped heated steering wheel
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated second-row seats
- Power-folding second- and third-row seats
- Magnetic ride control
- Built-in navigation
- 10-speaker Bose audio system
- Wireless phone charging
2019 Chevrolet Tahoe Key Features and Pricing by Trim
LS: From $49,195
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Tri-zone climate control
- 40/60 split-folding second- and third-row seats
- Rear parking sensors
- MyLink infotainment system on an 8-inch touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
- Bluetooth
- 4.2-inch multi-information display
- Keyless entry
LT: From $54,195
- Programmable liftgate
- Heated front seats
- Leather upholstery
- Nine-speaker Bose audio system
Premier: From $63,895
- HID headlights
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Keyless start
- Front parking sensors
- Leather-wrapped heated steering wheel
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated second-row seats
- Power-folding second- and third-row seats
- Magnetic ride control
- Built-in navigation
- 10-speaker Bose audio system
- Wireless phone charging
2018 Chevrolet Suburban
Who Should Buy the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban?
This classic, full-size SUV is for those who need power under the hood and ample space behind the third row. The 2019 Chevy Suburban has plenty of room for all your belongings and spacious seats in all three rows. With 10 extra inches of legroom in the third-row seats, this is the right call for long family road trips.
Who Should Buy the 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe?
If you see yourself driving in crowded soccer drop-off lanes and want a little more maneuverability, then the 2019 Chevy Tahoe is for you. With slightly less room in the third row, these seats are best for children who won’t mind the smaller spaces or you could remove the third-row for more cargo space. Plus, the same powerful engine as the Suburban works just as hard in the Tahoe.
Images courtesy of Chevrolet Media
