Battle of the Big SUV: Jeep Wagoneer vs Chevy Tahoe
Posted on April 26, 2021
They have the sensible good looks to be an urban hauler and the power and capacity to be good enough for the secret service. It’s none other than the full-sized SUV. If it conjures images of super-official looking caravans that’s no surprise: the big, bold beauties are the typical choice for bodyguards the world over. If it conjures images of little-league though, you also wouldn’t be too far off: the full-size SUV has been a consistent choice of the urban parent over the years as well.
If your driving needs power, performance, and the maximum space possible, you may be in the market for a vehicle on the larger scale of the SUV world.
There’s a new kid on the block coming our way in the full-size SUV segment: the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer. This new offering from Jeep will offer a standard Hemi V8 with the ability to seat up to eight adults so it’s a big, people-hauling power machine that is ready to step into the ring with the current reigning champ of the full-size SUV space, the Chevy Tahoe.
The Tahoe has a reputation to rest on. It comes into this battle as a well-respected full-size beast that has won accolades over the years as a sturdy, reliable, and cost-effective full-sized sport utility vehicle. It’s known for its quiet, roomy cabin and beefy V8 engine, the Jeep Wagoneer has its work cut out for it if it wants to take on the reigning champ.
Which is the full-sized SUV to choose from in the coming year? At CarHub, we want to make sure that you make your buying decisions wisely so we’re going to run you through two of the best options on the market, the Jeep Wagoneer, and the Chevy Tahoe.
Disclaimer: CarHub is an official, licensed dealer of Jeep products. We pride ourselves on honesty and accountability and make a promise to be objective and informed in our comparisons.
With that out of the way, let's get into it!
Under the Hood
The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer packs some serious punch in the engine department. It comes with a standard, 392 horsepower V8, and a 5.7-liter mild-hybrid engine that is capable of 404 lbs-feet of torque. To add to the power and performance conversation, the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer’s engine can be upgraded to a 6.4-liter V8 engine that will give it a whopping 471 jp and 455 lb-ft of torque.
The Tahoe is no slouch in the engine department either though. It comes with a 5.3-liter V8 engine that gives it a capability of 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. Never one to be outshone, the Tahoe also comes with an upgrade option that allows for a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque or the 3.0-liter turbo diesel I6 engine for 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque.
Tow the Line
The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer takes the prize when it comes to towing capacity. When properly kitted out it can pull up to 10,000 pounds of weight. The Tahoe, by comparison, tops out its towing capacity at 8400 pounds. That’s a mighty big amount of weight that no tow-conscious driver would be able to scoff at but the prize in this category must be doled out to the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer nonetheless.
Which Picks Up the Pickup Prize?
This one’s a tight draw with both of these titans coming in nose to nose at the finish line. The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer jumps from 0 to 60 mph in 6 seconds while the 2021 Chevy Tahoe clocks the same feat in 6.5 seconds. Unless that half a second is make or break to your large SUV driving style, it’s likely safe to call that one a draw.
Fuel Economy
Nothing says ‘fuel economy’ like a huge, heavy SUV, right? While this segment may not be known as the best bet for your dollars-out to gasoline-in ratio, both the Tahoe and the Wagoneer work to bring some real-world fuel economy to the table, such as the Wagoneer’s mild-hybrid engine option and a potential for a Wagoneer 4xe release.
That being said, though the EPA has not yet released the 2022 Wagoneer’s fuel economy ratings, projections don’t see the Wagoneer turning the big SUV fuel economy game on its head. The Tahoe, for its part, gets an estimated EPA of 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg for highway driving.
Neither of these vehicles should be your go-to if you’re in the market for pure fuel efficiency. As it stands though, the jury has to be called at a standstill without the requisite data to let the Wagoneer weigh in.
Drive Train and Other Goodies
The Wagoneer is going to start with a standard rear-wheel drive but it does come with upgrades to other systems, such as the Quadra-Trac I and Quadra-Trac II, which each feature two-speed transfer cases, which allow for a boost in performance. The Quadra-Drive II system also includes an electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential.
The Chevy Tahoe also comes in a standard rear-wheel drive with an optional AWD add-on and the Z71 package tosses in a locking/limited-slip differential.
The Z71 package also allows for height-adjusted suspension. Not to be outdone in the raising game, the Wagoneer also offers optional air springs that raise the vehicle by 3.6 inches, should that be a part of your driving considerations.
What’s Inside?
The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer and the 2021 Chevy Tahoe stack up comparably in the passenger space department, each seating 7-8 adults comfortably and each offering options for middle row captain’s chairs.
The Wagoneer comes equipped with a 10.1-inch infotainment screen while the Tahoe edges the Wagoneer out of this criteria with a 10.2-inch screen. Both vehicles allow for connectivity to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto driver assistance systems.
The Tahoe takes a narrow lead in the cargo space department but it was a hard-fought battle as both the Tahoe and the Wagoneer are large and in charge item haulers. The Tahoe’s cargo space clocks in at 123 cubic feet. Cargo space in this context refers to the maximum amount of cargo space possible, this measurement includes the area behind the front seats, with the second and third rows folded down. The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer offers a similarly vast amount of open-air to fill with stuff at 117 cubic feet of cargo space.
Conclusion
Two excellent competitors, one hard-fought battle. Both the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer and the 2021 Chevy Tahoe are impressive entries into the full-sized SUV catalogue. They both offer class, great looks, killer performance, and a comfortable and smooth ride for a large group of passengers. Based on our criteria, the Jeep Wagoneer takes the grand prize but that doesn’t mean that the Chevy Tahoe is going to let anyone down anytime soon.
You can book an appointment today to get acquainted with all of our new and pre-owned Jeep inventory on the CarHub lots and maybe even find the pre-owned Chevy Tahoe of your dreams!