When it comes to Chevrolet’s utility model lineup, customers have a variety of options to choose from, with the larger end of the lineup offering models like the Chevy Tahoe and Chevy Traverse. Although both models offer three rows of seating, there are very clear distinctions between them as well. Interestingly, there’s also a few distinctions to be made in the demographics these models attract.
Chevy Tahoe
Chevy Traverse
GM Authority recently had an opportunity to talk to the head of marketing for the Tahoe and Chevy Suburban, Todd Brown. During the interview, GM Authority executive editor Alex Luft asked about the differences in demographics between the Chevy Tahoe and Chevy Traverse.
According to Brown, towing is one of the differentiators, with Tahoe customers doing more towing with their vehicles. Which makes sense, given the capabilities on offer – for reference, the Tahoe offers a maximum tow rating of 8,400 pounds when equipped with the naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 L84 gasoline engine and rear-wheel drive, while the Chevy Suburban offers upwards of 8,300 pounds of towing with the same powerplant and drivetrain configuration. And although towing capacities for the all-new 2024 Chevy Traverse have yet to be revealed, the outgoing second-generation model was rated at 5,000 pounds when equipped with the Trailering Equipment package (RPO code N92), which includes a heavy-duty cooling system, trailer hitch, and Hitch Guidance.
Chevy Tahoe (left) and Chevy Suburban (right)
Chevy Traverse
As for the individual buying the vehicle, Chevy Tahoe customers and Chevy Traverse customers are roughly the same age, while Tahoe customers are slightly wealthier. However according to Brown, the “number one most important reason for purchase is actually previous experience with the model.”
Looking ahead, the all-new 2024 Chevy Traverse introduces the crossover’s third generation, while the 2025 Chevy Tahoe and 2025 Chevy Suburban introduce a mid-cycle refresh for the full-size SUVs. The 2024 Chevy Traverse rides on the (unibody) GM C1 platform, while the Tahoe and Suburban ride on the body-on-frame GM T1 platform.
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Comments
The biggest demographic difference is that the shorter the woman, the bigger the soccer mom SUV.
Exactly…it is like guys and their trucks. My wife is a little bit shorter but she drives a 3-row Durango. She never uses the 3rd row, but she wants the bigger vehicle to feel “safer.” I am pretty sure that she would go with a Tahoe or Yukon if she could stomach the $1000+ monthly payment. I have seen many smaller women crawling out of their Suburban’s and Tahoe’s around town. Unfortunately, the larger vehicles seem to give them a sense of invincibility as they often drive like they are in Grand Theft Auto while scrolling TikTok and sipping flavored water out of their Stanley Cups.
Way to be sexist.
The main difference is the cost of each. You buy a Traverse if you can’t afford the Tahoe.
That is if we are being honest.
Probably true for most, but not all. Depending on where you live the larger size can be impossible to park in parking garages.
That’s why with the current prices my Yukon will be replaced with an Acadia
The biggest difference is price!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Back in 2021 I bought a brand new white Traverse Redline Edition out the door for $49K. A fully loaded white RST Tahoe was $87K!!!! I could have almost bought 2 Traverses for the price of one Tahoe.. and the room difference inside the two, doesn’t justify $38K difference…..
The Traverse gets way better gas mileage (gas vs gas), rides very well, has a sporty feel to it, and has great acceleration for a V6! Disappointed GM didn’t rework the V6, but hopefully the turbo 4 will surprise me.
I wish they just dropped the 2.7 from Silverado in the Traverse, instead of downsizing to 2.5. It would answer a lot of power and longevity concerns. They’re probably saving it as a future offering for the Tahoe.
If the Tahoe/Yukon and Suburban/Yukon XL weren’t priced so much higher than the Traverse ( and it’s GM variants) many more would choose them (regardless of MPG) because they’re a lot safer.
tahoe sub: housewives
traverse: working moms
you know it. pay attention, you will see who drives which. you know im right. just pay attention
I have towed with a Tahoe for 25 years. Boats weighing 6,000 pounds. Many long trips. Great vehicle for the task. Could be better but I like it better than my pick-up truck for travel.
Still wish GM would have a sportsman package.
I would love to know the percentage of owners that tow.
I honestly cannot remember seeing a Tahoe towing anything in my life. I have however seen Suburbans.
Interesting. I’m eager to read GMA’s upcoming articles:
– “Chevy Traverse customers differ from Tahoe owners in these ways”
– “GMC Yukon customers differ from Acadia owners in these ways”
– “GMC Acadia customers differ from Yukon owners in these ways”
– “Cadillac Escalade customers differ from XT6 owners in these ways”
– “Cadillac XT6 customers differ from Escalade owners in these ways”
All a bunch of crap. The only difference is the ability to pay.
How is a Tahoe safer than a Traverse? The instances of Tahoe and Suburban drivers running over their own or someone else’s children is certainly higher than that of Traverse or Enclave owners doing a similar deed. I am thinking injury and death statistics are probably higher for accidents involving the hundreds of pounds heavier larger body on frame trucks as well.
It isn’t. The safest vehicle is a large sedan as they have the best chances to avoid an accident in the first place (stop quicker and corner harder). Roll overs have the highest fatality and serious injury types of crashes. Not to mention a large unibody vehicle is the best as absorbing and deflecting crash energy around a vehicle as it is all tied together. Finally the more weight you have when you hit in in animate object then you have more G forces to stop. Same design parameters, in most cases a full size CUV such as a Traverse is safer than a full size SUV such as a Tahoe. Only interaction that isn’t fully true is head on where the heavier vehicle will over power the smaller one and actually drive it backwards creating more energy in the smaller vehicle. This whole large vehicle is safer idea is hoopla.
I’m kind of partial to the Traverse. It’s a full sized vehicle, cost less, gets more miles per gallon and it’s been an overall good vehicle for us. I don’t need the taller, boxier vehicle. I could afford a Tahoe if I chose to drive one. I got rid of my last Tahoe in 2010 for an Acadia. Loved it. Bought a 2016 Acadia just as the were about ready to downsize the Acadia for 2017. Just traded that for a 2023 Traverse. Nice vehicle. As for trailer towing, I have a 2500 Denali HD to pull my camper. Works great. You see a few Tahoes, Yukons or Burbs towing campers in the campground, but the majority of campers are pulled with pickups.
I think it depends on use and wallet.
For me, price was not an issue at all. I’m a senior citizen, and getting in and out of the Traverse is a lot easier, and my dog can jump onto the second row seat easier also. In addition, maneuvering into parking spaces can be a pain with the larger Tahoe.