Imagine an SUV that comfortably fits your family of seven, plus your dog. Everyone’s luggage stacks neatly in the rear cargo space with ease. With your boat hitched to the back, you head off to the lake a few hours away. On the trip, everyone is happily watching videos or taking pictures. No one’s tablet dies, and no one is arguing because you have enough charging stations for everyone and their many devices. If this sounds like the ideal scenario for your next family road trip, you might just be looking at the new 2019 Chevy Tahoe vs 2019 GMC Yukon when shopping for your next family vehicle.
The new Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon models offer all the space of a full-size SUV and all the convenience of a luxury vehicle. With similar specs and pricing, it may be difficult to decide which one is right for you. However, looking at a closer comparison of the two side-by-side will help you figure out which SUV best fits your needs.
Noteworthy Specs
As far as sizing and available features go, the 2019 Chevy Tahoe and the 2019 GMC Yukon are very similar. Both full-size SUVs offer comfortable seating for up to nine. With approximately 39 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, they offer plenty of room for travel. Plus, both SUVs have power-release second-row seating and fold flat third-rows, which bring overall cargo space up to about 94 cubic feet each. Not only does all this space make travel more comfortable for the whole family, but it also makes other lifestyle choices easier, like moving, taking the family dog to the park, loading up the kids for a day trip to the beach, or tossing a couple sets of golf clubs in the back for a day on the course.
Another available option that makes the 2019 Chevy Tahoe and 2019 GMC Yukon even more road-trip and family-friendly is the rear seat entertainment system. In addition to the quiet cabin features, like acoustic-laminated windshields and inlaid doors with triple seals, they offer a quiet ride and can keep entertainment systems at a lower volume to limit distractions. The 4G LTE Wi-Fi, offering both Android and Apple capability, ensures that everyone can stay connected when riding long distances.
Full-size SUVs, like the Tahoe and the Yukon, are great options for people that do not want a truck, but still want to be able to utilize the towing options. The 2019 Chevy Tahoe has an available maximum towing capacity of 8,600 pounds, while the 2019 GMC Yukon’s available maximum towing capacity is 8,500 pounds. Another great feature available with the Yukon models is built-in towing technology. Break light connection and controls are already built into the dash. Those towing options mean you can still pull boats and ATVs, or even haul small camping trailers.
Both the Chevy Tahoe and the GMC Yukon come with nine to ten color options, as well as a plethora of storage. The Tahoe has a hidden, lockable storage compartment with a USB port in the front dash. However, the Yukon has advanced storage options, including a hidden storage compartment, plus the center console is large enough for hanging folders or a laptop. This option is very convenient for those who travel for work or those who just like to stay super organized (hello parents out there, we’re talking to you).
Each of the SUVs has some great options available that the other doesn’t offer. The 2019 GMC Yukon offers keyless entry and ignition, which is a great convenience feature. Plus, it also includes up to 13 charging stations, which means room for the whole family to charge their devices. Alternatively, the Chevy Tahoe offers 12-way power adjustable heated and ventilated front bucket seats, a hands-free power liftgate, as well as wireless charging station. In the RST and Premier Plus options, you can also get 6.2L V8 engine for maximum power.
Fuel efficiency is an important aspect when choosing a car. Both the 2019 GMC Yukon and the 2019 Chevy Tahoe average about 15 miles per gallon while driving in the city and 22 miles per gallon on the highway. This is an average of about 18 MPG combined. When budgeting for a new car, you will want to take fuel efficiency into consideration as it may increase your overall spending.
One more feature to think about when deciding between the Yukon and the Tahoe are manufacturer programs. The Complete Care Program is a comprehensive owner benefit program offered by Chevrolet. It includes maintenance during the first 12 months of ownership, limited warranty protection, roadside assistance, and connected services, as well as the myChevrolet Mobile App. Alternatively, GMC offers a mobile app that allows GMC drivers to monitor and control their GMC vehicle from their phone. The app offers features like remote commands, fuel range, tire pressure, navigation, vehicle location, and the ability to send turn-by-turn directions to your vehicle. It also offers a Smart Driver feature that helps you monitor your driving habits, which can help you qualify for auto insurance discounts.
Safety
Most newer-model vehicles come with standard safety packages, but they have made such advances that it is good to know what is available. Some of the features include things like low-speed automatic braking, forward collision alert, rear cross traffic alert, and lane change alert with side blind zone, as well as front and rear parking assist and safety alert seats. The safety alert seats cause the seats to vibrate in addition to the alert sound, helping notify those who may have difficulty hearing. The 2019 GMC Yukon has some additional advanced safety features over the 2019 Chevy Tahoe. A few include available Intellibeam headlamps, adaptive cruise control, a rear seat reminder (a great feature for new parents), and the first front center airbag. Additionally, they offer OnStar and available enhanced security. Their Teen Driver System is perhaps the best feature worth mentioning. Parents can not only monitor their teen’s driving activities to help them become better drivers but also set controls so that their teen drivers avoid distractions while on the road alone or with friends.
Ratings
Expert ratings on both SUVs are somewhat similar. The 2019 GMC Yukon was rated a 4.3 out of 5 by experts due to its refined style and premium features, making the Yukon feel like a luxury brand. The 2019 Chevy Tahoe received an expert rating of 4.5 out of 5 because of its advanced technology and safety features. However, experts did express that unless you’re going to use the advanced towing capabilities you can find a less expensive crossover that may be more efficient. If you are going to use higher towing capabilities, experts say there are other SUVs with better towing packages.
Neither SUV received stellar customer ratings. The Chevy Tahoe received a customer rating of 4.1 out of 5 ranking it #18 in full-size SUVs. The GMC Yukon ranked #20 in full-size SUVs and received a rating of 3.8 out of 5. However, those who drive a Tahoe or a Yukon remain loyal to the brand.
Safety ratings are probably the most important, and the SUVs received the same in safety ratings. Both models were rated a 4 out of 5 on the crash test ratings and a 3 out of 5 on the rollover rating. SUVs do typically rate lower in rollover ratings because of the length versus height dimensions.
Pricing
While both SUVs have similar starting prices, not all the options and available packages mentioned above come standard. Many come at additional costs. The MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) on the 2019 Chevy Tahoe ranges from $48,000 to $66,895. The GMC Yukon has an MSRP range of $49,600 to $70,895 due to the fact that it comes standard with more features than the Tahoe. Each price goes up as special features are added to the package, like premium colors, additional technology, or heated seating. Pricing is also dependent on the model you choose, for example, the upgraded Tahoe LS or the Yukon XL. MSRP also varies regionally.
For more information on the 2019 Chevy Tahoe vs 2019 GMC Yukon, you should visit the respective manufacturers’ websites. There you will find detailed information about the specs, upgrade options, and safety features of each model. If you are torn between which full-size SUV option is best for you, the best thing to do is test drive each model, which you can do at your local GMC or Chevy dealerships. This will give you a better idea of what they look and feel like in person. You are making a large monetary investment by purchasing a new car, especially a brand new model over a used model. You’ll want to ensure that you make a choice that you will be happy with in the long run.
