2022 Chevrolet Tahoe vs GMC Yukon

While you browse around for a new third-row SUV to replace your old ride, you might be quite surprised to find out just how saturated the market is with these vehicles at the moment. This is certainly a highly competitive segment, and all of these large SUVs strive to supersede one another in terms of power, size, and included technological features. The 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon are two such rivals that will probably end up on your to-best-test-driven list.

The 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe can seat seven to nine people depending on the configuration you buy. Newly made standard are the lane keeping assist and front and rear parking sensors. Also, the 10.2-inch infotainment system now comes with enhanced Google-based voice controls. The diesel engine option is a powerful one, and the ride feels plenty smooth. Inside, there is plenty of space for both passengers and cargo. Also, both touchscreens are easy to use.

The Tahoe could use more support for the front and middle seats, and the controls up front are not all that intuitive to use. With low handling capacity and some interior materials that seem less-than-stellar in their quality, the Tahoe presents as something of a mixed bag.

The 2022 GMC Yukon was fully redesigned in 2021, and, for 2022, sees a new 6.2-liter V8 on the AT4 trim level as well as the same enhanced Google-based voice controls that come on its corporate cousin, the Chevy Tahoe. That's right, they're related. So they will probably sound a lot alike. The Yukon has a lot of cargo space and a comfy ride quality. The 6.2-L V8 offers ample power, and the advanced climate control system is nothing short of stellar.

What doesn't go over well is the handling since this behemoth can be hard to maneuver in city spaces. The driver's seat isn't all that adjustable, and it is more expensive than the Tahoe and other rivals in its segment.

Which one of these two third-row SUVs is going to get it done for you? Does one offer a lot more value than the other? Which price tag best slides into your budget? Let's compare these two vehicles to find out, then you can make an informed decision.

The Powertrain

A strong powertrain can make owning any type of SUV a fantastic experience. You won't need to plan your merges onto or pass of another vehicle on the highway. However, an under-powered powertrain can leave you feeling as though you're being left in the dust by every other vehicle sharing the road with you.

The 2022 Chevy Tahoe has a few engine options available. Standard issue is a 5.3-liter V8 that generates 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) can be equipped on these trims.

A 6.2-L V8 engine is available on the RST, Z71 and Premier and standard on the High Country. It offers a power output of 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. You can also select an optional turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder diesel engine that is good for 277 hp, and 460 lb-ft of torque. The only Tahoe trim that you cannot get it on is the Z71.

The 4WD Tahoe with the 5.3-liter V8 engine is able to sprint from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 7.7 seconds - an average time for a big SUV. When it comes to making passing maneuvers at higher speeds, you need to push for a lot of throttle. This smaller V8 engine runs out of steam after about 65 mph. Also, the brake pedal might feel too soft for some drivers. The Tahoe's tight light steering and turning circle make low-speed maneuvering simple. The 10-speed automatic transmission shifts drama-free, but that light steering feels vague at highway speeds. With the optional Z71 package, the height-adjustable air suspension gives the vehicle better off-roading skills.

As for its fuel economy, a 4WD Tahoe with the 5.3-liter V8 gets an EPA-estimated 16 mpg combined, placing it in the middle of the pack. Real-world tests managed to get 17-18 mpg combined. Premium fuel is not required for the 5.3-liter engine. Chevy's more powerful 6.2-liter V8 engine has an EPA estimate of 16 mpg combined, and the diesel engine should get about 24 mpg combined, which is a truly superb showing.

The 2022 GMC Yukon offers a few powertrain options: a 5.3-liter V8 (which is able to make 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque) that comes standard on SLE, SLT and AT4;
a 6.2-liter V8 (which makes 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque) that's optional on the AT4 and standard on the Denali; and a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel engine (good for 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque) that's optional on the SLE, SLT and Denali. RWD is standard, and AWD is optional save for the AT4 (on which it is standard). Each engine is paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The Denali's 6.2-liter V8 produces ample power, zipping to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds. The 10-speed automatic transmission shifts well enough in everyday driving, but it takes a few seconds to downshift. The transmission also is sluggish to respond to pushes on the manual gear selector buttons. The Yukon's massive size don't make for great handling, but that's pretty normal on these massive SUVs. However, the brakes are smooth to stop the vehicle, and the light steering effort makes for easy slow-speed maneuvering. The Denali has an air suspension and two-speed transfer case that help on slick road surfaces, but the AT4 is the real off-roader of the bunch.

On the 4WD Yukon Denali, there's an EPA-estimated 16 mpg combined. Real-world tests place this vehicle close to its the GMC and Ford rivals. The 4WD Yukon Denali can return 18.4 mpg combined as evidenced by these tests.

Drivability

Drivability is an umbrella term that we use to describe how well-rounded a vehicle is as a daily driver. How comfortable is a vehicle to ride around in? Is the ride quality comfortable and smooth enough without coming off as too drifty? Are the interior materials of a high enough quality? Are the cabin's controls logically laid out? Are the tech features user-friendly How much cargo space is available, and how easy is it to use? These are some of the major factors we talk about when discussing a vehicle's drivability status.

The 2022 Chevy Tahoe is comfortable - to an extent. Its new independent rear suspension remedies the last generation's most serious ride quality issues. The fully adaptive suspension absorbs bumps of all sizes, but the first- and second-row seats are quite firm and lack padding and structure for support on longer rides. The third-row seats at least have better support than what you find in the Tahoe's rivals. The multi-zone climate control system is highly effective for all rows. The tiny climate control buttons up front front and the raucous noise from the rear climate system are less-than-appealing. Also, the windshield makes some loud groans at highway speeds.

The Tahoe's doors open wide for easy access to the front and rear seats. The third-row offers passengers enough pass-through space. The steering wheel and driver's sea tare highly adjustable, but the vehicle's taller front end makes it difficult to see objects less than 6 feet away. The multi-view camera system will absolutely come in handy here.

Unfortunately, the Tahoe's spaciousness is limited. The dash-mounted push-button shifter sends a lot of secondary controls out of the way and crams them together. There are redundant controls for the touchscreen and audio systems that consume primary dashboard space. Also, the steering wheel-mounted controls aren't all that intuitive.

Technology is also hit-and-miss. The 10.2-inch screen and navigation are nice, as the touchscreen interface offers sleek graphics, rapid responses to inputs, and a logical menu setup. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is available with it. There are many charging ports throughout the cabin, but the optional power center console moves them to the same bin that houses the wireless charging pad, making for a wire-ridden mess at times.

As far as utility goes, the Tahoe is quite capable. With the independent rear suspension and massive dimensions, the redesigned Tahoe offers 25.5 cubic feet behind the third-row seats (it used to be 15.3 cubic feet - yikes). Cargo capacity maxes out at an impressive 122.9 cubic feet. There is little small-item storage up front and only two cupholders. The bin may or may not house a wireless charging pad, and the center console isn't large - plus it has tons of hard plastic. The door pockets are huge, as the front doors have a three-tiered design. Second-row passengers don't get a center console but have a lot of storage space in their door pockets. The Tahoe can tow up to 8,400 pounds. The 4WD Z71 is rated for 8,200 pounds, but the 5.3-liter V8 might struggle with this much of a load. The more powerful 6.2-liter V8 or more diesel six-cylinder can probably do better.

Like the Tahoe, the 2022 GMC Yukon's new independent rear suspension vastly improves its ride quality. The adaptive dampers and air suspension make it feel similar to a car-like smaller SUV. The cabin is tranquil, and the climate system pushes strong amounts of air out to all three rows. Seat comfort isn't so great as the front bolsters are flat, and the seats don't have the same plethora of adjustments found in top rivals. You might become uncomfortable after merely a few hours. The second-row seats are also flat, and the third row kind of feels like sitting on a box - they have no contouring to the human body.

Head and leg space abound, and it is easy to get in and out of the Yukon when you have enough door opening clearance. Viewing through the front is clear, but thick rear pillars hinder the rear view. The optional 360-degree camera system will come in handy for parking. Up front, the controls are a mix of clunky physical switches and knobs and some digitalized buttons. Some are easy enough to read while others are clustered together in weird places. The driver's seat offer slides enough and has a good height-adjustment range, but adjustments don't extend enough beyond that.

There are plenty of tech features. The touchscreen's graphics aren't as stellar as those in luxury vehicles, but the system is quick to respond. The Bose audio system is able to deliver plenty of bass without overwhelming the ear. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can be equipped as wired or wireless depending on the trim. There are enough USB ports for everyone to use.

The redesign gifted the Yukon with much more usable space in the cargo area. There is 25.5 cubic feet with all seats up, but fold the two back rows down for 122.9 cubes of storage. There are enough spaces for your small personal items in the cabin, and the optional sliding center console is helpful. The second-row's car seat anchors are visible and easy to access. Fitting child seats in there is a cinch given how much space you have to work with. The Yukon's max tow rating of 8,400 pounds comes on the RWD and 5.3-liter engine combo. Sure, car-based luxury SUVs can't handle this much, but a few rivals outdo this number by about 1,000 pounds.

Safety

Safety is a huge concern for basically every driver on the road. Auto makers are certainly aware of the demand for advanced safety features and designs. Both Chevy and GMC are well versed in how to create functional driver aids and include quite a few of them on their SUVs.

The 2022 Chevy Tahoe is outfitted with standard forward collision mitigation, parking sensors, and lane keep assist. Upgrading to the Premier gets you a blind-spot monitor, and the High Country adds a head-up display. Adaptive cruise control, oddly enough, remains optional for all trims.

Likewise, the 2022 GMC Yukon offers standard lane keep assist and forward collision mitigation. You can add the GMC Pro Safety Plus package to the base trim for an added blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert. That becomes standard on the SLT, and the SLT Luxury package adds a surround-view camera system. Optional on the AT4 are the surround-view camera system and head-up display. Remaining options for all trims include the Advanced Technology package, which adds adaptive cruise control, a digital rearview mirror, an advanced security system, and rear automatic emergency braking.

Which Has the Best Value?

As you go about making your final decision on which vehicle to purchase, consider what brings the most value to a vehicle for you. Which vehicle has the most overall value? Buyers need to do their research and hear about owners' experiences since taking a vehicle for a test-drive can only tell you so much.

The 2022 Chevy Tahoe ain't cheap. Its price starts at slightly over $50K and can top $80K if you stack on options. It will look worthy of the price tag for the most part, but there are a few too many hard plastics. Bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties sit at three years/36,000 miles and five years/60,000 miles. Chevy's five years/60,000 miles of roadside assistance and one year of free scheduled maintenance add more to overall value.

2022 GMC Yukon buyers get a similar build quality and features. But it prices more along the lines of the luxury Mercedes GLS or BMW X7, which are more upscale and refined overall. Even in the Denali, the materials are good without being great, which makes the price tag hard to justify.

Which is Better?

Since these two mammoth vehicles are so much alike, the "better" title goes to the 2022 Chevy Tahoe based on price alone. Justifying the 2022 GMC Yukon's price tag is difficult since there are luxury vehicles for the same price that offer better quality materials and a more refined ride. If you're looking to get a decent large third-row SUV for the price point, we suggest going with the Tahoe over the Yukon. You'll save a few grand at the very least.