Jeep Wagoneer vs Chevrolet Tahoe

The Jeep Wagoneer was originally a full-size SUV from the early 60s, long before the term SUV existed. It remained essentially unchanged for 30 years, catering to a niche market of subscribers to Field & Stream and people who went to their country homes on weekends. In subsequent decades after it was gone, there were a few smaller Jeep models with the Wagoneer name, but it was in 2022 that Jeep brought the Wagoneer in its original, full-size albeit significantly more modern form. It is now a direct competitor to the Chevrolet Tahoe, which first appeared just a few years after the original Wagoneer left. In this Krusen Motors post, we will compare the current Wagoneer and Tahoe. 

The Name Game

First, let's clear some justifiable consumer confusion regarding the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer. Contrary to the Jeep Cherokee nomenclature, the Grand Wagoneer is not larger than the Wagoneer. It is significantly more luxurious and is aimed directly at luxury-brand competitors. However, there are longer versions of both models, the Wagoneer L and Grand Wagoneer L. So, the Wagoneer L would compete directly with the Suburban. The Tahoe is a shorter version of the Suburban. No confusion there. 

Under the Hood

Let’s start this comparison with the powertrains because the Wagoneer has big news on that front. For 2024, the Wagoneer replaces its 5.7-liter V-8 with the new Hurricane 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-6 as its standard and only engine. The Hurricane produces 420 horsepower and 486 lb-ft of torque. This not only out-powers the Tahoe’s 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft 5.3-liter V-8, but also the Tahoe’s optional 6.2-liter V-8, which produces the same 420 horsepower but 460 lb-ft of torque. Only the Tahoe’s available 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-6 out-torques the Wagoneer's standard engine with 495 lb-ft. 

The power differences in the standard engines are immediately apparent, with the Wagoneer hustling its big body from stationary to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds compared to 7.5 for the Tahoe. It also makes itself known in towing capacity, which is up to 10,000 pounds for the Wagoneer compared to 7,800 lb for the standard-engined Tahoe, rising to 8,400 lb. with the optional diesel engine. 

The Wagoneer also has an efficiency advantage with an EPA estimated city/highway/combined mpg rating of 16/19/23 for a 4WD Wagoneer compared to 15/20/17 for the 5.3-liter V-8 4WD Tahoe. The turbo diesel 4WD Tahoe is at the top in this area at 20/26/22. 

Neither of these vehicles are what you would select for a run on the Rubicon Trail, but each has 4WD as a $3,000 option, and here in Idaho, few opt for 2WD. A two-speed transfer case is standard with the Tahoe 4WD but comes to the Wagoneer with the $1,770 Heavy-Duty Trailer-Tow Package, which contributes to its large towing capacity. 

The Great Indoors

These are big vehicles with big interiors, each having a maximum seating capacity of 8 or 7 if one opts for 2nd-row captain’s chairs. And that can be 7 or 8 adults because either can reasonably seat fully grown people in the 3rd row, though at 36.6 inches, the Wagoneer does provide an additional 1.7 inches in front of the knees. Behind the third row, the Wagoneer offers an extra cubic foot of cargo space at 27 to the Tahoe’s 26. Start folding seats, however, and the Tahoe turns the table, ending with 123 cubic feet behind the front seats compared to 117 for the Wagoneer. 

As for how nice the interior is, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but the Wagoneer has the advantage of sharing its dash layout with the luxury Grand Wagoneer while the Tahoe shares its dash with Chevrolet’s full-size pickup truck, and the difference speaks for itself. 

For most applications, the Wagoneer wins the comparisons, but it also costs a bit more. Fortunately, at Krusen Motors, you have the advantage of shopping for both models in the same place, and we invite you to do just that and have your own comparison test.