Shopping for a three-row SUV that can handle your family, your gear, and a loaded trailer? The 2025 Ford Expedition and Chevy Tahoe both bring serious muscle to the table. These American workhorses have been duking it out for decades, and both got big updates this year. Ford went all-in on a complete redesign with wild new tech and a split tailgate that’ll make you wonder why nobody thought of it sooner. Meanwhile, Chevy gave the Tahoe a refresh with a bigger screen, a diesel option, and that classic V8 rumble some people just won’t give up.
- The Expedition’s twin-turbo V6 pumps out 400 to 440 horsepower and can tow up to 9,600 pounds, beating the Tahoe’s 8,400-pound max by over 1,000 pounds.
- Tahoe counters with three engine choices including a torquey diesel that gets 28 mpg highway, plus more interior cargo space at 122.7 cubic feet versus the Expedition’s 108.5.
- Both offer off-road trims with the Expedition Tremor riding on massive 33-inch tires and the Tahoe Z71 bringing skid plates and a two-speed transfer case for serious trail work.
SUV Power Plants: Turbo Muscle vs. V8 Tradition
Ford ditched the V8 entirely, putting all its eggs in the twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 basket. The base version cranks out 400 horses and 480 lb-ft of torque in the Active, King Ranch, and Platinum trims. Want more grunt? The high-output version delivers 440 hp and 510 lb-ft, coming standard on the Tremor and optional on the Platinum. That turbocharged punch means strong acceleration even when you’re loaded down with camping gear and a boat.
Chevy takes a different approach. Most Tahoes get the 5.3-liter V8 making 355 hp and 383 lb-ft. Step up to the High Country, RST, Z71, or Premier trims and you can grab the 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp. There’s also a 433-hp performance variant of the bigger V8. But here’s where things get interesting: Chevy now offers a 3.0-liter turbo diesel inline-six that produces 305 hp and a meaty 495 lb-ft of torque. That diesel option delivers 21 city and 28 highway mpg, making it the fuel economy champ by a mile.
All engines in both SUVs pair with 10-speed automatic transmissions. You can get either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive, though serious off-roaders will want the 4WD setup.
Towing Wars and Trail Capability
When properly equipped with a weight-distributing hitch, the Expedition can pull up to 9,600 pounds. That’s boat, camper, or toy hauler territory without breaking a sweat. The Tahoe tops out at 8,400 pounds with the 5.3-liter V8 and the Max Trailering Package. Still plenty for most needs, but Ford takes the win here.
For off-road adventures, Ford introduced the Tremor trim this year. It rolls on 33-inch General Grabber all-terrain tires, gets skid plates borrowed from the Raptor, an electronic locking rear differential, and a Rock Crawl mode. Ground clearance sits at 8.7 inches. The Tahoe Z71 counters with its own skid plates, red recovery hooks, all-terrain rubber, and an available air suspension that can lift the ride height up to 10 inches. The Z71’s two-speed transfer case also lets you engage four-low for serious crawling.
Which SUV Offers More Interior Space and Tech
The Expedition’s cabin feels modern with Ford’s new Digital Experience featuring a massive 24-inch screen stretching across the dash, plus a 13.2-inch center touchscreen below it. Google handles voice commands and navigation. The unique split tailgate (upper lifts, lower drops) means you can open the back without stuff rolling out, and the lower section supports up to 500 pounds for tailgating. Standard Expedition cargo volume hits 108.5 cubic feet, or you can get the MAX version with 12 extra inches of length.
Tahoe keeps things a bit simpler with a 17.7-inch tilted touchscreen and an 11-inch digital gauge cluster. The layout feels less overwhelming and easier to use on the go. But Chevy wins the space game with 122.7 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume. That’s 14 more cubic feet than the standard Expedition. Both SUVs seat eight with standard bench seating, or you can swap to captain’s chairs in the second row.
Money Talk
The 2025 Tahoe starts at $61,195 for the base LS with rear-wheel drive. The top High Country climbs to $83,895. Ford’s Expedition Active kicks off at $64,515, while the luxurious King Ranch tops out around $89,170 for the MAX version. With MSRPs climbing higher each year, it’s no surprise that some shoppers turn to used cars like a late-model Expedition or Tahoe. Certified pre-owned options often deliver similar space and towing power at thousands less.
Fuel economy slightly favors the Expedition on the highway. The Ford gets 16/22 mpg with 4WD or 17/23 with RWD. Gas-powered Tahoes with the 5.3-liter V8 manage 15/20 mpg across the board. But if you want efficiency, nothing beats the Tahoe diesel.
Who Wins the Big SUV Battle?
Pick the Expedition if you need maximum towing capacity, want the latest tech toys, and like the idea of a split tailgate for easier loading. The Tremor also makes more sense for serious off-roading with those huge 33-inch tires.
Go Tahoe if you prefer traditional V8 power, want the diesel’s fuel economy for highway cruising, or need every last cubic foot of cargo space. The Z71 handles trails just fine, and you’ll appreciate the simpler, less screen-heavy interior on long drives. Both are excellent choices. Test drive them back-to-back and pick the one that feels right.
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