2027 Chevrolet Traverse vs Chevrolet Tahoe: We Compared the Data

By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score

Our pick: the Tahoe — it leads our weighted scorecard 6–0.5 across 6 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (48.1% vs 41.8%) and better fuel economy (24 mpg vs 22 mpg best EPA combined). Choose the Traverse if a shorter recent recall list matters to you (2 vs 6).

Scorecard: Traverse 0.5 pts · Tahoe 6 pts across 6 scored categories.

The scorecard

Traverse vs Tahoe scorecard: each category, both values and the category winner
Category (weight)2027 Traverse2027 TahoeWinner
Starting MSRP (2)$40,800—No data
NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2)—0.52No data
5-year value retained (1.5)41.8%48.1%Tahoe
Best EPA combined (1.5)22 mpg24 mpgTahoe
Most horsepower available (1)328 hp433 hpTahoe
Max towing (1)5,000 lb8,400 lbTahoe
Standard seats (1)—8No data
Median discount verified buyers got (1)3.8% off MSRP5.3% off MSRPTahoe
Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5)26Traverse
Weighted points0.56Tahoe

Which one we'd buy, and for whom

  • Commuter. Commuters: the Tahoe — 24 mpg vs 22 mpg (best EPA combined).
  • Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the Tahoe — 48.1% vs 41.8% (5-year value retained).
  • Towing. Towing: the Tahoe — 8,400 lb vs 5,000 lb (max towing).

Price: sticker and what buyers paid

A current starting MSRP isn't on file for both models. Verified Traverse buyers paid a median 3.8% off MSRP across 18 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 8% off. Verified Tahoe buyers paid a median 5.3% off MSRP across 46 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 6.5% off. Used, the median asking price is $25,158 for the Traverse and $39,447 for the Tahoe (all model years, US dealer listings).

Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls

  • Traverse: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
  • Tahoe: 0.52 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 56th percentile among the SUVs we track).
  • Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Traverse 2, Tahoe 6.

Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Traverse 2016 (caution).

Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.

Specs side by side

Traverse vs Tahoe specifications
2027 Traverse2027 Tahoe
Starting MSRP (base trim)$40,800—
Top-trim MSRP$55,400—
Horsepower328 hp305–433 hp
Max torque326 lb-ft495 lb-ft
EPA combined21–22 mpg16–24 mpg
Max towing5,000 lb8,400 lb
Seats (standard / max)— / 88 / 9

Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.

Resale: 5-year value retained

A 5-year-old (2021) Traverse lists for a median $20,999 — 41.8% of today's median new price of $50,206. A 5-year-old (2021) Tahoe lists for a median $39,027 — 48.1% of today's median new price of $81,101.

Shop both

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Related head-to-heads

FAQ

Is the Traverse better than the Tahoe?

On our data, no — the Tahoe comes out ahead. Our pick: the Tahoe — it leads our weighted scorecard 6–0.5 across 6 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (48.1% vs 41.8%) and better fuel economy (24 mpg vs 22 mpg best EPA combined). Choose the Traverse if a shorter recent recall list matters to you (2 vs 6).

Which is more reliable, the Traverse or the Tahoe?

We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Traverse and 6 for the Tahoe.

Which holds its value better, the Traverse or the Tahoe?

The Tahoe: a 5-year-old example lists for 48.1% of the new price, versus 41.8% for the Traverse, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.

Which is cheaper, the Traverse or the Tahoe?

We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models. Verified buyers paid a median 3.8% off MSRP on the Traverse (18 deals) and 5.3% on the Tahoe (46 deals).

Which has better gas mileage, the Traverse or the Tahoe?

The Tahoe: up to 24 mpg combined vs 22 mpg for the Traverse (best EPA rating across each lineup).

How we score

Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.

  • Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
  • NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
  • 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
  • Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
  • Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
  • Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
  • Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
  • Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
  • Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
  • Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.

Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.

Cite this page: CarWhere, "2027 Chevrolet Traverse vs Chevrolet Tahoe: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/chevrolet-traverse-vs-chevrolet-tahoe, updated November 8, 2026.