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2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71

The Chevy Tahoe Surprisingly Beats the Toyota 4Runner

What the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV is to the Chevy Silverado pickup truck, the 2020 Toyota 4Runner SUV is to the Toyota Tacoma pickup. They are closely related to their truck siblings in both style and capability. The 2020 Tahoe is definitely a larger SUV than the 2020 4Runner. Plus the Tahoe’s only engine option …

What the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV is to the Chevy Silverado pickup truck, the 2020 Toyota 4Runner SUV is to the Toyota Tacoma pickup. They are closely related to their truck siblings in both style and capability. The 2020 Tahoe is definitely a larger SUV than the 2020 4Runner. Plus the Tahoe’s only engine option is a choice between two V8 powertrains, in contrast to the Toyota 4Runner’s sole V6 power plant.

Each of these rugged SUVs are every bit an SUV. Unlike tough-styled unibody crossovers in the segment such as the Kia Telluride or the Hyundai Palisade, the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe and the 2020 Toyota 4Runner are built on strong body-on-frame platforms. They each have a third row option, according to Cars.com.

However, the 4Runner seats up to seven while the Tahoe can seat a bus-full of up to nine passengers. They definitely have their obvious similarities. Yet there is one place that the Chevy Tahoe reigns supreme between these two 2020 SUVs that may shock you.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner

According to Car and Driver, the 2020 4Runner is dated and only tolerable on pavement as a daily driver. It drives like a truck, loud and bouncy with handling evidently designed for raging through off-road trails and not smoothly gliding over city streets. This doesn’t stop the 2020 Toyota 4Runner SUV from being a popular choice for thousands of Americans every year.

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"Are we there yet?" – @loki #4Runner TRD

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It’s priced ranging from $37,140 to $50,885. Offered in a variety of trims, there are plenty of choices for 2020 4Runner fans. Regardless of trim choice, this Toyota SUV is a capable machine powered by a 270 horsepower V6 good for 278 pound-feet of torque. It can tow up to a pretty robust maximum of 5,000 pounds.

The 4Runner is a few inches smaller than the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV pretty much everywhere. Plus, its interior is riddled with plastic and isn’t exactly luxurious. We’ll just say it’s pretty obvious that the 2020 4Runner is on the tail end of a decade-old generation. It’s still a lovable and highly capable vehicle if off-pavement adventures are your thing.

2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro
2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro | Toyota

The 2020 Chevy Tahoe

The 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV is a handsome crew carrier for people that value style and heavy duty specs over other practical choices such as the minivan. This 2020 SUV boasts brute strength. Yet, it is also far more luxurious than the 4Runner in terms of interior styling. Additionally, the Car and Driver review appreciates the 2020 Tahoe for its “quiet cabin.”

Priced from $49,295 to $63,995, the Tahoe is a significantly more costly investment. The two V8 engine options include a 335 horsepower option and a 420 horsepower offering. These pair with a 6-speed or 10-speed automatic transmission, respectively. Equipped properly, the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV can tow up to an impressive 8,600 pounds.

Roomy, quiet, and spacious, this 2020 SUV is far more suited to daily driving with the family in tow than the 4Runner. Despite its available AWD and potential rugged capability. In fact, the Chevy Tahoe has a wild card in its back pocket that makes it even more appealing in this sense. The Tahoe may have a bigger engine, but it wins the prize for efficiency.

2020 Chevrolet Tahoe
2020 Chevrolet Tahoe | Chevrolet

The Chevy Tahoe is more fuel efficient than the Toyota 4Runner

In terms of fuel economy, the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV is better than the 2020 Toyota 4Runner SUV. It is a big beast with robust V8 engine options. The 4Runner may glean power from a smaller V6 engine, but it get worse gas mileage. According to Car and Driver, the 2020 Tahoe ties with the 4Runner in its less powerful engine option for a combined 19 mpg.

two chevy Tahoes in a mountain scene
Chevy Tahoe | Chevrolet

However, the more dynamic 420 horsepower V8 tops that out with 22 mpg combined fuel economy. While neither of these numbers is an impressive fuel economy projection, the Chevy Tahoe is our clear winner. Especially when you consider that it’s the SUV with a V8 as opposed to the 4Runner’s V6.

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