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2025 Chevrolet Tahoe vs 2025 Ford Explorer

The Chevrolet Tahoe wins clearly, 91.8 to 85.8, on safety. The Ford Explorer is ahead on fuel & range.

A

2025 Chevrolet Tahoe

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe is sold in the U.S. as a gas and diesel large SUV with 7 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Tahoe 2WD, is EPA-ra…

vs
F

2025 Ford Explorer

The 2025 Ford Explorer is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Explorer RWD, is EPA-rated at 24 …

Verdict · default weights

2025 Chevrolet Tahoe

Clear win

The Chevrolet Tahoe wins clearly, 91.8 to 85.8, on safety. The Ford Explorer is ahead on fuel & range.

Safety 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe leads by 28.5
Fuel & range 2025 Ford Explorer leads by 20
Category · weight2025 Chevrolet Tahoeoverall 91.82025 Ford Exploreroverall 85.8
Pricenot comparedSpecs not availableSpecs not available
Fuel & rangew 380100
Safetyw 496.668.1
Space & cargonot comparedSpecs not availableSpecs not available
Performancenot comparedSpecs not availableSpecs not available
Tech & comfortnot comparedSpecs not availableSpecs not available
Warrantyw 2100100
Overall91.885.8

Safety-only comparison · 3 of 7 categories compared · specs not available for Chevrolet Tahoe

Chevrolet Tahoe: safety only (EPA and NHTSA record; specs not available) · Ford Explorer: base trim Active RWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.

Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.

Where the gap is

the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbers

Where the 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe wins

  • It has drawn fewer owner complaints (52 against 109 filed with NHTSA).
  • It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 92 against 43).

Where the 2025 Ford Explorer answers

  • It costs $1,200 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($2,800 against $4,000).

What they share

  • 5 NHTSA stars.
  • 24 combined.
  • A 3-year basic warranty.

Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.

Specifications side by side

43 specs · manufacturer press kits
SpecChevrolet TahoeFord ExplorerActive RWD
Engine Basics
Aspiration—twin turbo
Cylinder count—4
Engine displacement—2,261 cc
Engine type (full description)—2.3-liter EcoBoost I-4
Fuel injection system—gdi mpi
Valve configuration—DOHC 16-Valve
Engine Output
Horsepower—300 hp
Torque—310 lb-ft
Transmission
Final drive ratio—3.58
Transmission speeds—10
Transmission type—automatic
Dimensions Exterior
Ground clearance—7.6 in
Overall height—69.6 in
Overall length—199 in
Overall width—78.9 in
Wheelbase—119 in
Cargo
Cargo volume behind 1st row—85.8 cu-ft
Cargo volume behind 2nd row—46 cu-ft
Cargo volume behind 3rd row—16.3 cu-ft
Total interior volume—153 cu-ft
Seating
Passenger seating capacity—7
Headroom
Front headroom—40.7 in
Second-row headroom—40.5 in
Third-row headroom—38.9 in
Legroom
Front legroom—43 in
Second-row legroom—39 in
Third-row legroom—32.2 in
Weights
Curb weight (minimum)—4,303 lbs
Suspension
Front suspension type—independent
Rear suspension type—independent
Steering
Steering type—Electric Power-Assisted Steering
Brakes
Front brake type—ventilated disc
Parking brake type—electric
Rear brake type—solid disc
Wheels
Wheel diameter—18 in
Wheel material—aluminum
Tires
Tire size—P255/65R18
Fuel System
Fuel tank capacity—17.9 gal
Minimum recommended octane—87
Connected Services
Connected services brand—FordPass Connect
Shoulder Room
Front shoulder room—62.1 in
Second-row shoulder room—61.9 in
Third-row shoulder room—54.6 in

Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.

Equipment, feature by feature

89 features · differences first, then shared

Safety31 differ · 31 listed

FeatureChevrolet TahoeFord ExplorerActive RWD
Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and Lane Centering— std
Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection— std
Pre-Collision Assist – Forward Collision Warning— std
Rear Cross-Traffic Braking— std
Driver and Passenger Dual-Stage Front Airbags— std
Evasive Steering Assist— std
Front-seat Side Airbags— std
Lane-Keeping System (Lane-Keeping Alert, Lane-Keeping Assist, Driver Alert)— std

Infotainment11 differ · 11 listed

FeatureChevrolet TahoeFord ExplorerActive RWD
Remote Start System—opt
5G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot (connects up to 10 devices)— std
FordPass Connect™ – Remotely start, lock and unlock vehicle— std
Audio – Six (6) Speakers— std
FordPass Connect™ – Locate parked vehicle— std
911 Assist®— std
Ford Digital Experience – 13.2" Color LCD Touchscreen in IP Center-Stack with Alexa Built-In, Google Assistant/Maps/Play, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ Wireless Compatibility— std
Ford Power-Up Software Update Capability— std

Convenience6 differ · 6 listed

FeatureChevrolet TahoeFord ExplorerActive RWD
4-Door Intelligent Access (Lock/Unlock) with Push-Button Start— std
Battery Saver— std
Power Liftgate— std
SecuriCode® Keyless Entry Keypad—opt
Universal Garage Door Opener (UGDO)—opt
Powerpoints (12V) – three (3)— std

Climate3 differ · 3 listed

FeatureChevrolet TahoeFord ExplorerActive RWD
Tri-Zone Electronic Temperature Control— std
Cabin Particulate Air Filter— std
Second Row HVAC Controls—opt

Seating6 differ · 6 listed

FeatureChevrolet TahoeFord ExplorerActive RWD
10-way Power Driver's Seat— std
First Row Heated Seats— std
8-Way Power Passenger Seat—opt
Second Row Captain's Chairs with E-Z Entry and Armrests— std
Third Row 50/50 Split-Fold-Flat (Manual)— std
Unique Cloth Seating— std

Interior11 differ · 11 listed

FeatureChevrolet TahoeFord ExplorerActive RWD
Heated Steering Wheel—opt
12.3" Color LCD Productivity Screen in Instrument Panel Cluster— std
Compass— std
Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor®— std
Rotary Gear Shift Dial— std
Day/Night Rearview Mirror – Manually Adjustable— std
Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors (Driver and Front Passenger)— std
Steering Column – Manual Tilt/Telescoping— std

Exterior14 differ · 14 listed

FeatureChevrolet TahoeFord ExplorerActive RWD
Panoramic Vista Roof® with Power Shade—opt
LED Low and High Beam Headlamps with Courtesy Delay— std
Active Grille Shutters— std
Configurable Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)— std
Easy Fuel® Capless Fuel Filler— std
LED Fog Lamps with Skid Plate Elements, Front – Silver-Painted—opt
LED Signature Lighting (Front Fascia)—opt
LED Taillamps with Amber Turn Signals— std

Powertrain3 differ · 3 listed

FeatureChevrolet TahoeFord ExplorerActive RWD
Intelligent Four-Wheel Drive—opt
Terrain Management System™— std
Auto Start-Stop Technology— std

Chassis3 differ · 3 listed

FeatureChevrolet TahoeFord ExplorerActive RWD
Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS)— std
Front and Rear Stabilizer Bars— std
Independent Front and Rear Suspension— std

Cargo1 differ · 1 listed

FeatureChevrolet TahoeFord ExplorerActive RWD
Class III Trailer Tow Package— std

Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.

Safety record

NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAP

Chevrolet Tahoe

Safety Signal 92 A
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★☆☆
Recalls 1
Owner complaints 52 · 1 crashes · 1 fires
Most complained about Engine (32), Forward Collision Avoidance (12), Service Brakes (10)

Top recalls

  • high Wheels 26V304000 · 2,457 vehicles

Ford Explorer

Safety Signal 43 F
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 22 · 1 critical · 2 filed unfixed
Owner complaints 109 · 8 crashes · 1 fires
Most complained about Electrical System (23), Service Brakes (20), Unspecified (19)

Top recalls

  • critical Power Train 25V164000 · 269 vehicles
  • high Seats 26V451000 · 387,911 vehicles · filed unfixed
  • high Engine And Engine Cooling 26V343000 · 1,536 vehicles
  • high Seat Belts 26V159000 · 561 vehicles
  • high Engine And Engine Cooling 26V122000 · 47,804 vehicles
  • high Trailer Hitches 25V687000 · 1,412 vehicles

Ownership

EPA, manufacturer warranty
Chevrolet TahoeFord ExplorerActive RWD
Price—— (base trim)
Price range across trims—— 8 trims
PowertrainsGAS, DieselGAS
EPA configuration comparedTahoe 2WDExplorer RWD
Combined mpg / MPGe2424
EPA annual fuel cost$4,000$2,800
EV range——
Basic warranty3 yr / 36,000 mi (make terms)3 yr / 36,000 mi (make terms)
Powertrain warranty5 yr / 60,000 mi (make terms)5 yr / 60,000 mi (make terms)
Roadside assistance5 yr5 yr

Common questions

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Which is better, the 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe or the 2025 Ford Explorer?

The Chevrolet Tahoe wins clearly, 91.8 to 85.8, on safety. The Ford Explorer is ahead on fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe scores 91.8 and the 2025 Ford Explorer 85.8. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.

Which has the better safety record, the 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe or the 2025 Ford Explorer?

2025 Chevrolet Tahoe: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 1 recall. 2025 Ford Explorer: 5 NHTSA stars, grade F, 22 recalls (2 filed with no repair available). Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.

What are the biggest differences between the 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe and the 2025 Ford Explorer?

Where the 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe wins: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (52 against 109 filed with NHTSA) and has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 92 against 43). Where the 2025 Ford Explorer answers: it costs $1,200 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($2,800 against $4,000). What they share: 5 NHTSA stars, 24 combined, and a 3-year basic warranty.