Toyota 4Runner vs Chevrolet Tahoe

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe continued its legacy as a popular full-size SUV, maintaining its strong brand equity since its inception in 1995. Known for its capability and practicality, the Tahoe offered impressive towing capacity while accommodating up to nine passengers. Chevrolet took a conservative approach in refreshing the Tahoe’s design, introducing a new grille and updated lighting elements across six trim levels. The Z71 trim, which we primarily tested, stood out with its off-road capabilities, featuring full-length skid plates, front recovery hooks, and a 2.5-centimetre lift. Inside, the Tahoe boasted a new 17.7-inch touchscreen display, complemented by stylish climate controls and a steering-column-mounted shifter, enhancing the overall cabin experience.

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner shared design elements with the Tacoma pickup, presenting a muscular look with pronounced haunches and black wheel flares for off-road models. The front grille, especially on the TRD Pro and Trailhunter models, featured heritage-inspired designs with “Toyota” lettering and integrated light bars. The interior of the 4Runner was simple and utilitarian, with chunky control dials and an abundance of hard plastic surfaces. Cloth upholstery was standard, with synthetic leather available for off-road models and leather for the Limited and Platinum trims. Despite its rugged appeal, the 4Runner’s cabin never quite reached a high-end feel, even with leather upholstery.

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe stood out with its naturally aspirated V8 engine options, a rarity among full-size SUVs. The 5.3-litre V8 delivered 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, while the 6.2-litre V8 offered 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, standard in the High Country trim. A 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder diesel engine was also available, producing 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque, offering impressive fuel efficiency at 9.7 litres per 100 kilometres on the highway. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with 4WD standard on most trims. The Tahoe’s light steering feel and various suspension options, including Magnetic Ride Control and Air Ride adaptive suspension, contributed to a comfortable driving experience.

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner offered two powertrains in Canada: a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, and the i-Force Max hybrid, which increased output to 326 hp and 465 lb-ft. Despite the hybrid’s torque, its acceleration was modest, with a mid-to-low seven-second 0 to 100 km/h time. The 4Runner featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and two 4WD systems, with the TRD Off-Road Premium package offering part-time 4WD and the Limited and Platinum models featuring full-time 4WD. Off-road capabilities were enhanced with features like a locking rear differential, Bilstein dampers, and Multi-Terrain System drive modes, though on-road dynamics were compromised by the body-on-frame platform.

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe was designed for those needing to carry passengers and tow heavy loads simultaneously. With the 5.3-litre V8 and RWD, the Tahoe could tow up to 3,810 kilograms, slightly reduced with 4WD. Cargo volume was impressive, offering 3,474 litres with all seats folded, though the trunk space was limited to 722 litres with all seats in use. The Tahoe’s large 91-litre fuel tank allowed for extended highway driving, especially with the diesel engine. Chevrolet offered a 24-inch wheel option, requiring Magnetic Ride Control for a smoother ride, though these wheels were costly and added to the vehicle’s price.

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner could be configured with two or three rows, seating up to seven passengers. The front seats offered the best comfort, with heated options standard in Canada. The second row provided decent space but lacked comfort due to low seat bottoms. The three-row version was less accommodating, with limited legroom and thigh support. Cargo space was competitive with midsize rivals, offering 1,206 litres behind the second row in hybrid models and 2,381 litres with all seats folded in gas-powered three-row configurations. The hybrid’s higher load floor reduced space and increased liftover height.

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe made significant strides in technology, featuring a 17.7-inch touchscreen, an 11-inch driver information screen, and an optional 15-inch HUD. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were complemented by Google Built-in, integrating Google Maps, Assistant, and the Play Store. While the tech interface was sleek, the steering wheel controls were cluttered, and the driver information display customization was unintuitive. The premium Bose sound system was underwhelming compared to rivals, but the Tahoe’s tech upgrades marked a notable improvement over previous models.

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner came standard with a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8-inch touchscreen, expanding to 12.3 inches and 14 inches, respectively, in higher trims. The 14-inch screen was easy to use but lacked visual appeal, with quick access icons for navigation and entertainment. Toyota offered a three-year trial of Remote Connect, Safety Connect, and Service Connect, with Drive Connect available through subscription. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster provided customizable information, and standard tech features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a JBL audio system available in most packages.

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe had not been crash-tested for the 2025 model year, but the 2024 model received four out of five stars from the NHTSA and an Acceptable rating from the IIHS. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian and bicycle braking, and a surround-view camera. GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving tech was available, though not included in early 2025 models.

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner came equipped with Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0 suite, featuring forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and more. Despite being redesigned for 2025, the 4Runner received mixed crash test scores, with four stars overall from the NHTSA and a Marginal rating from the IIHS in the moderate front overlap test. It did receive Good ratings for side crash tests and front crash prevention systems.