2025 Chevrolet Tahoe vs 2026 Lexus TX

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe continued its legacy as a popular full-size SUV, largely due to its brand equity and practical capabilities. Known for its ability to tow substantial loads while accommodating up to nine passengers, the Tahoe maintained its appeal among large families and those needing a versatile vehicle. The 2025 model saw a conservative design refresh, featuring a new grille and updated lighting elements across its six trim levels. The Z71 trim, which we tested, stood out with its rugged features like full-length skid plates and all-terrain tires. Inside, the Tahoe boasted a new 17.7-inch touchscreen and a redesigned dashboard, enhancing the cabin's sophistication while retaining physical controls for essential functions.

The 2026 Lexus TX offered a range of trims and powertrains, including the TX 350, 500h hybrid, and 550h+ plug-in hybrid. The 550h+ featured a panoramic glass roof and 22-inch wheels, adding to its visual appeal. The exterior retained a large grille and sharp LED lighting, while the interior provided spacious seating, especially in the third row. Despite some basic plastic materials, the cabin included ambient lighting and suede trim. The redesigned door handles were a unique touch, though not necessarily an improvement. Overall, the TX aimed to deliver a comfortable ride with its luxury features, though it fell short of top-tier luxury standards.

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe stood out with its naturally aspirated V8 engines, offering a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower and a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower. A 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder diesel engine was also available, producing 305 horsepower and 495 lb-ft of torque, making it the most fuel-efficient option with up to 27 mpg on the highway. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and the Z71 trim came exclusively with four-wheel drive. The Tahoe's suspension options included Magnetic Ride Control and Air Ride adaptive suspension, enhancing ride quality and handling.

The 2026 Lexus TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid delivered 404 horsepower from its 3.5-liter V6 and hybrid system. It offered multiple drive modes, including electric-only and hybrid options, providing flexibility for different driving conditions. The TX's AWD system could distribute power between the front and rear wheels, and a Trail Mode helped maintain traction on slippery surfaces. The ride was smooth and quiet, with a suspension that absorbed bumps effectively. The brakes were firm and linear, contributing to a comfortable driving experience.

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe excelled in towing capacity, with the ability to tow up to 8,400 pounds when equipped with the 5.3-liter V8 and Max Trailering package. Its cargo space was impressive, offering 122.9 cubic feet with all seats folded. However, with all seats in place, the cargo space was limited to 25.5 cubic feet. The Tahoe's 24-inch wheel option required Magnetic Ride Control for a smoother ride, though it added significant cost.

The 2026 Lexus TX 550h+ provided standard luxury features like multi-zone climate control and heated seats. The third row was spacious, with a recline function and USB-C ports for each seat. The second row offered captain's chairs with a removable console, though folding them flat was cumbersome. The front seats were roomy but lacked thigh support. The TX offered excellent cargo space, with 97 cubic feet available when the second row was folded. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe featured a significant tech upgrade with a 17.7-inch touchscreen, 11-inch driver information screen, and optional 15-inch HUD. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Google Built-in for seamless integration of Google services. However, the user experience had a learning curve, and the premium Bose sound system was underwhelming compared to rivals.

The 2026 Lexus TX had a 14-inch touchscreen that was user-friendly but lacked some features like manual satellite radio input. The steering wheel controls were confusing, and wireless smartphone connectivity sometimes conflicted with the native audio system. The TX offered a clear backup camera and Advanced Park system, along with multiple USB ports and wireless charging.

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe included standard ADAS features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist. While the 2024 model received four out of five stars from NHTSA, the 2025 model had not been tested. The IIHS rated it "Acceptable" in the small overlap front test but did not award it a Top Safety Pick designation.

The 2026 Lexus TX came with Safety System+ 3.0, offering features like forward collision warning and lane departure warning. The adaptive cruise control worked well once set up, and hands-free driving was available via subscription. The TX 350 and 500h earned five-star ratings from NHTSA, while the IIHS gave it "Acceptable" and "Good" ratings in crash tests.