2021 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
Overview | |
MSRP$44,000 | MSRP$32,925 |
Listings2694 | Listings2289 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews8.5 out of 10 | Expert reviews7.5 out of 10 |
Pros
Cons
| Pros
Cons
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2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Reviews SummaryThe full-size SUV segment is a relatively small one, and Chevrolet dominates it. The Tahoe, and its extended-length twin, the Suburban, account for about half of all big SUV sales despite competitive shortcomings in terms of interior comfort, cargo space, and towing capability. With the all-new 2021 Chevy Tahoe (and Suburban), two of those three flaws are resolved. At the same time, the 2021 Tahoe gets a big upgrade in terms of driving dynamics, technology, and innovation. | |
2021 Ford Explorer Reviews SummaryThere was a time when everybody in America seemingly drove an Explorer. That may be an exaggeration, but not by much. In its first four years of production, Ford sold over a million examples. In 1998, Ford was selling its second-generation Explorer at a rate of nearly 440,000 per year. Whether your family purchased an Explorer or not, this was the nameplate that invented the midsize SUV segment. Fast forward to the 2021 model year and the Explorer is in its sixth generation. It's now a three-row SUV that clocks in at a maximum of 4,700 pounds, with a price tag north of $50,000 for the Explorer Platinum trim level. Long gone are the days when it was the only game in town. Almost every automaker has a competitor. So how does the Explorer shake out for 2021? | |
No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine5.3L 355 hp V8 | Engine2.3L 300 hp I4 |
Drive Train4X2 | Drive TrainRWD |
Seating Capacity6 | Seating Capacity7 |
Horsepower355 hp @ 5600 rpm | Horsepower |
MPG City15 | MPG City21 |
MPG Highway20 | MPG Highway28 |
Engine | |
Engine Name5.3L 355 hp V8 | Engine Name2.3L 300 hp I4 |
Torque383 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm | Torque |
Horsepower355 hp @ 5600 rpm | Horsepower |
Drivetrain4X2 | DrivetrainRWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City15 | MPG City21 |
MPG Highway20 | MPG Highway28 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity6 | Seating Capacity7 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall4 | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space25.5 cu ft | Cargo Space18.2 cu ft |
Curb Weight5542 lbs | Curb Weight4345 lbs |
Height75.8 in | Height69.9 in |
Length210.7 in | Length198.8 in |
Width81.0 in | Width89.3 in |
Wheelbase120.9 in | Wheelbase119.1 in |
Maximum Payload1600 lbs | Maximum Payload1425 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity6000 lbs | Maximum Towing Capacity5300 lbs |
Standard Towing Capacity6000 lbs | Standard Towing Capacity |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $44,000 | $32,925 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 8.5 out of 10Read full review | 7.5 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
Cons
| Pros
Cons
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Summary | The full-size SUV segment is a relatively small one, and Chevrolet dominates it. The Tahoe, and its extended-length twin, the Suburban, account for about half of all big SUV sales despite competitive shortcomings in terms of interior comfort, cargo space, and towing capability. With the all-new 2021 Chevy Tahoe (and Suburban), two of those three flaws are resolved. At the same time, the 2021 Tahoe gets a big upgrade in terms of driving dynamics, technology, and innovation. | There was a time when everybody in America seemingly drove an Explorer. That may be an exaggeration, but not by much. In its first four years of production, Ford sold over a million examples. In 1998, Ford was selling its second-generation Explorer at a rate of nearly 440,000 per year. Whether your family purchased an Explorer or not, this was the nameplate that invented the midsize SUV segment. Fast forward to the 2021 model year and the Explorer is in its sixth generation. It's now a three-row SUV that clocks in at a maximum of 4,700 pounds, with a price tag north of $50,000 for the Explorer Platinum trim level. Long gone are the days when it was the only game in town. Almost every automaker has a competitor. So how does the Explorer shake out for 2021? |
Video | No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 5.3L 355 hp V8 | 2.3L 300 hp I4 |
Drive Train | 4X2 | RWD |
Seating Capacity | 6 | 7 |
Horsepower | 355 hp @ 5600 rpm | |
MPG City | 15 | 21 |
MPG Highway | 20 | 28 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 5.3L 355 hp V8 | 2.3L 300 hp I4 |
Torque | 383 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm | |
Horsepower | 355 hp @ 5600 rpm | |
Drivetrain | 4X2 | RWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 15 | 21 |
MPG Highway | 20 | 28 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 6 | 7 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 4 | 5 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 25.5 cu ft | 18.2 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 5542 lbs | 4345 lbs |
Height | 75.8 in | 69.9 in |
Length | 210.7 in | 198.8 in |
Width | 81.0 in | 89.3 in |
Wheelbase | 120.9 in | 119.1 in |
Maximum Payload | 1600 lbs | 1425 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | 6000 lbs | 5300 lbs |
Standard Towing Capacity | 6000 lbs | |















CarGurus highlights

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe is 8.5 out of 10, while the 2021 Ford Explorer scores 7.5 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe emerges as the preferred choice, offering superior performance, technology, safety, and cost-effectiveness compared to the 2021 Ford Explorer.
Choose the 2021 Ford Explorer if:
- You prefer a midsize SUV with ample passenger space and tech features.
- You prioritize fuel efficiency and a range of engine options.
- You are looking for a competitively priced SUV with a solid safety rating.
Choose the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe if:
- You prioritize superior cargo volume and towing capacity.
- You seek a full-size SUV with comfortable seating for adults in all three rows.
- You value advanced technology features and safety upgrades.
CarGurus highlights

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe is 8.5 out of 10, while the 2021 Ford Explorer scores 7.5 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe emerges as the preferred choice, offering superior performance, technology, safety, and cost-effectiveness compared to the 2021 Ford Explorer.
Choose the 2021 Ford Explorer if:
Shop Now- You prefer a midsize SUV with ample passenger space and tech features.
- You prioritize fuel efficiency and a range of engine options.
- You are looking for a competitively priced SUV with a solid safety rating.
Choose the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe if:
Shop Now- You prioritize superior cargo volume and towing capacity.
- You seek a full-size SUV with comfortable seating for adults in all three rows.
- You value advanced technology features and safety upgrades.

By: CarGurus + AI
At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.








































