Chevrolet Tahoe vs Lexus GX

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe continued its legacy as a popular full-size SUV, maintaining its reputation for capability and practicality. Its design updates were subtle, with a new grille and lighting elements aligning it with other Chevy trucks. The Tahoe offered six trim levels, each benefiting from these updates, with the Z71 trim focusing on off-road capability. Inside, the Tahoe featured a new 17.7-inch touchscreen display, improved cabin aesthetics, and a more sophisticated dashboard. The steering-column-mounted shifter replaced the previous electronic buttons, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2025 Lexus GX underwent a complete redesign, presenting a striking new look reminiscent of classic Land Rover models. Its bold exterior featured LED headlights and a large grille, complemented by 33-inch tires and rock rails on the Overtrail+ trim. Inside, the GX exuded luxury with high-quality switchgear and a chic dashboard design. The spacious interior offered ample headroom and legroom, with the Overtrail+ trim providing a mix of faux leather seats with heating, ventilation, and massaging functions. The GX's elevated ride height and tall windows ensured excellent visibility.

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. The diesel engine was praised for its refinement and fuel efficiency, achieving up to 27 mpg on the highway. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with the Z71 trim featuring standard four-wheel drive. The Tahoe's suspension options included Magnetic Ride Control and Air Ride adaptive suspension, enhancing ride quality.

The 2025 Lexus GX featured a twin-turbo 3.4-liter V6 engine, delivering 349 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive, enabled the GX to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds. Despite its weight, the GX offered impressive performance, with smooth power delivery and agile handling. However, its fuel economy was less favorable, with an EPA rating of 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway. The GX excelled in off-road conditions, with features like a locking center differential and downhill assist control enhancing its trail capabilities.

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe was designed for those needing to transport many passengers and tow heavy loads. It could tow up to 8,400 pounds with the 5.3-liter V8 and offered a maximum cargo volume of 122.9 cubic feet with all seats folded. However, with all seats in place, cargo space was limited to 25.5 cubic feet. The Tahoe's large 24-gallon fuel tank allowed for extended highway driving, especially with the diesel engine. The availability of 24-inch wheels required Magnetic Ride Control, adding to the vehicle's cost.

The 2025 Lexus GX provided a spacious interior, with headroom ranging from 39 to 41 inches and legroom of 41 inches in the front and nearly 37 inches in the second row. The GX's cargo space varied depending on the trim, with the Overtrail trim offering up to 90.5 cubic feet with the second row folded. Its towing capacity reached 9,063 pounds, making it suitable for adventurous outings. Despite its size, the GX was easy to maneuver and park, with dimensions comparable to competitors like the Land Rover Defender 110 and BMW X5.

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe featured a significant upgrade in technology, with a 17.7-inch touchscreen, 11-inch driver information screen, and optional 15-inch head-up display. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were complemented by Google Built-in, offering seamless integration of Google services. However, the user experience had a learning curve, with a cluttered steering wheel and challenging customization of the driver information display. The premium Bose sound system was underwhelming compared to rivals.

The 2025 Lexus GX offered a user-friendly tech experience, with a 12.3-inch gauge cluster and a 14-inch infotainment touchscreen. The system provided smooth operation, intuitive menus, and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Mark Levinson Premium Audio system, an optional upgrade, delivered good audio quality, though it required higher volume levels at highway speeds. The GX's connectivity options included USB-C ports, with the Overtrail trims offering fewer ports but ample storage space.

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe included a comprehensive suite of standard Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera. However, the 2024 model received mixed safety ratings, with four out of five stars from NHTSA and an Acceptable rating from IIHS in certain tests. The 2025 model was expected to perform similarly, with GM's Super Cruise hands-free driving tech available later in the year.

The 2025 Lexus GX came equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, and pedestrian detection. The system operated smoothly, even on challenging roads, and automatically disabled in off-road conditions. The GX also included a 360-degree camera system and 10 airbags for occupant protection. As of this writing, the GX had not been rated by IIHS or NHTSA.