Full-size SUVs offer all the space larger families need while staying true to their pickup truck roots with a great towing ability too. Two fantastic options for our Jacksonville area SUV shoppers are the 2020 Chevy Tahoe and the 2020 Dodge Durango, but they cater to different types of buyers. Which of these full-size SUVs fits your needs the best? Keep reading to find out.
Exterior
The Chevy Tahoe went through a significant redesign in 2015, bringing in a boxier look than before with its squared-off shoulders, upright nose, and strong character lines. Chevy added a little balance to this blocky look with its whimsical headlights that wrap around the front fenders with winglike extensions. While some buyers may find this new look a little too bold, most buyers shopping for a full-size SUV are thinking utility first and prefer this design.
While it looks rugged from some angles, the 2020 Tahoe can be luxurious too. In its higher trim levels, it gains premium-looking exterior goodies, including 20-inch polished wheels and high-intensity-discharge headlights.
The Dodge Durango is somewhat of a senior citizen in the full-size SUV class, as its last redesign came way back in 2011. While this would be unheard of from a crossover or sedan, full-size SUVs, like pickup trucks, have much longer product cycles because they are not fast sellers.
Despite its age, the 2020 Dodge Durango still looks great from the outside with its softer lines and slight forward lean to its rear hatch. The Durango also has lots of distinction between trim levels, as the SXT keeps things simple, the GT adds a sporty look without moving into a V-8 engine, the R/T pushes the GT’s sportiness further, the Citadel’s large wheels and sleek exterior give it a luxurious look, and the SRT trim further builds upon the performance looks of the GT and R/T with unique fascias, wheels, and more.
In a nutshell, there is a Durango for everyone.
The Tahoe is longer and taller than the Durango, making the latter easier to zip through traffic in. The Durango is also much lighter, making it nimbler.
As for standard exterior features, the 2020 Chevy Tahoe includes a trailer hitch and 2-inch receiver, 18-inch aluminum wheels, active grille shutters, daytime running lights, halogen projector-beam headlights, black roof-mounted rails, black assist steps, heated power mirrors with manual folding, acoustic-laminated front glass, deep-tinted rear glass, rain-sensing wipers, variable-intermittent rear wiper, and more.
The 2020 Dodge Durango matches almost all the Tahoe’s standard features, but it adds standard projector-beam fog lights.
| Measurement | 2020 Chevy Tahoe | 2020 Dodge Durango |
| Length (in.) | 203.9 | 201.2 |
| Width (in.) | 80.5 | 85.5 |
| Height (in.) | 74.4 | 70.9 to 72.7 |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 116 | 119.8 |
| Ground Clearance (in.) | 7.9 | 8.1 |
| Curb weight (lbs.) | 5,355 to 5,772 | 4,680 to 5,510 |
Advantage: 2020 Chevy Tahoe
- Blocky, rugged looks
Advantage: 2020 Dodge Durango
- Smaller and nimbler
- Normal, sporty, or luxurious… you pick a style
Interior
Generally, full-size SUVs are developed from the full-size trucks in their respective automakers’ lineups. In earlier years, this meant there were tons of shared parts between these people haulers and the cargo haulers they were related too. Today, this is become less common, as shoppers now seek SUVs with more sedanlike interiors that look and feel more stylish and comfy than their pickup relatives.
The 2020 Chevy Tahoe pulls this off with plenty of swoops and accent lines in its cabin that are complemented by light contrasting colors and premium materials in higher trims. The Tahoe’s cabin is also quite innovative with a standard 8-inch touchscreen that raises to reveal a PIN-protected storage area behind it.
The 2020 Dodge Durango also boasts a very carlike cabin. In fact, putting the Durango’s interior next to the Challenger or Charger’s cabin would show minimal differences. Unlike the Tahoe, the Durango’s cabin is very understated with heavy use of black in various sheens. The Durango shows its style in its through its trim levels, including their premium upholstery options, sporty seats, and specially tuned infotainment systems, especially in the SRT model with its SRT Pages app.
When looking at standard features, the base Tahoe comes standard with Chevrolet Infotainment System with an 8-inch color touchscreen, Bluetooth® connectivity with audio streaming, Apple CarPlay® Android Auto™, a single CD player, a six-speaker sound system, SiriusXM®, HD Radio®, 4G LTE Wi-Fi® hotspot (data plan required), a 10-way power driver’s seat, six-way power passenger’s seat, tilt steering wheel, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power door locks, remote keyless entry, remote ignition, tri-zone automatic climate control, 110-volt power outlet, a conversation mirror, and a cargo-management system.
The 2020 Dodge Durango’s standard features are similar to the Tahoe’s, but it comes standard with two rows of seats – the third row is an option. It also has a smaller 7-inch standard touchscreen and lacks the 110-volt power outlet, but it makes up for this with a standard tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a 7-inch digital gauge cluster.
As for roominess, we already mentioned the Durango comes standard as a two-row model, but the third-row is available as an option. With all three rows in place, the Tahoe has more first- and second-row legroom, but the Durango’s third row gets a huge advantage in legroom, making it an excellent option for larger families. But as a smaller SUV, the Durango loses in cargo room with the seats folded.
| Measurement | 2020 Chevy Tahoe | 2020 Dodge Durango |
| Front headroom (in.) | 42.8 | 39.9 |
| Front legroom (in.) | 45.3 | 40.3 |
| Front shoulder room (in.) | 64.8 | 58.5 |
| Front hip room (in.) | 60.8 | 57 |
| Second-row headroom (in.) | 38.7 | 39.8 |
| Second-row legroom (in.) | 39 | 38.6 |
| Second-row shoulder room (in.) | 65.1 | 57.7 |
| Second-row hip room (in.) | 60.3 | 55.5 |
| Third-row headroom (in.) | 38.1 | 37.8 |
| Third-row legroom (in.) | 24.8 | 33.5 |
| Third-row shoulder room (in.) | 62.2 | 50.4 |
| Third-row hip room (in.) | 49.3 | 42.4 |
| Cargo room all seats upright (cu. ft.) | 15.3 | 17.2 |
| Cargo room third row folded (cu. ft.) | 51.7 | 43.3 |
| Cargo room second row folded (cu. ft.) | 94.7 | 85.1 |
Advantage: 2020 Chevy Tahoe
- More first- and second-row legroom
- Significant cargo room advantage
- Classy interior design
Advantage: 2020 Dodge Durango
- Far more third-row legroom
- Sporty cabin in R/T and SRT trims
- Huge 8.4-inch touchscreen
- Trick SRT Pages app
Performance
The Chevy Tahoe is an old-school SUV under its hood, as it boasts a pair of V-8 engines. The base 5.3-liter unit pumps 355 horsepower through a six-speed automatic transmission and out to the rear or all four wheels. This is good for a 6.6-second 0-to-60 time and an 8,600-pound towing capacity.
The Tahoe Premier is available with a 420-horsepower 6.2-liter mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission that ships power to the rear or all four wheels. This delivers a surprising 5.7-second 0-to-60 time and an 8,400-pound towing capacity.
The Dodge Durango is an interesting entry into the SUV world, as it has multiple V-8 options tuned for performance.
Before we get to that, we’ll start with the Durango’s base 3.6-liter V-6 engine that injects up to 295 horsepower (with the dual-exhaust option). This engine, which is standard in the SXT, GT, and Citadel trims, pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the rear or all four wheels. With this base engine, the Durango’s 0-to-60 time is 7.4 seconds, and it can tow up to 6,200 pounds.
Standard in the R/T trim and optional in the Citadel is the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 that pumps out 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. This engine also pairs with an eight-speed transmission and rear- or all-wheel drive. This adds up to a 6.2-second 0-to-60 time, besting the Tahoe’s 5.3-liter V-8. With this engine, the Durango can tote up to 7,400 pounds.
Topping the range is the SRT model and its 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 that pounds out 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. This pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission and an SRT-tuned all-wheel-drive system that gives it the grip it needs to sprint to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds, making it the quickest three-row SUV in the U.S. The SRT also gets a specially tuned adaptive suspension system, a retuned steering system, and more to make it nimbler.
The SRT is also the towing leader in the Durango lineup at up to 8,700 pounds.
| 2020 Chevy Tahoe | 2020 Dodge Durango | |
| Standard engine | 5.3-liter V-8 | 3.6-liter V-6 (SXT, GT, and Citadel) |
| Horsepower | 355 hp at 5,600 rpm | 293 to 295 hp at 6,400 rpm |
| Torque | 383 lb-ft at 4,100 rpm | 260 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-spd automatic | 8-spd automatic |
| Towing capacity (lbs.) | 8,600 (RWD)/8,400 (4WD) | 6,200 |
| Driveline | RWD (std)/4WD (opt) | RWD (std)/AWD (opt) |
| 0-60 time | 6.6 seconds | 7.4 seconds |
| MPG City | 15 mpg | 18 mpg (AWD)/19 mpg (RWD) |
| MPG Highway | 21 mpg (4WD)/22 mpg (RWD) | 25 mpg (AWD)/26 mpg (RWD) |
| MPG Combined | 17 mpg (4WD)/18 mpg (RWD) | 21 mpg |
| Optional engine | 6.2-liter V-8 | 5.7-liter V-8 (R/T and Citadel) |
| Horsepower | 420 hp at 5,600 rpm | 360 hp at 5,150 rpm |
| Torque | 460 lb-ft at 4,100 rpm | 390 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm |
| Transmission | 10-spd automatic | 8-spd automatic |
| Towing capacity (lbs.) | 8,400 (RWD)/8,100 (4WD) | 7,200 (AWD)/7,400 (RWD) |
| Driveline | RWD (std)/4WD (opt) | RWD (std)/AWD (opt) |
| 0-60 time | 5.7 seconds | 6.2 seconds |
| MPG City | 14 mpg | 14 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 22 mpg (4WD)/23 mpg (RWD) | 22 mpg |
| MPG Combined | 17 mpg | 17 mpg |
| Optional engine | N/A | 6.4-liter V-8 (SRT) |
| Horsepower | N/A | 475 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | N/A | 470 lb-ft at 4,300 rpm |
| Transmission | N/A | 8-spd automatic |
| Towing capacity (lbs.) | N/A | 8,700 |
| Driveline | N/A | AWD |
| 0-60 time | N/A | 4.4 seconds |
| MPG City | N/A | 13 mpg |
| MPG Highway | N/A | 19 mpg |
| MPG Combined | N/A | 15 mpg |
Advantage: 2020 Chevy Tahoe
- Standard V-8 power
- Quicker base model
- Higher base towing capacity
Advantage: 2020 Dodge Durango
- Higher standard fuel economy
- More advanced base transmission
- Legit performance in SRT trim
Pricing and Features
The 2020 Chevy Tahoe’s lineup has three trim levels – LS, LT, and Premier – and their starting prices range from $50,295 to $63,995.
There are five trim levels in the 2020 Dodge Durango lineup: SXT, GT, Citadel, R/T, and SRT. Their prices range from $30,495 to $62,995.
2020 Chevy Tahoe Key Features and Pricing by Trim
LS: $50,295
- 5.3-liter V-8 engine
- Six-speed automatic transmission
- Rear-wheel drive
- Auxiliary transmission cooler
- Auxiliary engine oil cooler
- Trailer hitch and 2-inch receiver
- Trailer-sway control
- Hill-start assist
- 18-inch aluminum wheels with a high-polish finish
- Active grille shutters
- Daytime running lights
- Halogen projector-beam headlights
- Body-color front and rear fascia
- Black roof-mounted rails
- Black assist steps
- Heated, power mirrors with manual folding
- Acoustic-laminated front glass
- Deep-tinted rear glass
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Variable-intermittent rear wiper
- Chevrolet Infotainment System
- 8-inch color touchscreen
- Bluetooth® connectivity with audio streaming
- Apple CarPlay®
- Android Auto™
- USB ports
- Auxiliary jack
- Single CD player
- Six-speaker audio system
- SiriusXM®
- HD Radio®
- 4G LTE Wi-Fi® hotspot (data plan required)
- Premium cloth seats
- 10-way power driver’s seat
- Six-way power passenger’s seat
- 60/40 split-folding rear bench seats
- Front center console
- USB charging ports in the front center console
- Floor mats
- Tilt steering wheel
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Steering-wheel-mounted controls
- 4.2-inch color driver-information center
- Power door locks
- Remote keyless entry
- Remote ignition
- Power windows
- Cruise control
- Tri-zone automatic climate control
- 110-volt power outlet
- Conversation mirror
- Cargo-management system
- Cargo net
- Chevrolet Connected Access capable
- Teen driver
- OnStar
- Rearview camera
LT: $55,095
- All LS features, plus
- Power liftgate
- Bose® nine-speaker audio system
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Leather seating
- Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
- Two-position memory for driver’s seat and mirrors
- Power-adjustable pedals
- Universal home remote
- Automatic emergency braking
- Forward-collision alert
- Safety-alert seat
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Lane-keep assist
- Lane-departure warning
Premier: $63,995
- All LT features, plus
- 20-inch polished alloy wheels
- Body-color bodyside moldings
- Fog lights
- Hands-free gesture liftgate
- Auto-dimming outside mirrors with integrated turn signals
- High-intensity-discharge headlights
- 10-speaker Bose® Centerpoint® surround-sound audio system
- Navigation
- Heated second-row outboard seats
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Keyless open and ignition
- Heated steering wheel
- Power 60/40 split-folding third-row seat
- Power second-row bucket seats
- Power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
- Perforated leather seats
- SiriusXM® NavTraffic
- Wireless charging
- Front and rear park assist
- Blind-zone monitoring
- Lane-change alert
- Rear cross-traffic alert
2020 Dodge Durango Key Features and Pricing by Trim
SXT: $30,495
- 3.6-liter V-6 engine
- Eight-speed automatic transmission
- Rear-wheel drive
- Single-exit exhaust
- Electric power steering
- Eco suspension III
- 18-inch Technical Gray-painted aluminum wheels
- Body-color fascia with a bright insert
- Bright-chrome-trimmed grille with a black accent
- Auto-on/off halogen headlights
- Projector fog lights
- Power, body-color mirrors with heat
- Variable-intermittent windshield wipers
- Fixed-intermittent rear wiper
- 7-inch reconfigurable digital gauge cluster
- Tri-zone automatic climate control
- Cargo-area tie-downs
- Cargo area cover
- Full-length floor console
- Illuminated cup holders
- LED map lights
- Overhead sunglasses storage
- Front and rear floor mats
- Fold-flat passenger’s seat
- 60/40 split-folding second-row seats
- Double Cross mesh cloth seats with Carolina Cloth bolsters
- Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
- Two front USB ports and one auxiliary jack
- Uconnect infotainment system
- 7-inch touchscreen
- Six-speaker AM/FM audio system
- Dual rear charge-only USB ports
- Proximity key with keyless unlock and ignition
- Hill-start assist
- Rearview camera
- Rain Brake Support
- Ready Alert Braking
- Trailer-sway control
GT: $34,895
- All SXT features, plus
- 20-inch satin-carbon aluminum wheels
- Dual exhaust with bright tips
- Performance front fascia
- Performance-design grille
- Premium LED fog lights
- Third-row floor mat
- Eight-way power driver’s seat
- 60/40 Fold-and-Tumble second-row seats
- 50/50 split-folding third-row bench seat
- SiriusXM® satellite radio
- Rear parking sensors
- Universal garage door opener
Citadel: $42,995
- All SXT features, plus
- Heavy-duty disc brakes
- 20-inch polished aluminum wheels
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Body-color front fascia with bright inserts and appliques
- Bright-chrome-trimmed grille with a premium accent
- Power liftgate
- Bright roof rails
- Sunroof
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Low-beam HID headlights
- Chrome mirror caps
- Power-folding mirrors with memory, driver’s side auto-dimming, and integrated turn signal
- Remote ignition
- Bright cargo-area scuff pad
- Second-row mini floor console
- Third-row floor mat
- 50/50 split-folding third-row bench seat
- Memory for power seat, mirrors, radio presets, etc.
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Power four-way lumbar adjust on the front seats
- Eight-way power front seats
- Heated front seats
- Heated second-row seats
- Fold-and-Tumble second-row captain’s chairs
- Capri leather seats with Capri vinyl bolsters
- 115-volt power outlet
- Navigation
- 8.4-inch touchscreen
- SiriusXM® Traffic Plus
- SiriusXM® Travel Link
- Rear parking sensors
- Front parking sensors
- Security alarm
- Universal garage door opener
R/T: $44,295
- All GT features, plus
- 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine
- Heavy-duty brakes
- Performance-tuned steering
- Load-leveling rear suspension
- Sport suspension with a lowered ride height
- Performance-designed hood with a center air intake and dual heat extractors
- Power liftgate
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- High-intensity-discharge low-beam headlights
- Two-position memory for the mirrors
- Remote ignition
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Bright cargo area scuff plates
- Two-position memory for the driver’s seat
- Four-way power front lumbar
- Eight-way power passenger’s seat
- Heated front seats
- Heated second-row seats
- Black leather-and-suede seats
- 115-volt power outlet
- Navigation
- 8.4-inch touchscreen
- SiriusXM® Traffic Plus
- SiriusXM® Travel Link
- Alpine premium audio system with nine speakers and a 506-watt amp
- Front parking sensors
- Security alarm
SRT: $62,995
- All R/T features, plus
- 6.4-liter V-8 engine
- Performance-tuned all-wheel drive
- Brembo performance brakes
- SRT performance-tuned steering
- Adaptive high-performance suspension
- Body-color upper and lower rear fascia
- Automatic headlight leveling
- 20-inch Black Noise aluminum wheels
- Second-row mini floor console
- Leather-wrapped center-console armrest
- Black velour floor mats with SRT logo
- Ventilated front seats
- Fold-and-Tumble second-row capatin’s chairs
- Performance Nappa and suede black seats with perforated inserts
- Silver accent stitching on seats
- Embroidered SRT logo on seatbacks
Who Should Buy the 2020 Chevy Tahoe
The Chevy Tahoe is a great option for large families who need all the space, power, and towing they can get. Sure, its pricing may start significantly higher than the Durango’s, but there is a lot baked into that extra cash.
Who Should Buy the 2020 Dodge Durango
Not a big on towing or don’t need a ton of room? Are you happy with a V-6 engine to save big bucks? If so, the Dodge Durango is the perfect SUV for you. On the flip side, if you want raw, rip-your-face off performance, the Durango SRT is the only game in town in this class.
Is the 2020 Chevy Tahoe the right SUV for your Orange Park area family? Stop by Garber Automall today to take one for a test drive through the Fleming Island area. Can’t make it by today for a test drive? Check out our in-stock 2020 Tahoe models in the Jacksonville area via our online inventory page. Choose a few models that suit your needs and set up a test drive around your busy schedule.
