Which Three-Row Chevy SUV Is Right For You?

You really can’t go wrong when picking between Chevy’s three-row SUVs, but the decision ultimately comes down to how and where the vehicle will be used. Urban dwellers or those who prioritize space might find the full-size Suburban to their liking, while drivers looking to maximize their towing potential might want to gravitate towards the slightly smaller Tahoe, with its lineup-leading 8,400-lb capacity.

The Suburban’s generous dimensions are its most obvious selling point, making the SUV hard to ignore if you need a new family vehicle that’ll have room for your growing crew. However, it’s also more than capable when it comes to towing and offers a refreshingly comfortable ride for such an imposing vehicle.

Then there’s Chevy’s smallest three-row option in the Traverse. The midsize model is about as economical as a three-row SUV gets in terms of efficiency, and also offers some innovative technology designed to improve convenience and boost parental confidence when it’s time to hand over the keys to a new teenage driver. If you’re having a tough time deciding which Chevy’s versatile three-row options to choose, Crossroads Chevrolet GMC, your premier Chevy dealer near Burnsville, is here to help with a quick guide designed to outline some key differences between each model. 

Chevy Traverse

Perfect For: City dwellers, new drivers, and everyone in between 

Highlights: Teen Driver mode, Super Cruise, and efficiency  

Space, Performance, and Efficiency

The Traverse actually offers the best cargo room in the midsize, three-row segment with up to 97.6 cu.ft. of space, but that’s not even the most intriguing aspect of the spacious SUV. Every third-generation Traverse trim is powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that hits the sweet spot between performance and fuel economy.

Offering 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque, the smallest of Chevy’s three-row options provides an EPA-estimated 23 MPG combined and a respectable 7.3-second zero-to-60-mph time that’s sure to come in useful when getting up to speed on Route 72 or passing a particularly pokey driver as you navigate around Burnsville.

That makes the Traverse the most efficient of the three models mentioned, with a low annual fuel cost that’ll leave plenty of wiggle room in your budget. The new turbocharged four-cylinder engine represents a notable improvement over the V6 found in the second-generation Traverse in terms of both power and efficiency.

Safety and Driver Assistance

The Chevy Safety Assist suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) makes the Traverse an attractive option for those who prioritize peace of mind. Offering a comprehensive array of modern safety features, including automated emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlamps, the Traverse’s Chevy Safety Assist system gives drivers one less thing to worry about when they step behind the wheel. The package also goes above and beyond with two intriguing features that make the three-row SUV worthy of a closer look. 

GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system is widely regarded as one of the industry’s best offerings. Super Cruise is one of the most expansive systems currently available, covering an estimated 750,000 miles of North American highways by the end of 2025. The Traverse is also equipped with one of the most innovative safety features on the market, courtesy of Chevy’s Teen Driver technology. The Teen Driver system gives parents the chance to exercise plenty of caution by limiting speed and audio volume, preventing the SUV from shifting into gear before the seatbelts are buckled, and even providing an in-vehicle report card that can track any automotive antics that might occur when the kids are off on their own.  

Chevy Tahoe

Perfect For: Weekend warriors and digitally-obsessed drivers 

Highlights: Towing power, cutting-edge tech

Engine Options

While the Tahoe might be a little smaller than its fellow full-size Chevy, the Suburban, it’s actually the most powerful three-row model in the current lineup. The base Tahoe is equipped with a 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 that produces 355 hp, but a larger 6.2-liter V8 matches the Suburban’s maximum output at 420 hp. The most powerful Tahoe can be accessed by adding the RST Performance Edition package, which, thanks to a high-flow, cold-air intake and a quad-exit, cat-back exhaust system, ups the ante to some 433 hp. That’s enough power to push the Tahoe from zero to 60 mph in just 5.8 seconds, which isn’t too shabby for a three-row vehicle that weighs in at nearly 6,000 lbs.

The 6.2-liter V8 might take the title when it comes to pure power, but the 5.3-liter engine earns the nod as far as towing capacity is concerned, with an 8,400-lb resume that even surpasses that of the Suburban. This makes the Tahoe the logical choice for drivers who tend to put their tow hitch through its paces, enabling the SUV to pull larger campers, boats, utility trailers, or whatever other gear you might need when you leave Burnsville for a cross-country road trip or a weekend full of outdoor adventure. There’s also the 3.0-liter turbo-diesel, which offers an impressive 495 lb-ft of torque, as well as the best fuel economy, allowing you to get up to 22 MPG combined. Not bad for a full-size SUV.

Infotainment

In addition to being one of the brawniest models in the lineup, the Tahoe is also one of the most tech-forward. Comfort, convenience, and infotainment technology have become important selling points for today’s drivers, and the Tahoe doesn’t disappoint with one of the most well-appointed cabins in recent memory.

The nicest thing about the Tahoe’s interior tech is that Chevy doesn’t require drivers to shell out for optional equipment packages or invest in higher trims to access some of the SUV’s best features. Just take the 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen display, for example. While this sort of expansive screen would usually be reserved for high-end models, it comes standard on even the entry-level LS trim. 

Other highlights of the Tahoe base model include an 11-inch digital instrument cluster, a remote engine starter, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system that allows every passenger to adjust the temperature as needed, regardless of the weather conditions. Riders will also remain well-connected with a standard 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, satellite radio, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, allowing them to leverage the full power of their smartphone to access GPS directions, make and receive calls and texts, and use many popular apps.

Other Available Features

Upper trims enhance the arsenal with features that include a wireless charging pad, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated and ventilated front seats, a head-up display, and even a rear-seat entertainment system that’ll keep the kids occupied on longer rides.    

Chevy Suburban

Perfect For: Large families, cargo haulers, and comfort seekers

Highlights: Best-in-class cargo capacity, seating for eight, Air Ride Adaptive Suspension, and Magnetic Ride Control

The original Chevrolet Carryall Suburban revolutionized the market when it first hit the road in 1935, combining a half-ton truck platform with a cabin that provided ample room for both cargo and passengers. Things haven’t changed much in the 90 years since, with the Suburban still representing one of the most capacious models on the market. The 1935 Suburban’s all-steel body and 60-hp engine may be a little old-fashioned, but the modern version of the full-size SUV still boasts the same eight-passenger capacity that has made it such a popular choice throughout the decades.

Best-In-Class Cargo Volume

While the Suburban’s three-row design means that passengers will have plenty of space to stretch out and make themselves comfortable—especially when opting for the available second-row captain’s chairs—it’s the Suburban’s class-leading cargo capacity that makes it such a standout in the segment. The Suburban offers 41.5 cu.ft. of cargo space while still easily seating up to eight passengers, and that number only gets more impressive as you start to stow the back rows. With the third row folded down, the SUV’s cargo capacity increases to 93.8 cu.ft., while losing the second row ups that figure to a number no other full-size model can match in 144.7 cu.ft. 

Impressive Towing Capabilities

When you’re behind the wheel of the Suburban, you’ll never have to make any hard choices about who or what to leave behind, which makes Chevy’s largest SUV particularly well-suited to the needs of larger families. A ready-made adventure rig, the Suburban’s ample seating, cargo space, and 8,200 lbs of maximum towing capacity make it difficult to ignore for those who tend to embrace the “bigger is better” ethos.

A Smoother Ride

One might think that the Suburban’s size, capacity, and towing power might come at the cost of comfort, but that’s far from being the case. Chevy has equipped the three-row SUV with two intriguing features that go a long way towards smoothing out the bumps in the road. The Suburban’s Four-Corner Air Ride Adaptive Suspension system utilizes an array of air springs to adjust the model’s ride height and spring rate, allowing it to float through Burnsville. Meanwhile, Magnetic Ride Control adaptive dampers provide a firmer or softer ride in response to changing road conditions.    

Three Rows, Endless Excitement

From eight-passenger behemoths with class-leading cargo capacity to cutting-edge towing rigs and efficient SUVs that don’t mess around when it comes to efficiency, Chevy is arguably the brand to beat in the three-row segment. There aren’t really any wrong choices to be had, but familiarizing yourself with the differences between each model, doing a bit of research, and consulting the professionals is a sure-fire way to guarantee long-term satisfaction.

The journey to finding your three-row SUV starts at Crossroads Chevrolet GMC. We carry a full range of both new and used Chevy models, from three-row SUVs like the Traverse, Tahoe, and Suburban to the iconic Silverado 1500 and exciting new all-electric options like the Blazer EV and Equinox EV. Our friendly staff of experienced salespeople is here to guide you through every step of the journey, learn more about your unique driving needs, and connect you with a vehicle that’ll quickly become your new favorite ride.

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