Nissan Armada vs Chevy Tahoe

If you’re looking for a larger 3-row SUV, there are a ton of options out there. But two of the largest and most popular 3-row SUVs on the market today are the Nissan Armada and the Chevy Tahoe. But how do they stack up against each other, what can you find in each one, and which one is right for you?

To help you answer those questions we’ve highlighted each vehicle option and what they offer for you here. That way you can learn a little more about what each vehicle offers and how they compare against each other and find the one that best fits your needs!

The Nissan Armada

As a three-row SUV with plenty of power and traction, the Nissan Armada is both a great family and utility vehicle. Whether you’re looking to get a vehicle with enough space for you and all the kids or you want one that lets you explore the wilderness with ease with all your gear in the back, the Armada is an outstanding choice.

Engine Options & Performance Specs

While the Nissan Armada has been around for close to 20 years, you’ll only ever find a 5.6L engine under the hood. But just because it’s the same engine size doesn’t mean they haven’t made changes to the engine through the years.

The first 5.6L in the 2003 Nissan Armada pushed 305 horsepower, but if you get a 2022 Nissan Armada it’s pushing 400 horsepower! Nissan has four different versions of the 5.6L in their Armadas, and we’ve highlighted where you can find each one and what they can do for you here.

Cargo Space & Ground Clearance

As a 3-row SUV, it’s no surprise that the Armada has plenty of available cargo space. But what is surprising is how little the total available cargo space has changed through the years. Older Armadas have 20 cubic feet of storage space behind the third row and 97.1 cubic feet of storage if you fold down the second and third-row seats.

In newer Armada’s that number shrinks a bit to 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row and 95.1 cubic feet of storage overall, but both capacities are pretty similar.

While Nissan has been relatively consistent with the engine they put under the hood and the cargo space inside the Armada, one area where they’ve made quite a few changes is with the ground clearance.

The Nissan Armada started with 10.7” of ground clearance in 2003, and through the years Nissan has slowly decreased the overall ground clearance. In newer Armadas the ground clearance is down to 9.1”.

The Chevy Tahoe

The Chevy Tahoe has changed quite a bit through the years. From a smaller “3-door” SUV to a full-fledged 3-row SUV, there’s a ton to look at if you’re interested in a Tahoe.

They’re all great for off-road applications, and through the years Chevy has ensured that they don’t lose that original rugged style no matter how much it grows and changes. If you’re looking for an SUV that’s fun to drive both on the pavement and in the wilderness, there’s a Tahoe out there for you.

Engine Options & Performance Specs

With over 30 years of production and five generations, it’s no surprise that what’s under the hood of a Tahoe has changed quite a bit through the years. There are gasoline, diesel, FlexFuel, and hybrid engine options out there. We’ve highlighted every engine you can find under the hood of a Tahoe for you here.

Cargo Space & Ground Clearance

With so many changes to the overall body style of the Tahoe through the years, it’s no surprise that there’s a huge discrepancy between the available cargo capacities and ground clearances. Early Tahoes had between 67 and 70.3 cubic feet of storage available and around 7.2” of ground clearance.

But as the Tahoe grew in size, the available cargo space behind the second row grew to 63.6 to 66.9 cubic feet of storage, and overall, the Tahoe had between 104.6 and 118.2 cubic feet of storage if you folded the seats down.

Meanwhile, modern Tahoe’s have between 15.3 to 16.9 cubic feet of storage behind the third row and between 94.7 and 108.9 cubic feet of storage overall.

And while the early Tahoe only sat about 7.2” off the ground, that height grew to 9.1” before shrinking back down to 7.9” in the newest Tahoes.

Because of the wide range of options available with the Chevy Tahoe, we highly recommend looking at the individual specs for any model year Tahoe you’re looking at.

Final Thoughts

Whether you decide to go with a Nissan Armada or a Chevy Tahoe, we’re sure you’ll love everything it has to offer. If you know what you want and need help tracking one down or you still have questions about either vehicle, the friendly and knowledgeable team at Tim’s Truck would love to help.

They’ll answer any questions you might have and walk you through everything you need to do to get behind the wheel of your very own Nissan Armada or Chevy Tahoe!

Used Nissan Armada