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| 122.9 | Max. Cargo (cu.ft.) | 92.6 |
| Yes | Diesel Engine Option | No |
| 15/20 | Fuel Economy (city/hwy MPG) | 14/19 |
There are plenty of reasons that SUVs have taken over the auto industry: they offer amazing functionality, provide a great driving experience, and are available in a wide range of sizes. While small crossover options work for some people, there is nothing quite like a full-size SUV to let you dominate the road in a way that far surpasses what you find with pretty much any other type of vehicle—but choosing the right one is vital. Looking at two models, like the 2023 Chevy Tahoe vs 2023 Nissan Armada, reveals that you can find a lot of similarities between SUVs of the same general size, but also some stark differences.
For example, the Chevy Tahoe has three different engines available for you to choose from, while the Nissan Armada has only a single engine. In fairness, the Armada’s engine is good with 400 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque, but it falls short of the kind of power you can get with the Tahoe’s available 6.2L V8 engine that delivers 433 hp and 467 lb-ft of torque. Not only that, but Chevy offers a 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine for the Tahoe, which has become quite difficult to find on full-size SUVs. This is particularly noteworthy since it gives the Tahoe an estimated 24 MPG of combined fuel economy, which greatly outshines the Nissan Armada’s estimated 16 MPG of combined efficiency.
The most striking difference between these two SUVs, however, is that the Chevy Tahoe is significantly larger than the Armada and gives you a lot more space inside. They are both full-size models, but the Nissan has just over 16 cu.ft. of rear cargo volume and about 92 cu.ft. of total cargo space available. By comparison, the Chevy Tahoe gives you more than 25 cu.ft. of rear cargo space and nearly 123 cu.ft. of total cargo volume behind the front seats. That is a massive difference, and it really showcases just how much larger the Tahoe is and how well Chevy’s designers have put that space to work for you. Combine all of that with the fact that the Tahoe is available with a Z71 trim that is perfect for outdoor adventures, something lacking for the Nissan model, and it is clear to see that Chevy’s offering comes out on top.

One of the easiest ways to determine if a vehicle has what you are looking for is to look at its engine, or engines, and see what kind of power and performance they can offer. This is particularly important with a full-size SUV; these models are so large that a weak engine can leave you with a very unpleasant driving experience. You also want to look at fuel economy—a full-size SUV might not be the most efficient model on the road, but modern SUVs have made impressive gains in reducing gas use. While the Nissan Armada has a good engine, it only has one on offer, which means it cannot keep up with the kinds of options that Chevy offers, with three different engines for you to choose from.
Starting with the 2023 Nissan Armada, it is powered by a 5.6L V8 engine that delivers 400 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque and comes with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The good news is that this is a good engine, so at least they do not only offer something underwhelming, but we still prefer having more options. Both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) are available, which is nice, but that is about it for choices. With standard RWD, the Armada gets an estimated 14 MPG in the city, 19 MPG on the highway, and 16 MPG of combined fuel efficiency, which is not amazing, but not the worst we have ever seen.
By comparison, Chevy gives you plenty of options with the 2023 Tahoe by offering three different engines for you to choose from. The Tahoe starts with a standard 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine that delivers 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, though if you want improved performance, then there is a 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 engine that provides you with 433 hp and 467 lb-ft of torque.
While the standard engine here is not quite as powerful as what is in the Armada, the available V8 is a far superior choice; plus, all three Tahoe engines come with a 10-speed automatic transmission. There is also an available Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine that delivers 460 lb-ft of torque; this diesel option really shines as it gets an estimated 21 MPG in the city, 28 MPG on the highway, and 24 MPG of combined fuel efficiency, letting you go much further between stops to refill.

One of the biggest reasons that most people go for a full-size SUV rather than any other model is the tremendous amount of room inside that it can provide you with. There is no denying that something like the Chevy Tahoe is perfect for big families or anyone else needing a vehicle with plenty of space inside to fill up. While these are both full-size models, the Nissan Armada has significantly less room inside for you to utilize, particularly for cargo.
These are three-row SUVs with seating for up to eight passengers; with both models, a pair of second-row captain’s chairs are available, reducing seating to seven passengers. Inside the Nissan Armada, just over 16 cu.ft. of rear cargo space is available behind the third row, with about 50 cu.ft. of space behind the second row of seats, and just over 92 cu.ft. of total cargo volume available. This is not bad, but it is certainly outclassed by what Chevy offers.
The Tahoe was recently redesigned, along with the Chevy Suburban, to be larger and have a longer wheelbase, delivering more room inside for passengers behind the front seat. This increase in space has also allowed for fantastic cargo space: you get more than 25 cu.ft. of rear cargo volume in the Tahoe, along with more than 72 cu.ft. of cargo space behind the second row of seats, and nearly 123 cu.ft. of total cargo volume. That is more than 30 cu.ft. of extra cargo space inside the Tahoe compared to the Armada, which is absolutely huge.

One of the things we love about Chevy vehicles is there are so many different options available for you, including great models for heading outdoors or getting to your favorite campsite. This adventurous design extends throughout the Chevy lineup and includes the Tahoe, particularly when looking at the available Z71 trim.
With the Tahoe Z71, you get 20-inch machined aluminum wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, standard four-wheel drive (4WD), roof-mounted side rails for loading up with camping gear or other stuff you need, and red frame-mounted recovery hooks. The Z71 also comes with a performance front skid plate, a front fascia with a high-approach angle to help you get past more obstacles, and an available Adaptive Air Ride suspension to improve your comfort on any road, paved and dirt alike.
Unfortunately, the Nissan Armada lacks a trim or model designed for heading outdoors and going on an adventure. There is 4WD available for the Armada, but you will not find a trim with features like Chevy’s impressive front skid plate, high-approach angle front fascia, or Adaptive Air Ride suspension. Nissan is no stranger to impressive vehicles for leaving the comforts of the city behind; just look at the Pathfinder, but they have fallen short with the Armada in this regard, which is a shame. While the Armada has plenty of impressive things to offer, the Chevy Tahoe is a better choice for getting you to your favorite campsite or exploring the unknown on your next vacation.