Compare the2023 Chevrolet TahoeVS 2023 Lincoln Navigator

The Tahoe (except LS with front bench seat) has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Navigator doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Both the Tahoe and the Navigator have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Chevrolet Tahoe is safer than the Lincoln Navigator:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Chevrolet Tahoe is safer than the Lincoln Navigator:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Tahoe’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Navigator’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 4 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Lincoln dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Tahoe’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Tahoe first among large suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Navigator isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is ranked 10th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Lincoln is rated lower.

On the EPA test cycle the Tahoe gets better mileage than the Navigator:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Tahoe V8’s fuel efficiency. The Navigator doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Tahoe stops shorter than the Navigator:

The Tahoe has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Navigator doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Tahoe has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Navigator; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Tahoe Z71/High Country has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Tahoe’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Navigator doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Tahoe is .9 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than on the Navigator.

For better maneuverability, the Tahoe’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the Navigator’s (38.1 feet vs. 40 feet). The Tahoe w/20-22 inch wheels’ turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the Navigator’s (39.7 feet vs. 40 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Tahoe Z71 Air Ride has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Navigator (10 vs. 9.6 inches), allowing the Tahoe to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Chevrolet Tahoe may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 200 pounds less than the Lincoln Navigator.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Tahoe Z71 4x4 is quieter than the Navigator Black Label 4WD (66 vs. 67 dB).

The Tahoe offers optional seating for 9 passengers; the Navigator can only carry up to 8.

The Tahoe has .5 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom, .8 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear legroom and .9 inches more third row headroom than the Navigator.

The Tahoe’s cargo area provides more volume than the Navigator.

The Tahoe’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Navigator’s (7700 vs. 6200 pounds).

The Tahoe’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Navigator does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Tahoe’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Navigator’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

When the Tahoe LT/RST/Z71/Premier/High Country is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Navigator’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Insurance will cost less for the Tahoe owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Tahoe will cost $3660 to $7855 less than the Navigator over a five-year period.

The Tahoe will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Tahoe will retain 51.65% to 55.27% of its original price after five years, while the Navigator only retains 44.21% to 46.46%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Tahoe is less expensive to operate than the Navigator because typical repairs cost much less on the Tahoe than the Navigator, including $86 less for front struts and $858 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Tahoe will be $25645 to $30388 less than for the Lincoln Navigator.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Tahoe second among large suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Navigator isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Chevrolet Tahoe outsold the Lincoln Navigator by over 8 to one during 2022.