FYI, reportedly GM refreshes the Tahoe next year as a late 2013. They will likely jump ahead of the Durango just in time for the early 2015 Durango refresh to catch back up a year later.

Leap Frog Leap Frog.

 

I had a 08 Tahoe, LT, for 4 years and loved it. GM does know how to build a large SUV, but it certainly is getting dated. I now have a 2012 Crew, V-6, AWD loaded. First, the Durango drives and handles amazing ! I didn't like GM's third row design, very heavy seats that don't store in floor like rivals. The Durango's fold right out of the way into the floor. You do sacrafice some rear cargo space in the Durango compared to the Tahoe, however fuel economy is way better in the V-6 Durango. (can't speak for hemi) 17-18MPG city and as high as 24-25MPG hiway.....Even Tahoe Hybrid can't touch those numbers....

 

You said you won't be towing but for those who will be. At camp last year a camper we see every year turned in his leased Tahoo and just pickup a hemi citidel. With only 300 miles he did say it got better mileage pulling trailer 28' trailer.

I have a v6 tow package. With the 3.09 gearing it is sluggish until you kick it down. Don't get me wrong, the v6 has lots of ambition. Just needs to be in a lower gear to make things happen. It pulled our 3500# featherlight horse trailer up the highway at 70mph NP (even medium grades). Just spent most of it's time in 3rd doing it. Tranny temp never wavered. It would go into 4th if I eased up. I get 11-15mph towing. For the occasional towing I do it's a trade off for 21-22mpg daily driving

 

I picked up a 2011 heat last week and I love it. My only complaint is the so called premium alpine system, but ill change that soon.

 

Congrats!

 

I looked at at both the Suburban and Tahoe earlier this year with the full intention of buying one or the other. The fact is that the platform is dated and you get a **** load more vehicle for your money with the Durango. I wanted to buy a Suburban but I got an AWD Citadel with Hemi and every option for less than I could get a basically stripped Suburban with a smaller motor less powerful engine.

 

Not to mention that you don't give up towing capacity/power to tow the vehicle's own weight around.

 

The Tahoe is bigger, but rides more like a truck. All depends on what you need. Chevy/GM has another SUV that's a lot closer to the D -- I think the GMC version is called the Acadia.

 

Tahoe for me, Gm has stuck with the same mecanical componants for years now, its a silverodo so parts are never going to be a issue, The durango is more hip and new and I don't care much for unibody SUVS ( im asuming the Durango is)

If you want the truck, Tahoe, If you want the car, Durango>

 

Cyclone, you're spot on.