Ancient sages claimed that man is the measure of all things. Some people love Japanese SUVs and consider Toyota the benchmark, while others recognize only American full-size vehicles, for example from GM. In our editorial office, there were fans of both schools, and we decided to conduct a bold experiment: we gave Zhenya Lyubimova and Ivan Evdokimov the freedom to speak without restrictions. The result was telling — now it's clear why someone chooses Tahoe and someone chooses TLC 200. Read on — and you'll understand everything yourself.
The Land Cruiser is convenient because all controls are arranged in a Toyota way – when switching to a new model, you don't have to search for anything
Climate control is rather intricate, despite clear pictograms
| The engine starts with a button – and the choice of transmission modes is modest and simple | The second row of seats could be more spacious, and to fold it, you need to strain |
The cargo area is quite large and transformable. The third-row seats fold sideways, preventing cargo from damaging the trim and glass, but taking up a considerable amount of cargo space
YEVGENIA LYUBIMOVA: 'MCDONALD'S' VS 'YAKITORIA'
Comparing the new representative of the legendary Land Cruiser family with a plastic suitcase named Tahoe? That's like choosing between sushi and a hamburger. But if someone really needs to be explained why Toyota is better, please. In the 'Cruiser', everything is as it should be, everything is in its place. Nothing strains or irritates. In the Tahoe, I immediately disliked the awful steering wheel as thick as a chicken bone. And the steering column, unlike the 'Japanese', adjusts only by tilt. Sitting in the driver's seat of the 'American', even with numerous electric adjustments, was uncomfortable for me. No matter how I tilted the seat and raised the cushion, the seat angle dug into my knees. Despite the electric pedal adjustment, I couldn't adjust it to fit me. Moving my foot from gas to brake is inconvenient because the brake pedal is quite high. When reversing, the right mirror of the Chevrolet (and both in the Toyota) tilts down to catch the rear wheel 'in frame', but even here it's not right. It lowers too much, so you lose your reference to the terrain.
IVAN EVDOKIMOV: A MAN NEEDS A STEAK
I don't like sushi – I prefer steak. The new Chevrolet Tahoe is what a real man needs! A stern look from under the brows, bull-like. Well-trained muscle mass. Brutal appearance. Make way – the right guys are coming! I just pulled the door handle, and the Tahoe obligingly extends a running board that turns into a step – hop in, buddy! Everything is on buttons – absolutely everything. The leather-wrapped steering wheel friendly shakes my hand – great, bro! The 5.3-liter engine quietly mutters under the hood. The pedal assembly, obligingly moving closer, suggests – press the gas, let's go!
And in the new TLC 200, the steering wheel is slippery and hard: who enjoys holding that in their hands? The buttons are placed so that you have to do physical exercises – bends and stretches – to reach them. In the cabin of the Japanese luxury tractor, it will be comfortable, perhaps, only if you don't eat meat – the car is big, but compared to the Tahoe, it's surprisingly cramped.
Comfortable wide and spacious seats, all buttons in sight and within reach without lifting your back from the backrest and bending, plus a huge box in the middle – everything for real brutes!
| Turn the knob – and you'll cross the hill! All transmission modes at hand | The third row of seats is full-fledged, not seats in the trunk. But for children |
The interior of the new Tahoe can be transformed as you like, and everything is convenient and effortless. Press a button – and the second row obligingly folds. It unfolds back with a light movement of the hand. The third-row seats can be completely removed and left in the garage
E. L.: RUNNING BOARDS ARE UNLIKELY TO REPLACE NAVIGATION
Both test vehicles had three-zone climate control and a third row of seats. However, in the '200', these seats are much more convenient to use. They fold and hang on the sides of the trunk. And in the 'American', these seats eat up half the trunk volume. True, they can be completely removed, but it's physically hard. And the main thing is, if the seats are already taken out, they'll forever gather dust in the garage.
In terms of filling, Toyota puts the opponent on the shoulder blades with a multifunctional touchscreen display. Moreover, this display shows a navigation system that works quite correctly in Russia, as well as a rear-view camera. The Chevrolet doesn't have such a display or navigation, but it can boast automatically extending running boards (interesting, how many of our winters will their electric drive survive?).
SPECS: CHEVROLET TAHOE
SPECS: TOYOTA LAND CRUISER 200
I. E.: AUTOMATION AND COMFORT
I press the button on the overhead console, and the tailgate obligingly rises: load whatever you want. And if the third-row seats interfere, you can pull the handle, and they easily roll out. However, you don't have to remove everything; you can leave one – and everything will still fit. Loaded? Press the button – the trunk closes. And if you need to get to the third row, we'll press another button. Then the second-row seats (right or left side) automatically fold, and the passage is free. Or, if we buy a new freezer, we'll fold the entire second row. And everything will fit.
Yes, and there are as many buttons as in an airplane. And they are conveniently located – you won't have to stretch. You don't even need to move to see. Especially since I almost don't have a neck. I don't like turning around. That's why our side mirrors are panoramic. I cast a sideways glance – everything is visible.
But the main thing is climate. I set my favorite 23 degrees – and in 30 seconds the cabin is exactly that. Bliss!
And what can I say about the Land Cruiser? The old good 'Cruiser' has degraded into a bar of soap with a Korean squint, which has become somewhat feminine inside! Navigation display, you say? Do I not know the roads? Rear-view camera? Yes, you can't do without it here; you'll have to reverse a lot – the turning radius and heavy steering wheel will force you! And climate? While it thinks, you'll sweat three times! And the third-row seats can't be removed with one movement like in the Tahoe – a typical 'family car' for a domestic duck.
E. L.: ALL THIS IS GOOD ON SMOOTH ASPHALT
Despite their impressive size, driving these cars in the city is easy. You just turn on the turn signal in the direction of the desired lane change – and there's no one there anymore. As for acceleration dynamics, the Tahoe wins here. After all, it has 325 hp.
versus 288 hp for the Cruiser. In braking efficiency, they are roughly equal. However, the Chevrolet is annoying with noticeable nose dives during hard braking.
I press the button on the overhead console, and the tailgate obligingly rises: load whatever you want. And if the third-row seats interfere, you can pull the handle, and they easily roll out. However, you don't have to remove everything; you can leave one – and everything will still fit. Loaded? Press the button – the trunk closes. And if you need to get to the third row, we'll press another button. Then the second-row seats (right or left side) automatically fold, and the passage is free. Or, if we buy a new freezer, we'll fold the entire second row. And everything will fit.
Yes, and there are as many buttons as in an airplane. And they are conveniently located – you won't have to stretch. You don't even need to move to see. Especially since I almost don't have a neck. I don't like turning around. That's why our side mirrors are panoramic. I cast a sideways glance – everything is visible.
But the main thing is climate. I set my favorite 23 degrees – and in 30 seconds the cabin is exactly that. Bliss!
And what can I say about the Land Cruiser? The old good 'Cruiser' has degraded into a bar of soap with a Korean squint, which has become somewhat feminine inside! Navigation display, you say? Do I not know the roads? Rear-view camera? Yes, you can't do without it here; you'll have to reverse a lot – the turning radius and heavy steering wheel will force you! And climate? While it thinks, you'll sweat three times! And the third-row seats can't be removed with one movement like in the Tahoe – a typical 'family car' for a domestic duck.
E. L.: ALL THIS IS GOOD ON SMOOTH ASPHALT
Despite their impressive size, driving these cars in the city is easy. You just turn on the turn signal in the direction of the desired lane change – and there's no one there anymore. As for acceleration dynamics, the Tahoe wins here. After all, it has 325 hp.
versus 288 hp for the Cruiser. In braking efficiency, they are roughly equal. However, the Chevrolet is annoying with noticeable nose dives during hard braking.
On the highway, the 'Japanese' behaves as a premium SUV should. But the Tahoe is good only on smooth asphalt. When there's broken pavement under the wheels, it becomes shaky, as if it were the first generation with a rear leaf spring suspension.
Body roll in corners is small for both test vehicles. But still, it's more pleasant to steer the 'Japanese'; it has proper weight on the steering wheel, informative. The 'American', as usual, has a lighter steering wheel, and near the center position it's completely empty.
I. E.: IT WAS TAUGHT TO TURN!
The Chevrolet Tahoe's steering wheel is surprisingly light — you can turn it with one finger even when stationary. The front wheels turn so much that you can make a U-turn in even the tightest spot. At the same time, the dimensions don't get in the way at all. You press the gas — and, growling with all eight cylinders, the car smoothly moves forward. Traffic jam? So what. What's the point of looking for a lane that moves faster? You can even skip the turn signal — just give the wheel a nudge, and everyone makes way. I press the gas again, and the Land Cruiser 200 is left far behind — it's not even visible in the mirrors.
The Tahoe's response to steering input is simply excellent. It's hard to believe, but this car has actually been taught to turn. If speed is excessive, the car gently widens the radius without any sharp breakaways. Maybe it's the new low-profile tires? Or the changed wheel alignment? Or maybe both factors at once? Yes, the steering is still "empty." But that's not a problem — the main thing is that directional stability is simply perfect. We leave the city onto the Novorizhskoye Highway. Forgive me, traffic police officers, but we hold 160–170 km/h without the slightest strain. The angry "eye" headlights just flash from under the brow — and the left lane is immediately clear. Behind us was that same "Cruiser"-"two-hundred" — all the cars in front of it scatter. They don't respect it. The air shocks are a song. Only the joints and small patches make the body twitch nervously. And does the automatic transmission seem thoughtful? Then pull the selector toward you and engage a lower gear. Wow — what agility! And engine braking on the spot. You just need to know how to use it. Don't know how? Well, then drive your "proper" Land Cruiser like a girl.
E. L.: OFF-ROAD WILL DECIDE
Where the asphalt ends, the Tahoe turns into a big passenger car with a low bumper "apron" and modest suspension travel. But the Cruiser — it's a Cruiser even in Africa. Not only does it have better geometric off-road capability, but the electronics can also unlock the stabilizers, giving huge suspension travel. But let's not forget: such cars leave the road once a year, and usually by accident. Therefore, comfort, handling, and the impression the car makes on others are much more important. I don't know about the regions, but in the capital, in my opinion, owning a new "two-hundred" is more prestigious than having a Chevrolet Tahoe — even if someone finds such a choice banal. To sum up, I'll say: on our roads with potholes, graders with packed "combs," and other irregularities, it's better… I think you've long guessed what exactly.
Where the asphalt ends, the Tahoe turns into a big passenger car with a low bumper "apron" and modest suspension travel. But the Cruiser — it's a Cruiser even in Africa. Not only does it have better geometric off-road capability, but the electronics can also unlock the stabilizers, giving huge suspension travel. But let's not forget: such cars leave the road once a year, and usually by accident. Therefore, comfort, handling, and the impression the car makes on others are much more important. I don't know about the regions, but in the capital, in my opinion, owning a new "two-hundred" is more prestigious than having a Chevrolet Tahoe — even if someone finds such a choice banal. To sum up, I'll say: on our roads with potholes, graders with packed "combs," and other irregularities, it's better… I think you've long guessed what exactly.
I. E.: IS GLAMOUR IN FASHION?
Finally, we've reached the end of the asphalt. We press the button — and all four wheels start digging. Or rather, if you let the rear wheels spin, the front ones will spin too. Cool! Or you can just engage all-wheel drive. Or even low range. True, with such power and torque, it's not really necessary. Unless we're towing a boat. An ocean-going one! Whoa, here's diagonal wheel hang. I hope we don't tear off the front bumper "apron." We're spinning! The front left and rear right wheels are hanging in the air and spinning. Add gas? I'm adding! A signature feature from General Motors — a mechanism like a gov-lock. A click — and the differential is locked! A jerk — and the obstacle is behind us. True, the "apron" bent, catching on the ground. And it pulled the plastic bumper along with it. The mount bent. Forget this off-road. Especially since for off-roading you can buy a separate car or even an ATV.
P. S. For the sake of the experiment, for all three days of the test, I told acquaintances that I had bought this car. The respect grew even more. Especially from girls — it turns out that even though glamour is in fashion, brutality is eternal!
