Chevy’s Gameplan
When the time comes for a model refresh of their beloved lineup of vehicles, Chevy never forgets what makes them one of the very best manufacturers. For the newest upgrades to some of their most popular full-size SUVs, Chevy paid close attention to enhancing the experience. This couldn’t be more apparent than with the announcements of both the 2021 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban, which were announced side by side. The results of what we’ve seen are simply fantastic, and we’re very excited about the new Tahoe.
Among some of the improvements that were showcased with the 2021 Tahoe was an increase in cabin space. As a result, you will be treated to what Chevy is referring to as “best-in-class max cargo volume.” Chevy also gives drivers the choice of three different engines paired with a host of new suspension-related technologies that will give you a smooth ride, unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. Both the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban have been confirmed to feature six trims, so you should be able to find one tailored to your liking. That’s only scratching the surface regarding what makes the new Tahoe so special as there is a lot to discuss.
Choice of Three Engines
Although there are three engines to choose from when outfitting your new Tahoe, it’s worth mentioning that two of these engines are brought over from the 2020 Tahoe. You can expect much of the same output as last year, but what is standing out of the crowd this time, in particular, is the addition of a Duramax 3.0L I-6 turbodiesel engine, a first for the lineup, and will be available on every trim except the Z71. This turbodiesel engine is able to produce 277 hp and an incredible 460 lb-ft of torque, which is the same amount of torque as the most powerful V8 you can pair the Tahoe with. It’s uncommon to see a diesel engine variant in a full-size SUV, so we certainly praise GM’s efforts there. The fuel economy rating for this diesel variant has yet to be announced by the EPA, but we are rather excited to see what kind of fuel efficiency we can expect out of this engine as it may be best-in-class, but that’s to be determined.
The base engine that comes standard on five of the six Tahoe trims is a 5.3L V8 engine with the ability to produce 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. This engine appears on the LS, LT, RST, Premier, and Z71 trims and is certainly a very capable engine that we’re glad to see come standard and should serve you well if you didn’t want to spend any extra on an upgraded engine. The more powerful variant of this engine is the 6.2L V8 and comes standard on the High Country trim. This engine is able to pump out an impressive 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, much like the turbodiesel engine.
Fuel economy ratings have yet to be confirmed for any of these engines when paired inside of the 2021 Chevy Tahoe, and we can’t be certain that the numbers will be similar to previous years thanks to the additions of features such as Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM). DFM will allow you to achieve better gas mileage as a result of the vehicle’s ability to shut down all cylinders when needed. You’ll also have the implementation of auto start-stop technology, which makes an appearance on both engines and will help reduce fuel consumption. This time around, no matter which engines or trims you choose, Chevy pairs your engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission and can come in either rear-wheel or all-wheel-drive.
Smooth Rides Ahead
A part of the Chevy process, if you will, Chevy guarantees you a smooth ride for your Tahoe no matter what terrain you’re facing. There is an independent rear suspension, and GM’s Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) is also available. MRC is a technology developed by GM, which will allow the shocks to adjust on the terrain you’re driving on and can make any of these changes in real-time, which we find impressive.
If you were to purchase either the Z71 or High Country trims, your vehicle will also include something called an Air Ride Adaptive Suspension. What this means is that your vehicle will lower when driving at highway speeds, which Chevy claims will help in reducing drag and overall improve the aerodynamics for your vehicle, ensuring a smoother ride. If your vehicle also has all-wheel drive it will have the ability to raise up to 2 inches when driving at lower speeds or on harsher terrain. A distinct feature included with this that we think you’ll enjoy is the option to lower your Tahoe by 2 inches when parked to make getting out of your vehicle just a little easier.
Dimensions and Cargo Space
It’s no secret with the 2021 Chevy Tahoe that a lot of the improvements can also be seen within the interior and overall dimensions of the vehicle since things have improved tremendously since last year. The length of the Tahoe itself is now 210.7 inches, which is a 6.7-inch increase from last year, and the wheelbase sees a similar change and now measures in at 120.9 inches, a solid 4.9-inch increase from the years prior.
The improvements don’t end there once you look into the interior and the amount of cargo space for the 2021 Chevy Tahoe, where it becomes abundantly clear why it’s a step above the competition. Some of these improvements include ten more inches of third-row legroom, which is 40% more than the 2020 model, but the one significant improvement has got to be the massive 66% increase in cargo space, which Chevy has referred to as best-in-class. Now you can guarantee you’ll always have ample space to lug as much as you need when driving your Tahoe and you will never find yourself cramming objects to make them fit
Pricing and Release Date
Pricing hasn’t been announced yet for the new Tahoe. Still, we expect it’ll be safe to assume a similar price point to last year’s model, and it would be fair to estimate the base level Tahoe will start at an MSRP of around $48,000. If you want some of the flashier features seen in higher-tier trims, then expect to be paying extra. When looking at the competition, we think this is a very fair price to pay for one of the very best full-size SUVs on the road.
You should expect to see the 2021 Tahoe and Suburban launching around mid-2020, but we don’t have a specific date just yet. The new announcements have us excited, and Chevy is certainly turning some heads and getting everyone’s attention with these upcoming vehicles. Considering what we’ve seen so far, Chevy has a lot in store for us, and we can be assured they will continue to put the customer first, making all of their loyal fans very excited about the future.
