Chevrolet has just taken the wraps off all-new versions of its “large and larger” full-size SUVs. The Chevrolet Tahoe and its longer-wheelbase, longer-overall-length sibling, the Suburban, have both been redesigned from the ground up for the 2021 model year. Both gain fresh styling, a revamped chassis, new powertrain choices, and a host of newly available technology features.
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These are already really big vehicles, and they’re getting even bigger for 2021. The Tahoe grows 4.9 inches longer in wheelbase and 6.7 inches longer overall than the previous-generation model, and that upsizing results in some significant gains in interior space—there’s three inches more legroom in the second-row seats, up to ten inches more legroom in the third row, 10.2 more cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, and 28.2 more cubic feet of maximum cargo volume.
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The new Suburban doesn’t grow quite as dramatically… it’s 4.1 inches longer in wheelbase and 1.3 inches longer overall compared to the previous model. Second- and third-row legroom each grow by a bit more than two inches, cargo room behind the third row increases by 1.8 inches, and maximum cargo volume grows by 23 cubic feet.
Both Tahoe and Suburban will have a second-row seat that can slide fore and aft up to ten inches, and Chevrolet says the load floor is both flatter and lower when the second- and third-row seat backs are folded.
The 2021 Tahoe and Suburban’s powertrain choices are in sync with Chevrolet’s redesigned-for-2019 Silverado pickup offerings. Standard on LS, LT, Z71, RST, and Premier models is a 355-hp 5.3-liter V8. High Country models come standard with a 420-hp 6.2-liter V8, and optional on all but the Z71 is a 3.0-liter Duramax diesel inline six that makes 277 horsepower and an impressive 460 lb-ft of torque. All engines are paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and both gasoline engines include GM’s Dynamic Fuel Management and engine stop/start technologies.
An available Max Trailering Package includes a Hitch Guidance with Hitch View feature that offers up to nine camera views, as well as a trailering app with trailer profiles and the ability to monitor the trailer’s tire pressure and temperature.
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Chevrolet says the new Tahoe and Suburban make big gains in ride quality and handling, thanks to their all-new chassis and an independent multilink rear suspension in place of the previous live rear axle design. Air Ride Adaptive Suspension and GM’s Magnetic Ride Control are among the available features.
Interior highlights include a push-button gear selector mounted to the left of the standard 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, as well as a range of new available features such as an 8-inch digital instrument cluster display, 15-inch head-up display, and dual-touchscreen rear-seat media system.
Standard safety features include forward collision alert with automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, rear park assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Available safety technologies include a surround-view camera display, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, blind-spot alert, and rear pedestrian alert.
The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban will be built in GM’s Arlington, Texas assembly plant, and are slated to go on sale in mid-2020.
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CG Says:
Looks like Chevrolet has gone all-in on its redesigned full-size SUVs. The styling of the 2021 Tahoe and Suburban effectively picks up the styling cues of the current Silverado, and the new chassis and independent rear suspension promise to make these even-bigger-than-before behemoths as tractable and pleasant-to-drive as possible, considering their XL proportions. The updated roster of powertrains—especially the class-exclusive available diesel—will hopefully do their part to keep fuel economy at least somewhat in check.
Also, we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for an unveiling of the 2021 Yukon and Yukon XL—GMC’s versions of the Tahoe and Suburban. In light of the fact that the GMC Sierra full-size pickup now offers a few features that aren’t available on the Chevrolet Silverado, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the Yukon and Yukon XL branch out in a similar fashion and debut with some exclusive options. With both the Chevrolet and GMC versions of these extra-large haulers, we’re bracing for a bit of sticker shock—we expect the starting prices of all of them to rise significantly over the already spendy current-gen models.
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2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
