[Auto] 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban First Look

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Chevrolet has unveiled the all-new 2021 Tahoe and Suburban, the company’s po[CENSORED]r and big body-on-frame SUVs. According to Chevy, these newest large people haulers will offer the most interior space of any SUV and the best driving dynamics in the full-size segment.

“We've taken what people love about these pioneering SUVs and made them even better - adding more room for people and cargo, more advanced technology and an unrivaled driving experience,” said GM president Barry Engle, who added that these models combine the strongest Aspects of the new full-size Silverado pickup with entirely new systems designed to meet the needs of today's SUV drivers and passengers.

All-new chassis

The Tahoe and its longer Suburban sibling are based on a new body-on-frame architecture with an integrated front end, a longer wheelbase and a multilink independent rear suspension featuring coil springs over tubular shock absorbers. The goal, says Chevrolet, was to create roomier passenger accommodations along with more cargo capacity and better driving dynamics. Ride smoothness on rough roads is said to be significantly improved on rough roads, while the lower load floor allows for a 3rd-row seat that can be folded. Chevy says the lower floor also makes for a more natural seating position.

By the numbers: the new Chevy Tahoe

The new Chevy Tahoe is 6.7 inches longer than the model it replaces, and it rides on a wheelbase increased by 4.9 inches. While leg room in the middle row of seats has grown by a considerable 3 inches, third-row leg room has increased by a dramatic 10.1 inches.

Cargo volume is better as well. The 2020 Tahoe has 15.3 cubic feet behind its third row, along with a max cargo volume of 90.7 cubic feet. The 2021 Tahoe, by comparison, has 25.5 cubic feet behind its third row and a max capacity of 122.9 cubic feet. Incidentally, the Ford Expedition, the Tahoe’s main competitor, has 20.1 cubic feet behind its third-row seat.

Viewed another way, Chevy says the 2021 Tahoe offers 40 percent more third-row leg room than the 2020 model, and it has 66 percent more cargo room behind its rearmost seat. And although the maximum cargo room of the upcoming new Tahoe has increased by 30 percent, its overall length has increased by less than four percent.

By the numbers: the new Chevy Suburban

The wheelbase of the 2021 Chevy Suburban has grown by 4.1 inches, but the overall length of the big family-oriented SUV has increased by only 1.3. Consequently, middle-row leg room has grown 2.3 inches, while that of the third row has increased by 2.2.

Suburban cargo volume also is up, though not by as much as in the new Tahoe. Whereas the 2020 Suburban has 39.3 cubic feet behind its back row of seats, the new 2021 model has 41.1. In maximum cargo volume, the 2021 Suburban has 144.7 cubic feet versus the 2020 model’s 121.7.

Again, using percentages, Chevy says the overall cargo volume of the 2021 Suburban has expanded by 19 percent, while the overall length is up by less than one percent. Much of the increased volume is related to a new lower load floor, made possible by the independent rear suspension.

Two gasoline V8s and a turbodiesel inline-6

The new 2021 Chevy Tahoe and 2021 Chevy Suburban are available with two gasoline V8s, both aluminum-block pushrod engines with variable valve timing. A 5.3-liter V8, standard on the LS, LT, Z71, RST and Premier models, puts out 355 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 383 lb-ft of torque at 4,100 rpm. A 6.2-liter V8, standard on the new High Country model, produces 420 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 460 lb-ft of torque at 4,100 rpm. Both direct-injected V8s benefit from 12 modes of cylinder deactivation that optimize mpg across a range of driving conditions, even during towing. The transmission is a 10-speed automatic with push-button controls, and the final-drive ratio of all models is 3.23: 1

In other big powertrain news, the 2021 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban also will be available with a diesel engine, the same 3.0-liter Duramax inline-6 that has impressed KBB in the Silverado and Sierra pickups. In the Tahoe and Suburban, this turbodiesel puts out 277 horsepower at 3,750 rpm and a stout 460 lb-ft of torque at only 1,500 rpm.

 

This is the only diesel engine available in a full-size SUV, and it's expected to give the Tahoe and Suburban excellent towing ability and some of the best fuel economy ratings in the segment. The diesel version of the Chevy Silverado pickup, for the record, gets an impressive 33 mpg on the highway. If the new Suburban or Tahoe diesel can get somewhere close to that highway figure, that would be impressive and enticing for those folks who drive these workhorses long distances. For durability, the Duramax engine has iron cylinder liners, a crankshaft and connecting rods made of forged steel, plus special silicon / aluminum pistons that offer greater heat resistance and reduced.

What’s the benefit of the multilink rear suspension?

The Tahoe and Suburban’s new multilink rear suspension replaces the old live-axle design of the previous models. With three lateral arms, a large longitudinal arm, coil-over springs and a substantial anti-roll bar, the new suspension allows for a lower rear load floor while offering the ride sophistication and isolation typically associated with smaller vehicles.

Air Ride Adaptive Suspension, with automatic load-leveling and ride-height adjustment, will be available on the High Country and Z71 models. It can adjust the Suburban or Tahoe’s ride height by up to four inches, and on the highway it automatically lowers the vehicle 0.75 inches for improved aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. For easier passenger entry or exit, the driver also can lower the suspension by two inches when the vehicle is parked. Conversely, the driver can raise the Tahoe or Suburban by an inch in high-range 4-wheel drive, or by two inches in low-range 4-wheel drive.

One other suspension technology available on the 2021 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban is Magnetic Ride Control. This sophisticated system, which rapidly alters the damping of the shock absorbers based on road conditions, is standard on the Premier and High Country models and optional on the off-road-focused Z71. Body roll and bounce are greatly reduced, says Chevy.

What kind of safety tech is available on Tahoe and Suburban?

Arguably, the biggest safety development for the new Tahoe and Suburban is Automatic Emergency Braking, which is standard on all models. But Chevy also maintains that there are 30 different safety and driver conveniences on these large new SUVs. These include an inboard seat-mounted side airbag for the driver, a forward collision alert system, lane-keep assist, a blind-spot alert and a lane-change alert.

Of the numerous convenience items available on the 2021 Tahoe and Suburban, a special hitch guidance system that greatly simplifies trailer hookup deserves mention, as do a massive 15-inch head-up display and a high-def surround view camera that helps immensely when you 're negotiating a tight parking lot. A large new panoramic sunroof also will be available.

In addition to having a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, all 2021 Tahoes and Suburbans will have Apple CarPlay / Android Auto and multiple USB charging ports. Wireless smartphone charging will be available in all models except the entry-level LS.

Note: Chevrolet says these big new 8-seat SUVs also have an all-new digital platform that has five times more data-processing power than the system in current models. This means faster processing and over-the-air updates for your new Tahoe and Suburban, along with some extra bandwidth for some future technologies.

Six trim levels

There are six trim levels for the 2021 Chevy Tahoe and 2021 Chevy Suburban. The LS and upmarket LTwill comprise the bulk of the lineup, but four other models are designed to have much more distinctities.

The RST has a street-inspired look, with a unique front fascia, 22-inch wheels, a black-ice finish on the grille, black chrome trim and special seats with contrast stitching.

Next up is the Z71, with an off-road focus enhanced by a rugged front fascia that allows for steeper approaches and better off-road capability. It's a 4WD truck, and it includes a 2-range transfer case, Hill Descent Control, a front skid plate, red tow hooks and 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. Exterior accents are done in black and black-chrome.

ThePremier puts an emphasis on premium equipment and technology. As such, it's equipped to the hilt with Magnetic Ride Control suspension, navigation, an 8-inch reconfigurable instrument cluster, a premium Bose 10-speaker audio system and full suite of safety technologies that includes rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist , and front and rear park assist.

 

New for the Tahoe and Suburban is the High Country, the name taken from the top-level Silverado pickup. This opulent Tahoe or Suburban has a unique grille with bronze accents, a super luxurious interior and expanded color choices. The High Country is equipped with the 6.2-liter V8, Magnetic Ride Control and 22-inch wheels, plus a head-up display, a surround-view camera and a Rear Camera Mirror. Air Ride Adaptive Suspension and Adaptive Cruise Control are available on this Tahoe or Suburban flagship.