2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Review
The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe is an all-new large SUV with more technology, more space, and more power than ever before.
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe – chevrolet.com | Shop 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe?
The Chevrolet Tahoe is one of the most quintessential SUVs in the American automobile market and that’s no secret. Introduced in 1992, nearly three decades of development have seen it grow in market share and improve in quality constantly. Now it’s offering more space, more power, and more refinement than ever before. Will that put it on the very top of the SUV market? We think it’s going to be very close.
As far as what is new for the Tahoe, in a word, everything. 2021 marks the introduction of the fifth generation of the Chevrolet Tahoe. From the frame, to the interior, to the entire exterior, this Tahoe is better than it’s ever been. It really capitalizes on its strengths of the past like power, comfort, and cargo storage. A brand new diesel engine is now available too and an independent suspension makes its first appearance on the rear of the Chevrolet Tahoe.
The Breakdown
Spacious interior
Excellent ride quality
Great engines
Still not the nicest interior materials
Very heavy
Expensive top trims
Expand 6.2-liter V8 availability
2021 Tahoe Specs
- 355 horsepower from base engine
- 383 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 6 available trims
- 25.5 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 122.9 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Outstanding infotainment system
- Standard forward-collision mitigation
- Towing capacity of 8,400 lbs
- Industry standard warranty coverage
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Powertrain
Regardless of engine choice, the new Chevrolet Tahoe is more than stout enough to get it wherever it’s going. The base V8 can feel like it’s breathing quite hard when trying to pass over 55 mph, but beyond those sprints, it’s a very capable cruiser. The diesel engine offers one of the most economical powertrains in this space. It also features gobs of torque and thus, nearly 8,000 pounds of towing capacity.
The top of the range 6.2-liter V8 is nearly identical to the one found in the new Corvette and the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. It’s incredibly potent and makes this SUV actually fun to drive, so long as the road isn’t too curvy. Every single Tahoe will use a 10-speed automatic regardless of the engine. It’s one of the best transmissions in the business and was actually co-developed with Ford. It’s smooth and never seems to ever have trouble finding the gear that’s best suited for the situation.
Towing & Payload
Weekend warriors with families can rejoice, the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe can pull up to 8,400 pounds behind it with a cabin full of people and things. Payload capacity is rated at a maximum of 1,927 pounds and should allow for nearly anything one needs to be included on even longer trips.
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Fuel Economy & MPG
Engine and powertrain choices will heavily influence overall fuel efficiency. Those that select the diesel will get the best economy with a combined rating of up to 24 mpg when paired with two-wheel drive only. For those that select the big bad 6.2-liter V8, 16 mpg is as good as they can expect. Still, most Tahoes with the 5.3-liter will only get one or two more miles to the gallon.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Overall, the seating in the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe is the high point inside. Throughout the cabin, the seats are comfortable, classy, and highly adjustable. We really like the extra lumbar support available on higher trim levels too. Visibility is good, though keep in mind that as a taller vehicle it’s still not great. We also love how much cargo can fit behind the third row. 25 cubic feet of space is no joke and that’s before dropping the two rows of fold-flat seats and providing more than 120 cubic feet.
If there’s a complaint inside it comes down to the way that space is meted out inside the Tahoe. Beyond the first row, headroom is limited. Even in the front row, space is a bit tighter than we expect too. The third row really benefits from less space in the forward rows though, as it’s spacious and fits even taller adults quite easily. Still, the layout, in general, leaves a bit to be desired as buttons, switches, and controls aren’t very intuitive. It doesn’t help that almost all of them are made of cheap plastic.
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Entertainment & Technology
Technology in the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe is solid from the get-go. Every single unit will come with a big bright and responsive 10.2-inch infotainment system that’s now in its third generation of software. Not only does it employ Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity but it also responds very quickly to interactions and commands. We also love the Bose sound systems that are both crisp and clear with a full musical range. The most complex of the two comes with two 12.6-inch rear-facing screens that provide outstanding entertainment value for passengers in the second and third rows. If there’s anything that we’d complain about it would be the lack of standard advanced-safety features.
Safety Features
While each Chevrolet Tahoe will come with forward collision warning and automated emergency braking, buyers will have to spend more to get any more than that. Features like adaptive cruise and rear-cross traffic alert are standard on other rivals. In addition, the Tahoe only scored a 4-star crash test rating from the NHTSA, so there’s an opportunity for improvement here.
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Trims & Pricing
LS – $51,195
Even the base 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe gets some excellent equipment. It starts out with 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, rear-wheel drive, and a 5.3-liter V8 that makes 355 horsepower. Beyond that, the LS also gets a large and vibrant 10.2-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. A wifi hotspot, tri-zone automatic climate control, LED DRLs, remote start, and an HD rearview camera are all standard. Four-wheel drive is optional across the entire range, aside from the Z71 where it’s standard. Every trim level, except the Z71 and the High Country, will come with the same 5.3-liter V8. All but those same two have the option to select a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel engine that makes 270 horsepower and 460 ft-lbs of torque.
LT – $55,820
At the LT trim level, buyers will get heated front seats with memory settings for the driver, a Bose 9-speaker sound system, leather upholstery in the first two rows, a hands-free liftgate, and body-colored mirror and door handle caps.
RST – $58,920
The RST is little more than an appearance package. It comes with 22-inch high-gloss black aluminum wheels, an RST-specific Jet Black interior with “Victory Red” stitching, a black grille with “Black ice” inserts, and other trim accents.
Z71 – $61,020
As the first real off-road-focused Chevrolet Tahoe in the lineup, the Z71 only comes with four-wheel drive and the 355-horsepower V8. It also gets 20-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, red tow hooks, a skid plate, a front fascia designed to improve approach angle, tubular assist steps, and more trim changes.
Premier – $64,320
Those who buy the Tahoe Premier will get a really lovely interior that features a premium Bose 10-speaker surround sound system, an 8-inch driver information screen, second-row heated bucket seats, integrated navigation, automatic heated steering wheel, as well as heated and ventilated front seats that are 8-way power-adjustable. Safety gets a boost as well with lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and the safety alert seat.
High Country – $71,220
Go for the top of the mountain High Country trim level and you’ll get 22-inch wheels, a 15-inch heads-up display, magnetic ride control, HD surround vision, and multiple trim changes to reflect the High Country status. The High Country trim starts with a 6.2-liter engine that makes 420 horsepower, but the diesel is also available.
Warranties
Chevrolet offers a single complimentary maintenance visit in addition to its limited warranty coverage of 3 years or 36,000 miles and powertrain coverage of 5 years or 60,000 miles. While its limited and powertrain coverage is standard across the segment, some competitors like Toyota and Kia offer more complimentary maintenance.
What we think
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe – chevrolet.com | Shop 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe on Carsforsale.com
While it’s certainly not a perfect SUV, the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe is one of the most complete vehicles in its segment. It’s full of new technology, it has more space than most will need, and it rides like a dream.
