The Chevy Tahoe’s fifth-generation debuts with the 2021 model year and brings a bigger and bolder look both inside and out. Inside, you will find an abundance of interior space, more than in previous generations, updated tech, and even more safety features than before. If you are looking for the perfect family vehicle, it might have just gotten a lot easier when shopping in the full-size SUV class, because the 2021 Chevy Tahoe looks like it has everything a full-size family could possibly need.
Let’s take a look at some of the highlights of the all-new generation of the Chevy Tahoe. Starting with an all-new rear suspension, you can count on a comfortable ride as this suspension brings better ride comfort and more space in the third-row seats. The design is bigger both inside and out, and the Tahoe can accommodate up to nine passengers. Just as exciting as the additional space is the new presence of a diesel engine. The 2021 Chevy Tahoe (and the related GMC Yukon) is the only full-size SUV to offer a diesel engine, which means that now you have the option of a powerful engine that is also fuel-efficient.
The 2021 Chevy Tahoe features six trim levels as well, so no matter what you are looking for, you will be able to find the perfect combination of features to fit your lifestyle and needs. Options range from a base trim with an impressive list of standard features to a luxury High Country trim, and with three engine options, you will be sure to find exactly what you need.
What Engine Should You Choose?
With three engine choices, Chevy makes choosing an engine a difficult decision. The base engine, for instance, is a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. With this engine, you’ll have the power to tow your boat to the lake or take the travel trailer on a road trip. This is a well-known and well-tested engine that makes a great deal of power and is more than capable for what most families will need.
The second engine is a 6.2-liter V8 that produces 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. If you’re looking for a more powerful engine, this is a great option. If you are thinking about buying a bigger boat or trailer, then you might want to consider this engine as it will definitely get the job done. Both aluminum-block V8s have lots of power and are great options for the Tahoe. Both also benefit from auto stop/start technology and 12 modes of cylinder deactivation, which improves fuel economy.
Of course, there is another option too, and it’s a diesel engine. The last option is a 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-6 with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. This engine is also in the Chevy Silverado, so you know it’s made for serious work. While the big V8s are great engines with lots of power, they do not offer the same kind of efficiency that a diesel engine can offer. But with the diesel engine, you can expect excellent towing ability and power and some of the best fuel efficiency ratings in the full-size SUV segment.
If the fuel economy is anything close to the Silverado’s 33 mpg on the highway, you’re looking at a full-size SUV with impressive fuel efficiency. This engine turns the Tahoe into one of the best family vehicles on the planet, adding functionality with the towing capacity and the practicality of a fuel-efficient engine for driving around town. Now you can take your Tahoe on road trips and not have to worry about stopping too often at the gas station. You can use it as a daily driver; you can use it for commuting or carpooling. Now that your full-size SUV is more fuel-efficient than many other vehicles on the road, the options are endless.
The 2021 Chevy Tahoe also switched to an independent rear suspension with available air suspension and magnetic ride control. While not technically part of the drivetrain, this is another big mechanical change as it improves driving manners and ride comfort. With the air suspension, the Tahoe’s ride height can even be automatically or manually raised and lowered. This brings improved passenger accessibility, as you can lower the suspension two inches for easier loading, as well as improved aerodynamics on the highway. You can also raise the suspension up to 2 inches for better ground clearance during your weekend off-road adventures.
What’s the Best Trim Level?
With six trim levels, you are sure to find everything you need to outfit your Tahoe for your lifestyle. The standard trim level, the LS trim, comes loaded with tech and convenience features like a 10-inch touchscreen with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. GM’s OnStar is also standard, as well as a 4G LTE hotspot for in-vehicle Wi-Fi. You’ll also notice that all Tahoe models include forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking.
But the list of standard features keeps going with premium cloth seating, remote engine start, 8-way power front seats, tri-zone climate control, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a limited-slip rear differential. The next trim level, the LT trim, further adds a hands-free power tailgate, wireless phone charging, leather seating with memory driver’s seat, a 9-speaker Bose audio system, and heated front seats. That’s a lot of standard equipment, so much that the next four trim levels focus on bringing different personalities to the Tahoe.
The RST offers a more urban look, with unique facia, 22-inch wheels, black chrome trim, contrast-color stitching, and blacked-out aesthetics. The Z71 trim focuses on off-road performance with a 2-range transfer case, a front skid plate, Hill Descent Control, and 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. With this trim, you will be outfitted for off-roading and inclement weather.
The Premier trim focuses on top-of-the-line equipment and tech. With the Premier trim, you’ll find magnetic ride control, navigation, an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10-speaker Bose audio system, and power-release rear seats. This is a luxury-oriented trim that brings just about everything you could ever want or need. However, there is a new trim level for the 2021 model year that takes luxury to the next level.
The High Country trim features an exclusive grille with bronze accents, as well as a luxurious interior with more color choices. Standard with this trim level is the 6.2-liter V8, magnetic ride control, 22-inch wheels, and a head-up display. Also included are a surround-view camera and a rear camera mirror. This trim level is a welcome addition to the lineup and brings more luxury amenities and tech than ever before.
No matter which trim level you choose, you are sure to find everything you could ever need with the 2021 Chevy Tahoe. The new-generation Tahoe takes what was already a highly regarded SUV to the next level. The increased space is one thing – with an increase of 40 percent more third-row legroom, 30 percent more overall cargo room, and 66 percent more cargo room behind the third seat – but the presence of a diesel engine and updated tech make the 2021 Chevy Tahoe the perfect family vehicle. It seems the Tahoe has something for everyone and everything you could ever want from an SUV.
