The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and its extended Suburban sister have arrived to take their rightful place as the brand’s flagship family car.
The models have been on top for a while de facto, but now that the Chevrolet Impala is out of production, its position is undisputed.
The all-new trucks come loaded for bear, with the Ford Expedition and Toyota Sequoia full-SUVs firmly in sight. They are both based on the same frame as the recently redesigned Chevrolet Silverado pickup, but with one major difference.
For the first time ever, the body-on-frame Chevys has an independent rear suspension to give it a more crossover-like ride. The expedition has had one hand since 2003, but this apparent advantage did not begin to manifest itself seriously on the shortcut until the expensive generation launched in 2018 and became hot, so it’s time for the best-selling Chevys to step things up .
I tested a $ 60,495 Tahoe Z71, which is one of six trim levels that will eventually be available (LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premier and High Country) with starting prices ranging from $ 50,295 for a two-wheel drive LS to the 4×4 High Land at $ 72,895. The larger Suburban adds $ 2,700 across the board.
FIXED ELECTRIC CHEVY PICKUP WITH 400 MILE RANGE
Along with the new platform, the Tahoe has a longer wheelbase that significantly increases passenger and cargo space compared to the outgoing version. That new suspension also allows for a lower rear floor that contributes to adding 10 inches of legroom to the third row, which is suitable for people well above six-feet tall.
There is also 60 percent more cargo space behind the third row, a healthy 25.5 cubic feet in all, making the step to the much longer suburb less advantageous than before, although the space of 41.5 cubic feet foot is cavernous.
The interior has a very sophisticated feel, with excellent materials, including an impact stripe, and quality shift work throughout. A wide 10.2-inch infotainment screen is standard and today has the best glare-free surface in any car. The layout is completely different from the industrial grade setup found in the Silverado pickup.
The seats in the second row – a bench or captain’s chair – slide in front and behind. A rear-view system is available that includes two 12.6-inch tablet-style displays that can play videos stored on memory sticks or Android devices. They also have HDMI inputs that allow them to be used with video games or streaming media systems, such as an Amazon Fire TV Stick, connected to the car’s built-in Wi-Fi. Passengers can also search for destinations with them on the built-in navigation system and send them to the driver for approval.
Ice, anyone?
Most Tahoes are equipped with a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, but the High Country has a 6.2-liter V8 that emits 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. Both engines are mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel will be added later in the model year. Top tow ratings range from 8,100 to 8,400 pounds, depending on the configuration. Tahoes with two wheels and four wheels with the smaller engine have identical fuel economy at 16 mpg city / 20 mpg highway. That trains the turbocharged V6-powered Expedition’s ratings of 17/23 mpg and 17/22 mpg for two-wheel drive and 4×4 models, respectively.
The Z71 is the off-road model of the lineup. It has a unique design with high clearance for end-to-end rocks, 33-inch high-terrain tires, a faceplate, red hooks and a two-speed 4×4 system with a full-time car setting.
It can also be ordered with Magnetic Ride Control dampers that automatically adjust their stiffness and a Chevy first air suspension system that can raise and lower the Tahoe by up to 2 inches in both directions. It crawls downwards to make entry easier and streamline things on the highway and delivers up to 10 inches of ground clearance in its highest setting, which you need to be in 4Low to do.
On the sidewalk, you can really feel the suspension massaging the road in ways that the old Tahoe’s solid rear could never, and the electronic dampers virtually eliminate unwanted body movement. It all makes the Tahoe feel much smaller than it is, especially in curves.
The cabin is quieter than expected, and even the knobby tires on the Z71 do not generate much noise. However, they are a bit on the stiff side. Something that you notice on the hottest windows and potholes, that can cause a shake that reminds you that you’re in a truck.
Available drivers range from automatic emergency braking to a blind spot warning system and lane departure warning, but adaptive cruise control is currently reserved for the High Country. There is a 360-degree bird reading camera system to help with parking, trailering and getting through close paths.
I took the Tahoe down a few that were not extremely challenging, but rough enough to tear the sidewalls of the tires. It made her feel very at home there and ready for much more. More to the point, you could ride all day on one dirty road in one of these without having to worry about saddle injuries.
Hopefully your ranch is a productive one, because with all the goodies my test truck checked at $ 76,175, while a High Country can be optional up to well over $ 80,000.
Is it worth the price? Much more than the old one, which was only about $ 1,000 less. The extra issue runs a lot, like a bulk purchase in one of the warehouse stores, you will surely see a lot of this parking in the coming years.
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2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71
Base Price: $ 60,495
Like tests: $ 76,175
Type: 4-door, 7-passenger, 4x4SUV
Engine: 5.3-liter V8
Power: 355 hp, 383 lb-ft of torque
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Fuel economy: 16 city / 20 hwy
