2021 Chevy Tahoe Review

The Chevrolet Tahoe is a three-row large SUV. It's built on the same truck platform that underpins the Chevy Silverado 1500 and the Tahoe's big brother, the Suburban. That means it can tow and haul like a full-size pickup, but it's got three spacious rows of seating so you can bring the family along, too. The Silverado was redesigned for 2020, and now the Tahoe uses that same architecture as the foundation for its 2021 redesign.

Take a look at the photos, and you'll see there's a new grille, new headlights, updated exterior sheet metal and a redesigned cabin. The Tahoe is now 6.7 inches longer than before (up from 204 inches to 210.7) and has a 4.9-inch-longer wheelbase (up from 116 inches to 120.9). On the inside, this means more legroom in the rear — an additional 3 inches in the second row and more than 10 inches of added legroom in the third row.

Two of the Tahoe's available engines are updated versions of last year's engines. The new 2021 Tahoe gets a standard 5.3-liter V8 or an optional 6.2-liter V8 for the top High Country trim. Both feature cylinder deactivation to improve fuel economy. Also on tap is Chevy's new turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel inline-six. All three engines are paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The two V8s are carryover engines from the previous model year, but they're updated with new fuel-management systems. The diesel engine was introduced recently under the hood of the Silverado, and it could be an impressive fuel-saver.

The base 5.3-liter V8 engine is plenty capable for this large SUV, and its immediate response is refreshing in an era when V8 engines are being replaced by less inspiring turbocharged six-cylinder engines. The more powerful 6.2-liter V8 in the High Country model is overkill, but we love it anyway.

The new Tahoe also now gets an independent rear suspension, which helps increase interior space quite a bit and improves ride quality. You'll also find multiple suspension setups to choose from, including an adaptive suspension (Magnetic Ride Control) that can automatically adjust to improve both ride comfort and handling capability. There's also an adaptive air suspension with a load-leveling feature that can adjust the Tahoe's ride height by as much as 4 inches.

The new independent rear suspension pays dividends on almost any road. It provides a more composed ride over road imperfections and greater stability when going around turns. The same holds true for the steering, which is more precise and responsive. It also returns to center more like the steering in a conventional SUV. For such a big vehicle, the new Tahoe is surprisingly easy to drive and maneuver.

For the most part, the Tahoe's ride quality is pleasantly smooth and represents a noticeable improvement over the last generation. You can still feel ruts and bumps in the road surface, transmitted as very subtle vibrations through the steering wheel and seats. On a long road trip this could contribute to some fatigue, but otherwise it's very easy to live with. The minimal wind and road noise only helps matters.

We haven't had the opportunity to try out the second-row bench seat, but if you go with the second-row captain's chairs, there's plenty of space, cushioning and support. The third row is no longer the penalty it used to be thanks to 10 inches of added legroom. An average-size adult would be comfortable back there for a while, though perhaps not for a long road trip.

There's a feeling of familiarity here. Knobs, buttons, surfaces and interfaces are all recognizable. Aside from the transmission controls becoming dashboard-mounted buttons, even the layout is similar to the previous generation. The new 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system is a noticeable upgrade, though. Rather than sunken into the dash like on the old Tahoe, it's mounted on top, giving the driver a better view of the screen. It also frees up some dashboard real estate for other buttons and controls.

Interior materials are decent for a non-luxury vehicle, but nowadays we expect higher-quality leather and fewer hard plastic elements. This is especially true for the top Tahoe trim levels that can cost more than $70,000.

The Tahoe trails other SUVs in terms of the availability of advanced safety features. You get frontal collision mitigation as standard on the base model, but that's about it. You'll have to spend more in options and step up to more expensive trim levels to get more. The good thing is, these systems are well tuned to reduce false alarms and function as well as other systems.

A standard wireless charging pad pairs nicely with the available wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. The native infotainment system is quick to respond and is easy to use while driving. The optional surround-view camera system is very sharp and makes backing this big SUV into a tight spot easy. If you plan on towing often, there are two option packages that include apps to make it a stress-free affair. These include easier hitching, tire pressure and temperature monitors, and an extended blind-spot monitor.

Thanks to the new independent rear suspension and larger overall dimensions, the new Tahoe can hold 25.5 cubic feet of stuff behind the third-row seats, compared to the predecessor's 15.3 cubic feet. The maximum capacity grows to 122.9 cubic feet, larger than last year's Suburban.

Interior storage gets a big improvement in the available power-sliding center console. It features a big bin under the armrest and when slid rearward, it reveals a large rubberized tray and another drawer. Usually, this kind of versatility and convenience is exclusive to minivans.

Depending on its configuration the Tahoe can tow between 7,600 pounds and 8,400 pounds when properly equipped. That's stout and enough for you to tow most recreational-style trailers. The Ford Expedition does have a slightly bigger 9,300-pound maximum tow rating.

The 2021 Tahoe is offered in six trim levels: the LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premier and High Country. The standard engine on the Tahoe is a 5.3-liter V8 (355 horsepower, 383 lb-ft) mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel drive is available on all trim levels (standard on the Z71). Two other engines are also available:

For the High Country trim only, Chevy swaps in a 6.2-liter V8 (420 hp, 460 lb-ft). There's also an optional turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder diesel engine (277 hp, 460 lb-ft). It won't be available at the start of the Tahoe's production run, but eventually Chevy will offer it on every Tahoe trim except the Z71.

LS
Starts you off with features such as:

• LED headlights
• 18-inch wheels
• Eight-passenger seating (2-3-3); front-row bench seat is optional on LS only
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
• 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)

LT
Adds to the LS with:

• Hands-free liftgate
• Wireless charging pad
• Leather upholstery
• Nine-speaker Bose audio system
• Driver-seat memory settings and heated front seats
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror

RST
Includes these features:

• 22-inch wheels
• Unique front fascia and black exterior trim
• Special RST seats with contrasting stitching

Z71
Adds extra off-road capability with:

• Unique front fascia to improve the Tahoe's approach angle
• Two-speed transfer case (for low-range gearing)
• Hill descent control
• All-terrain tires
• Front skid plate and tow hooks

Premier
Steps up the standard equipment by including:

• Magnetically controlled shock absorbers (better ride and handling capabilities)
• 8-inch digital instrument panel
• 10-speaker Bose audio system
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Second-row bucket seats (drops capacity to seven passengers)
• Lane keeping assist (steers the car back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
• Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)

High Country
Adds more luxury with:

• 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8
• Surround-view parking camera system
• Head-up display
• Rear pedestrian alert system
• Special grille with bronze accents

Many of the features on the higher trim levels are available as options on the lower trims. Other significant options, depending on the trim level, include:

• Max Trailering package
• Panoramic sunroof
• Rear entertainment system
• Traffic-adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the Tahoe and the car in front)
• Air suspension (can raise or lower the ride height of the vehicle)

The list of available three-row SUVs that still sit on pickup truck platforms is short. The Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada and Toyota Land Cruiser all compete with the Tahoe. However, if it's just family-hauling capabilities you need, and you don't plan on pulling a trailer anytime soon, consider crossovers such as the Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride and Volkswagen Atlas — they're generally more efficient and less expensive.

No matter how efficient they are, though, crossovers can't compete with the sheer towing, hauling and people-carrying abilities of something as large and versatile as the Chevy Tahoe.