Chevy has finally revitalized is full-size SUV lineup by updating the 2021 Chevy Suburban and Chevy Tahoe. With the update comes a new exterior look that’s bolder and more muscular than before, and a new interior with crazy amounts of new technology. What is arguably more important than any of this, though, are the changes that happen under the skin. Chevy made an all-new chassis, and with it comes a revised adaptive air suspension and a longer rear multi-link suspension that will drastically improve ride quality and handling abilities. On top of this, the 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V-8s carry over, offering 355 horsepower and 420 horsepower, respectively. A new Duramax, 3.0-liter, inline-six joins the mix as well, and it offers up 277 horsepower, 460 pound-feet of torque and what Chevy believes fuel economy ratings that will meet or exceed the best in the segment. Towing figures or official fuel economy figures have yet to be released.

On the inside, the biggest change comes in the passenger and cargo room departments. Since Chevy managed to stretch the Tahoe’s wheelbase by 4.9 inches to 120.9 inches total, the Tahoe now offers 42 inches of second row legroom (a 3-inch increase) and 34.9 inches of third row legroom (an impressive increase of 10.1 inches.) Cargo room was also increased by 10.2 cu-ft to 25.5 cu-ft with all the seats in place and 28.2 cu-ft to 122.9 cu-ft with all the seats laid down. On top of that, if you select the right trim an options, you can have up to five display screens:

-* A standard 10-inch infotainment display

-* Optional 8-inch digital instrument cluster

-* 15-inch Head-up display

-* Two 12.6-inch rear seat displays for second row passengers

Overall, Chevy has made major improvements to its full-size SUVS, and pricing has yet to be announced but don’t expect prices to increase too much. The usual trim levels will carry over, including the Z71 and High Country, among others, and you’ll be able to get your hands on the all-new Tahoe when it launches in Mid-2020.

Is the 2021 Chevy Tahoe Really That Different Outside?

The all-new Chevy Tahoe is redesigned in and out, and we have to say, it looks absolutely stunning. Gone are the days when the Tahoe looked like a big bulky vehicle with average looks. Up front, Chevy’s love affair with big grilles is evident. The black horizontal slats on the grille give it an edgy look without making it look gaudy. The Bowtie logo is slapped in the middle. The similarity with the new Silverado is quite evident. Slim LED headlights are placed on either corner and an LED strip flows down in a boomerang shape all the way to the fog lamp housing area. The Tahoe’s off-road-focused Z71 package looks different, thanks to things like

-* A blacked-out grille

-* Customized bumper

-* Tow hooks

-* Skidplate

-* All-terrain tires.

The bumper has prominent creases and peaks out a little bit between the grille and the air dam. Parking sensors are placed here, but the ones in the corners could be susceptible to mud and slush if you take it for an adventurous spin. The bottom part is clad in black plastic that would definitely help avoid damage to the body. Flaps are placed in front of the tires to aid aerodynamics. As for the hood, it has subtle creases and dips down ever so slightly at the tip. Overall, a smart face and a big improvement over its predecessor.

There’s nothing much to write home about its side profile in terms of design, but the new Tahoe has gotten longer. I’m not sure what Chevy was aiming at here. If the wheelbase was increased by a couple more inches, it would reflect on the legroom inside the cabin, thus making it all the more comfortable. That 1.8 inches extra helps increase the cargo area, but there is a fair bit of overhang in the rear. When you tow a trailer, the overhang will push the vehicle even lower, thus causing the ride to be a tad bit cushy and spongy for the rear passengers. Chevy has used new suspension systems (covered in detail in the drivetrain section), but the real world benefits will be seen once the truck hits the showrooms.

2021 Chevrolet Tahoe exterior dimensions

Just like the front, the black plastic cladding is limited to the side skirts which doesn’t matter because of the step board. The wheel arches have a crease around them but do not bulge out. The tires specs are not out yet, but the ones equipped on the sporty RST variant look too small on this bulky SUV. The wheels on this trim are finished in black and silver. I hope an all-black option is offered right from the launch. The windows are massive and will allow a lot of light to come in, which will make the cabin a little less claustrophobic if you opt for the all-black interior. There is ‘Tahoe’ branding on the front doors and even the wing mirrors are placed on the doors instead of windows. This placement coupled with the slim A-pillars should help reduce blind spots to a large extent.

The rear seems quite busy and has a lot of elements in it. It may draw polarizing opinions, but it definitely doesn’t look boring. The LED taillights look brilliant in the night and perfectly sized for an SUV this size. I personally loved the fact that Chevy didn’t use chrome on the tailgate. Instead, there is a slim element in gunmetal finish under the windshield with the Bowtie logo in between. “TAHOE” branding is right under it. There is a spoiler at the top of the windshield with a high-mounted stop light underneath it.

Although the rear looks very smart, my only grouch here is the tailgate handle at the bottom. It is purely functional over form – which is a good thing – but, it sticks out like a sore thumb. Chevy could’ve given a cutout at the bottom of the tailgate instead. Half of the bumper has black plastic cladding at the bottom Slim reflectors are provided here to break the monotony.

2021 Chevy Tahoe - Refinement and New Technology Inside

Chevrolet has upped the ante tremendously and it’ll be tough for the competition to match the Tahoe in this department. With the front seats in the lowest position, you will be sitting all cozy and comfy in here. The all-black theme here looks fabulous, thanks to the contrast red stitching everywhere. The steering is sized well and has a host of buttons on it. Despite this, it doesn’t look cluttered like the steering wheels in Rams. However, thumb contours would’ve made it a delight to hold. The armrest on the doors is placed a tad bit higher and this position makes it a lot more comfortable. Door handles are finished in silver and the window switches are a standard affair.

The HVAC vents sit below the touchscreen and seem to be small for a cabin this big. Perhaps, the airflow is strong, but, won’t that make it loud? Fortunately, Chevy has made use of dials, knobs, and buttons for the HVAC. Dual-Zone climate control is available on the new Tahoe. Right below this is the wireless charging spot. Good to see Chevy offer all the feel-god features in here. The armrest is huge and has cup holders in the front and behind. All this is possible because Chevy has now moved to a button-style transmission system on the left of the touchscreen unit. The passenger side comes with a glove box. Tahoe branding here would’ve looked quite cool, in my opinion.

2021 Chevrolet Tahoe interior dimensions

Chevy has hit bull’s eye in terms of space management on the Tahoe. Not just this; even the cargo room is increased by 10.2 cubic-feet to 25.5 cubic-feet with all the seats in place. Flip down the second and third row and you’ll have 122.9 cubic-feet at your disposal.

What Are The Tech Features On Offer?

Chevrolet has made huge strides in the tech department with the 2021 Tahoe and the Suburban. The center console houses the 10-inch touchscreen unit as standard. It does not sit flush in the dash, but it is not a vertically-slated unit like the Ford Explorer either. This is more like a floating unit that looks sturdy and should be bright enough even under bright sunlight, thanks to the placement. Other than the touchscreen on the center console, the Tahoe can be had with the following depending on the trim you choose:

-* An optional eight-inch digital instrument cluster

-* 15-inch Head-up display

-* Two 12.6-inch rear seat displays for second-row passengers

There's A New Diesel Engine Available for the 2021 Chevy Tahoe

The 2021 Chevy Tahoe is based on an all-new architecture. It is offered with three engines – two being carried over from the current Tahoe and a new diesel engine to please the oil-burning fanatics. The first one is a 5.3-liter, V-8 engine that makes 355 horses and 383 pound-feet of torque. The other one is a 6.2-liter, V-8 mill that churns out 420 ponies and 460 pound-feet of twist. Apart from these two gasoline engines, Chevy now offers a diesel mill as well. All three engines are mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Chevrolet says that the Duramax engine is a new design that uses an aluminum block, iron cylinder liners, a forged steel crankshaft, forged connecting rods, and blended aluminum plus silicon pistons for maximum heat resistance. The Duramax will be available on all the trims other than the Z71.

2021 Chevrolet Tahoe specifications

What Does A New Suspension System Mean?

The biggest highlight of the new Tahoe is the new suspension system. This will take the ride quality and handling to the next level altogether. Chevy took the game one step ahead this time by deciding to make use of a four-link independent rear suspension design. We saw Ford do a similar stunt by equipping the Mustang with a similar suspension system and it changed the way the car handled. Expect similar responses on the Tahoe as well. The four-link independent rear suspension design means it doesn’t get a rear axle behind! This basically consists of three lateral arms, one longitudinal arm, coil springs, and a stabilizer bar. This design is seen on the Silverado as well, albeit with different tuning. Chevy even upped the game by Magnetic Ride Control dampers and a new Air Ride Adaptive Suspension. While the former is available on the current Tahoe, the latter will be seen here for the first time. Chevy has sourced the Air Ride Adaptive Suspension system from BWI Group that also supplies to Ram for the 1500.

The Air Ride Adaptive Suspension features auto-leveling that will ensure that even if you hitch a trailer at the rear, the car will level itself so you are sitting flat and nice inside. This will only be available on the Z71 and the High Country models. The suspension has a range of four inches, which means you can lift or lower the vehicle by up to two inches. The Magnetic Ride Control constantly keeps adjusting the dampers on the fly to make sure the vehicle is at its smoothest-best at all times.

The towing and payload figures or the official fuel economy figures have yet to be released. On the current Tahoe, you can tow up to 8,100 pounds and haul up to 1,745 pounds. The fuel economy could see a slight dip as the independent rear suspension system has increased the Tahoe’s weight by up to 200 pounds.

Pricing

The official prices for the 2021 Chevy Tahoe are not out yet, but I’m speculating a significant increase. With the new suspension system and all the tech features, the Tahoe could see an increase of $2,000-$4,000 depending on the trim. The current Tahoe starts at $49,000.

Competition

Ford Expedition

The Ford Expedition is the closest rival to the Tahoe in almost all senses. Being a Ford product, the interior is well-screwed and the fit and finesse are exemplary. The higher trims are loaded to the gill, but the base ones, not so much. It comes with a 3.5-liter, V-6 turbo engine in two guises – one makes 375 horses and 470 pound-feet of torque, whereas the other one makes 400 ponies and 480 pound-feet of torque. The engine is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission system. The Ford Expedition also features an independent rear suspension design but doesn’t come with an air suspension. Will we see it in the new-gen Expedition? You never know! The Expedition starts from $52,810.

Read our full review on the 2019 Ford Expedition

Toyota Land Cruiser

The Land Cruiser is an iconic SUV and has a very strong and loyal fanbase across the globe. It is one of the most rugged and tough SUVs on the planet today. However, Toyota has not evolved the product as much as the market demands. Perhaps, the company doesn’t want it to feel like an all-new product with only the name-badge being carried over. It comes with a 5.7-liter, V-8 mill that produces 381 horses and 401 pound-feet of torque. While this engine is quick off the line, it loses its breath soon after. The Land Cruiser starts from a whopping $85,315.

Read our full review on the 2019 Toyota Land Cruiser

Nissan Armada

The Nissan Armada is due for a change as its running on a decade-old design. It was spotted recently with camouflage but we can expect a lot of changes. The current model comes packed with a 5.6-liter, V-8 engine that makes 390 horses and 394 pound-feet of torque. It is powered by a seven-speed automatic gearbox that sends power to all the wheels. The SUV can even tow up to 8,500 pounds. Speaking of the cargo space, the Armada offers 16.5 cubic-feet of space with all the three tows up, 50 cubic-feet with the last row folded, and over 95 cubic-feet with the second and third-row seats flipped down. The Armada starts from $47,100.

Read our full review on the 2019 Nissan Armada

Final Thoughts

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe sees massive changes under the skin and inside the cabin. The American has gotten everything right this time around and I don’t see any reason for the SUV to bomb. The exterior follows the new design philosophy and looks a lot sharper the model it will replace. On the inside, Chevy has done some amazing space management, part of which should be credited to the lack of rear axle and the rest to the designers and engineers. Introducing a diesel engine gives it a slight edge over the competition as a V-6 mill will keep the oil-burner aficionados, as well as the “green” goblins happy. You can also choose to have up to five screens on the inside. Need I say anything more? The only two things that could pull down the Tahoe’s momentum – price and the towing figures for the Duramax engine. Rest assured, Chevrolet seems to have a winner with the 2021 Tahoe.