At a Glance:
- MSRP: From $49,600
- Towing capacity: 7,600 to 7,900 lbs
- Horsepower: 277 to 420 hp
- Cargo volume: 25.5 ft³, 122.9 ft³ with seat area
- Seating capacity: 7,8
- MPG: Up to 21 city / 28 highway
- Engine: 3.0 L 6-cylinder diesel , 5.3 L V8 , 6.2 L V8
Chevy’s stalwart Tahoe SUV cruises into 2021 with a battery of upgrades and options that will keep the loyalties of existing fans and win the hearts of new ones. Most notably, the full-size vehicle now includes expanded interior space, independent rear suspension for better handling and ride, a successful exterior redesign, and a hale and hearty 6-cylinder diesel engine option.
Interior
The 2021 model received an interior refresh that’s most obvious in the actual dimensions of the vehicle. The stretched Tahoe now has a whopping 28 additional cubic feet of cargo space from the previous year’s model, resulting not only in more space for luggage and gear, but actual human bodies. We like that, thanks to the thoughtful design, the additional space doesn’t feel too cavernous. Extra legroom is achieved by repositioning seats. Even the 3rd row is now comfortable and roomy.
The updated dash is anchored by a large 10.2-inch touchscreen and all gauges and controls are well-placed. As manufacturers are pressed to add more and more features to their flagship SUVs to stay competitive, the driver’s seat can sometimes resemble that of a commercial airplane cockpit. The Tahoe earns high marks for keeping things as simple as possible without hiding features too deep in complex switches or digital submenus.
Exterior
In spite of the Tahoe’s extra length and room, the vehicle doesn’t look heavy or overblown from the outside. In fact, it’s athletic, clean exterior indicates the opposite with a sleek and stylish new grille and elegant curved metal. That somehow the car is bigger, yet looks sportier, is a credit to the designers. It has the added benefit of making the SUV look more expensive and, dare we say, classier.
Features
The range of available features on the Tahoe is vast and, frankly, somewhat confusing, but we’ll break it down to highlight some of the most interesting and/or desirable features. For a list of full options, visit your local dealer to see them in action or download the Tahoe brochure from Chevy.
- Power sliding center console (non-standard): Automatically slide the center console back to discover a secure space to hold extra items or valuables.
- Wireless Apple/Android compatibility (standard)
- Heads up display (non-standard): A 15-inch diagonal color Head-Up Display projected onto the windshield gives you navigation prompts, safety alerts, and incoming call information.
- 9-camera view surround vision (non-standard): A plethora of above, side, and rear camera angles will make sure you’ll never ding or scratch your Tahoe even when trailering or fitting into the tiniest urban parking space.
- Safety features: Standard on all Tahoe vehicles are safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, front pedestrian braking, following distance indicator and Intellibeam® auto high beams. Non-standard features include lane change/blind spot alerts, rear cross traffic alert, lane keep assist auto steering, and front and rear park assist.
Power & Handling
The Tahoe, which is built on the same frame as the Silverado truck, didn’t always have great drive characteristics, but the welcome addition of independent rear suspension has mostly resolved that concern. The 2021 model now pairs comfort and stability on or off road and makes for an excellent family hauler on road trips. Upping the ante even more, some trims and models offer an ingenious “four-corner air ride adaptive suspension” that adjusts vehicle suspension to match driving conditions. It’s a truly luxe ride that Chevy says also enhances ground clearance and aerodynamics, depending on height setting.
Featured in the Tahoe’s 2021 upgrade is an available 3.0L turbo-diesel engine that maxes out the SUV’s MPG (EPA estimated 28 highway), making it the most fuel-efficient full-size in the Chevy family. In addition, there are four V8 powertrain options to consider. All V8s feature a 10-speed automatic transmission, but horsepower varies from 355 to 420, so choose according to your preferences and needs. We can say with confidence that even the lowest horsepower engine provides enough torque to keep most drivers happy. The Tahoe is large, but not so much that this family of engines cannot smoothly and confidently accelerate the vehicle.
Final Thought
The 2021 Tahoe has racked up a remarkable number of awards and accolades (Kelley Blue Book “Best Family Car,” Motortrend’s IntelliChoice “Best Overall Value”) and in this case, it’s well-deserved. The redesigned Tahoe is so good that we recommend it not only as a best in class SUV for the mid-tier price range, but as a viable alternative to luxury models. Put aside your brand biases, test drive the Tahoe, and we guarantee you’ll be impressed.
Want to learn more about the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe?
Contact local dealers to schedule a test drive.