Taking a Look at the 2021 Chevy Tahoe & 2021 Chevy Suburban

Yes, it’s getting closer to that time. The time when we’ll be able to see some new Chevy SUVs out on the road. Specifically the all-new 2021 Chevy Tahoe and 2021 Chevy Suburban. Together, these two full-size SUVs have long been popular mainstays in the Chevy SUV lineup, and we expect them to continue that way for many years to come. Their roomy interiors and classic designs are always a sure thing when it comes to pleasing their fans. Now, though, we can expect even more good things to come as the 2021 models are brand new.

Here at McCluskey Chevy, we’re proud to deal with a brand as legendary as Chevrolet. Over the years, the Chevy brand has given us high-quality and memorable vehicles in just about every category you can think of. From performance classics like the Camaro and Corvette to rugged workers like the Silverado and Colorado. And, let’s not forget great sedans like the Malibu and Impala. Of course, these days, the SUV market is where you’ll find a lot of interest. So, without further ado, let’s take a look into the new Tahoe and Suburban.

First Things First

We aren’t going to separate this discussion into one segment about the Tahoe and one segment about the Suburban. Rather, we’ll talk about both of them at the same time, and if there are any differences, we’ll let you know. If you didn’t know this, here’s a helpful tidbit — the Tahoe and Suburban are basically the same vehicle, just the Suburban is bigger. That isn’t to say they both aren’t large vehicles (they’re both full-size SUVs), but if you’ve ever seen a side-by-side comparison of their side profiles in the past few years, you’ll notice that they look almost exactly the same, except the Suburban is slightly longer.

SUV Size Matters

One of the biggest pieces of news coming out of the Chevy camp for their iconic full-size pairing is that they’re getting even bigger. If you’ve ever seen a Tahoe or Suburban in person, then you already know that they’re already substantially sized. Well, what’s a little more space, right? More room for comfort and gear is my thinking. The 2021 Chevy Tahoe will gain 6.7 inches over its predecessor, while the 2021 Chevy Suburban will gain 1.7 inches. Now, you may be thinking that those lengths don’t seem like very much (and you’d be right). However, when you’re talking about a small house on wheels, somewhere you and your family will be spending a lot of time, then you’ll be wanting as much space as possible for that interior. More space equals more comfort, which equals fewer squabbles in the back.

To put it into perspective, as the Tahoe gets bigger, the seating area gets a lot roomier. How roomy, to be exact? The middle-row seating gets an increase of three inches of legroom while the third-row seating’s legroom increase by over 10 inches. I don’t know how the Tahoe being 6.7 inches longer creates that much more legroom, but hey, you won’t see me complaining about automotive magic.

Cargo volume is also on the rise, which isn’t much of a surprise when each of the vehicles has just become larger. Compared to the 2020 model, the 2021 Chevy Tahoe sees a 66% increase in cargo volume behind the third row while seeing a 30% increase in cargo volume overall. The 2021 Chevy Suburban sees an overall cargo volume increase of 19%. Its cargo volume behind the third row has also increased, but only by a small amount.

Suspension

In addition to the increased space, both the Tahoe and Suburban are receiving a new, independent rear suspension. The reason this is such a big deal is that while being bigger may be better if the ride isn’t smooth and comfortable — then what’s the point? The independent suspension is here to remedy the issue of smoothness in general, but especially over rough roads.

In addition to the new rear suspension found across all models, you can also find additional suspension technology on the Premier, High Country, and Z71 variants. Air Ride Adaptive Suspension will be an available option on both the High Country and the off-road-ready Z71. This technology will allow the driver to adjust the suspension when parked or when using 4WD, allowing for increased versatility while off-roading or when passengers are entering or exiting the vehicle.

The Premier and High Country models will come standard with Magnetic Ride Control. This technology is basically there to make the ride a lot more comfortable for everyone within the vehicle. It will automatically adjust according to changing road conditions. It’s also an available option on the Z71 trim.

Performance

Both of the Chevy SUVs will now come with three available options for engines. The standard option across most trim levels will be a 5.3L V8 engine with up to 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. The standard option on the High Country model will be a 6.2L V8 engine with up to 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The real kicker, though, is seeing the availability of a diesel engine for the first time on these models. The 3.0L Duramax Diesel engine will output up to 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. It’s the same amount of torque as on the 6.2L V8 engine, but the difference is the Duramax Diesel will have 460 lb-ft of torque at 1,500 rpm while the 6.2L V8 is 460 lb-ft of torque at 4,100 rpm. What does that mean, exactly? It means diesel engines allow for improved towing capabilities and better gas mileage, which are always nice things to have.

Features

As has become the custom across the majority of new vehicles, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have also been integrated into the 2021 Tahoe and Suburban. You’ll also find many other new features, including safety features (like Automatic Emergency Braking), a 15-inch Head-Up Display, WiFi hotspot, available nine camera views for safer parking and trailering, and an available Rear Seat Media System with 12.6-inch displays.

Overall Thoughts

We’re very excited about the 2021 Chevy Tahoe and 2021 Chevy Suburban. These Chevy SUVs are coming in at a perfect time for the company, along with other new additions like the Silverado and Blazer. Everything has been redesigned and updated, so we’re basically chomping at the bit to see these vehicles in action. Everything is looking good in the press releases with the upcoming release, although we won’t actually see the vehicles in dealerships until mid-2020 for the 2021 model year.

At McCluskey Chevy here in Cincinnati, OH, we’re dedicated to providing every customer with an amazing car-buying experience, from start to finish. We always have a wide range of Chevy vehicles in stock for whatever your needs may be, including hard-working pickups, adventurous SUVs, efficient sedans, and sporty coupes. If you have any questions, our service-oriented professionals are available to help you, whether through online chat, text, phone call, or in person. Come visit us soon; we look forward to helping you find your next Chevy.