Starting at
Starting at
6 | Available Trims | 3 |
10-inch | Standard Screen Size | 8-inch |
122.9 | Max Cargo Space (cu.ft.) | 94.7 |
For years, the Chevy Tahoe has been one of the most powerful and impressive large SUVs on the road. So, of course, the designers and engineers at Chevy have been busy finding ways to improve upon that legacy, resulting in the stunning, all-new 2021 Chevy Tahoe. While it would be absolutely unfair to try to compare this incredible new model against pretty much anything else on the road, there is one vehicle comparison that seems apt: itself. So let us take a look at the 2021 Chevy Tahoe vs 2020 Chevy Tahoe to see what has changed.
First things first: there is nothing wrong with the 2020 Chevy Tahoe – it is a fantastic large SUV that can go toe-to-toe with anything else on the market. The all-new 2021 Chevy Tahoe simply builds upon everything we love about the 2020 model and takes it all a step further. For one thing, it is bigger than before. But not only is it bigger, but it has also been redesigned to give you and your passengers far more space inside than you would have with the 2020 Chevy Tahoe. And not just your passengers: you also get almost 30 cu.ft. more cargo space inside the 2021 Tahoe compared to the 2020 model.
In terms of performance, you will find the same fantastic engines available on the 2020 Chevy Tahoe powering the all-new model. Of course, Chevy has gone a step further by providing a monster of a turbo-diesel engine as an available option for the 2021 model, which you will not find on previous versions. This engine, combined with other amazing features like an independent rear suspension, available first-in-class Four-Corner Air Ride Adaptive Suspension, and some new trims, means driving the 2021 Chevy Tahoe is unlike anything else on the road. But let's take a closer look at all of the improvements.
As you might expect, when looking at two different model years for a particular model, there are some pretty significant similarities between the 2021 Chevy Tahoe and the 2020 Chevy Tahoe. For example, they have two engines in common – but the all-new Tahoe has a third option available that you will not find on the 2020 model. We will start by looking at what they have in common, and then at the new entry.
Both the 2021 and the 2020 Chevy Tahoe come with a 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine standard, which offers up to 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. It is worth noting, however, that this engine comes paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission if you choose the 2020 Chevy Tahoe, but comes with a 10-speed automatic on the 2021 model. Then there is an available 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 engine that delivers up to 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, which comes with a 10-speed automatic with both the 2020 and 2021 Chevy Tahoe.
Where the 2021 Chevy Tahoe really sets itself apart, however, is with a third engine option that is new for this model. You can choose a Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel engine for the 2021 Tahoe, which delivers up to 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque for an experience that you simply will not find anywhere else. If you are not interested in a diesel engine, then this might not mean much to you. But for those drivers that prefer a diesel, the 2021 Chevy Tahoe has something to offer you that the 2020 model does not.
Other than the engine, there are some other big mechanical differences worth noting when you look at the 2021 Chevy Tahoe compared to the 2020 Chevy Tahoe. First among them is the combination of an independent rear suspension with available magnetic ride control on the 2021 model. This provides you with an incredibly responsive and smooth ride that can handle pretty much any sort of road conditions you throw at it.
Perhaps even more impressive, however, is the available first-in-class Four-Corner Air Ride Adaptive Suspension, which takes things so much further. With this new adaptive suspension system, the 2021 Chevy Tahoe is more comfortable than ever before. This system will adjust the suspension and optimize the Tahoe’s ride height to provide greater clearance when needed and lower it for improved efficiency and to keep the Tahoe more aerodynamic. This way, you can ensure you have the right suspension and height for every situation – you can even lower it while parked to make it easier for people to get into and out of the 2021 Chevy Tahoe.
One of the most significant differences with the 2021 Chevy Tahoe, compared to the 2020 Tahoe, is the number of trim levels available. At some point, there will twice as many trims offered for the 2021 model compared to the 2020 Chevy Tahoe, with three all-new options for this impressive new model year. Let's do a quick overview to give you a sense of what is offered on each model.
Starting with the base trim, the LS, this is the basic package for the 2020 Tahoe. However, choosing the base package does not mean losing everything you could want. This trim features the 5.3L V8 engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission. There is seating for nine people, thanks to three bench seats, and an 8-inch infotainment system standard. Not too shabby for the base trim.
Next is the LT. This trim has the same engine as the base, LS. With leather upholstery and some special interior options, this step up gives drivers a sense of luxury. Plus, there is an available Z71 Off-Road package for those who like an adventure. The highest trim for the 2020 model is the Premier. This has the 6.2L V8 engine available, with a 10-speed automatic, and some great features inside.
The 2021 Chevy Tahoe is planned to have a version of the base LS trim in the future, equipped with the 5.3L engine. However, unlike the 2020 Tahoe, it will have a 10-speed automatic transmission and a 10-inch infotainment display. Upgrading to the already-available LT trim adds a hands-free liftgate, wireless charging area, leather upholstery, and a 9-speaker Bose premium sound system.
Rather than offered only as a package, the new Z71 off-road model is a trim for the 2021 model year. This trim features a unique front fascia with improved approach angle, a two-speed transfer case, 4WD standard, and hill descent control for improved off-road performance. If you upgrade to the Premier, you will have an 8-inch digital driver display, a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system, and numerous active safety features standard.
To be released in the future is the RST trim. This is an all-new “street-inspired” trim featuring 22-inch wheels and a unique front fascia for bold and impressive styling you will not find anywhere else. Last but not least, the High Country is the 2021 Tahoe's highest trim. The all-new pinnacle trim features the powerful 6.2L V8 engine standard, a surround-view parking camera system, and a stunning 15-inch multicolor head-up display.
One of the most impressive aspects of the all-new 2021 Chevy Tahoe is how the various improvements that have been made to it provide other, potentially unforeseen advantages for you as a driver. For example, the new independent rear suspension provides benefits for driving in rough terrain, giving you a smoother ride and keeping you in control. But, this new suspension, combined with other improvements to the 2021 model and a longer overall length, also gives you more interior space for cargo.
Looking at the 2020 Chevy Tahoe to start with, we can see that it has just over 15 cu.ft. of cargo space available behind the rear seats, just over 51 cu.ft. behind the second-row seats, and more than 94 cu.ft. of total cargo space behind the front row. That is fantastic and leaves a lot of other large SUVs on the market behind.
However, Chevrolet is always striving for the best. So, with that said, the 2021 Chevy Tahoe gives you more than 25 cu.ft. of space behind the rear seats, more than 72 cu.ft. behind the second row of seats, and nearly 123 cu.ft. of total cargo volume behind the front row. If you need space, the 2021 Tahoe has space for you.