History/Overview
The Chevrolet Tahoe has been a staple of the full-size SUV crowd since 1994. The big three-row ute is entering an all-new generation for 2021, meaning it gets longer and adds an independent rear suspension that adds more head and legroom for third-row passengers. It also adds much more modern tech to this SUV.
Available Trims
To start the new generation, the Tahoe will come as LT, Z71, Premier, and High Country trim, with the former offered in rear-drive and four-by-four, with the other three 4x4 only. LT, Z71, and Premier come with a 5.3L V8 engine standard, High Country comes with a 6.2L version.
Standard Features
18-inch alloys come standard on LT, as do outside assist steps. It has body-colour mirrors and door handles and chrome roof rack rails. Automatic lights are standard as are LED head and taillights. 10-way power front seats with heat and ventilation are standard along with a 10.2-inch infotainment screen and 4.2-inch driver info centre. A Bose nine-speaker stereo is on board and cruise control is standard.
For active safety, LT comes with a following distance indicator, forward collision alert, front pedestrian braking, keyless start, rear park assist, emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, and OnStar connected vehicle services.
Z71 is an off-road-focused trim that adds a different front fascia that increases the Tahoe's approach angle and comes with underbody skidplates for protection. A two-speed transfer case is standard as is hill descent control. 20-inch all-terrain tires are standard and there are unique interior Z71 treatments.
Premier adds magnetic ride control suspension front and rear park assist, lane change alerts with blind-spot alerts, and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The dash houses an 8.0-inch digital information display and the seats are 12-way power adjust with ventilation for the front and perforated leather. The rear seats are power latching and folding and there is a heated steering wheel.
High Country comes with the 6.2L V8 and Magnetic ride control as well as 22-inch wheels. It has a special grille with bronze accents and High Country badges.
Key Options
LT offers a Signature Package with memory seats, a power-folding second and third row, and a panoramic roof. It also has a luxury package with the same minus the roof. Z71 offers the same Signature package. Premier offers a Premium package with panoramic roof, rear camera mirror, and towing package. Premium on High Country adds adaptive cruise to the features of other trims and power-retractable steps.
Fuel Economy
A Chevrolet Tahoe with the 5.3L and rear-drive is rated to get 14.3 L/100 km city, 11.8 highway. With 4x4, 14.8/11.8. The 6.2L version is rated for 16.8/12.4.
Competition
At this size, there aren't many other choices, but Chevrolet does have friendly competition from the very similar GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade. The Ford Expedition also competes in this class, though it is larger than Tahoe.