Chevrolet’s large SUV gets a complete overhaul for next year.
Chevrolet has just pulled the covers off its new Tahoe large SUV. Launched together with the even larger 2021 Chevrolet Suburban SUV, the newly launched Tahoe hopes to take on the Ford Expedition, Range Rover Sport, Land Rover Discovery and BMW X7 for the seven seat large SUV supremacy.
A staple on American roads, and mostly seen by us in Malaysia when it is featured in American TV shows and movies, this three-row SUV has been thoroughly revamped for the upcoming model year.
Available as a 7,8 or even 9 seater, this new three-row SUV promises a larger interior and more cargo capacity thanks to the all new full-size truck architecture, with a 105 mm increase in wheelbase.
The exterior of the new Tahoe has been cleaned up to make it look sleeker than its predecessor. The frontal design still retains the large grille with the horizontal chrome strips, but now is flanked on either side by sculpted inverted-C shaped LED daytime running lights. Meanwhile out the back, a large chrome strip with the bow-tie emblem in the middle breaks up the huge slab-sided tailgate. Quad pipes are a sign of what is under the hood of this American SUV.
Speaking of what is under the hood, the new Tahoe comes with a range of V8s, naturally. A 355 hp 5.3 litre V8 is the norm in this large SUV, but if that isn’t enough there is also a 420 hp 6.2 litre V8 unit available as standard in the top-spec High Country variant. All V8s will feature cylinder deactivation in the form of Dynamic Fuel Management, in addition to automatic stop/start, direct injection and variable valve timing to help reduce the inevitably massive fuel bills.
To those who prefer an oil-burner under the hood, there is also 3.0 Duramax straight-six turbodiesel available as an option. Chevrolet claims that this power plant will produce a reasonable 277 hp and 623 Nm of torque while simultaneously delivering the best fuel economy in the segment. Regardless of engine choice, the sole transmission option is a 10 speed automatic.
On the interior front, the chunky, utilitarian interior design is complemented with a slew of new technology.
Taking centre stage will probably be the 10 inch central infotainment display with integrated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that is standard along with the 8 inch digital instrument cluster. There is also an option for a 15 inch colour heads up display on higher trim variants. At the back too, the Tahoe can be fitted with twin 12.6 inch rear-seat media systems.
All this while, GM’s famed Magnetic Ride Control and Air Ride Adaptive Suspension system is there to keep occupants comfy in this behemoth of a car.
Some may think this gigantic boat of an SUV may only be suitable in the wide open plains of America. However, the new Tahoe may also appeal to some Malaysian families, especially those who are looking into getting a three row SUV.
In this segment where size is might, the new Tahoe positively dwarfs the already large Toyota Fortuner in size, and is probably only comparable to the equally huge Land Cruisers that are a common sight in Borneo. That being said, although SUVs are all the rage now, it will be unlikely that Chevrolet makes its Malaysian comeback with this new Tahoe.
More information can be found in the press release below:
Chevrolet’s iconic people and cargo haulers begin a new chapter with the introduction of the all-new 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban. Each has been redesigned to be the ultimate SUV – offering the most interior space of any SUV, exclusive technologies and features, and the best driving dynamics in the full-size segment.
The 2021 Tahoe and Suburban go on sale in mid-2020 in North America, joining the new Silverado and Silverado HD to completely redesign Chevrolet’s full-size truck and SUV lineup within 24 months.
Ultimate SUVs built on an all-new chassis
The changes for the all-new Tahoe and Suburban began with a new architecture featuring an independent rear suspension and longer wheelbase. The new architecture targeted improvements central to the needs of full-size SUV customers, including passenger accommodations, cargo capacity, driving dynamics and exterior proportions.
The longer wheelbase and new chassis systems create greater ride smoothness, particularly on uneven pavement and unpaved surfaces, with improved handling. The vehicles’ load floors are significantly lower, providing a more natural seating position and a remarkable gain of 10 inches (254 mm) of third-row legroom, with big increases in cargo space.
Tahoe: The leader expands with 66 percent more cargo space
Already America’s best-selling full-size SUV, accounting for more than 25 percent of the segment, the redesigned, fifth-generation 2021 Tahoe features substantially more usable space. With a 4.9-inch (125 mm) longer wheelbase and a 6.7-inch (169 mm) increase in overall length compared to the current model, Tahoe offers 40 percent more third-row legroom and 66 percent greater cargo volume behind the third row. The space gain is achieved efficiently; while maximum cargo room increases 30 percent, Tahoe’s overall length increased less than 4 percent.
The 2021 Tahoe offers 25 percent more cargo room behind the third-row seat than the 2020 Ford Expedition (20.9 cubic feet).
Suburban: The legend advances with even more interior space
As the longest-running nameplate in automotive history at 85 years, Suburban established the segment and remains a trusted partner for customers who need maximum space. With a 4.1-inch (105 mm) increase in the wheelbase and a lower cargo floor, the new Suburban has the most passenger and cargo space of any SUV. Legroom increases for both the second- and third-row passengers, and maximum cargo volume expands 19 percent while Suburban’s overall length increases less than 1 percent.
For the first time, Tahoe and Suburban’s second-row seat can slide, adjusting approximately 10 inches (254 mm) forward or rearward. Both the second- and third-row seats also fold more easily, and the load floor is now both flatter and lower than prior models – improving the ease of loading and unloading. The rear-door openings for the Tahoe are also larger, thanks to the increase in wheelbase.
Compromise-free performance
The 2021 Tahoe and Suburban are powered by V-8 engines that are among the most advanced in Chevrolet’s history, as well as an all-new Duramax turbo-diesel engine. All are matched with a new 10-speed automatic transmission with electronic shift control.
A 5.3L V-8 rated at 355 horsepower (265 kilowatts) is standard on LS, LT, Z71, RST and Premier models; and a 6.2L V-8 rated at 420 horsepower (313 kW) is standard on High Country. Both feature industry-first Dynamic Fuel Management technology, with more than 12 modes of cylinder deactivation that are designed to optimize engine efficiency across a broad range of driving conditions, including when towing a trailer. The engines also feature automatic stop/start technology, direct injection and variable valve timing, which all contribute to the balance of performance and efficiency.
The optional Duramax 3.0L inline-six turbo-diesel is available on all models except Z71. It is a clean-sheet engine design developed for full-size truck and SUV applications, where torque means everything for confident, on-demand power and trailering capability. The Duramax is rated at 277 horsepower (207 kW) and a strong 460 lb-ft (623 Nm) of torque. No full-size SUV competitor offers a diesel engine. It is expected to give the new SUVs some of the highest fuel economy ratings in the segment.
Highly durable materials make up the 3.0L Duramax’s critical components, including iron cylinder liners within the aluminum engine block, a forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods, and blended silicon/aluminum pistons for greater heat resistance and reduced expansion.
Because trailering is important to many full-size SUV customers, the new Tahoe and Suburban include new trailering technologies pioneered by the Silverado pickups. A Max Trailering package is available and includes a high-capacity radiator and cooling fan, an integrated trailer brake controller, a Hitch Guidance with Hitch View feature and the Chevrolet trailering app. Tahoe and Suburban drivers will have up to nine camera views – more than any competitive full-size SUV.
The available features are designed to help improve the trailering experience with easier hitching using rear camera guidelines, bolstering confidence when towing a trailer. Additional features include a trailering app with trailer profiles, trailer tire pressure and temperature monitoring and Side Blind Zone Alert for trailering.
Tahoe and Suburban will have Chevy’s industry-first trailering label that is located on the driver’s side door jamb. This label provides customers with the information necessary to calculate their vehicle’s exact capacities.
Most advanced available suspension in the segment
To improve the driving experience, engineers for the 2021 Tahoe and Suburban developed an all-new chassis that integrates the longer wheelbase spans and the independent multilink rear suspension. In addition, the all-new models offer both the Air Ride Adaptive Suspension system and Magnetic Ride Control – not offered by any competitor – that deliver even greater body control.
“I think the most impressive aspect of the all-new Tahoe and Suburban is how well they handle,” said Herrick. “Despite being big, they offer responsive, confidence-inspiring handling that will change expectations for the full-size SUV driving experience.”
The independent multilink rear suspension fundamentally transforms the driving dynamics of the Tahoe and Suburban, allowing each rear wheel to handle road conditions separately to dramatically enhance ride quality, steering responsiveness and overall driver control, compared to the previous live axle design.
Tahoe and Suburban’s new multilink independent rear suspension, which is composed of three lateral arms, a large longitudinal arm, coil springs and a robust stabilizer bar, offers the ride sophistication and isolating characteristics typically associated with smaller vehicles, but scaled for the superior capability requirements of full-size SUVs.
The Air Ride Adaptive Suspension is available on High Country and Z71 models and delivers automatic load-leveling and ride-height adjustment. The ride-height can adjust up to 4 inches (101 mm). In highway driving, the system automatically lowers the ride height ¾-inch (19 mm) to improve aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. A driver-selectable setting lowers the suspension 2 inches (51 mm) to aid passenger entry and exit when the vehicle is parked. Drivers can also raise the body for additional ground clearance when driving off-road by 1 inch (25 mm) at low speeds in 4WD HI, and an additional 1 inch (25 mm) at lower speeds in 4WD LO.
Tahoe and Suburban feature one of the industry’s most sophisticated chassis technologies in Magnetic Ride Control, which is standard on Premier and High Country, and available on Z71. It is one of the fastest-reacting damping systems in the industry, using sensors to continually “read” the road and alter the damping rate of the shocks almost instantly. It reacts much faster than traditional shock absorbers to reduce bouncing, body roll and vibrations that can often resonate in a large SUV.
Expanded range of standard and available safety technologies
Chevrolet is expanding key safety and driver awareness features for the all-new Tahoe and Suburban, with Automatic Emergency Braking standard on all models. A recent study by University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute analyzed the effectiveness of active safety technologies, showing dramatic reductions in certain types of crashes on vehicles equipped with advanced safety features, including a 21 percent reduction in crashes with Forward Collision Alert.
Available technologies include new HD Surround Vision, new Rear Pedestrian Alert, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert with enhancements for trailering, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Front and Rear Park Assist and Head-Up Display.
Unprecedented connectivity and configurability
The all-new Tahoe and Suburban’s interiors have larger displays, more connectivity options and a new rear-seat media system designed to keep even the most tech-savvy family members satisfied throughout their road trips.
The Chevrolet infotainment system is the centerpiece and it leads major competitors with a large, 10-inch-diagonal color touchscreen. It’s one of five connected and configurable screens offered in the redesigned SUVs:
- Chevrolet infotainment system with a 10-inch-diagonal color touchscreen is standard
- An 8-inch-diagonal, configurable color instrument and information cluster is standard on Premier and High Country; a 4.2-inch-diagonal color driver information center is standard on LS, LT, RST and Z71
- A 15-inch diagonal Head-Up Display, not offered by competitors, with a 3 x 7-inch color display is standard on High Country and available on Premier
- An available rear-seat media package includes dual 12.6-inch-diagonal LCD touchscreens
The new rear-seat media system in Tahoe and Suburban will be the most advanced and capable in the full-size SUV segment. In addition to their 12.6-inch size, the rear screens are positioned for optimal view for both second- and third-row passengers. Each rear screen offers independent connections, so passengers can watch different content on each side. Additionally, rear passengers can share content from one screen to the other, mirror content from an Android phone to a screen and “send” navigation points of interest, like restaurant suggestions or pit stop locations, to the central infotainment screen up front.
The new Tahoe and Suburban also feature a built-in Wi-Fi® Hotspot with available 4G LTE data (3GB or 1-month data trial, whichever occurs first), Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto capability, multiple USB charging ports and, on all models except LS, wireless charging with charger cooling.
Digital platform for today’s technologies and tomorrow’s challenges
Tahoe and Suburban’s higher level of technology is enabled by an all-new digital vehicle platform. This next-generation system has five times more data-processing power than the system in current models. It not only drives the new technologies with incredible speed, but is designed to support vehicle health monitoring and the ability for over-the-air updates – with ample bandwidth to add future technologies not yet offered.
The new digital platform includes industry-leading cybersecurity protections as well.
Bigger, bolder proportions
Chevy Truck designers created an entirely new look for Tahoe and Suburban, with a bolder stance and proportions. Six distinctive models double the trim lineup for 2021 Tahoe and Suburban, giving customers more choices and enabling designers to explore distinctive personalities across the range. Each version has a more dynamic appearance made possible by the new architecture.
“The longer proportions enabled us to add more sophistication and surface detail,” said Phil Zak, executive design director, Chevrolet. “The design builds on what generations of owners have known and loved about the Tahoe and Suburban and gives them more, with confident, bolder stances that remain reassuringly familiar, but with greater detail than ever before.”
The all-new interior was specifically designed to take advantage of the class-leading space and technology features, with a mission to create the ultimate road trip environment. The interior is brighter thanks to expanded glass areas – including an available panoramic sunroof and class-leading display technologies – and more refined with premium materials.
- Additional design highlights include:
- Standard LED headlamps and LED taillamps
- Active front grille shutters that close at certain times on the highway to enhance aerodynamics
- Dual exhaust on Premier and High Country (with gas engine)
- Nine exterior colors, including three all-new colors: Empire Beige Metallic, Cherry Bomb Tintcoat and Darkmoon Blue Metallic (some color choices will be premium options)
- Standard 18-inch wheels on LS and LT; 20-inch polished aluminum wheels on Premier, 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires on Z71; and 22-inch wheels on RST and High Country
Coming in mid-2020 from Arlington, Texas
The redesigned SUVs go on sale in mid-2020 in North America, with availability in other regions to follow. The all-new Tahoe and Suburban will be manufactured at GM’s Arlington, Texas assembly facility, which has received more than $1.4 billion in investments since 2015. The Arlington plant employs approximately 4,800 hourly and salaried personnel, and was recently upgraded with a new paint shop, body shop and additional assembly quality improvements to support the production of the new SUVs.
