The 2021 Chevy Tahoe and Chevy Suburban have both seen a complete re-engineering and redesign, as they welcome the new year with their fifth and twelfth generations respectively. Availability of various trim levels and other options have undergone some changes, but as GM Authority reported last week, all trims and packages are available to order. Units of both types that are ordered during the final phase of production are set to roll off the line at GM's plant in Arlington, Texas next month, and all units equipped with the brand-new 3.0-Liter I6 LM2 turbodiesel Duramax engine option will begin the production phase during November.
During the second phase, packages for LS, LT, Z71, and RST trim levels will see completion, as well as the addition of Air Ride Adaptive Suspension and the Power-Sliding Console. Both the 2021 Chevy Tahoe and 2021 Chevy Suburban still ride on the new GM T1 platform and come with the benefit of the independent multilink rear suspension setup. This function incorporates three lateral and one vertical bars to limit the degree of axle's freedom to provide an optimally smooth ride.
The 2021 Tahoe's third row and cargo area have grown, and it offers two V8s and an efficient diesel option. The Car and Driver staff recommended the flashy RST and Z71 models for the best value, and highly complimented the Z71 for its rugged appearance, four-wheel-drive as standard, and added equipment to prepare it for off-road adventures. Make sure to check out the Z71 Signature package here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis, which includes blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, a heated steering wheel and second-row seats, memory settings, a panoramic sunroof, and upgraded towing equipment. While the 3.0-Liter six-cylinder engine has the least horsepower of the Tahoe's powertrains, its 460 lb-ft of torque is identical to what's offered with the V8.
The 2021 Suburban features a 4.1-inch longer wheelbase, a bit smaller 5.3-Liter 335-horsepower V8 if you desire, and 144 cubic feet of very useful cargo space with the rear seats folded. With it configured as a 4-seater the amount of what you can haul is impressive, and two separate test drivers that were given the 5.3-Liter V8 for a day out claimed that the massive power was instantly gratifying when taking into consideration the sheer size of the Suburban. That particular test drive also rendered the transmission as the “best they'd ever driven” in conjunction with the fabulous powertrain.
Filling the shoes of about the most ideal vehicle anyone could think of for getting a large family around, there is still plenty to appreciate about the new Suburban that is not all due to its large frame. The climate controls along with the electronic shifter are very easy-to-use and possess lightening-fast response. Another great feature on long trips is the 10.2-inch display, which is now standard on every model. The Premier trim is the way to go if you are searching for an added assortment of technical aids for the well-prepped holiday journey: it provides blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, frontal parking sensors, and lane-keeping assist.