Drivers looking to purchase a Chevrolet Suburban or Tahoe will have more options in 2021, including the option of a diesel engine.
A 5.3L V-8 rated at 355 horsepower is standard on the LS, LT, Z71, RST and Premier models; and a 6.2L V-8 rated at 420 horsepower is standard on High Country. However, all models except the Z71 will have the option of the Duramax 3.0L inline-six-turbo diesel engine. Rated at 277 horsepower, the diesel engine has 460 lb.-ft. of torque. It is expected to give the new editions of the SUVs some of the highest fuel economy ratings in the segment.
“The wait is over, and the wish is granted for all those searching and hoping someday for a diesel engine option in America’s most popular and iconic vehicles, the Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe,” said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum. “Diesels are a very natural fit for the full-sized SUV segment to enable manufacturers to provide consumers with a no-compromise vehicle experience; power, performance, driving range, reliability and more fuel efficiency.”
In addition to the engine choice, the Tahoe and Suburban have been redesigned to include 66 percent more cargo room behind the third row of seats for the Tahoe and 19 percent more maximum cargo space behind the first row for Suburban. Also, all of the models will come with 10-speed automatic transmission with push-button electronic shift.
The updates also result in longer wheelbases and new chassis systems that create a smoother ride with improved handling.
The interior also has upgrades, with five display screens — a standard 10-inch central color touchscreen, an available 8-inch diagonal instrument cluster, an available 15-inch head-up display and available dual 12.6-inch diagonal rear-seat LCD displays.
“With an increasing number of SUVs on the market, we knew the all-new Tahoe and Suburban needed to reach higher than ever,” said Tim Herrick, vice president of global product programs for Chevrolet. “We transformed Tahoe and Suburban to offer all-new technologies and features and deliver a better driving experience, while staying true to the versatility and capability that have earned people’s trust for generations.”
The 2021 Tahoe and Suburban are expected to go on sale in mid-2020 in North America.
The Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban are built at GM’s 3.75 million square-foot facility in Arlington, Texas, which has been in production since 1954. The plant also builds the GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon Hybrid, GMC Yukon XL, Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV.
