Chevrolet Tahoe (GMT1YC) 6.2 V8 (420 Hp) Automatic

Say you need to move around a family and their stuff; a minivan should do just fine, right? But what if you need to move around a family, their stuff, and a boat to enjoy on vacation? A minivan isn't going to cut it; you need something tougher, like the 2021 Chevy Tahoe. Now in its fifth generation for the 2021 model year, the Tahoe is completely redesigned to be the ideal full-size SUV. Among the updates for 2021, the Tahoe benefits from more interior space, more comfortable suspension, improved driving dynamics, newer technology, and some interesting additions under the hood, including an available diesel engine for the first time in decades joining the two gasoline V8 options with up to 420 horsepower.

With these latest improvements, Chevy hopes to leapfrog its key competitor in this segment, the Ford Expedition. The Tahoe also faces competition from its corporate sibling, the GMC Yukon, and the facelifted Nissan Armada. To find out if the Tahoe can truly emerge as the ultimate family carrier, CarBuzz tested a 4WD RST trim with the base engine, a 355-hp 5.3-liter V8. Though the RST is not a base model, it is far from the most expensive Tahoe available and should be highly representative of a volume model that most buyers will gravitate toward.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe arrives as an all-new model this year. This three-row SUV has a bold new look and has also grown significantly, providing 66 percent more cargo space behind the third row and ten inches of added legroom in the third row, relative to the outgoing model.

A new independent rear suspension has been incorporated, along with an available Air Ride adaptive suspension. Under the hood, Chevy has availed a new 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel engine and updated V8 engines, topped by a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp. Regardless of the engine choice, a 10-speed automatic transmission is used. Along with more space, the cabin now comes with more tech in the form of a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen and an available 15-inch head-up display. These changes made us keen to take the latest Tahoe for a test drive to see if it could fend off tough competition from the likes of Ford, GMC, and Nissan.

The latest Chevrolet Silverado's hyper-aggressive face isn't universally loved, and it's much the same with the bold new Tahoe. This is a bigger SUV than the one it replaces and it looks that way. All models come with an expansive grille flanked by LED headlights, while 18-inch alloy wheels on lower trims make way for 20- and 22-inch wheels on upper derivatives. Whereas lower trims have a black grille finish, more glitz is added as you work your way up the lineup; the High Country, for instance, has special bronze accents for its grille. A manual liftgate on the base trim is replaced by a hands-free power liftgate higher up in the range, while the RST has a blacked-out exterior with a black Chevy bowtie emblem. A power sunroof is available as an option. While we wouldn't go so far as to call it sporty, our RST tester looked more aggressive than other trim levels.

On the base Tahoe LS, customers can choose from seven no-cost colors and one premium color. Black is the only non-metallic color, followed by seven metallics: Satin Steel, Summit White, Shadow Gray, Empire Beige, Midnight Blue, and Graywood. A lustrous Cherry Red Tintcoat will add $495 to the final bill and is worth every penny. By spending a bit extra on the LT model, Iridescent Pearl Tricoat becomes available at a cost of $995. All other trims share the same color combinations as the LT, but the effect is a bit different on the RST and Z71 thanks to their blacked-out exterior trim elements.

There are three powertrains on offer, and while the new turbodiesel and the smaller of the V8s will require you to exercise some patience, the larger V8 provides more potent acceleration. Based on independent testing, the Tahoe with the 3.0-liter Duramax power plant will take around 7.8 seconds to reach 60 mph in 4WD guise. The 5.3-liter V8 is quicker, but not by much, reaching 60 mph in the mid-seven-second range. At the top of the lineup is the 6.2-liter V8 engine which has 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. With the extra power, this model will take around seven seconds to get from 0 to 60. However, it's not as rapid as the Ford Expedition with its twin-turbo V6.

The Tahoe impresses with its towing capacity but again falls short of the Ford. With the 5.3-liter V8 engine, 2WD, and the Max Trailering Package, it can tow up to 8,400 lbs, whereas the Expedition can haul over 9,000 lbs. Opt for the larger 6.2-liter V8, and the towing capacity actually decreases to 8,300 lbs. Though diesels are typically preferred for towing, the Tahoe only tows 8,200 pounds with this engine. This current Tahoe loses a bit of capability compared to the outgoing model as a trade-off for ride comfort and improved handling.

Driving the outgoing Tahoe felt like it should require a boating license rather than a traditional driver's license. With this new model, Chevy's engineers have worked hard to make the Tahoe feel more car-like. It all starts with new architecture featuring an independent rear suspension and longer wheelbase, which eliminates some of the truck-like bounciness of the old Tahoe. We say "some" and not "all" because this vehicle still tends to bounce over large bumps, and lacks the poise found in the Ford Expedition. The RST trim includes what Chevy calls "Premium Smooth Ride Suspension," which manages fine on new pavement but lacks the impressive softness of the optional Air Ride Adaptive Suspension system with Magnetic Ride Control.

There are a few drive modes, including normal, sport, off-road, and tow/haul, but we noticed very little distinction between them on the road. The Tahoe's steering feels pretty vague no matter which mode it's in, but that is typical in a vehicle of this category. Chevy's slew of suspension changes improves the driving experience significantly, though no amount of engineering excellence can make the Tahoe feel small on the road. In terms of ultimate refinement, we still give the nod to the Expedition.

Climb aboard the new Tahoe, and the immediate impression is one of spaciousness. Compared with older Chevy Tahoe reviews, this is most notable in the rearmost third row, where Chevrolet has managed to free up ten inches of additional legroom. The interior design itself isn't mind-blowing, with a rather plain look to the cockpit area, and there are lots of buttons and switches scattered around; notably, the controls to the left of the steering wheel aren't easy to see. Another oddity is the motorized sliding center console, which seems like a bit of a gimmick but offers useful practicality. Still, there are definite improvements over the previous model. The new touchscreen interface is clear and easy to get to grips with, while the base model comes with features like a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, power-adjustable front seats, remote start, and tri-zone climate control. Further up in the range, you get access to an HD surround-view camera system displaying 360-degree images of the Tahoe's surroundings, as well as a large 15-inch head-up display.

At entry-level, the Tahoe comes with premium cloth seats in either Jet Black or with a Gideon/Very Dark Atmosphere color scheme. A leather-wrapped steering wheel is standard. Progressing to the LT adds leather upholstery, but only for the first two rows. The sporty RST gets a Jet Black/Victory Red color scheme with perforated leather trim for the first two rows. A more luxurious offering, the Premier, has perforated leather in either Jet Black or a Jet Black/Maple Sugar color combination. Like the base LS, the Z71 reverts back to Jet Black or Gideon/Very Dark Atmosphere but boasts leather in the first two rows. Finally, the High Country has either Jet Black or Jet Black/Mocha perforated leather.

Price Range (MSRP):$49,600 - $72,700.