The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban are vastly improved, but one of their most interesting features – aside from an all-new independent rear suspension – is a newly available turbodiesel engine. The 3.0-liter Duramax inline-six produces 277 hp and 624 Nm of torque, and promises to be an interesting alternative to the familiar 5.3- and 6.2-liter petrol V8s.
We’ll be testing one of the models soon,
but Chevrolet has confirmed the diesel-powered Tahoe will have a class-leading
fuel economy rating of 21 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined with
rear-wheel drive. That drops to 20 mpg
city, 26 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined with four-wheel drive.
In the larger Suburban, the numbers dip to
21 mpg city, 27 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined with rear-wheel drive. With
four-wheel drive, they remain unchanged from the Tahoe at 20 mpg city, 26 mpg
highway and 22 mpg combined. The diesel engine will likely appeal to customers
who tow and Chevrolet was quick to note the diesel-powered Tahoe has a towing
capacity of up to 3,719 kg. That number maxes out at 3,629 kg on the Suburban, but both models have an exhaust brake in tow-haul
mode for added driver confidence.
While the diesel engine is new for 2021,
it’s a return of sorts as Chevrolet hasn’t offered one in their full-size SUVs
since 1999. Thankfully, it’s an affordable upgrade as the diesel will only cost
an additional US$ 995 on the LS, LT, RST and Premier trims. On the range-topping
Tahoe and Suburban High Country, it actually saves buyers US$ 1,500.
Deliveries are slated to begin before the
end of the year and we’ll have more to say about the models next week.
