Chevy Tahoe's 2021 Upgrade Renders it Fully-Ready for All-Out Excursions and After-School Dashes

As SUV production continues to ramp up worldwide, the stature, features, and tech offerings that each model possesses remains as competitive as they ever have been. Everyone here at West Chevy of Knoxville can currently agree that the brand we love to represent every day can fully take the credit for the creation of the world's two class-leading SUVs in the form of the Tahoe and Suburban. With their visually stunning features and ability to remain accessible while boasting industry-leading attention-getting, they both account for nearly half of what makes its way off our lots.

The Tahoe recently enjoyed an upgrade for the new year, and the Hotcars.com staff worked on a feature on its new look, ultra-powerful V8, and spacious cabin that makes for practical use. The RST version sports the ultimate lift of just under a foot with the 22” wheel version, and 2 inches less if you're equipped with the 20” wheel version. The LS model offers a different standard set of included equipment along with various driving modes, and the Z71 is where you want to set your sights when a beneficial bump-up in height suites your exploring mood.

The Premier version of this year's Tahoe is where the fine touches of upper-end luxury come into play to keep you enjoying the finely-honed fit and finish of first-class status during every passing milemarker. There are now nine color choices to deck yourself and the entire crew in while out for an errand-running or celebratory weekend cruise: Midnight Blue Metallic, Graywood Metallic, Satin Steel Metallic, Cherry Red Tintcoat Summit White, Black, Shadow Grey Metallic, Iridescent Pearl Tricoat, and Empire Beige Metallic are on deck to allow you to stand out. 

The Tahoe has always been well-known within the auto realm for its XXL interior capacity, and it is one of the top reasons that it could be the ideal addition to your growing family or businesses' fleet. Once you extend every seat, you'll enjoy 25.5 cubic feet of space, and opening up the third row provides 72.6 cubic feet. For the drives that edge past the city limits and give you time to sprawl out, the seats boast a soft leather upholstery, providing a much more luxurious touch. Looking for a stowaway place for spare phones, or games to keep you busy during the journey? There's also a motorized storage bin on board that can slide back conveniently for second-row passengers.

The entertainment and management options do not halt at just one touchscreen in the center of the dashboard, as there are more in the back for passengers to access, and the updated trailering technology can manage the Tahoe's many towing capabilities. The menus on the 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system provide controls for adjusting and monitoring climate, navigation, voice recognition, and a Wi-Fi hotspot, with the Hotcars.com staff admitting that no SUV in existence can top its accessibility. It's also the largest SUV in existence that you can still order up in diesel, providing efficiency and durability needed for “The long game”!

Sizzling Summer World-Building Opp: Tahoe and Suburban Configurators are up and Running

Autoblog is one of our favorite news authorities here at West Chevy of Knoxville when it comes to the most current scoops, and they recently alerted us to the fact that the configurators for the 2021 Suburban and Tahoe are fully functional! As the temps heat up and it can feel good to stay inside for hours on end, you can build your optimal-featured vehicle, and learn about the two new models while you're at it. One interesting example that the testers used was that of an airport or Uber SUV chauffeur for the Tahoe.

They began with the basic black entry-level LT spec in 2WD and then added the Luxury Package for the driver convenience and assistance features. They then threw in the Rear Seat Media and Navigation package for the passengers' entertainment, then added a locking center console, cargo shade, and black Bow-tie emblems, after swapping up to 20-inch wheels for greater curb appeal. Years ago many customers would have to spend a greater amount of time at the dealer trying to figure out what worked well for them in the long run, and simply looking at pamphlets didn't always convey the finished product.

 

The initial Suburban build was for a man who runs survivalist and outdoor courses and began with the Z71 trim, Shadow Gray Metallic exterior, and Dark Atmosphere interior. With the Z71 package, you are locking in a spec of Max and Advanced Trailering packages, and black Bow-tie emblems. Then, without getting completely out of control, they stuck with the Luxury and Rear Media and Navigation packages.

For another Tahoe build, the customer was a typical Midwestern family. They began with 4WD Premier trim, and Graywood Metallic paint and Jet Black and Maple Sugar perforated leather interior to match. The Premium Package offers up convenience features like the 15-inch heads up display and the trailering tech for its ability to easily tow a boat. They then up the ante to 22-inch Carbon Flash wheels, and Rear Seat Media for the kids as well as a factory-official rooftop tent. It will be perfect for Minnesota lake weekends, and the High Country Trim offers power with the heftier 6.2-liter V8.

We love the fact that you can dig in deep and think about all of your options when it comes to these two, and customize the vehicle that will be your daily driver in the future. The Suburban is one of those iconic vehicles that has displayed a track record of reliability that is for the most part unprecedented, and the two are a pair to be reckoned with as far as any form of competition at all is concerned. We hope to see you soon here at West Chevy where we can answer any questions about ownership and financing, and selection of the model that is a perfect fit for you.

2021 Tahoe and Suburban Crush Numbers in MPG + Towing: Motortrend Offers up Raw Data

For the vehicles out there that are already a bit larger than average, it is always an exciting event when big improvements are looming on the horizon! Everyone here at West Chevy of Knoxville has always had a great love for these “two in troupe”, and their solid reputation for reliability. Both the 2021 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban Full-size SUVs were featured on the Motor Trend blog this past week in an article highlighting fuel efficiency and towing stat improvements across the line. On top of more third-row legroom and cargo space, both heavy haulers will see a new multi-link independent rear suspension that drastically improves ride quality.

Brandishing the standard 5.3-liter V8, the Tahoe is now estimated to offer up 16 mpg in the city, 20 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined. These figures mostly improve on the old Tahoe's, which with an earlier 5.3-liter V-8 topped out at 15/22/18 mpg (city/highway/combined) with rear-wheel drive and 15/21/17 mpg in 4-wheel drive. When putting to use the 6.2-Liter V-8, the 2021 Tahoe sees 15/20/17 mpg (city/highway/combined) with rear-wheel drive and 14/19/16 mpg with 4WD.

The gas engines carry over from the previous model year, but also see the benefit of new fuel management technology. The 5.3-liter V-8 cranks out 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, while the 6.2-liter V-8 resides at 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft. In the ever-important hauling category, the 5.3-liter V8 gives the Tahoe's standard towing capacity an extra 1,400 pounds, and the final number for towing capacity on the Tahoe is 8,400 pounds.

Both models will provide many of the awesome towing technologies we've seen on the Silverado, including rear camera guidelines for easy hitching, trailer tire pressure and temperature monitors, an integrated trailering app with remote trailer light test, and enhanced side blind zone alert for trailering. What many people are waiting to see is if the upcoming 3.0-Liter Turbodiesel engine will help us to beat sworn rival Ford Expedition's towing capacity of 9,300 pounds, as well as keeping it a step ahead of the GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade stats.

When you are visiting us for a test drive of these two new models, keep in mind that there is a new Z71 trim level for the Suburban, and the top of the line High Country trim level is added to the lineup. It’s a bit like taking the old Suburban and creating a hybrid with the newest Silverado 1500 pickup truck, and the RST is one to keep your eye on: the custom sport model with unique front styling, a black ice grille finish, black and black chrome exterior detailing, and large wheels for a different sense of style and flavor!

2020 Chevy Suburban's Z71 Trim Level Closeup Via Motor1.com

Much to the excitement of many customers and us on staff right here at West Chevy of Knoxville, the covers were pulled away from the 2021 Chevy Suburban and Tahoe a few weeks ago. This time, the pair of large SUVs really are “all-new”, and not just because of new metal enveloping the shell. There is an independent rear suspension underneath the three-row SUVs for the first time, and a report courtesy of GM Authority says the Z71 model is also going to be included in the lineup.

At the official debut for the two new SUVs, Chevy did reveal the Z71 edition of the Tahoe, but not formally as an available package. As the staff of Motor1.com reported on the blog last week, the Z71 is now a model trim, and will also exist for the larger Suburban. Since the Z71 package has been so wildly popular in past years, it makes sense for it to be available despite some reluctance to admit the release during the fall. Z71 is the means and package for a unit to become off-road ready. Expected would be the addition of height-adjustable Air-Ride suspension, skid plates underneath, and front fascia that makes for better clearance for approach angles.

It's also expected to see the presence of a monochromatic exterior treatment and grippy all-terrain tires, other additives that help with conquering off-road trails. When we have seen people from a distance off-roading on our various travels, sometimes you ask yourself, “Why are they going so slow? Can't they move just a bit faster over the tree roots and rocks in their way?” and the truth is until you have done serious off-roading yourself, it is hard to realize just how much damage you can do to your underbelly, and just how vital components such as the skid plates are during the drive.

Both vehicles will now boast an even more open and spacious cabin, a more comfortable ride, and six trims with their unique flair. There are the usual enhancements that Chevy has become such a class-leader with, such as nine best-in-class separate camera views, and the Rear Seat Media System with twin 12.6-inch displays. Tim Herrick, VP of global product programs said last year that “This program is unprecedented in size and scope, and amount of capital injected into it”.

At any one time during the new Suburban and Tahoe's development, 10,000 people were working on architecture to assure that these models were unique, durable, and dependable. The most fuel-efficient option is now going to be the new Duramax 3.0-liter I-6 turbodiesel that is available on all but the Z71. Chevy is alone in producing a full-size diesel SUV, and many will be sure to get excited enough to hastily call one their own for the New Year!  

Autoblog Crew Highlights 2021 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban Suspension Improvements

Here at West Chevy of Knoxville during the holidays, many of us and our families are itching to load up a new vehicle with our closest kin and hit the town for merriment! Knoxville offers so many different things to do during December: on New Year's Eve itself, the Knoxville Museum of Art is having their annual soiree with live music, dancing, food, spirits, and a fantastic view of the fireworks on Market Square. Great choices for a vehicle to haul your most fun friends around in are the 2021 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban, and they both have big news in the suspension department.

As reported on Autoblog last week, this was a very important switch and improved the test drive this team spent with the SUVs greatly. Ride quality and utility are where the improvements are the most evident, where Chevy chose a four-link independent rear suspension design. It has three lateral arms, one longitudinal arm, coil springs, and a stabilizer bar. The front suspension incorporates the same hardware as the Silverado, but the tuning allows it to be ideal for a large SUV.

Traditional steel coil springs and passive dampers are standard, but buyers will be able to choose GM's Magnetic Ride Control dampers as well as a new Air Ride Adaptive Suspension. This is so exciting because inside is the next generation of Magnetic Ride Control, expected to be better than ever before. The Milford Proving Grounds was where the team was able to treat themselves to a spin in a pre-production 2021 Chevy Tahoe.

It felt more compliant and controlled than before over a range of rough road conditions, and was equipped with both the magnetic dampers and air suspension. Just minutes before, the group drove a Ford Expedition equipped with Ford's adaptive “Continuously Controlled Suspension”. The Tahoe offered up the trait of not being tossed around as much, and the load floor is lowered by 5.3 inches. This makes for more legroom and cargo room, and even third-row passengers will see great comfort on long hauls. The 2021 Suburban sees third-row legroom increased by 2.2 inches, and cargo space behind the third row by 1.8 cubic feet.

Both V8s use the very advanced Dynamic Fuel Management system, with the larger of the two cranking out 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The standard infotainment system for the Suburban is a 10-inch touchscreen, and an 8-inch digital screen in the instrument cluster comes as standard on Premier and High Country. If you are certain that long trips will be the norm for your business or family clan, be sure to check out the rear-seat entertainment package: here you see two 12.6-inch touchscreens mounted to the back of the front headrests.

2021 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban Poised to Dominate Lavishly Large Segment

During this time of year here at West Chevy of Knoxville, our thoughts are drifting to our favorite holiday desserts, classics such as “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”, and loved ones finally getting to visit from far away. This is when many customers are coming to ask as about the various details and features regarding upcoming models, and begin to plan for which truck, SUV, or sedan will be fitting for them. Last year was good enough to us to bring about an all-new Silverado, and now it's time for large-size SUVs to follow suit and deliver the best in what buyers want in the way of new features. 

New LED lights as standard will be both on the front and rear of the 2021 Chevy Suburban and Tahoe, as well as 18-inch wheels. You'll have the choice of 9 exterior colors, and the wheelbase on the Suburban has 1.3 inches more length and a 4.1-inch stretch. The Tahoe boasts wheelbase expansion by an extra 4.9 inches, and length growth of 6.7 inches. Both of these new vehicles brandish a completely-new underside, and there is a massive upgrade in regards to the multi-link, independent rear suspension. With the solid axle no longer in place, ride quality is going to be much smoother, no matter what elements the weather and terrain condition brings. 

One of the most common concerns that those who are looking at the largest in vehicles have is about cargo space: how much is there inside for the times when you are leaving for longer than just the weekend? The new Suburban gains 19 percent in the back for a total cargo capacity weighing in at 144.7 cubic feet. Both new models also are equipped with sliding second-row seats that provide easier access to the back. To keep everyone in tow entertained, it is pretty imperative to have multiple displays in the back, and both of these new models have as many as five available. Among the five in selection is a standard 10-inch infotainment screen that now lays claim to being the largest in the category. 

It was not too many years ago when long trips that took the entire family away from town made the need for distractions such as books and board games to keep everyone in tow entertained. While those options are still an excellent way to keep passengers' minds off of how many miles are left in the journey, it is true that the digital screen has become the most frequently picked diversion. Rear-seat passengers in these two vehicles can now enjoy two 12.6-inch LCD displays, which allow for anyone not having to navigate the road the means to kick pack and enjoy their favorite form of online or pre-recorded content. 

For the incoming model, there is also the option to add the brand-new 3.0-liter Duramax turbo-diesel engine, which cranks out 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. When you know it is finally time to come down and see us here at West Chevy for a test drive, remember to inquire about the High Country trim level: it offers a visually distinct grille and 22-inch wheels that are the best Chevy “Holiday turkey-trimming treat” we've seen! 

GM Authority Celebrates Chevy Tahoe's 25th Birthday With Up-Close Look at 2021 Model

The Chevy Tahoe is preparing for its 25^th birthday celebration, and the folks on staff at GM Authority cranked out a cool feature this week taking a look at the new model. The original Tahoe was introduced for the 1995 model year and used a design to combine the maneuverability of a short wheelbase truck with the everyday practicality of a 4-door SUV. It was designed to ensure it could tow well and also go off-road, while also being comfortable enough to embark on a long road trip.

This proved to be a combination that the automotive-loving masses flocked to, and the Tahoe quickly became the best-selling full-size SUV in the nation and has held onto that title for 19 consecutive years. Originally intended to meet the demand in the all-purpose family vehicle niche, the Tahoe has also become commonly used as an anchor and high-performing fleet leader for law enforcement agencies. The Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle boasts a very high-output alternator and battery for running necessary onboard electronics, as well as upgraded brakes and suspension.

Right after the vehicle was released during the mid-1990s, police customers began to see the Tahoe's potential, and the Tahoe Police Package was created. December 10^th is the date we've been given here at West Chevy of Knoxville for when the wraps are pulled off of the next-generation 2021 Chevy Tahoe, which will ride on the GM  T1 body-on-frame vehicle platform. Both the Tahoe and next-generation Suburban will come with an independent rear suspension, and it's thought that the turbocharged 2.7-Liter L3B inline 4-cylinder and 5.3-liter L84 V8 engines will be employed in the vehicles, paired to the GM 10-speed transmission.

We're excited to announce that this model may be as much as 300 pounds lighter than the outgoing one, and it will also have improved 3rd-row configuration and usability. Autonomous driving features are some of the elements that are truly giving us an up-close peek at what driving will be like in the future. The “Super Cruise” feature that will be included in regards to the new Tahoe allows the driver to removed their hands from the wheel during long stretches of highway driving.

It uses cameras, GPS information, and radar sensors to steer and brake during highway driving, and is also capable of full-speed range adaptive cruise control and lane centering. Another change for the incoming models are what is included on the LT Signature Package: 20” by 9” chrome wheels, P275/55R20 all-season Blackwall tires, bright bodyside moldings, grille insert, polished exhaust tip, chrome recovery hooks, and chrome assists step kit are all included in the mix!