All-New 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 Review

This week I’m reviewing the all-new 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe full-sized SUV. The last update to the Tahoe was in 2015 and this new version is the one everybody has been waiting for. It is longer and wider than previous versions, and offers substantially more 2nd and 3rd row seat room, as well as cargo area. If your garage is tight on space, be sure to see all the dimensions below.

Exterior

Starting with the exterior, the 2021 Tahoe sports a huge grill with tow hooks underneath, 20” wheels, fixed running boards, a rear spoiler with the wiper tucked up under it, and I love the new tail lamps.

My review vehicle is the Z71 4-wheel drive. This year, Z71 is a standalone trim level, one of six that is available.

Powertrain

You have three engine choices including the big 6.2, a little later there will be a diesel, but this one has the very reliable 5.3-liter V8 that is putting out 355-horses and a strong 383-pound feet of torque. It is bolted to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Together, they will tow 7900 pounds.

Interior

While there are so many things to love about the new Tahoe, the interior is spectacular. The seats are comfortable and inviting with stitching from the door panels, to the dash, and surrounding the seats and steering wheel.

From the driver’s seat, you see a large speedometer and tachometer and some old school gauges across the top that I really like. There is a highly configurable driver info center that you scroll through from the steering wheel.

High on the center dash is a 10.2-inch touchscreen that operates the sound system, climate control, Bluetooth, navigation, Wi-Fi, settings, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and even Alexa.

A swipe to the left gives you the trailer towing settings, apps, OnStar, camera settings, and you can control the rear media from there. This system is simple and reacts incredibly fast.

Under that are A/C controls, a couple of USB ports, a wireless phone charger, and cupholders.

To the left of the touchscreen are your gear shift buttons which I think are really cool. Simply push for park and pull the buttons for reverse and drive.

Let’s talk about the center console, arguably the coolest feature of the new Tahoe. From near the top of the windshield is a button to electronically slide the console back to get cupholders closer to the 2nd row occupants. For the front occupants, there is a slide-out drawer for valuables that cannot be accessed when the console is positioned forward. This would be a must-have for me.

Moving to the second row of seating, this one has heated captain’s chairs with armrests that are super-comfortable, and they slide and recline. Rear passengers can control their own temperature, USB ports, and a 110-volt power outlet.

Rear occupants can enjoy the ride with the rear seat media system that features two vibrant 12.6” screens attached to the front row headrests that will display their own content. You can share the navigation screen from the front, use your wireless device, or watch a movie from a Firestick. It is an amazing system.

Utility

Entry to the third-row seat is a breeze with a power button just inside both rear doors that double flip the seats out of the way.

The third-row seat is where the extra length really shows a benefit. Two full-sized adults will be very comfortable and their knees will not be under their chins like in many of today’s SUVs. You can actually enjoy the ride back there.

Cargo area is much improved for 2021 even with the 3rd row seats up. Power buttons will allow you to fold the 3rd and 2nd row seats down to a completely flat load floor and have an amazing 123-cubic feet of cargo. It is nice that you can pop the rear door glass open OR open the entire power liftgate.

Standard Equipment

The Tahoe Z71 comes fully loaded with all the popular comfort and safety features you want including: power tilt wheel, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, remote start, rear seat reminder, a terrific Bose stereo, and the list goes on forever.

Sometimes there are wonderful changes you can’t see, like the new-for-2021 independent rear suspension system that gives you a better ride and drive, and keeps this SUV from being bouncy like many of its competitors, even with a super capable 4 wheel drive system.

Verdict

Fuel economy is 16 in town, 20 on the highway, and 18 overall. MSRP on this one is $68,940 with everything possible except a panoramic moonroof, and for me, that’s a very good price on today’s market.

It was a long time coming, but Chevy knocked a grand slam home run with this 2021 Chevy Tahoe Z71.

Credit: Chevrolet