Chevy SUV Showdown: 2021 Tahoe vs 2021 Suburban

When it comes to options, there are a lot of Chevy SUVs out there to choose from. It can probably look overwhelming for most people when car shoppers decide to head to a dealership to buy a new crossover or SUV, and they’re unsure which one is better for their budget. Thankfully, this comparison between the 2021 Tahoe vs 2021 Suburban will give you a quick rundown of the stats, features, and performance capabilities so you’ll be able to head to your nearest dealership with the proper information in tow to make an informed purchase.

We’ll cover some of the basics for each of the SUVs, as well as some of the features that make them special and what you’ll want to look for if you decide to go with a 2021 Tahoe or 2021 Suburban. Some car shoppers may prefer price over convenience, while others may be looking for performance over comfort. All of these variables will be laid out so you can decide for yourself which of the two best suits your needs.

Trailering Performance

SUVs sometimes get a bad rap for their trailering capabilities or lack thereof. However, the reality is that in recent years SUVs have been upping their game when it comes to trailering and towing, giving some pickups a run for their money in terms of their max towing capacity. You can easily see Chevy upping their game when it comes to the trailering capabilities of the Tahoe and the Suburban.

Towing with the Tahoe

The 2021 Chevy Tahoe is actually one of the few full-sized SUVs that can proudly champion its towing capabilities as one of its major highlights. The Tahoe’s multiple powertrain options determine what you can expect from its towing capabilities. The 3.0-liter V6 diesel equipped on the Tahoe LS trim generates 277 horsepower and up to 460 lb-ft of torque, enabling it to tow up to 7,900 pounds. The optional 6.2-liter V8 for the Tahoe High Country trim boosts the Tahoe’s towing capacity in conjunction with the trailering package to tow up to 8,300 pounds.

There’s also a 5.3-liter V8, which features a max towing capacity of 7,700 pounds for the four-wheel drive configuration and 7,900 pounds for the two-wheel drive configuration. While these numbers might seem lower than the V6 diesel and 6.2-liter V8, the benefit of the 5.3-liter V8 powertrain is that on 2021 Tahoe trims that offer the Max Trailering package, you can boost the Tahoe’s max towing capacity up to 8,400 pounds.

The Max Trailering package comes with an advanced trailering kit and an extra capacity cooling system that provides auxiliary cooling for the transmission. An engine oil cooler, a trailer brake controller, and an automatic locking rear differential maximize torque traveling through the driveshaft. The package, in combination with the 5.3-liter V8, opens up the Chevy Tahoe to a whole new world of trailering capabilities.

Hauling with the Suburban

The Tahoe’s amazing feats in trailering shouldn’t entirely overshadow the 2021 Chevy Suburban, which is no slouch when it comes to towing. The sports utility vehicle comes with three different powertrain options, including a 3.0-liter Duramax V6 turbo-diesel, a 5.3-liter V8, and a beefy 6.2-liter V8 engine, each of which provide different towing capacities for the Suburban. The 3.0-liter Duramax V6 turbo-diesel is capable of towing up to 7,800 pounds, which is just under what the 5.3-liter V8 is capable of trailering at the top of the configuration chain. The four-wheel drive configuration is capable of towing up to 7,700 pounds, and the two-wheel drive configuration is capable of towing 7,900 pounds.

With the Max Trailering package, the 5.3-liter V8 is capable of topping out at 8,300 pounds. This is thanks to the trailering package coming fully equipped with an air-leveling rear suspension to accommodate the additional weight, along with a trailer brake controller and auxiliary external transmission fluid and engine oil cooling. If you thought that the 6.2-liter V8 would be the difference-maker in pushing the Suburban past the Tahoe in the trailering category, you thought wrong. The Suburban’s 420 horsepower V8 with 460 pound-feet of torque tops out its max towing capacity at around 8,200 pounds. In short, the 2021 Suburban has some impressive trailering capabilities, but the 2021 Tahoe manages to edge it out when looking at the raw numbers.

Interior Capacity & Features

Inside, both the 2021 Tahoe and 2021 Suburban are quite spacious, providing seating for up to eight passengers. The Suburban does edge out the Tahoe in the category of cargo volume, providing up to 144.7 cubic feet in space when the seats are folded, whereas the Tahoe only has 122.9 cubic feet of cargo space when the rear row seats are folded. From a comfort perspective, both the Tahoe and Suburban have many of the same features, including eight-way power seating, lumbar support for both driver and passenger seats, available leather upholstery, chrome accents, and optional heated rear seats.

Both the Tahoe and Suburban also come with plenty of infotainment features, including multiple LCD touchscreen monitors, nine Bose speakers, 4G LTE Wi-Fi support, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless connectivity. Both also feature voice-activated radio and SiriusXM Satellite Radio. While the two SUVs may have very similar interior options, the Suburban has more cargo room to accommodate for more stuff if you need the space.

Suspension

The Chevy Tahoe and Chevy Suburban share many of the same features and functions, but it’s quite obvious that each full-sized SUV offers something a little bit different depending on what you’re looking for in an SUV. The Suburban, for instance, has a slightly longer wheelbase at 134.1 inches, while the Tahoe is at 120.9 inches. This is a pro or a con depending on whether you want a few extra inches in legroom or if you would prefer a slightly smaller SUV so you can maneuver it easier and park it without any problems.

Both the Tahoe and Suburban are built on advanced suspension systems, including the Magnetic Ride Control, which dynamically adjusts shock damping based on the vehicle’s behavior on the road. This means both SUVs offer extremely smooth rides, no matter what surface you’re driving across. The Z71 and High Country-exclusive Adaptive Air Ride Suspension system is also available in both SUVs, giving drivers the option to raise or lower the ride height of the vehicle based on the terrain, perfect for off-road adventures or riding through downpours or snowfall. However, if you prefer a full-sized SUV with a bit more manageable maneuverability, the Tahoe does edge out the Suburban in the suspension and dimensions department.

Safety for All

However, when it comes to safety, you certainly want the best that both vehicles have to offer, and in this regard, the Tahoe and Suburban deliver in spades. To help drivers during trailering, parking, and general road travel, nine camera views have been implemented to improve the overall driving experience, including HD Surround Vision, so you know where you’re going, what’s behind you, and how to trailer without any problems.

Standard features such as automatic emergency braking, seven total airbags with inboard seat-mounted side-impact airbags, passenger sensing systems, forward collision alert, following distance indicators, front pedestrian braking, and rear park assist are just a few of the 30 total safety technologies included in both the Tahoe and Suburban. Both also offer available technologies such as rear pedestrian alert, lane change alert, side blind zone alert, lane keep assist, and lane departure warning.

In the battle of safety features between the 2021 Tahoe vs 2021 Suburban, there really isn’t a loser here, and that’s certainly a great thing for potential buyers. What this means is that no matter which full-sized SUV you go with, you’re guaranteed a reliable and safe driving experience. So, you’ll have to look to other factors to determine which Chevy SUV will be best for you.

Visit Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick of Georgetown

For your next full-sized SUV purchase, you’ll want to visit a Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick of Georgetown. With our confident team of sales experts, we can help answer any question you might have about purchasing a new or used Chevy Tahoe, as well as breakdown any concerns or questions you might have. Feel free to chat with a Dan Cummins representative to find out more about getting pre-qualified for a loan through our financing center and value your car, truck, or SUV for trade-in.

Additionally, you can learn more about the Dan Cummins certified technicians who can help you schedule a checkup or service repair through our site’s parts and service section. Be sure to browse through the new and used offerings, or better yet, give us a call to schedule a test-drive, so you can get a feel for what your next car, truck, or SUV will be like before you sign on the dotted line. Visit Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick of Georgetown today and get behind the wheel of your new Chevy SUV now.

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