Sam Krahn 
The all new 2021 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban are just around the corner, and represent hugely important cars for GM. The full-size SUVs are better than ever before, with the switch to independent rear suspension bringing many benefits. Today, we now know that gasoline fuel economy and towing are improved as well.
Starting with fuel economy, the new Tahoe and Suburban get exactly 1 combined MPG better in all gas configurations. Depending on the model and drivetrain, you’re looking at somewhere between 16-19 mpg combined. While overall there are minor improvements, the new models have better city mpg but worse highway mpg than the outgoing models. This is still impressive, as the new SUVs are significantly larger and heavier than before. And with gas prices hitting rock bottom, we doubt customers will even care.
As for the competition, the 2021 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban fair well. Only the Ford Expedition is more efficient, but it only gets 19 mpg in the most efficient configuration.
The biggest improvements are seen in towing and payload, especially in the base model. Previously, the outgoing Tahoe could tow around 6,500 lbs depending on configuration. In the new model, according to TFL Truck, that number jumps over 1,000 pounds to an average of 7,800 pounds. The Suburban goes up by similar amounts. Payload is also up slightly across the board on all models. Best of all, the standard 5.3 liter V8 now tows as much, if not more, than the upgraded 6.2 liter engine depending on model and configuration. Now, buyers don’t have to pay more for more towing.
Once again, the Ford Expedition does better in max towing at over 9,000 pounds Without a towing package, the Expedition is actually lower than the Tahoe at around 6,600 pounds.
The general theme here is that Chevy has made efficiency and towing specs incrementally better than the outgoing models, but nothing dramatic. The same goes for its place in the competition, as the Chevy pair do well without being class leading. But Chevy knows that these types of SUVs are mostly family haulers, and that’s what the focus is on.
| Name | K2 SUV (Cty/Hwy/Comb) | T1 SUV (Cty/Hwy/Comb) | Difference (Cty/Hwy/Comb) |
| Suburban 2WD 5.3L | 15/22/18 | 16/20/18 | +1/-2/0 |
| Suburban 4WD 5.3L | 14/21/16 | 15/19/17 | +1/-2/+1 |
| Suburban 2WD 6.2L | 14/23/17 | 15/20/17 | +1/-3/0 |
| Suburban 4WD 6.2L | 14/20/16 | 14/19/16 | 0/-1/0 |
| Tahoe 2WD 5.3L | 15/22/18 | 16/20/18 | +1/-2/0 |
| Tahoe 4WD 5.3L | 15/21/17 | 16/20/18 | +1/-1/+1 |
| Tahoe 2WD 6.2L | 14/23/17 | 15/20/17 | +1/-3/0 |
| Tahoe 4WD 6.2L | 14/22/17 | 15/19/16 | +1/-3/-1 |
| Name | K2 SUV Towing | T1 SUV Towing | Difference (Cty/Hwy/Comb) |
| Suburban 2WD 5.3L | 6,300 lbs | 8,300 lbs | +2,000 lbs |
| Suburban 4WD 5.3L | 6,000 lbs | 8,100 lbs | +2,100 lbs |
| Suburban 2WD 6.2L | 8,100 lbs | 8,200 lbs | +100 lbs |
| Suburban 4WD 6.2L | 7,900 lbs | 7,900 lbs | — |
| Tahoe 2WD 5.3L | 6,600 lbs | 8,400 lbs | +1,800 lbs |
| Tahoe 4WD 5.3L | 6,400 lbs | 8,200 lbs | +1,800 lbs |
| Tahoe 2WD 6.2L | 8,400 lbs | 8,300 lbs | -100 lbs |
| Tahoe 4WD 6.2L | 8,100 lbs | 8,100 lbs | — |
