With the redesign of its full-size Tahoe SUV (and fuller-size Suburban sibling) for 2021, Chevrolet seems to have taken to heart lessons it learned when redesigning the Silverado 1500 pickup truck. While the Silverado was universally praised for its drivetrain refinement, the truck’s interior left much to be desired even before comparisons to competing pickups from the likes of Ram and Ford. Knowing that, Chevrolet’s latest Tahoe, which shares the Chevy pickup’s platform, has a very different and much more refined interior than either its predecessor or the Silverado.
Related: 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe: 6 Pros and 3 Cons
Here are three things we love about the new 2021 Tahoe’s interior:
1. So Much Room for Activities
The last-generation Tahoe, for all its exterior size, wasn’t exactly spacious inside, at least for a full-size SUV. The third row of seats could hardly accommodate adults — and only for short periods of time in any case. Legroom was sparse, and the seat bottom was so low that passengers’ knees stayed bent at an uncomfortable angle. Cargo room behind the third row of seats was also disappointingly sparse.
In the 2021 Tahoe, all of that has changed, thanks to both a switch from a solid rear axle to an independent rear suspension and increases to the Tahoe’s length (it grows by 6.7 inches) and wheelbase (by 4.9 inches). The result is comfortable second- and third-row seating for adults. Beyond the added space, the Tahoe has second-row seats that tumble, fold and slide, and a third row that finally folds flat.
According to Chevy, cargo space is now 25.5 cubic feet behind the third row of seats — up 66% from the last generation. With the third row folded down, there’s a claimed maximum volume of 72.6 cubic feet, and with the second and third rows folded that increases to 122.9 cubic feet. Compare that to 2020’s figures of 15.3, 51.7 and 94.7 cubic feet, respectively. That’s a lot of additional cargo space.
2. High Country, High Quality
Chevrolet’s High Country trim level usually denotes the most luxurious version of a particular model, but until the 2021 Tahoe High Country we recently tested, that didn’t necessarily translate into a high-quality interior. Now, though, even the plastics feel nice, according to Cars.com reviewer Aaron Bragman.
“The plastics are higher quality, the leather feels good and Chevy didn’t skimp on the details,” Bragman says. “Check out the piping in the seats that looks like patterned couch upholstery. It looks good, it feels good and it’s finally well done.”
The interior isn’t just higher-quality than the Silverado’s, however. It’s also different. The Tahoe uses a redesigned, angular dashboard and, while it ditches the convenient column-mounted shifter, its replacement is a push-button gear selector mounted high on the dash that doesn’t cut into the interior storage.
Lesser trims may experience a drop in quality, but at least in the High Country, Chevrolet has given shoppers an interior that feels worth its price, something the last Tahoe and the current Silverado lack.
3. Tech to Match
Chevrolet also improved the standard and available technology in the 2021 Tahoe to a level befitting a vehicle that can cost more than $80,000. The infotainment system now uses a standard 10-inch touchscreen, and the gauge cluster can be equipped with a central, 8-inch screen (fully digital gauge clusters are the province of the Tahoe’s more-expensive — and also redesigned — Cadillac Escalade sibling). Optional 12.6-inch touchscreens are available to keep rear passengers entertained via the new backseat media system.
The new Tahoe also offers a rearview mirror camera that can display what’s behind the SUV when the traditional mirror is obscured by people, pets, cargo or some combination of the three. It also offers a version of Chevrolet’s trailering technology — including cameras, controls and an app — that make it much easier and safer to take advantage of the Tahoe’s towing capabilities.
More From Cars.com:
- 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Review: A Different-Flavored Ford Expedition Fighter
- 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe: More Quantity, More Quality
- 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe: The General Did Its Homework
- 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe: Big Is Back
- These 10 SUVs Have the Highest Towing Capacity
Related video:
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
Source: Read Full Article