IRS For 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban Was The Plan From The Beginning
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General Motors just unveiled its next-generation SUVs with the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. Both offer a number of critical upgrades over the previous-generation vehicles, including independent rear suspension (IRS). Now, GM Authority has exclusively learned that IRS was planned from the start of development for both vehicles.
When spy photos of the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and 2021 Chevrolet Suburban first hit the web and revealed a new IRS setup, there were many critics who voiced their opinion that the switch from a solid rear axle was a reactionary move based on the IRS that equips the 2018 model year and above Ford Expedition.
However, that is not the case, as GM Authority has exclusively learned.
“This was something we decided long ago,” GM Vice President of Global Product Programs, Tim Herrick, told GM Authority executive editor, Alex Luft, at the reveal event in Detroit, referencing the move to an IRS for the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban. “It was a big decision and we made it at the very beginning.”
Given the development of these new SUVs started around 2016, the decision to switch to an IRS was clearly uninfluenced by the Ford Expedition.
To note, the current-generation Chevy Tahoe and Suburban utilize a solid rear axle and multilink setup.
Now, the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban have been unveiled with a new multilink IRS with three lateral arms, a large longitudinal arm, coil springs, and stabilizer bar, promising improved handling and ride quality.
Additionally, both models offer available Magnetic Ride Control and Air Ride Adaptive Suspension, the latter of which comes with a load leveling feature and up to four inches of ride height adjustment.
Air Ride Adaptive Suspension is offered on High Country and Z71 trim levels, while Magnetic Ride Control is standard on Premier and High Country models, and available on Z71 models.
The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and 2021 Chevrolet Suburban are slated to go on sale mid-2020 for the North American market.
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I hope it’s reliable. GM’s track record on change management has always been questionable.
I wish both Suburban and Tahoe would of had a different front look and not like the Silverado ! But other wise they look great !
Well, considering Expedition and Navigator have been IRS since 2003, I am not really sure how 13+ years of Ford having it wouldn’t impact GM in some fashion…
I guess the argument would be that the Suburban and Tahoe have dominated the market in years before and after that.
Looking at the pictures, I wonder what the dial is below the 4hi, 4lo, 2hi & auto. Because those actually look like push buttons.
I hate the buttons to shift.
Typical GM late to the party with up to date improvements. IRS couldn’t be a big decision unless staying behind the competition is the goal. Do you think GM doesn’t know about Ford’s designs until they hit the showroom. After over 20 years in Tahoes I gave up on behind the times live axle, big 12 MPG push rod V8 and truck based body on frame design. Couldn’t be happier with my Benz GL450, a big enough full size SUV with IRS, efficient twin turbo, DOHC V6 and unit body design. If you’ve got to tow then the Tahoe might make sense.
Our Tahoe tows like a dream, can almost drive itself. I love the 4×4, it just goes when my caddy can’t.
The one thing i am concerned with is can it handle heavy loads and towing capacity