Why The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban Z71 Don’t Offer 3.0L Duramax Diesel
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Earlier this month, General Motors unveiled the all-new 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and equally all-new 2021 Chevrolet Suburban, dropping cover on a completely revamped generation for both nameplates. Both SUVs are now offered with the 3.0L inline six-cylinder LM2 Duramax turbodiesel engine option, which is available on every trim level except for one – the off-road-oriented Z71. But why?
To find out, we spoke with several GM engineers at the reveal event for the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, and apparently, it comes down to the Z71’s unique front fascia.
In order to achieve a higher approach angle and greater off-road worthiness, the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 and Suburban Z71 come with a different front fascia than the rest of the lineup. According to the engineers we spoke with, this unique look also obstructs the intercooler and associated piping of the 3.0L Duramax LM2 turbodiesel powerplant. As a result, the oil burner is offered on every trim level but the Z71.
As of this writing, there is currently no indication whether or not Chevy plans to address this, perhaps by reconfiguring the intercooler piping, or by altering the bumper.
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71
To note, both the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and 2021 Suburban will offer a Z71 trim level, which will come with a slew of rough-and-ready upgrades specifically geared for dirt duty. In addition to the unique front fascia, these upgrades also include 20-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, a front skid plate, red tow hooks, and black/black chrome exterior accents. Options will include both available Air Ride Adaptive suspension, and available Magnetic Ride Control.
Is the lack of a diesel option on Z71 models a dealbreaker? Would you prefer the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 and Suburban Z71 with the LM2 diesel under the hood? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Tahoe news, Chevrolet Suburban news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
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Typical Gm engine availability b.s.
@ John Sarappa oh stop complaining!!!
It would be a deal killer for some off-road types, CAFE may be the real reason. On a side note GM had purposely sandbagged big-Chevy (Impala, Caprice, Bel-Air…) options because of Anti-trust threats from the US Gov before CAFE. Why not offer the Z71 diesel with a standard bumper and let the aftermarket provide the rest?.
How do you figure? GM claims the LM2 returns 29 / 33 4WD / 2WD MPG? Better than any of the gas vehicles which are 10+ MPG off the 29mpg standard.
You have a point that the offroad packages hurt fuel economy but either way GM is going to be buying credits unless the standards are sabotaged (and the environment with them). Granted that’s not unlikely given the political climate.
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/PowerSearch.do?action=noform&path=1&year1=2020&year2=2020&make=Chevrolet&baseModel=Suburban&srchtyp=ymm
CAFE also works by how many larger vehicles are sold as well as fleet fuel economy also how many buyers will buy a diesel Z71, someone can better explain then I can here. As I below mentioned the 3.0 D might be a Yukon AT4 exclusive with (I assume) different front clip then the Z71 Tahoe .
Lazy on behalf of GM should not be socially acceptable for a vehicle with a price tag like these.
Also price tags like these should not be embraced. Enough said.
But will it offer the 6.2 as an option?
Yes.
Can you do an article on exactly which trims are available with the 6.2? (I’m hoping for the LS and up to have availability this time).
Fix it. If that’s not the most ridiculous excuse I’ve ever heard…We redesigned a $70k+ machine from the ground up, aaaaand we forgot our marquis powertrain won’t work because of intercooler piping? What a joke…
Stop being a whiney troll.
The biggest joke is you. You’ve probably never held a wrench let alone be able to design something from scratch. Yet you insist on complaining about an option your never get on a vehicle you’ll never buy anyways.
Do tired of you internet CEOs and now internet engineers. It’s not your product to worry about.
Hahahaha wow. Funny you make accusations about me and you have no clue. Exactly the opposite of everything you said pal. I probably will buy one. I have several vehicles and currently drive a 19 duramax. I won’t go to your level and slam on you, because you might be a good dude. So don’t call me a troll. Good chance I’ll own one of these before anyone one here. So maybe think before you type bigshot.
Whoa, someone responding on the internet with I have tons of money and I own tons of stuff so my opinion is valid.
Yeah, I’ve never heard that one. It’s so original it must be true. You really showed me.
Hope your life gets better Mike. I work hard and don’t have tons of money. I don’t type things I wouldn’t say in person. I’m betting that you don’t live by that rule.
Happy New Year to ya!
Now you’re doing the pseudo high road while still making passive aggressive insults? Thanks dood.
Much like the last genius… You’re pretty close… I’ve been a diesel mechanic over 15 years. And fabricate all manor of things from scratch on a daily basis as part of that job.
I don’t think pointing out a weak point in a new design is “trolling”. I think it’s being reasonably cautious of a new design. Which is not only wise. It’s just plain common sense. I.e. 6.0 Powerstroke… A lot of people paid a lot of money to be a guinea pig.
It’s a hard fix really. You put the intercooler in front to the radiator and boom, you don’t have enough cooling and have to drop your torque rating or risk burning up the engine. You put additional vents, you mess with the areo, additional fans, more packing issues. As sad as “better safe than sorry” moves are, gm has learned from the past tried and true make the most reliable vehicles. My current Silverado, 2009 has the 4 speed, a decendant of the 700r4 transmissions of the 80’s and is flawless. No truck that doesn’t move is cool.
John I agree with u this is just some more B.S because believe me if this was Ford they would have made it happen Gm always have to limit what u can get I know it wasn’t a engineer issue but when the 2019 was introduced they said u would be able to build the PICKUP u wanted an then when it came out the dumb A%% limited u to certain engine an transmission choices on certain trims I hope one day Gm will wake up an smell the coffee
I think a big reason is the advertised fuel economy will be much better as the diesel is in all the models with better front aero.
The GMC AT4 or All-Terrain version of the Yukon could possibly allow for the diesel(like the GMC Sierra 1500 AT4)
Typical GM laziness… It’s just pathetic and laughable all at once at this point. It all started with the Quadrasteer debacle. Totally AWESOME and totally useful feature. So what do we do with it…? First and foremost! DO NOT ADVERTISE IT! We’ll just make an infomercial that nobody wants to sit around and watch for 30 minutes…Secondly put it not on a standard cab work truck where more than half the country would certainly have bought it for plowing. And then let’s also put it primarily on WORTHLESS half ton trucks. And to top it off… Even if you did buy the “3/4 ton” version. NO DURAMAX option. Epic fail there…And as if that weren’t enough…The 3/4 ton was just an 8 lug half ton.
So… Fast forward to 2021 where we FINALLY have a FULL size SUV available with a diesel engine. But as usual with GM. Let’s not give anybody what they’re ACTUALLY asking for. Which would be FULL 3/4 TON Spec Suburban like my 94 Suburban that has a 6.5 Turbo Diesel. Obviously not the best diesel for 3/4 ton loads But it was what they had back in the early 90s. Anyway…instead of building an SUV that is actually capable of towing a skid steer and pushing a plow…yet another pointless, WORTHLESS half ton. With an engine that has a BELT DRIVEN OIL PUMP…?!?!
Quite frankly… If it’s not an L5P Duramax WITH an ACTUAL Allison. Not some Ford/GM designed transmission. It’s not worth the EPA induced excessive cost of both initial investment or emissions related maintenance cost. ESPECIALLY since they cracked down on tuning. God forbid you be able to throw a tune at it because 0-60 in 25 seconds is in 6.2 diesel territory.
Most people I know buy diesel to tow and haul. NOT because they want awesome fuel economy. With the EGR, DPF and SCR… You’re kidding yourself if you’re going after fuel economy. You’d be better off with a 5.3 with cylinder deactivation.
As a loyal GM fan boy, they really make it hard with SUCH LACK OF THEIR OWN CUSTOMERS INSIGHT.
Ruin the CTSV… WHICH is what finally gave us clout again.
Screw up the Allison which gave us bragging rights.
Not offer the diesel any way we want it.
Keep making it impossible to get leather bench in properly formatted/ packaged vehicles.
How is such simplicity lost on people who supposedly spend$studying this shit.
Let’s not even get started on the SAD ATS-V that never got a real motor. Could have been the ULTIMATE CAR.
Now no BlackWing with new Escalade!?!?!?
Still nothing to compete with GLS6.3, OLD ML6.3 e.t.c.
We allegedly better understand the SUV market then the foreigners yet we still have NOTHING TO COMPETE against many of their offerings.
I hate even owning BMW and MERCEDES.
But my 5 series diesel gets 45mpg and almost 500ftlbstq…
My ML 6.3 is 0-60 in under 4 seconds and carries wolves or Tibetan mastiffs while doing it.
AND OFF RAMPS AT 90 without body roll like im rolling over.
SOOOOOOOO SAD…. THEY NEED TO HIRE SOMEONE IN TUNE AS A CUSTOMER…
GM… LET ME KNOW WHEN YOUR READY…. CALL ME
Completely UNACCEPTABLE. Everytime I show up in the sand with my 2500HD 6.6 Duramax I’m there for business. I have so many mods on my rig, including an oversized intercooler and plastic mods to keep my EGTs lower. Thanks to the engineers at GM (who might not even own one) for keeping 3rd party tuners in business. It would take 5 minutes on a CAD machine to redesign a grill to make it happen.
The fact that you bought a diesel in a 3/4 ton proves the only business your showing up for is to bro out a truck.
Bet it’s white, has 22s and has never done any work to warrant a diesel over a gas.
Got those low pro “mudding” tires too, brah?
Well… I mean you’re actually pretty close. It’s green. With 16’s and Firestone Winterforce. And a Blizzard Power Plow. So… Nice try “bruh”. And here’s a SHOCKER! It doesn’t even have a lift kit. It does have a set of leveling keys. But only to handle the plow.
I actually bought it because I like the body style. I paid $400 for it because it had a broken crankshaft. I rebuilt the engine myself and did all the work myself. (Except machining of course because I don’t have the equipment) Some people like T-Buckets. Some people like 49 Ford’s. I like trucks and GMT400s are good looking trucks.
It isn’t my daily driver. It’s a spare truck and a backup plow truck for my H2. Which is also at stock height with stock tire size and has the same Blizzard Power Plow.
I’ve been a diesel mechanic for over 15 years. So of course I bought a diesel. Especially considering back in the 90s the 350 small block got MAYBE 12mpg and the 6.5 Turbo Diesel got well over 20mpg when tuned and driven responsibility. I plow in the winter to bring in extra money.
Have a nice life peaches…
Was talking to Kyle Crump. I assume you’re not the same person…
Need I remind anyone, if this was Toyota, the Tahoe/Suburban would only have a 5.3V8 as an option. It is great that there is 3 available(hopefully wider availability of the 6.2 V8).
I have said for years that once Chevy puts a duramax in a Suburban, I am buying it. That being said, I own a 2005 Z71 and a 2017 Z71. Now I’m torn. I absolutely love the new Z package but want the diesel. I’ve taken my 05 to North Dakota several times to hunt, not to mention Texas, Nebraska, Wyoming and Utah. I need the Z package to get to my cabin also.
I have to ask, Who’s running this company… Freddy Krugar?
In its constant bid to stay both relevant AND solvent, GM has left a trail of corporate skeletons and corpses in its wake. In fact, trying to find the cause or culprit of this killing spree by GM has proven to be just as frustrating. Yet, this automotive Horror flick series continues two decades later… or is it three now?
Heres the body count:
1999, they whacked the last (full-size) two-door SUV, the Blazer/Tahoe/Yukon platform.
Then they went on a bender and slaughtered not just the Firebird, GTO and Saturn Sky, but their parents too! Saturn got slashed to pieces and eaten by rats.
Then Pontiac got pounced upon by its own cannibalistic siblings and burnt to a delicate crisp… yum, these flamin’ chicken wings are scrumptious Daddy.
With their appetites piqued, the next victim was grandaddy Oldsmobile himself. Buick commented, “Kinda boney, but oh-so worth the effort”.
I guess the Heartbeat of America, specifically the Camaro, began looking like a ripe juicy peach in the mouth of a Christmas Goose. Next thing ya know, they lopped off its head too. We could hear GM’s lips-smacking all the way from Detroit.
But after some lamenting, they resurrected it as Camaro 2.010, just to put it on a treadmill and beef it up for the next rampage.
The carnage hasn’t stopped. Has anyone noticed the demise of the All American automotive icon? The epitome of Americana? The little red pickup truck?
Just try to find a 2020 regular cab, short-bed 4×4. Its extinct.
Instead, GM has been hard at work fattening-up their already massive full-size SUV’s, while cleverly disguising them as Ford Explorers.
So we all know what’s coming. Someone please, stop the insanity!
Cover your eyes and repeat, it’s only a machine, it’s only a machine
little red truck- Colorado
if you want to blame the death of the 4th gen firebird and Camaro on anyone it’s us. they just didn’t sell. olds had no real purpose at that point. pontiac, saturn, and himmer were killed by the economy. we killed the impala and Cruze. gm didn’t really care for the SS. the front engine Corvette was a sad death.
I presently own a 2013 Tahoe z71 and I agree with big B.
That is sad. I had the z71 Suburban 4×4 in the 07 when first came out with the cylinder deactivation- which sucked (oil literally) by the way and I was wanting to buy the new latger Tahoe diesel 3.0 with locking diff and 4Low. If they don’t at least provide the 2 speed transfer case and locking diff with diesel option and standard front end, then it is a deal killer. For me it is.
Sidenote: fix that in the Yukon (similar to Sierra front but allow for the heavy cooler) with locking diff, 2Speed transfer case/ 4 low, and Problem Solved. IMHO
Who gives a chit? 6.2L LT based V8 > 3.0L Duramax. Dodge not offering a Cummins in the Powerwagon in a much bigger deal. GM not offering the 6.2L backed by the A10 in all trim levels of their 1/2 ton trucks is a bigger deal as well. You need a diesel for work then buy a 3/4 ton or bigger truck.
This excuse from Chevy wreaks of bovine excrement. They could’ve stuffed the 3.0 dmax in the Silverado Trail Boss, but didn’t. GMC came along with the Sierra AT4 and said, “Hold my beer”. Chevy was just trying to remain consistent. There’ll be a Yukon AT4 with the 3.0 dmax. Any engineer worth their salt will tell you that good engineering is merely a matter of finding the right hammer to pound a square peg into a round hold. Chevy could’ve stuffed the 3.0 dmax into the Z71. They just chose not to. GMC will benefit from this, and nobody will lose out.
The 3.0 duramax is missing a chain to drive the oil pump. I cannot buy it with a rubber belt drive.
A bit Apples and Oranges but I had 2 SHOs back in the day. Both had high mileage, drove them crazy/ race them, a few bugs in thoses cars but the Yamaha 3.0 in both cars was flawless….and they had rubber timing belts.
The oil pump belt requires removing the transmission and dissecting the engine for replacement. Of course, after it fails you will be replacing the engine. You might want to learn more about the new engine.
Looks like the entire drive accessory is rear mounted. Unless all belts and pumps are relocated you’ll have to drop the transmission to get to the oil and probably water pumps.. The oil pump belt I believe is on a tensioner with a 150k change recommendation.
Maybe a market ploy, funny if the Yukon/XL AT4 will have the 3.0 D.
Everyone wants a Duraburb! Manufacturers are blind to what their customers want.