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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Everyone wants a Duraburb! Manufacturers are blind to what their customers want.
Let’s try to stay positive here… this could have been much much worse.. just think about how Ford cursed such a bad ass, off road oriented Raptor w/ a turbo six cylinder engine that sounds TERRIBLE. Let’s be grateful that we get a z71 off roader w/ a v8 and not a turbo 4 or 6 cylinder.
Have 7 Cummins powered Dodges, 2 6.5l turbo diesel Suburbans, 2 Diesel Mercedes and 1 diesel VW Beetle. I applaud GMs move to an inline 6 diesel platform. But need to keep design as simple and STRONG as possible. When designing an engine why add belts or chains if can stick with gear to gear internals?! Time will tell if this engine fan prove it value and longevity to me as a diesel vehicle owner for almost 49 years including many 5.7l and 6.2l GM vehicles.
Back part of the body looks like earlier version of Toyota Sequoia. The front bumper, grill and headlights looks ugly. Gas mileage improved, that is great.
But mechanical reliability from GM still sucks.
Like many here I’ve owned several Tahoe’s and Suburbans. At current, my 2013 Z71 Tahoe with 100k+.
I have been waiting for the day to come when GM would offer both an independent suspension and a diesel.
But to offer it and NOT include the Z71 is absurd !
It will be funny if GMC offers it at there debut Jan 14th later this month.
We’ll just have to wait and see.
I have been waiting on a diesel option on the Tahoe for years. Finally, here it comes, but with a gut punch caveat that says “not available in Z-71”! I may just stick with my current Z-71 Tahoe, why update? Chevrolet most likely will lose out on my $60-70K for this lazy maneuver. Is there a shortage of competent engineers at GM now?
I really want to launch 2021 Chevrolet Suburban Z71 in S.Korea I really want to ride. I really want to be the first in S. Korea.
Man, I keep hoping 2022 will bring the duramax to the Z71 trim… I am waiting to buy a vehicle until next year’s lineup is firmed up. I still feel it is super silly that the Z71 is the one trim package you can’t get with the Diesel. If you look at the needs of off-road and outdoor enthusiasts the diesel mill is the obvious choice. You can get the diesel in family wagon trim, but not the trim best suited to hauling a dirt-bike to the hills or an OHV park…
I would love to have the Tahoe Z71 with a diesel engine in it. I love Chevy and I love the new Tahoe. It would be amazing if the Z71 came with the diesel engine option.
When I read that an auto manufacturer was finally putting a diesel in their full-size SUV (besides Toyota Australia and Toyota Japan…WHY, PEOPLE, don’t you offer that in the U.S.?!!…And why can’t ford bring back the diesel Excursion?!), AND I read and watched video of the awesome fuel economy the diesel was achieving in such giants, I said “search over.” BUT, they don’t offer it in the Z71… soooooo, search back on. Maybe I’ll wait for the 2023 Sequoia TRD Pro and its 3.5L turbo hybrid which is supposed to put up INSANE hp and torque (and I’ll bet mpg, too).
I currently have a 2021 Tahoe diesel which we LOVE. We have cattle and my husband is a logger. I’m a teacher so when I have the summer off sometimes I have to go feed cows to or take the crew lunch or parts in the woods. I really would LOVE to have the diesel in a Z71 Tahoe. I need to ruggedness of the Z71 but I love the diesel. Also have adaptive cruise is a must for our family for road trips. I’m not sure if the Z71 offers that or not. That IS a deal breaker for my husband.