The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 and Suburban Z71 are the two most off-road ready SUVs in General Motors‘ full-size SUV portfolio. With standard four-wheel-drive, a two-speed transfer case, a different front end treatment with a better approach angle and optional Air Ride Adaptive suspension with Magnetic Ride Control, the Tahoe Z71 and Suburban Z71 come well-equipped to take on the elements right from the factory.
A serious off-road package like this is deserving of some solid off-road rubber. To that end, GM Authority has learned that the 2021 Tahoe Z71 and 2021 Suburban Z71 will be offered with aggressive Goodyear Wrangler TrailRunner AT tires, which are sized at 275/60R20. That’s right – these gargantuan SUVs come with 33-inch rubber form the factory – giving them the tires to back up their rugged, off-road-ready demeanor.
Goodyear describes the Wrangler TrailRunner AT as a “tough, dependable tire with a hardworking combination of on- and off-road performance.” These tires feature large interlocking tread blocks for increased durability, while the saw tooth block edges help with traction on loose surfaces. The multi-angle sipes also contribute to off and on-road grip in all weather conditions, making this a true all-season tire.
Goodyear provides a 55,000 mile (88,000 km) tread life limited warranty on the Wrangler TrailRunner AT.
By comparison, the last-generation, K2-based Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 and Suburban Z71 used 265/65R18SL MT 114S Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires, which are somewhat comparable to the TrailRunner AT rubber, in the sense that both were tires were designed to offer a combination of on- and off-road performance. Goodyear describes the DuraTrac as “a workhorse tire for rugged off-road terrain – including snow – that still offers a quieter ride on paved roads.”
Indeed, the DuraTrac tires have a more aggressive tread pattern and are more capable in off-road, muddy or more extreme snowy driving conditions. The downside, though, is that they have a slightly lower tread life of 50,000 miles (vs. 55,000 miles for the TrailRunner AT). Additionally, the more aggressive pattern on the DuraTrac tire might result in higher levels of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). In fact, GM’s official documentation surrounding the DuraTrac tires used on the K2-generation Tahoe Z71 and Suburban Z71 states that the more aggressive tire tread may result in a higher level of road noise.
A quick gander at the DuraTrac and the TrailRunner shows the vast difference between the two tread types.
Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac
Goodyear Wrangler TrailRunner AT
Ultimately, the Wrangler TrailRunner AT used on the 2021 Tahoe Z71 and Suburban Z71 features a less aggressive tread that enables it to deliver a quieter ride. That, in turn, makes it more appropriate for a road-going SUV while still delivering some offroad potential. The less aggressive thread pattern should also allow the TrailRunner to last longer than the DuraTrac. Plus, the TrailRunner is also about $85 less expensive per tire.
| Goodyear TrailRunner AT | Goodyear DuraTrac | |
|---|---|---|
| Approximate Cost (per tire) | $99 | $185 |
| Description | A tough, dependable tire with a hardworking combination of on- and off-road performance | A workhorse tire for rugged off-road terrain – including snow – that still offers a quieter ride on paved roads. |
| Tread Life Limited Warranty | 55,000 miles | 50,000 miles |
The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe start at $50,295 while the larger Suburban is priced from $52,995. The 2021 Tahoe Z71 starts at $60,495 while the 2021 Suburban Z71 starts at $63,195.
Comments
The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 looks it’s ready for action and what would make it work would be the newly announced 570 hp reworked LS7 7.0L V8.
Presently, the new “baby Duramax” isn’t being offered in the Z71, supposedly because of the newly shaped front end on the Z71. Are you kidding me, who the hell is running this company… the one engine which has been asked for time and time again is shelved because of fascia. Re-design it you idiots, get the green shades out of the room, give the buyers what they want. Instead of selling 10% duramax, go to 20% or more. The buyers are waiting. Also, give the buyers a shot at ordering the Air Ride and Magnetic suspension at all levels, pun intended. Get your head out of your tails.
Ok, let’s think logically about this.
There are three options here:
a) Redesign the engine (resource intensive and 12-16 months to do, before putting it into production, which takes another 6 months).
b) Redesign the front end (possible, but will probably remove the unique high approach fascia).
c) Some combination of options a and b.
Now, take what a, b or c would cost, and make a business case for the financial investment associated with bringing it to market. In other words, prognosticate what demand would be for a Tahoe Z71 / Suburban Z71 *with* the diesel engine, and then see if you’re actually going to make that back, or turn a profit. And while you’re doing that, keep in mind that the engineering and planning staff that will be working on this project could be applied to more lucrative projects (opportunity cost).
Having been involved with GM at various levels, including as an employee in the past and as a journalist today, I’ll tell you that when decisions like this one are made, they are supported by a solid amount of research and analysis. Clearly, there is little to no business case that exists to do any of the above, hence why the team decided against the investment needed to make the baby Duramax diesel work the unique Z71 front fascia.
Looking at the bigger picture, I will say this: GM is the only automaker to offer a diesel engine in a full-size mainstream SUV. Not Ford, Toyota or Nissan offer a diesel in their full-size SUV lineup… yet people still pi$$ and moan that you can’t get the diesel on a single trim level. Some people will never be happy. Oh well.
better tires than the base truck z71 or optional off-road on other truck trims tires which are far from off-road seen same tires on 2wd colarado w/t what a scam
GM doesn’t care what customers want. Most decision makers are not car people, they are bean counters.
The Z71 should have both the 6.2 and Duramax available.
If they really cared there would be easy ways for customers to give them feedback at dealerships and online.
if i put 28560r20 on a 2021 chevy suburban z71 package would they rub?