Back in May, we broke the news that the all-new 2021 Chevy Tahoe diesel and equally all-new 2021 Chevy Suburban diesel would have late availability. Now, GM Authority has exclusively learned that both oil-burner next-gen SUVs will be available to order in November.
In both models, the engine in question is the 3.0L I6 LM2 turbodiesel Duramax, which features dual-overhead cams and direct injection. The LM2 diesel engine is offered as an available option for every trim level with the exception of the off-road Z71. When equipped in the 2021 Chevy Tahoe diesel and 2021 Chevy Suburban diesel, the LM2 engine produces 277 horsepower at 3,750 rpm, and 460 pound-feet of torque at 1,500 rpm.
3.0L I6 LM2 turbodiesel Duramax
The rest of the engine lineup includes the naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 L84, which produces 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, and the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87, which produces 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. All three engines connect to the GM Hydra-Matic 10L80 10-speed automatic transmission.
The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and 2021 Chevrolet Suburban debuted side-by-side late last year in a special event in downtown Detroit. The 2021 Chevy Tahoe diesel and 2021 Chevy Suburban diesel join the lineup for the first time with this next-gen overhaul, which also includes a new underlying architecture, namely GM’s T1 platform, as well as a new independent multilink rear suspension. Further updates include revised exterior and interior designs, and the latest technology features.
Both models are assembled by GM USA at the GM Arlington plant in Arlington, Texas. Production for the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe kicked off June 26th, 2020, while production of the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban kicked off July 13th.
Are you chomping at the bit to get your hands on a new 2021 Chevy Tahoe diesel or 2021 Chevy Suburban diesel? Let us know by voting in the poll and posting in the comments below, 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.
Comments
I think the public would love to know the performance comparison of all three engines, the mileage rating of the new diesel, and the towing capacity comparisons of all three engines. What reared axle ratios will be available. and now that someone has awakened at GM how about offering different axle ratios from 3.08 or 3.23 to 4.10 and/or 4.56 gear ratios for those of us that would like to be able to customize our vehicles to our needs. Make the 3.23 or whatever gear ratio GM thinks most folks will live with and not know the difference and attain the corporate mileage requirements the gov’t mandates. Let the rest of the more knowledgeable car buyers select the gear ratio that fits their needs. Make that policy part of the truck selection process when buying a new truck.The competition certainly does. I am a loyal GM guy for 60 years having bought hundreds of GM vehicles for personnel use and business use, but am about to buy a Ford F350 Diesel Dually because I can pick reared axle ratio and I believe the Ford truck is a better all around truck. Someone from GM hasn’t been listening to the knowledgeable buyers for the last twenty years regarding the Suburban and the pickup market. Ford should not be the dominate truck sold in America.
I thought I saw here on GM that the tow rating for the diesel was 8000 Lbs for the 4×4.
I was super excited until I found out that the diesel isn’t offered in the Z71 package…..
This comment is right on. As a Chevrolet Suburban owner my experience with my 2003 2500 LT 6.0l shows it is all about towing capacity . Flexibility is the name of the game.
You’re going the wrong way! You’re going in the wrong direction!!!
GM always seems last to the party when bringing any sort of diesel to market.
I thought GM was wrong only offering one axle ratio geared so high, until I drove and towed up to a 19,000 lb 5th wheel trailer with the new 10 speed transmission. The 2020 Duramax with the 10 speed is very smooth and has more power to the wheels than my 2018 2500 and 3500 Dually that I drove. I couldn’t believe the performance difference when the engine is rated the same Yes I traded 2500 and 3500 on identical 2020 trucks and couldn’t be happier.
Any idea when the diesel EPA numbers will be released?
I just hope they don’t do the same that they did with the chevy cruze diesel. I have one at the dealer for over 4 months waiting for the cylinder head that is in back order from Germany. They bring them for a couple of years and then dump them and leave the customer with out the support
I’m a diesel fan so I’ll check them out!
I’m glad that you are starting to sell diesel here in the USA vs sending over seas like you’ve been doing. I’ll be getting one of the suburban’s. We have vw passat that’s diesel. Because no one has any diesel. Oh I’ll also be up the chevy equinox, I love that smaller suv. Keep making diesel.
The diesel half ton truck is getting around 30 mpg on the highway. If they can do that for the Tahoe will be great. I just bought a 2021 with the 5.3 and the only thing I am not crazy about is the mpg.
I just bought my third Tahoe in the past four years and it seems that every time I want some thing in a model that model doesn’t come with it and you only could pick from two other models I wish Chevy would listen to the people that when they want to buy something they can select from all different models
Approximately what is the price difference between the Tahoe and the suburban in the high country…and what is the difference in the total length?? What size of the tires….who would want the 22 tires all they do is burn more gas or diesel..
Does the Diesel engine weigh more than the gas engine or what do you need big tires for…more expensive to buy these big tires.
If the real life experience with the Silverado crew cab diesel are any indication I expect great mileage and torque out of the Tahoe/Suburban. Friends have the Silverado crew cab in the diesel and report reasonable mileage when pushing the vehicle hard, but when cruising on the freeway they’ve seen 32 – 38 mpg’s. And the torque for acceleration or towing is great; just don’t expect 30+ MPG’s when towing a good load. Still far above the gas V-8’s. I have a 6.0 in a 2500 Suburban and love everything about it but the mileage, and wish for just a little more torque. This new diesel will give me both. Can’t wait to get my hands on one.
What’s this option going to cost??
I hope maintenance of the diesel doesn’t become a nightmare!
From articles read so far, oil pump location behind the engine and belt drive are so fragile and costly to service. To get access to them (at 100,000 miles if it lasted that long!) you need to drop the whole transmission!
Other potential source of problems is the combination of steel piston liners and aluminum block. Will it stand the rigours of 〰️20,000 psi combustion cycles?
I have owned every diesel GM has produced for passenger and light truck applications. Last was a Savana van with Duromax. All were great but as they got cleaner, they got complicated. This new platform will need to be “wrung out”!before I commit! I am presently happy with my 2014 Grand Cherokee Ecodiesel. Really unhappy that GM brought out that “Blazer”? thing. It should have been on the Colorado/Canyon platform with the Duromax as a 4 dr SUV!
I thought GM was wrong offering only one axle ratio with such high gearing. I drove both a 2500hd and 3500 HD Dually 2018 models the Dually pulling a19,000 lb 5th wheel RV. The 2020 models of the same trucks with the 10 speed have a good bit more power to the wheels and get better fuel economy when empty. I never though the performance could be so much better with engine rated the same as the 2018 trucks.
Ready to order how much longer?
When will the deisel be available in the Z71 trim
Ordered our 2021 Tahoe Duramax two weeks ago. It hasn’t gone to production yet! Frustrating to know that it’s going to take 3-5 months to manufacture. We have ordered vehicles before and the longest it has taken is 6-8 weeks. Come on Chevy I can see 8 weeks but three to five months is ridiculous.
We test drove a Silverado in the Duramax just so we had something to compare it to. Both my husband and I were impressed with the performance. Now just have to be patient for production!
What is the reason for 21/27/23 mpg when the Silverado pickup is getting over 30??? …and so is the Ram eco diesel way over 30 mpg. I was ready to buy until I found this flaw.
I have just started to see these new vehicles on the road recently. They were all gassers, I’m sure, but one observation immediately caught eye.
What rocket scientist engineer came up with the rear suspension design?! It has low slung arms that can’t be more than 5” off the road. Hit some road debris or a rock with that setup!
Forget any semblance of off road capability. It is just DUMB!
Now that I have seen the new platform that is available, I am very disappointed.
The rear lower suspension control arms are 5” off the ground. Who in their right mind would design an SUV that has the potential to be used off road with something so ridiculous.
You could wipe out the entire suspension hitting a rock the size of a grapefruit.
So disappointed with this that as a lifelong GM owner, I will stick with my Jeep Grand Cherokee Ecodiesel!