General Motors has released full fuel economy estimates for the 2021 Chevy Tahoe with the available Duramax turbo-diesel 3.0L LM2 inline-six engine, certifying it as is the most fuel-efficient SUV in its class.
The EPA released its fuel economy figures for the RWD 2021 Chevy Tahoe diesel last month, rating it at 21 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined. Now, the estimates for the diesel 4WD model are available as well, the SUV boasting 26 mpg highway, 20 mpg city and 22 mpg combined.
By comparison, the 2021 Chevy Tahoe with the base 5.3L L84 V8 gas engine and 4WD posts 16 mpg city, 20 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined. Models with the bigger, more powerful 6.2L L87 V8 gas engine and 4WD are rated at 14 mpg city, 19 mpg highway and 16 mpg combined.
| Engine | 5.3L V8 L84 | 6.2L V8 L87 | 3.0L I6 LM2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Regular | Premium | Diesel |
| City | 16 | 14 | 20 |
| Highway | 20 | 19 | 26 |
| Combined | 18 | 16 | 22 |
| Estimated Annual Fuel Cost | $1,750 | $2,600 | $1,750 |
When equipped with the 3.0L LM2 inline-six and 2WD, the 2021 Chevy Tahoe is rated at 21 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined. Models with the 5.3L L84 V8 and 2WD, meanwhile, are certified at 16 mpg city, 20 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined, while 6.2L L87 V8/2WD models are good for 15 mpg city, 20 mpg highway and 17 mpg combined.
| Engine | 5.3L V8 L84 | 6.2L V8 L87 | 3.0L I6 LM2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Regular | Premium | Diesel |
| City | 16 | 15 | 21 |
| Highway | 20 | 20 | 28 |
| Combined | 18 | 17 | 24 |
| Estimated Annual Fuel Cost | $1,750 | $2,450 | $1,550 |
Chevy’s new 3.0L LM2 inline-six turbo-diesel is available on all 2021 Chevy Tahoe trim levels except the off-road-oriented Z71. The engine is rated at 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque and is paired exclusively with a GM 10-speed automatic transmission. It costs $995 more to equip than the base 5.3L L84 V8 and is also available in the range-topping High Country trim with a $1,500 price decrease over the 6.2L L87 V8.
The first customer deliveries of the 2021 Chevy Tahoe and 2021 Chevy Suburban with the turbo-diesel are expected to begin before the end of the month. Vehicles equipped with the two V8 engines started shipping to dealers earlier in the year, but the diesel engine was offered as a late-availability option on the SUVs for 2021, so customer vehicles only began rolling off the line at the GM Arlington Assembly plant recently.
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Comments
The RWD 2021 Chevy Tahoe diesel last month, rating it at 21 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined which is a bit disappointing as one would almost expect highway mileage to be in the 30s as these numbers aren’t much of an improvement over the gas powered Tahoe which suggests that maybe the Chevrolet Tahoe should be powered by the LT2 6.2L V8 that powers the C8 Corvette as it’s a V8 when needed and a four cylinder when all the power isn’t.
CAFE footprint explains the lower rating. They are also 700lbs heavier than Silverado. Expect the real world mileage on these to be within 1-2 mpg of the SIlverado/Sierra.
Isn’t that big of a difference? That is a 40% increase in highway and 33% increase in combined mileage, that is pretty significant.
30-40% better fuel economy isn’t a big improvement?
Classic American logic.
Current v8 can use as few as 1 cylinder i believe with spark tech…