Best Use Case Of The Power Console In 2021 Chevy Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon
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The 2021 Chevy Tahoe full-size SUV is available with a power-sliding center console The same console can also be ordered for the Tahoe’s extended-length sibling, the 2021 Chevy Suburban, and for the corporate cousins of those vehicles, the 2021 GMC Yukon and 2021 GMC Yukon XL.
GM Authority has been testing this console, as fitted to a Chevy Tahoe, and we have found that (arguably) its best feature is the compartment hidden below the primary console / storage bin. Here’s why: the console can move fore and aft through the vehicle by up to 10 inches, but it can do so only if the vehicle is in accessory mode or engine on mode.
If the vehicle is switched off, there is no way to slide the console, and therefore no way to access the hidden compartment without spending a lot of time and creating a lot of noise. Therefore, the best thing to do with valuable items when leaving the vehicle is to put them in this compartment, slide the console forward and switch off before leaving.
Availability of the powered center console becomes easier and more affordable in the higher trim levels. In the case of the Chevy Tahoe and Chevy Suburban, the console is not available at all with the base LS trim level.
In the LT, RST and Z71 trim levels, the console costs $350, but it must be ordered with the Luxury Package ($2,820) and power-release second-row bucket seats ($370), making a total of $3,540. In the Premier and High Country trim levels, the console is a stand-alone item priced at $350.
| Trim level | Availability |
|---|---|
| LS | not available |
| LT, RST, Z71 | $350 plus Luxury Package plus power-release second-row bucket seats |
| Premier, High Country | $350 |
The situation with the GMC Yukon and Yukon XL is similar, but not identical. Once again, the console is not offered with the base trim level, which in this case is called SLE. It is available with the SLT trim level for $350, but only in conjunction with the Luxury SLT Package ($2,030) and power-release second-row bucket seats ($370), making a total of $2,750. The console is available with the power-release second-row bucket seats in the AT4 trim level (total price $720) and as a stand-alone item priced at $350 for the range-topping Denali.
| Trim level | Availability |
|---|---|
| SLE | not available |
| SLT | $350 plus Luxury SLT Package plus power-release second-row bucket seats |
| AT4 | $350 plus power-release second-row bucket seats |
| Denali | $350 |
The Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Suburban and GMC Yukon are all in the first model year of their new generations (the fifth for the Tahoe and Yukon and the 12th for the Suburban). They all ride on the body-on-frame GM T1 platform, but come in two different sizes – the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon are 210.7 inches long, while the Chevy Suburban and GMC Yukon XL are 225.7 inches long.
The Chevrolet and GMC are all available with the same three engines, though not all three are offered for any single trim level. The engines are the naturally-aspirated 5.3L V8 L84 gasoline motor from the EcoTec3 family, which makes 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, the related (and also naturally-aspirated) 6.2L V8 L87, which produces 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and the 3.0L I6 LM2 turbodiesel Duramax, which is rated at 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. They are all paired with the GM Hydra-Matic 10L80 10-speed automatic transmission.
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A brilliant and innovative storage solution in this vehicle class. I wish to see the Silverado get this new feature with its mid cycle revision.
It’s not secret anymore, now any thief with a computer knows about it. If you wanted this kept a secret it should’ve been kept a secret until the customer buys the vehicle.
People who steal items from cars are drug addicts who need quick cash. They aren’t smart and they don’t do research. They grab what they can see and run. Smart ones and organized crime steals the whole car.
Yep, cats out of the bag now.
Personally, I think it should be included in the Denali trim level. They “say” it is…then list it as a separate option $$.
As for letting the cat out of the bag, I couldn’t agree more. I NEVER keep anything valuable, in my empty vehicle! This just shines a light on it, for theives to “think” they may hit the jackpot.
I had a previous gen Yukon that was broken into with a screwdriver punched through the passenger side door below the back of the handle. Didn’t even set off the alarm. The body shop I went to said this was well known among thieves. I wonder if the General has fixed this type of easy entry?
So, I’m guessing a thief with a crowbar can make a quick entry into this compartment. I wonder how much it will cost to repair after your console is ripped from its mounting.
The previous gen trucks were known for being security nightmares (no steering lock, easy to force shifter out of park, bad alarms, etc). GM claims to have fixed the new generation with better alarms, steering lock, electronic shifter, etc so hopefully they fare betters.
yes im sure thieves read GMAuthority for hidden storage compartments before they steal from a tahoe. Cat is sure out of the bag
Yea the thief thing a fairly moot point. Like others have said, the idiots that steal don’t read lol I had a 15 Impala(maybe Malibu tbh) as a rental car one time and I would show people the space behind the radio screen and they’d be amazed despite several auto journalists covering that “secret compartment”. Only us nerds follow this sort of thing lol I’m ok with that.
They know to rip off the rearview mirror to avoid stolen vehicle tracking.