The Chevy Tahoe and Chevy Suburban SUVs just gained a serious transmission upgrade. The 10-speed automatic transmission found in both full-size SUVs is a brand new version. However, not every model in the lineup will have a new variant. A few factors come into play for whether or not the old transmission is onboard a 2022 Chevy Tahoe or Suburban model.

2022 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban transmission

Previously, each Chevy Tahoe and Suburban full-size SUV came with a 10-speed automatic transmission. However, from now on each model equipped with the 5.3L L84 V8 or the 6.2L L87 V8 gasoline engines will come with a new version of the same transmission. For this model year, it now has controlled overdrive and a Traction Select System, according to GM Authority. It’s now the standard option in every Tahoe and Suburban model with the corresponding engines.

The older General Motors 10-speed automatic transmission from previous models will remain in SUVs with the Duramax turbo-diesel 3.0L I6 LM2 engine. GM Authority said it reached out to General Motors for more information on the new transmission. Its description is the same as the outgoing version, so replacing a transmission with its twin seems odd.

The brand new transmission “allows our manufacturing and dealer teams to more easily align the specific calibration needed for the transmission and can enable OTA updates in the future,” Chevrolet Communications representative Catherine Scales told GMA.

What’s new about the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban 10-speed automatic transmission?

GM can now remotely improve, modify, and patch software that controls the transmission. The automaker’s products are beginning to run using the same Vehicle Intelligence Platform/Global B architectures. Consequently, these allow for over-the-air updates to the infotainment system, chassis, powertrain, drivetrain, and more.

What else is new with the 2022 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban?

The 2022 Chevy Tahoe received a few other improvements for the new model year outside of the different transmissions. Firstly, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster is among them for all models except the bottom trim. Subsequently, the infotainment system gained Google voice assistant, maps, and the app store. Next, the Tahoe received a few new upgrades to the suite of driver assistance features. These include automatic high beams, front and rear parking sensors, lane-keep assist, and more.

Additionally, the Chevy Tahoe gained the ability to use 13 different camera views, including specific ones for trailers. Also included as a standard feature is GM’s Buckle to Drive. This feature prevents the Tahoe from shifting out of park unless the driver and front passenger’s seatbelts are buckled.

The new 2022 Chevy Suburban received the same updates as its sibling. The same 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster comes to all trims other than the base model. The Chevy Suburban’s infotainment system received the same Google enhancements as the Tahoe. More driver assistance features are available, as are additional camera views, Buckle to Drive, and more.

New 2022 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban transmission

The 2022 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban now get a new 10-speed automatic transmission when equipped with the right engine option. Part of the reason for the change is the ability of the automaker to send out over-the-air software updates. This makes it much easier to get upgrades, modifications, or fixes out through the software controlling the transmission and other components. In addition, the 2022 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban also received many new upgrades for the new model year. Some of the features include more driver assistance, a more prominent digital gauge cluster, and Google infotainment enhancements.