The much anticipated 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe were introduced by an enthusiastic Chevrolet last week with a largely favorable reception. Prior to release, much of the media focus was on the addition of Chevy’s Silverado pickup face onto the iconic SUV design.

However, the 2021 Suburban and Tahoe models boast a number of notable upgrades and features, including modern safety technology, Duramax turbo diesel and V8 engine options, and enhanced infotainment systems. The most exciting change, however, is an enhanced frame with an independent rear suspension. 

Independent Rear Suspension

For this year’s Tahoe and Suburban, Chevy went all out with a brand new chassis design with highly advanced independent multilink rear suspension coupled with options for magnetic ride control and air ride adaptive suspension. It is without a doubt the most advanced suspension in its class.

Chevy’s independent multilink rear suspension consists of three lateral arms, one longitudinal arm, coil springs and a hefty stabilizer bar, built to a larger scale in order to meet the needs of a large SUV. The unique suspension allows the back wheels to move separately when they encounter obstacles such as potholes, rather than jarring the entire axle. This allows for a much smoother ride than the standard independent front suspension, and ensures highly reliable maneuverability.

The new frame significantly increases the vehicles’ wheelbase, further enhancing the handling. Altogether, these improvements allow for a much more comfortable ride and easier steering than previous models, making them safer and more maneuverable in emergency situations and on rough terrain. 

Optional Suspension and Ride Control 

Chevy offers optional air ride adaptive suspension on the High Country and Z71 trims, which levels the vehicle load, and offers up to 4″ of ride height adjustment so that the driver can lower the vehicle when driving faster, to increase aerodynamic flow and fuel efficiency, or raise it for bumpier terrain, in order to protect the bottom of the vehicle. 

In addition, magnetic ride control makes the ride even smoother with a system of sensors that watch the road and react to adjust the dampening rate of the shocks, for a much more responsive damping system, thereby reducing the bouncing and roll common in SUV rides. This feature comes standard in High Country and Premier trims and is an option for the Z71.

More Space for People and Cargo

The Suburban and Tahoe are already known and loved for their exceptional size and interior space, and the enhanced frame on the 2021 models have enhanced both. The Suburban has gained a further 23 cubic feet of cargo space, and a notable 30 cubic feet of cargo space has been added to the Tahoe. What’s more, the lower frame allows for 10 inches of legroom for the third row of seats, without greatly lengthening the vehicle.

To improve the versatility of the interior space, the second row of seats is now adjustable, with an additional 5 inches of wiggle room. What’s more, the seats have been engineered to make them easier to maneuver and lay down, so users can take advantage of all that cargo space. Due to the lower and longer frame, the back door of the Tahoe is also larger, for easier loading.

An Industry Leader

Chevrolet’s Suburban and Tahoe have been at the top of the rankings for large SUVs for the past few years, and for good reason – Chevy isn’t afraid to change things up. The Chevy Suburban celebrates its 85th year in production in 2020, which makes it one of the very first SUVs ever made. In its eleventh generation, the Suburban shows Chevy’s commitment to moving with the times.

Although it hasn’t been around as long, the Tahoe is in its fourth generation since its introduction in 1995. All this goes to show that Chevy isn’t afraid to innovate and improve on their existing models, even if it means starting from scratch. The 2021 Suburban and Tahoe models are proof that Chevy’s risks are paying off.