2021 Tahoe Z71 – An Owner’s Review

My experience with the 2021 Tahoe Z71 has been an overwhelmingly positive one. I am not going to talk technical specs or anything like that. Instead, I want to talk about what I have liked and disliked about the new Tahoe.

First impressions are always superficial. The outside of this Tahoe is eye-catching. I would have to take my shoes off if I wanted to count the number of people that have complimented me on this Tahoe. The aggressive front end, offroad tires, and black running boards set the Z71 apart. I thought I would dislike having off-road tires, but after driving this all over the southeast, I can say the road noise is not noticeable, and the gas mileage is still excellent. I got 23 mpg on my way up to Illinois. I think the looks are worth the loss of a mile a gallon.

My Tahoe’s interior has black leather, and I love it. I have a black dog, and the leather makes trips to the dog park or a friend’s lakehouse a breeze. The only thing my pup complains about is how high the rear door is from the ground. To help him out, I got a ramp that gives him easier entry and exit out of the SUV. I pretty much live with the third-row seat down and a dog bed in the back. Surprisingly that doesn’t impact my day-to-day at all. I still have plenty of room to go to the COSTCO and stock up for the month or ferry friends around. We recently had a couple of friends, the dog, food for a weekend, and everyone’s luggage in the Tahoe to give you an idea of space. We weren’t cramped, and the trip to the lake was a breeze.

The changes Chevrolet made in the driver’s seat are noticeable and worthwhile. The drive selector has changed from a lever to buttons, and at first, I didn’t know if I would like it. It turns out I like it a lot. I developed muscle memory with the buttons surprisingly fast, and the infotainment changes are great. The larger screen that is more in line with my line of sight and running Apple Play to play music and use Google maps is invaluable. The other technology worth mentioning is the MyChevrolet app. Starting your car before you get in it is fantastic whether it is hot or cold outside. Doing it from your phone while you are getting ready in the morning is even better.

The last bit of owner experience I can draw on is towing. I have a 12-foot utility trailer that I use for projects and moving furniture. I have loaded it down with wood and gravel to the point I was worried I might be pushing the Tahoe’s towing capacity. Tahoe handled it like a champ. Gas mileage goes way down when towing, but the most important thing about towing is getting you to where you need to go safely. I also put a massive pontoon in the water with the Tahoe. The launch ramp was slippery from mold, and having the option for 4×4 was helpful. The electric emergency brake helps because it automatically engages when you put the Tahoe in park on a hill. That is a nice little safety feature.

I know this review is probably overly positive, but there is a reason for that. My experience with the Tahoe has been overly positive. I hope my experience with my Tahoe helps you in some way. I will see you in the next post!

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