2021 Chevrolet Tahoe impresses with diesel power
Diesel engines are a tough sell in the United States, particularly since the 1970s when General Motors converted a gas V-8 to run on diesel for its Oldsmobile brand, which resulted in woeful reliability issues (mainly head bolts that couldn’t withstand the rigors of diesel compression).
The 2001 introduction of GM’S powerful and stout Duramax diesel V-8 in its heavy-duty trucks — the result of a joint venture with Isuzu — helped make up for that earlier, ill-fated effort with Olds.
But perhaps even more compelling for drivers who don’t need near-big-rig levels of torque is the recent addition of a light-duty Duramax inline-six, which debuted in the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 pickups and has now begun to spread to all of GM’S redesigned full-size SUVS, the first of which is the latest Chevy Tahoe tested here.
The turbocharged 3.0-liter Duramax is one of three engines available in the new Tahoe.
Base models get a 355-hp 5.3-liter V-8, while the top-spec High Country is powered by a standard 420-hp 6.2-liter smallblock.
The diesel is the least powerful of the group, at 277 horsepower, but its 460 pound-feet of torque is the same as the 6.2’s.
Diesel engines are usually a costly upgrade because, among other reasons, they incorporate expensive exhaust-treatment systems that keep their sootier emissions in check.
But that’s not the case here. In High Country trims like our test vehicle, the diesel comes with a $1500 credit versus the big V-8.
On lesser models, the engine is but a $995 line item and