2021 GMC Yukon vs. 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Comparison

The new Yukon retains the “windswept brick” look of its predecessor. The proportions are a little more vertical but it’s still menacingly macho, with a grille big enough for a Kenworth. Interior materials are enhanced, with hand-stitched leather, real wood trim, and knurled chrome switches, but some cheap plastics remain.

Stretching 210 inches stem to stern, the 2021 Tahoe is longer than any of its predecessors, but with more of its footprint devoted to the cabin and a shorter hood than older Tahoes, it looks taller and stubbier. It’s a handsome truck but as on the Silverado pickup, its scowling face is a polarizing look. The Tahoe’s interior is functional and high-end trims get nice materials and more color, but most models look plain inside, with a sea of black or gray plastic.

Performance and hauling ability are good with all three of the Yukon’s available engines, but the Denali’s 420-horsepower 6.2-lier V8 is particularly muscular, hustling the three-tonner from 0-60 in just 6.0 seconds. The brakes and suspension work well and dual-range four-wheel-drive offers plenty of traction, but turns can be a wake-plowing experience.

The Tahoe is a big machine and no corner carver, but both of its V8 engines provide plenty of grunt and up to 8,400 pounds of towing capacity. The torquey turbodiesel six is no slouch either. The big 6.2-liter V8 comes only on the High Country, but will hustle the big SUV to 60 mph in six seconds. On lesser trims, the added economy of the diesel offsets its more sedate performance. Z71 and High Country models, with their available adjustable suspensions, are highly capable off-road.

Accessing the third row is a two-handed challenge, but that bench now features adult-usable space. Power-folding the second and third row seats should be simpler. Infotainment is handled by a crisp and large center touchscreen, but the graphics look dated, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto solves that.

With a bench seat second row, accessing the third row is a challenge, but the wayback seats are usable by real adults. Seating tall people back there will require some negotiation with second-row passengers, however. GM’s familiar infotainment systems are easy to use, if a little old-looking, and presented in a big and bright 10.2-inch screen. Cargo space, with all seats folded, is a truly vast 123 cubic-feet, though six adults might struggle using just the space behind the third row for a long trip.

Even with cylinder deactivation, a stop/start system, and a 10-speed transmission, the Yukon’s heft blunts fuel economy on gas versions, which return 16-18 mpg combined depending on configuration. That’s not great, but the 3.0-liter turbodiesel does much better, returning 23 mpg combined in rear-drive form.

Neither of the Tahoe’s V8s return stellar fuel economy, with the 5.3-liter models offering 16 mpg around town, 20 mpg on the highway, and 18 mpg combined and the 6.2-liter model dipping 1-2 mpg below that. The Turbodiesel six, however, returns an EPA-estimate 21 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined with rear-wheel drive, and 20/26/22 with four-wheel drive. In real world testing, we found the four-wheel drive turbodiesel hit closer to 23.5 mpg combined. A fuel-saving auto stop-start system is standard and relatively unobtrusive.

IIHS hasn't yet evaluated the Yukon, but NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating in its crash tests. The Yukon also includes a healthy number of safety features including forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Forward visibility is panoramic, rearward is distant, big side-view mirrors keep drivers apprised of flank-side activity.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) hasn’t evaluated the 2021 Tahoe yet, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave it a four-star overall rating. Forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warnings, and a following distance indicator are standard, but Chevrolet makes most other active-safety features extra-cost options. Some optional features, like surround view cameras, are helpful given Tahoe’s limited rear visibility, but they cost extra too.