2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered a diverse range of trims, each with distinct styling elements that set them apart. The base LS and popular LT trims featured different grille patterns, while the sporty RST trim boasted a slotted grille, blacked-out appearance, and 22-inch wheels. The rugged Z71 trim combined the LS grille with a blacked-out look, a redesigned front end for off-roading, red tow hooks, a skid plate, and unique 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. The upscale Premier trim adopted the RST’s slotted grille with chrome accents and polished wheels, while the luxurious High Country trim showcased a chrome bar grille and bright-finished 22-inch wheels. The Tahoe's design was dominated by its grille, with standard LED headlights and expressive taillights. Despite its familiar design themes, the new Tahoe appeared more slab-sided, with larger wheels enhancing its overall look.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, with its blunt and bulbous nose, presented a distinctive and somewhat polarizing appearance. Its black windshield pillars created a floating roof effect, while swollen haunches balanced the styling. Even with 20-inch alloy wheels, the flared quarter panels seemed overwhelming. The Highlander Hybrid was available in LE, XLE, Limited, or Platinum trims, with Canadian pricing ranging from $45,950 to $56,450. The Platinum trim, evaluated in this review, featured electronic all-wheel drive, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a surround-view camera system. Despite its quality execution, the Highlander Hybrid's interior had some shortcomings, such as a loud and hollow instrument-panel shroud. The two-tone interior with leather upholstery added an upscale touch, but reflections on the infotainment screen and busy gauge illumination detracted from the overall experience.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered three engine options, starting with a 5.3-litre V8 engine delivering 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, standard in all trims except the High Country. The High Country trim featured a 6.2-litre V8 engine producing 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. A turbocharged 3.0-litre diesel inline six-cylinder engine, available for all trims except the Z71, offered 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, with improved fuel efficiency. The Tahoe's 10-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with four-wheel drive optional on base trims and standard on others. The Z71 trim included a two-speed transfer case, hill descent control, and all-terrain tires. The Tahoe could tow up to 3,810 kilograms and handle a payload of 831 kilograms. The major engineering change for 2021 was the adoption of an independent rear suspension, improving ride quality and interior comfort. The Z71 trim impressed with its smooth ride, thanks to adaptive damping and air suspension upgrades.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid transitioned from a V6 engine to a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, achieving a combined fuel efficiency of 6.7 L/100 km. The hybrid system produced a total output of 243 horsepower, using an "E-CVT" to mimic an automatic transmission. Compared to the previous generation, the new Highlander Hybrid showed progress in efficiency, averaging 7.4 L/100 km during testing. However, the improved efficiency came at the cost of driving enjoyment. The Highlander Hybrid's power was adequate but not thrilling, with a strained engine sound during hard acceleration or hill climbing. The steering felt lifeless, and the ride exhibited unwanted body movement. On smooth roads, the SUV handled well, but bumps and dips revealed its shortcomings. The Highlander Hybrid excelled in electric motor torque and EV Mode around town, offering a cushy and quiet freeway experience, but it lacked driving excitement.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe benefited from its new independent rear suspension, providing comfortable seating for adults in all three rows and offering the best cargo volume in its class. The test vehicle featured heated power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel, with ventilated seats available on higher trims. The power sliding storage console was a standout feature, offering a large storage tray and a locking drawer. The second row offered a choice between a bench seat or captain’s chairs, with the latter providing comfort and easy access to the third row. The third-row seat room was significantly improved, accommodating adults comfortably. The Tahoe offered 722 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 2,056 litres with the seat folded, and a maximum volume of 3,480 litres.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum provided roomy and supportive accommodations for the driver and front passenger, with a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and heated steering wheel. The test vehicle featured a no-cost bench seat option, increasing seating capacity to eight, but the narrow interior made it uncomfortable for three adults in the second row. The third-row seat was low and flat, lacking support and headroom for adults. Storage was adequate but not as generous as the previous generation, with a smaller dashboard shelf and a wireless smartphone charger blocking access to the storage area. Cargo space measured 453 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,370 litres with the seat folded, and a maximum capacity of 2,387 litres. The Highlander lacked storage wells for securing items like milk jugs or wine bottles.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe featured a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a new digital platform offering enhanced computing power, over-the-air updates, and cybersecurity protection. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice-recognition system, and Chevrolet Connected Services. Navigation and Bose premium audio systems were available upgrades. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though main-menu shortcut icons were somewhat hard to use due to their recessed position. The voice-recognition system was impressive, but the climate system was not voice-activated. The test vehicle included a wireless charging pad and a mid-grade Bose audio system. The Rear Seat Media system offered versatility, though it was not fully tested. The test vehicle lacked the available 15-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came equipped with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Platinum trim featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system, and a navigation system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large stereo volume and tuning knobs and main-menu shortcut buttons for quick access. The voice recognition system worked well but did not control the climate system. The JBL sound system, with 1,200 watts of power, offered mixed audio quality. Toyota’s Driver Easy Speak technology projected the driver’s voice through the stereo speakers, and a video rearview mirror provided an unobstructed view behind the vehicle. The driver information display offered detailed data and driver-assist settings.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe included standard safety features such as Teen Driver, a rear-seat reminder system, forward collision alert with pedestrian detection, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. Higher trims or options added lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and rear pedestrian detection. Premier and High Country trims offered adaptive cruise control, high-speed automatic emergency braking, a Safety Alert Seat, and an upgraded blind-spot warning system. The Tahoe’s driving-assistance features worked as expected, though the pedestrian alert could be distracting. A surround-view camera was recommended for maneuvering the large SUV. The Tahoe had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), including automatic high beams, dynamic radar cruise control, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane departure with steering assist. New for 2021 were intersection support and emergency steering assistance. A blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on Canadian models, with a surround-view camera system on the Platinum trim. TSS 2.5+ was effective, though adaptive cruise control could feel uneven, and lane-centring assistance was overly sensitive. The Highlander received a “Top Safety Pick+” rating from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, with four-star ratings in frontal-impact crash tests.