2021 Toyota Highlander 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, a 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, 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. The SUV’s styling retained familiar themes but appeared more slab-sided, with larger wheels enhancing its appearance.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander stood out with its distinctive design, featuring wide headlights, a long hood, and an assertive trapezoidal grille. Its profile was accentuated by a character line reminiscent of the Supra sports car, while the taillights borrowed elements from Lexus models. The Highlander appeared longer and lower than its predecessor without sacrificing size. The new XSE trim added a more aggressive front end and suspension tuning, but the Highlander thrived when leaning towards luxury. The Limited trim, just below the Platinum level, offered an upscale exterior with chrome accents and a refined interior with tan leather seats and wood details. The Highlander prioritized comfort and convenience, making it an appealing choice for families.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered three engine options. Most trims came with a 5.3-litre V8 engine producing 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. The High Country trim featured a 6.2-litre V8 engine with 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, delivered 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, offering improved fuel efficiency. The Tahoe’s 10-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with a four-wheel-drive system optional on base trims and standard on others. The Z71 trim included off-road enhancements like a two-speed transfer case and hill descent control. The Tahoe could tow up to 3,810 kilograms and handle 831 kilograms of payload. The major engineering change was the adoption of an independent rear suspension, improving ride quality and interior space. The Z71 impressed with its smooth ride, adaptive damping, and air suspension upgrades, while the 5.3-litre V8 engine provided ample power and a satisfying V8 rumble.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive options. The Highlander Hybrid was also available. The powertrain was adequate for daily driving, providing sufficient power for highway merging. Compared to competitors, the Highlander’s performance was on par, with similar horsepower and torque figures. The Highlander’s suspension prioritized comfort, resulting in a smooth ride but some body roll in corners. The XSE trim offered a sportier suspension setup with higher-rated springs, retuned shock absorbers, and a rear stabilizer bar, appealing to those seeking a balance between practicality and driving excitement.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe benefited from a new independent rear suspension, enhancing passenger comfort and cargo space. 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, providing 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 option proving comfortable. The third-row seat was more spacious, accommodating adults comfortably. The Tahoe offered 722 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 2,056 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 3,480 litres with all seats down.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in interior comfort and practicality. It featured shelves ahead of the front seats for storage, with a wireless charging pad standard on XSE and above. Second-row passengers enjoyed ample legroom, with available captain’s chairs that could recline and slide. The third row was more suitable for children, with limited space for adults. The Highlander offered 453 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,150 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,245 litres with both rows down. The rear-seat climate control vents were positioned on the ceiling, which some passengers found less than ideal.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe featured a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with enhanced computing power and over-the-air update capability. It 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 some menu icons were hard to access. The voice-recognition system was impressive, and Bluetooth pairing was quick. The test vehicle included a Rear Seat Media system, offering versatility for rear passengers.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander offered an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 12.3-inch screen available on the Platinum trim. Both systems were easy to use, with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Navigation was available from the Limited grade, though it struggled with points of interest. The 12.3-inch screen was bright and crisp, but some apps were limited to a smaller display area. A JBL audio system was standard from the Limited grade, providing good sound quality.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe came with standard safety features like Teen Driver, rear-seat reminder, forward collision alert with pedestrian detection, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered additional features like lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Tahoe’s safety features worked as expected during testing, though the pedestrian alert could be distracting. A surround-view camera was recommended for maneuvering the large SUV. Crash test ratings were not available at the time of review.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support. It also offered adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. Blind spot monitoring was standard. The Highlander received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.