Z71: Chevy’s legendary off-road focused Z71 was a driving force in the design of the new SUVs, in terms of appearance and capability. Z71 now includes more unique visual and performance attributes than ever before. The Z71 front fascia not only signals ruggedness, it also has a higher approach angle to aid off-road capability. 4WD is standard and includes a two-speed transfer case and Hill Descent Control, along with 20-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, front skid plate and red tow hooks. Z71 features black and black-chrome exterior accents.

A 5.3L V-8 rated at 355 horsepower (265 kilowatts) is standard on LS, LT, Z71, RST and Premier models; and a 6.2L V-8 rated at 420 horsepower (313 kW) is standard on High Country. Both feature industry-first Dynamic Fuel Management technology, with more than 12 modes of cylinder deactivation that are designed to optimize engine efficiency across a broad range of driving conditions, including when towing a trailer. The engines also feature automatic stop/start technology, direct injection and variable valve timing, which all contribute to the balance of performance and efficiency.

The optional Duramax 3.0L inline-six turbo-diesel is available on all models except Z71. It is a clean-sheet engine design developed for full-size truck and SUV applications, where torque means everything for confident, on-demand power and trailering capability. The Duramax is rated at 277 horsepower (207 kW) and a strong 460 lb-ft (623 Nm) of torque. No full-size SUV competitor offers a diesel engine. It is expected to give the new SUVs some of the highest fuel economy ratings in the segment.

The Air Ride Adaptive Suspension is available on High Country and Z71 models and delivers automatic load-leveling and ride-height adjustment. The ride-height can adjust up to 4 inches (101 mm). In highway driving, the system automatically lowers the ride height ¾-inch (19 mm) to improve aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. A driver-selectable setting lowers the suspension 2 inches (51 mm) to aid passenger entry and exit when the vehicle is parked. Drivers can also raise the body for additional ground clearance when driving off-road by 1 inch (25 mm) at low speeds in 4WD HI, and an additional 1 inch (25 mm) at lower speeds in 4WD LO.

Tahoe and Suburban feature one of the industry’s most sophisticated chassis technologies in Magnetic Ride Control, which is standard on Premier and High Country, and available on Z71. It is one of the fastest-reacting damping systems in the industry, using sensors to continually “read” the road and alter the damping rate of the shocks almost instantly. It reacts much faster than traditional shock absorbers to reduce bouncing, body roll and vibrations that can often resonate in a large SUV.

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