’25 Tahoe and Suburban get new diesel, new styling in and out
Chevy is updating its cash-cow Tahoe and Suburban siblings for the 2025 model year. The takeaway: Americans still care about towing, and they still like their big, cushy rolling bunkers to have V-8—or fantastically refined diesel—power.
Most of the updates we’ll discuss here span across both the Suburban and the Tahoe, so unless specifically stated, figure that the updates apply to both Bowtie Big Boys. The six trims offered for each one, laid out in ascending order of cost and ritziness: LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premier, and High Country.
The biggest news, although it won’t be offered until 2025, is the addition of the second-generation 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel straight-six. We first saw that engine on the new Silverado 1500, and as expected, it’s now coming to these two. The new(ish) mill produces 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque, gains of 10 and 7.6 percent, respectively. A retuned turbo, new higher-flow injectors, new steel pistons with revised cooling jets and an updated temperature control system are to thank for the added grunt. Tahoes and Suburbans with the first-gen diesel were already remarkably quiet, but this new one also gets new sound-deadening material and a revised intake that Chevy says will help it run even quieter. For the first time, Chevy is making the diesel available on the Z71 trim.
If diesel ain’t your thing, you still have two choices for V-8s: the 5.3-liter, and the 6.2-liter. The former is standard on the LS, LT, RST, Z71, and the Premier. The latter is standard on the High Country only, but it’s also offered on the RST, the Z71, and the Premier. All engines, including the diesel, pair with GM’s 10-speed automatic transmission.
All that grunt means a fairly capable tow rig, too. Chevy will offer a max trailering package which on select trims will include a higher-capacity radiator and cooling fan, as well as an integrated trailer brake control. Other towing tech of note: A new trailer tire health monitor; boat ramp assist, which will provide a checklist and instructions for towing, launching, and retrieving a boat; and trailer navigation, which will use Google Maps to calculate the ideal route for your rig based on the size of the trailer. Properly equipped, the Tahoe will be able to lug 8400 lbs, the Suburban 8200.
There are a raft of cosmetic updates inside and out, too. Both 2025 models get revised exterior styling that includes new front lighting elements and occasionally some trim-specific design. Namely, the Z71 trim level, Chevy’s “off-road” variant, will get a new high-approach front bumper that includes a metal skid plate and red tow hooks, both vital for hopping curbs at the Whole Foods.
Opt for the RST or the High Country variants, and you’ll have access to 24-inch wheels. (Remember when those were like the final unlock of Need For Speed Underground video games? The times, they are ‘a changin’.) Two new exterior colors join the fray as well: Cypress Gray and Lakeshore Blue Metallic.
Inside, a new interior features a 17.7-inch-diagonal central infotainment screen akin to the one that now adorns the Silverado and Silverado HD. It’s standard across all trims, as is the 11-inch digital instrument cluster ahead of the driver. Alongside the new helping of tech, 2025 Tahoe and Suburban get a few physical tweaks as well, including a redesigned center console, a new steering wheel design, a new shifter, and trim-specific stitching.
The High Country, which is basically a Cadillac Escalade in all but the name, gets a host of unique interior touches such as real wood inlays (a first for the Chevys), special leather seats, a unique steering wheel, and access to a special Jet Black and Mocha interior color combo. (We saw GMC give its top-rung Yukon, the Denali, a similar treatment; these buyers are spending the big bucks and they feel entitled to something extra special. Chevy copying this move doesn’t surprise us.)
The biggest update for the current generation of Suburban and Tahoe when it arrived way back in 2019 was the addition of multilink independent rear suspension. That system has been retuned, Chevy says, to further improve ride and handling. As expected, both the adaptive air ride suspension and GM’s magical Magnetic Ride Control suspension systems will be offered. Magnetic ride will be standard on Premier and High Country and optional on the RST and Z71 trims. Air ride, meanwhile, is available to just the High Country, Z71, and for the first time, the RST model.
The 2025 Tahoe and Suburban will be assembled at Chevy’s Arlington, Texas, facility, which celebrates 70 years of continuous production next year. Pricing will be revealed at a later date closer to when these beasts of burden start popping up on the assembly line.
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I might be in the market for a Suburban LT so basically waiting another year for these to actually be out is a bummer and kind of annoying. Why announce a relatively routine refresh so far out?
Also, I am getting more curious and interested in possibly getting the Duramax. I’ve never owned nor driven a diesel vehicle. Anyone with lots of experience with diesels mind giving me a quick rundown of important points to know? One definite downside for me is the idea of having to wear gloves just to handle the pump and fill up the tank (diesel goo).
I’ve had my diesel GL350 MB for two years now. I’ve only got “smelly hands” about every third or fourth fill, and it’s just a slight smell, no “goo”. 20MPG around town is normal, with cl0oser to 22 summertime. I change oil and filter every 5K, not the 10K MB says, and have had no problems. I do add DEF myself, as it’s all the same and a lot cheaper at Lowe’s than at the MB dealer. If you plan to tow, get the air suspension!
I have a 2003 k2500 lb7, bought new, love the torque ,towing, and mileage, 23 highway. I also own a 2018 equinox diesel, 45 plus mpg. I was hoping Gm would put the new diesel in a traverse. Heard a lot of good from newer truck owners about 30 mpg in the 1500 series trucks
Diesels are FANTASTIC. Simply put the instant torque and milage all add up to a great combination in a tow rig that can haul the family and friends. Finally have an option, somewhat smaller, to the 2004 Excursion 6.0 that has 345k plus and is still running strong. Smell is something minor in my own estimation- then again I change my own oil- so I am used to a lot of “goo” in any case.
“… both vital for hopping curbs at the Whole Foods.” LMAO well done Nathan!
And boat ramp assist with instructions on how to launch and retrieve a boat? Anyone who even thinks about pressing that button has no business for handling boat responsibilities of any sort other than being the hot chick along for the ride.
I think that the checklist function will likely prove useful for those who do not let hubris get in the way of using it. After all, pilots always use checklists, no matter how many hours they have flown successfully. Things can get forgotten at the boat ramp, and often do. After all, no one is perfect.
They can do all the cosmetic updates they want. My ‘99 Tahoe still looks better.
Absolutely agree that the 99 Tahoe is better looking…although it’s a low bar. The current Tahoes are really ugly.
Just what a working vehicle needs: 24-inch wheels. Ludicrous.
Other than the too big wheels, this looks like a good vehicle for towing your boat. Price would be nice to have.