2025 Tahoe and Suburban Z71 Fit Improved 3.0-liter Duramax
Chevy’s popular lineup of full-size SUVs receives significant updates for 2025, as both the Tahoe and the Suburban get a new interior, new technology, and a lineup-wide refresh to grilles and headlights. What we were most interested in, however, was the addition of the newest version of the 3.0-liter inline-six Duramax engine.
The improved turbodiesel bumps the output to 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque, up from 277 hp and 460 lb-ft. We got to sample the new 3.0-liter in the Silverado 1500 ZR2 and were impressed with the power, response, and smoothness of the powertrain, and it was only natural for Chevrolet to expand the improved six to the full-size SUVs. Chevrolet will offer the light-duty Duramax across all six trim levels of Tahoe and Suburban: LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premier, and High Country.
From the introduction of the diesel SUV in 2021 until now, Z71 has been the only Tahoe and Suburban trim that does not offer the engine. A report from GM Authority explained that the Z71’s front skid plate, shaped to improve the approach angle, interfered with the diesel’s charge cooler. This news isn’t surprising; the Z71 is not the first off-road package to forgo a diesel option for a similar reason. For years, Ram’s burly Power Wagon wasn’t available with the venerable Cummins turbodiesel because the factory-mounted winch wasn’t compatible with the sizable air-to-air charge cooler.
We’ve reached out to Chevy for additional comment but, as of this writing, have not heard back.
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Nice to have more diesel options for those who tow with these things.
Now all Chevy needs to do is build a de contented basic model, sat like a WT, without power windows and locks, a basic entertainment system with smallish touch screens and of course the diesel engine. All for under $50 k with 4×4!
You can’t even get a WT or plow truck any more with crank windows and non power locks, so unlikely to get a decontented Yukon/Tahoe. Best you can do is try to order a base LS with nothing on it.
Just towed 5500 lb trailer from MI to FL with our 2022 Yukon 3.0 Duramax, did the trip down and back last year with the same Yukon. 17 MPG and no lack of power, I could pass or climb just about anything I needed. We’ve seen over 30 MPG on two lanes, reliably 26 or so on the highway when not towing.
This really a great set up. I have a 2023 Silverado with the updated 3.0, had a 2020 Sierra with the early engine. While not dramatically different, more power is always good.
We have our name top of the list with several dealers for the first 2025 Yukon we can get with the LM0.
BTW we have an SLT Yukon. About $20k less expensive than the Denali. I really don’t feel like we are missing out, other that a few blingy items. I do wish I could get the air suspension, but the standard steel suspension our our current Yukon actually does really well towing. (I do use a weight distributing hitch). And allocations for SLT’s seem to be easier to get than the Denali or High Country.
I’m stating the obvious here, but an inline six anything, be it in gasoline or diesel configuration can’t be beat. Just ask Cummins or BMW. GM is no doubt doing it right by improving this D-max. Add in to the equation Allison, Super Cruise, massaging seats etc, and you get an interstate cruiser/hauler that’s a world beater. I have 3 6.6L’s and actually I sometimes wish I had a bit less h.p./torque in exchange for higher MPG’s due to the fact I don’t tow really heavy equipment anymore. Getting rid of one of the 6.6L’s and picking up a loaded 2024 inline 6 would be sweet. I can only dream…