Diesel engines have been round for greater than a century, however they’ve gotten a foul fame because of a collection of scandals.

This, mixed with the shift to electrical autos, has resulted in numerous diesel-powered fashions chucking up the sponge. Nevertheless, the truck section has bucked the development as diesel engines stay well-liked in heavy responsibility fashions and have even trickled down to their mainstream counterparts.

Common Motors goes one step additional because the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe / Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade might be supplied a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six. That is an fascinating transfer because it’s the one diesel within the section.

We just lately spent a while with the diesel-powered Chevrolet Suburban and it’s clear the engine is a welcome addition to the lineup.

Don’t Let The Horsepower Score Idiot You

The three.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six produces 277 hp (207 kW / 281 PS) and 460 lb-ft (624 Nm) of torque, however that doesn’t sound like a lot when in comparison with the 5.3- and 6.2-liter V8s. The previous churns out 355 hp (265 kW / 360 PS) and 383 lb-ft (519 Nm) of torque, whereas the latter develops 420 hp (313 kW / 426 PS) and 460 lb-ft (624 Nm).

Whereas the diesel appears to be like underpowered on paper, it’s greater than enough to propel the Suburban which weighs 6,072 lbs (2,754 kg) with four-wheel drive. Due to the copious quantity of torque, the mannequin accelerates at an affordable tempo.

It’s been a couple of months since we examined the GMC Yukon AT4 with the 5.3-liter V8, however the diesel engine appears to supply related efficiency in the actual world. The diesel is probably going a bit slower, however you by no means get the sensation you’re driving an underpowered faculty bus. That being stated, you would possibly want for some additional oomph when it comes time to merge onto the freeway.

Surprisingly Environment friendly

Diesel engines are identified for his or her effectivity and the Duramax doesn’t disappoint because the Suburban returns 21 mpg metropolis, 27 mpg freeway and 23 mpg mixed with rear-wheel drive and 20 mpg metropolis, 26 mpg freeway and 22 mpg mixed with four-wheel drive.

To place these numbers into perspective, the 5.3-liter V8 Suburban is rated at 16 mpg metropolis, 20 mpg freeway and 18 mpg mixed with rear-wheel drive. That drops to fifteen metropolis, 19 mpg freeway and 17 mpg mixed with four-wheel drive.

Crunching the numbers, that’s a distinction of 5 mpg metropolis, 7 mpg freeway and 5 mpg mixed for each fashions. These are sizable features and it’s form of loopy when you concentrate on a 3 ton SUV returning 27 mpg.

In our brief time with the Suburban, we averaged 24.4 mpg with a mixture of metropolis and freeway driving. That’s fairly spectacular and the quantity can be larger if we hadn’t left the automobile idling whereas taking images and video, though a begin/cease system helps to save lots of gas.

The Final SUV For Towing?

Diesel engines are nice for towing and the Suburban looks like a great automobile for hauling your loved ones, gear and a ship up north for a weekend on the lake. By way of numbers, the mannequin has a most towing capability of 8,000 lbs (3,629 kg) and a max payload of 1,625 lbs (737 kg). If that’s not sufficient, the Tahoe ups that to eight,200 lbs (3,719 kg) and 1,717 lbs (779 kg).

Whereas the gasoline-powered fashions can tow extra, the diesels have a normal exhaust brake which might be accessed through the use of tow-haul mode. It’s designed to offer drivers extra confidence when towing, particularly downhill.

A Civilized Diesel

The diesel engine largely carries over from the Silverado, however engineers made a number of modifications to be used within the Tahoe and Suburban. Among the many modifications are revised software program and “noise abatements” to maintain the cabin quiet.

Talking of the latter, the engine is hushed even exterior the automobile. Whereas it’s unmistakably a diesel, it’s not the ‘wake your neighbors’ sort present in older heavy responsibility vans. The noise is much less pronounced within the cabin and you may’t even inform it’s a diesel at freeway speeds.

An Inexpensive Improve

Whereas diesel engines are sometimes costly, the Duramax solely prices an extra $995. On the range-topping Excessive Nation trim, which comes commonplace with the 6.2-liter V8, it really saves consumers $1,500. That’s fairly affordable and it makes the diesel a tempting possibility, particularly when put next with the 5.3-liter V8.

The diesel may not attraction to everybody, but it surely’s an fascinating addition to the lineup and gives spectacular gas financial system scores. It additionally delivers first rate efficiency, fast begin ups and all the potential the Suburban is famend for.

You possibly can read more about the 2021 Tahoe and Suburban in our earlier review.

Image credit: Michael Gauthier for Carscoops