2021 Audi Q5 vs 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered six distinct versions, each with unique styling cues. The base LS and popular LT trims featured different grille patterns, while the sporty RST had a slotted grille, a blacked-out appearance, and 22-inch wheels. The rugged Z71 combined the LS grille with a blacked-out look, red tow hooks, a skid plate, and 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. The upscale Premier trim sported the RST’s slotted grille with chrome accents and polished wheels, while the luxurious High Country trim boasted a chrome bar grille, 22-inch wheels, and body-color mirror caps. Standard LED headlights and expressive taillights added to the Tahoe’s bold look. Prices ranged from $49,000 for the base LS to $72,600 for the High Country with 4-wheel drive.

Inside, the Tahoe featured a larger 10.2-inch infotainment screen and new electronic transmission controls. The interior offered a mix of cloth and leather seats, with higher trims adding perforated and textured leather options. The Z71 trim we tested included numerous upgrades, such as a power panoramic sunroof and a power sliding floor console. The cabin quality met expectations, with exposed stitching and soft-touch surfaces on the upper half, while the lower half was covered in hard plastic.

The 2021 Audi Q5 was a sharp-looking crossover SUV that carried the Audi design language well. It featured an expressive face with LED headlights and a big Audi Singleframe grille with horizontal elements. The body had crisp character lines, and the rear boasted bold, large taillights. The plug-in Q5 wore S-Line trim pieces and enhancements, including standard 19-inch wheels or optional 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Q5 maintained a classy and modern appearance with smartly grouped buttons, switches, and knobs. The 10.1-inch touchscreen floated at the top of the center stack, and the second row was nicely appointed with standard leather seating surfaces.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered three engine options. The standard engine for most trims was a 5.3-liter V8, delivering 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. The High Country trim featured a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. A turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel inline six-cylinder engine, offering 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, was available for all trims except the Z71. The Tahoe could tow up to 8,400 pounds and handle a payload of up to 1,834 pounds. A 10-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with a 4-wheel-drive system optional on most trims and standard on the Z71.

The major engineering change for the 2021 Tahoe was the adoption of an independent rear suspension, improving ride quality, handling, and interior comfort. The Z71 trim we tested impressed both on and off the road, with adaptive damping and air suspension upgrades providing a smooth ride. The 5.3-liter V8 and 10-speed automatic transmission delivered plenty of power, and the engine’s Dynamic Fuel Management technology improved fuel economy. The Tahoe returned 16.4 mpg on our testing loop, slightly below the EPA estimate of 18 mpg combined.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor, producing a total of 362 horsepower and 373 lb-ft of torque. The Q5 PHEV could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds and achieved 65 MPGe combined. In gasoline-only mode, it was rated at 27 mpg combined. The battery pack could be recharged overnight with household current or in 2.4 hours with Level 2 service. The Q5 PHEV used a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission with full-time Quattro all-wheel drive and offered various driving modes to optimize fuel consumption and battery usage.

The Q5 PHEV featured speed-sensitive electromechanical power steering and a four-wheel independent suspension with five-link setups front and rear. Handling was good, with a slightly stiff, sporty setting that balanced comfort with road feel. Body roll was minimal, and braking was powerful and predictable.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe’s new independent rear suspension allowed for improved passenger comfort and cargo space. The test vehicle featured heated power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel. The power sliding storage console was highly recommended, providing a large storage tray and a locking drawer. The second row offered a 3-person bench seat or individual captain’s chairs, with the latter option proving comfortable and featuring available 10.6-inch entertainment displays. The third-row seat room was substantially improved, accommodating adults comfortably. The Tahoe provided 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, 72.6 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down, and a maximum volume of 122.9 cubic feet.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV managed to carry its battery pack under the luggage compartment floor, preserving cargo space. It offered 25.1 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 53.1 cubic feet with the second row folded down. The second row provided 37.8 inches of legroom, 37.7 inches of headroom, and 56.5 inches of shoulder room, accommodating two adults comfortably. The front row featured Audi’s super-comfortable and supportive seats with a wide range of adjustments, heating, and ventilation on the Prestige trim. The center-console armrest lifted to reveal a small storage bin, and the interior layout was smart and functional.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe’s standard 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system used a new digital platform with over-the-air update capability and enhanced cybersecurity protection. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice-recognition system, and Chevrolet Connected Services. Navigation and two different Bose premium audio systems were available as upgrades. The infotainment system was easy to use, though the main-menu shortcut icons were somewhat hard to access. The voice-recognition system was impressive, and pairing to Bluetooth was fast. The test vehicle had the Rear Seat Media system, offering WiFi wireless device projection and content sharing.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV featured Audi’s latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a new center-console touchpad. The Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster offered three views and was customizable. The Prestige Package included the Navigation Package, which optimized fuel consumption and battery usage based on route data. The Integrated Toll Module was standard on all Q5 models, and a Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system was available on Premium Plus models and standard on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay was included and worked seamlessly.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe came with standard safety features such as Teen Driver, a rear-seat reminder system, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. Higher trim levels or options added lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and rear pedestrian detection. Premier and High Country trims included adaptive cruise control, high-speed automatic emergency braking, a Safety Alert Seat, and an upgraded blind-spot warning system with trailer coverage. The Tahoe had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV had not been rated by IIHS, but the 2020 Q5 gasoline model received top ratings in most categories. NHTSA awarded the 2021 Q5 gasoline model five stars. Safety features included six airbags, an anti-lock braking system with brake assist, Audi Pre Sense basic, low-speed collision assist, power child safety locks, electronic stability control, and more. Available driver-assistance features included Audi Advanced Key, Audi Pre Sense rear, Audi Side Assist with rear cross-traffic alert, Parking System Plus, adaptive cruise control, park steering assist, traffic-sign recognition, and a top-view camera system.