2021 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe was available in six different trims, each with a unique look. The base LS and popular LT trims had distinct grille patterns, while the sporty RST featured a slotted grille, 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 unique 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. The upscale Premier trim borrowed the RST’s slotted grille with chrome accents and polished wheels, and the luxurious High Country had a chrome bar grille and bright-finished 22-inch wheels. Standard LED headlights and expressive taillights added to the Tahoe’s bold design. Prices ranged from $49,000 for the LS to $72,600 for the High Country, with the Z71 trim we tested costing $76,225.

Inside, the Tahoe featured a larger 10.2-inch infotainment screen and new electronic transmission controls. The LS trim had cloth seats, while leather was standard from the LT trim upwards. The Premier trim added perforated leather, and the High Country offered textured leather. The Z71 trim we tested had a quality interior with exposed stitching and soft-touch surfaces on the upper half, while the lower half was covered in hard plastic. The new design improved storage capacity but compromised the control layout, making some controls harder to see and use. The Tahoe could seat up to eight people, but the front bench seat was no longer available.

The 2021 Honda CR-V had a design that blended in with other compact crossovers, with few distinguishing features. It was available in eight colors, though many were shades of gray, black, or white. The interior offered black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather, depending on the trim level. Higher trims featured wood panels and more chrome for an upscale appearance. The CR-V’s seats had a modern look with sharp details, but competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson offered more distinctive styling.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered three engine options. The standard engine for most trims was a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. The High Country trim had an exclusive 6.2-liter V8 producing 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. A turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel engine with 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque was available for all trims except the Z71. The Tahoe had a 10-speed automatic transmission and could tow up to 8,400 pounds. The Z71 trim came standard with a 4WD system, hill descent control, and all-terrain tires. The new independent rear suspension improved ride quality and interior comfort. The Z71 trim we tested had adaptive damping and air suspension, providing a smooth ride over various terrains. The 5.3-liter V8 engine delivered refined performance, and the Tahoe achieved 16.4 mpg in our testing loop.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was powered by a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all trims. It accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.8 seconds. The CR-V had a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that provided smooth acceleration but lacked engagement. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The CR-V had a unitized body structure with MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, offering decent handling and ride quality.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe’s new independent rear suspension allowed for more comfortable seating in all three rows and increased cargo space. The test vehicle had heated power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel. The power sliding storage console provided additional storage options. The second-row offered a choice between a bench seat or captain’s chairs, with the latter option providing easy access to the third row. The third-row seat had improved room, making it comfortable for adults. The Tahoe offered 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, 72.6 cubic feet with the rear seat folded, and a maximum of 122.9 cubic feet.

The 2021 Honda CR-V aimed to fit five people comfortably and carry their gear. It had 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The tailgate could be manually operated, power-operated, or hands-free, depending on the trim. Roof rails were standard only on the top Touring trim.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice recognition, and Chevrolet Connected Services. Navigation and Bose premium audio systems were available as upgrades. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though some controls were hard to reach. The test vehicle had a Rear Seat Media system and wireless charging pad. A 15-inch head-up display was available but not included in the test vehicle.

The 2021 Honda CR-V’s base LX trim had a 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity. Other trims had a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The audio system ranged from a 180-watt system with six speakers to a 300-watt system with a subwoofer in the Touring trim. Charging ports were available throughout the cabin, with a wireless phone charger in the Touring trim.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe came standard with Teen Driver, rear-seat reminder, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered 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, and a Safety Alert Seat. A surround-view camera was recommended for easier maneuvering. The Tahoe had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It did not receive the highest IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating due to lower scores in headlight evaluation and the updated side crash test. The CR-V had a “Good” rating in the original side crash test and an “Acceptable” rating for its LATCH system. Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced safety features, was standard across all trims. This included a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. Blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard from the EX trim upwards.