2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport 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, 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 adopted the RST’s slotted grille with chrome accents and polished wheels, and the luxurious High Country boasted a chrome bar grille, 22-inch wheels, and body-color mirror caps. Standard LED headlights and expressive taillights added to the Tahoe's modern look, while the larger wheels enhanced its overall appearance.

Inside, the Tahoe featured a 10.2-inch infotainment screen and new electronic transmission controls, improving storage capacity but compromising control layout. The LS trim included cloth seats, while leather became standard from the LT trim upwards. The Premier and High Country trims offered perforated leather in various colors. The Z71 trim we tested included numerous upgrades, such as a power panoramic sunroof and a power sliding floor console, bringing the total price to $76,225. The interior quality met expectations, with exposed stitching and soft-touch surfaces on the upper half of the cabin, while the lower half was covered in hard plastic.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, in its second generation since 2014, received an interior and exterior refresh in 2018, which carried over into 2021. This refresh introduced the dual-screen center console, a defining feature of Land Rover interiors. The Range Rover Sport offered various trims, including SE, HSE Silver, HST, HSE Dynamic, Autobiography, SVR, and SVR Carbon Edition. The base SE trim included leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, an eight-speaker Meridian sound system, and the dual-screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Higher trims added more luxurious features. The HSE Silver included quad-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, and a 19-speaker Meridian sound system. The HST trim offered a similar feature set but upgraded the powertrain. The HSE Dynamic featured a supercharged V8 engine, a limited-slip differential, and a two-speed transfer case. The Autobiography trim provided 22-way power-adjustable front seats and power soft-close doors. The SVR and SVR Carbon Edition trims focused on performance, with a more powerful V8 engine, sport seats, and a stiffer suspension.

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

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 featured adaptive damping and air suspension upgrades, providing a smooth ride over various terrains. The 5.3-liter V8 engine and 10-speed automatic transmission delivered ample power and a satisfying V8 rumble. The engine's Dynamic Fuel Management technology aimed to improve fuel economy, with an EPA estimate of 18 mpg in combined driving. The Z71's all-terrain tires affected cornering on pavement, but the adaptive and air-ride suspension upgrades controlled body roll and excessive motion, making the Tahoe feel planted and athletic on back roads.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered several powertrain options. The base P360 mild-hybrid powertrain, found in the SE and SE Silver Edition, combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt electrical system, producing 355 horsepower and 365 lb-ft of torque. The HST model featured a more potent version, the P400, rated at 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. The HSE Silver Edition also offered plug-in hybrid and diesel powertrains. The P400e plug-in hybrid combined a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine with electric assist, delivering 398 horsepower and 472 lb-ft of torque. The 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 produced 254 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque.

The HSE Dynamic and Autobiography trims featured a supercharged 5.0-liter V8, producing 518 horsepower and 461 lb-ft of torque. The SVR and SVR Carbon Edition trims received a more powerful version of this engine, making 575 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. All Range Rover Sport models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive. The Range Rover Sport's height-adjustable air suspension and Terrain Response system allowed for impressive off-road capabilities and cornering abilities on paved surfaces. Most variants could tow up to 7,716 pounds, except for the SVR, which could tow 6,613 pounds.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe's new independent rear suspension 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 provided additional storage options. 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 was more spacious, 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, and a maximum of 122.9 cubic feet.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a maximum of 63.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 31.7 cubic feet with the second row in use. An optional third row increased seating capacity from five to seven, but with only 10.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. The first and second rows provided ample headroom and legroom, while the optional third row was best suited for children.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe featured a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice recognition, and Chevrolet Connected Services. The system was easy to use, though some controls were hard to reach. The voice-recognition system was impressive, and Bluetooth pairing was fast. The test vehicle included a Rear Seat Media system and a mid-grade 9-speaker Bose audio system. The Tahoe also offered a 15-inch head-up display as an option.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's interior was dominated by a dual-screen center console. The lower screen controlled climate and vehicle settings, while the upper screen housed the infotainment system. The system had a learning curve and was not always intuitive, but the integrated dials on the lower screen were versatile. The upper screen featured reasonably sized icons for easy navigation between menus and smartphone integration. The Range Rover Sport also had a real volume button, though it was located at the base of the lower screen.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe came standard with Teen Driver, a rear-seat reminder system, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. Higher trims 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's available surround-view camera was recommended for maneuvering in tight spaces. As of the review's publication, the Tahoe had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included standard forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert were optional. Other available features included a surround-view parking camera, traffic sign recognition, driver drowsiness monitoring, and parallel and perpendicular park assist. A head-up display was also available.