The Sleuth’s sources report that the 2021 model-year Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, the GMC Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade will all receive new sheetmetal and will be built on the same chassis as the Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups, resulting in an estimated 300-400-pound weight reduction. Also in play is the adoption of an independent rear suspension (in place of a solid rear axle) for all three vehicles, with the goal of improving their ride and handling characteristics. The 5.3- and 6.2-liter V-8 engines are expected to return, accompanied by GM’s 310-horspower turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder for rear-wheel-drive versions. This engine won’t be available in the Escalade, although the glitzy Cadillac will be available with a high-output twin-turbo 4.2-liter V-8 and possibly a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8. There’s also talk of a plug-in hybrid power team for the big Caddy a year or so after launch.
The next Cadillac Escalade (current model pictured) will drop several hundred pounds and possibly get an optional supercharged V-8.