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BUYER BEWARE! 2021 Chevy Tahoe rear entertainment package

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2021 Chevy Tahoe rear entertainment package

Want to use these beautiful 12.6″ screens? You’re going to need to bring all the cables and devices you used to leave at home. (Photo by Tim Esterdahl)

Bigger, newer and so, so techy! Sounds like a good thing, right? Maybe not. The 2021 Chevy Tahoe rear entertainment package is leaving a lot of people feeling like Chevy took a big step backward, and here’s why.

No on-board DVD player 

Say what? Yeah, we know everything is streaming these days, but to wirelessly stream content, you need a WiFi connection. Not to worry — Chevy has you covered with the option to pay $20+ per month for a WiFi hotspot in your Tahoe so you can connect your phone or tablet to said WiFi, then connect your device to the entertainment system, then finally mirror your phone’s content on the screens. You know, if you have one of two or three Android devices this actually works on.

But you can plug in a gaming system!

Yes, you can. But then you have cords that become tripping hazards and game consoles or DVD players that become flying projectiles during a car crash or sudden stop.

Pickup Truck + SUV Talk Publisher Tim Esterdahl and his wife, Heather, decided to make a video to show just how this new system works (and doesn’t) so you can make up your own mind about paying $2,500 for the 2021 Chevy Tahoe entertainment package with its 12.6-inch screens.

We learn that just about anything can be connected to the system via HDMI or USB-C cords. Again, cords. Isn’t it time for things to be wireless? Or maybe that’s only for the headsets which are Bluetooth only — no option for wired headsets.

So, if you’re going to bring the Xbox or Nintendo or Apple TV or tablets, why not just bring the tablets and forgo all the consoles, cables and adapters?

Another drawback. Or two.

If you are going to plug in a console in the back seat, you have to make sure the rear outlet is turned on and the vehicle’s auto start-stop is turned off every single time you turn the car on. Otherwise, the console will power down every time the engine turns off to save fuel. Forgetting to disable this feature can result in frustrated gamers in the backseat.

There are no USB-A charging or media ports in the vehicle. Everything is USB-C or HDMI, meaning you’ll need to upgrade all of your charging cables to the latest technology if you want to use this system or just charge your devices.

Get the full scoop in Tim’s video and let us know what you think: Is the 2021 Chevy Tahoe rear entertainment package the coolest thing since sliced bread, or should Chevy go back to the drawing board?

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Erica Mueller

Erica Mueller is a Texan, which means she believes that trucks are family vehicles and giant SUVs make good second cars. As part-time auto journalist for almost a decade, Erica enjoys driving all kinds of vehicles and sharing her experiences with others. Erica is the secretary of the board for the Texas Auto Writers Association as well as a contributor at A Girls Guide to Cars.

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4 Comments

  1. Anonymous November 11, 2021

    The res is the biggest pile of horse turd I have ever seen. It’s a complete joke that it is so incapable of connecting to the most common devices. Want to play any apple products? You need a $60 adapter and it only works sometimes and renders your phone useless for any other features. Also it takes about 2 minutes to set up every time. The only devices that look easy to use are miracast devices. But almost all phone companies have abandoned this protocol in 2018. So good luck finding a compatible device.

    Reply
    1. Erica Mueller December 9, 2021

      At this point I’d rather not have onboard entertainment systems. Hand the kids some iPads and get on the road. When they’re outdated they are simple to replace.

      Reply
  2. Kristopher Dennis December 7, 2021

    Just purchase a fire stick and it’s easy. Hook up the fire stick into the hdmi and use the remote

    Reply
    1. Erica Mueller December 9, 2021

      A good option for those with Amazon Prime and other subscriptions that run through a firestick, but you’ll still need some wifi.

      Reply

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