Overview & Reviews
Dual airbags debut, and a cargo area power lock switch makes locking up the vehicle after unloading cargo more convenient. Variable power steering lightens low-speed steering effort, and automatic transmissions are improved. Two new exterior colors are added to the paint roster.
- Largest regular production SUV on the market, cargo capacity, very safe vehicle, standard ABS, dual airbags
- Fuel economy, very poor list of standard equipment, dealers generally gouge customers on price, difficult to manuever in tight places
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 54.00-
228,000 miles and doing great! - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
By runner97 - September 29 - 7:22 amMy 97 4dr k1500 has 228,000 miles and is doing great. Just used it to pull my travel trailer 6,000 lb through Penn, Maryland, WV, V, KY, and back to Michigan and did great! Other than regular maintenace as well it is doing good. Cant be more happy with it. I dont think you can find anything better for pulling. Things I wish they would keep in the new suburbans. A simple, tuff, and not be afarid to get dirty suburban. The new ones are to nice. Why would you use it for hauling things in.
-
An absolute Juggernaut - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
By james_nicklin - September 20 - 3:33 pmPurchased used for $5k @ 150,000 miles. 20,000 miles later I still think it is the Best truck I have ever owned. I have carried two families of 8 (4 car seats and 4 adults). I have hauled 1,500 lbs of equipment with space to spare. I pulled a friends crew cab truck out of 3 1/2 feet of running water (interior and bed flooded) uphill on gravel at idle. It has protected my family through two car accidents in which the other vehicles were totaled and the Suburban withstood cosmetic/no damage. Fantastic comfort for long drives, 3 leather rows. Moving from Tacoma Wa to Phoenix AZ took two tank-fulls for a 1,600 mile drive. Over my 20k miles I have averaged 16.3 mpg and maxed at 19.3
-
I love my Suburban! - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
By Tex - May 26 - 2:34 amI bought my Suburban with 97,000 miles for $7,000 cash and have driven it for 30,000 miles over the last five years mostly on the weekends. I use it for hunting, camping and long trips and has worked out extremely well. It is blast to drive. I have spent $1,100 for new a/c compressor, brakes and a water pump but beyond that it runs like a top. At 16 mpg it sucks down the gas but at this point the depreciation is almost nothing, no financing cost, insurance runs $50 per month and I have little in repairs so it is still reasonably economical to operate. This is daddys toy and I have lots of fun on the road and off road with it. I expect to still be driving this vehicle for many years
-
Good Value - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
By Dino Motta - March 25 - 12:50 pmPurchased this vehicle used with 4,500 miles. Currently has 171,000 and still only uses a quart of oil every 3K. For this size vehicle fuel economy is excellent. I just from a 1,500 mile trip and averaged 17.9 mpg traveling at an average speed of 72 mph (5.7L Gas). Most unusual repair was replacement of intake manifold gasket (75K), this appears to be an issue with many Chevy models other in addition to Suburban. I have done many expected repairs, water pump, fuel pump, u-joints, radiator (plastic sides tanks are silly). Brakes, rotors and drums are an issue. Brake system probably undersized for weight of vehicle.
-
Mine has been good to me - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
By Bulletproof Burban - May 11 - 10:39 pmI like mine, it has been a reliable companion. I have had to replace wear items, but nothing unusual, and it has never left me stranded in 6 years and 110K miles. I have no complaints about its reliability, and I am a Toyota salesman! Been off road way more than the average Suburban, and never broke down or got stuck. It has been coast to coast, and gets 21- 24 highway. Worst highway mileage I ever got was 19 MPG before I had it tuned up. I will get another of this generation, a Gold 1999, when I return to living in the mountains. They are easy to maintain yourself. I only have used my 97 off road and in the winter, but I bet I could put a million miles on one.
-
Good Value - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
By Fred Red - September 14 - 2:00 amOwned for 7 years - hardly any problems except one bad alternator. Excellent value, huge capacity, dependable performance. One of the better cars I have owned.
-
Ultimate family hauler - 4wd diesel Sub - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
By 4smiths - April 29 - 2:00 amAfter 20 months and 24,000 miles, my wife loves this truck for its overall capability and family friendliness. Gets 18mpg @ 75 mph cruising, and 15mpg in strictly around-town driving. The 6.5L turbodiesel is a remarkable powerplant for a full-size SUV, and the 4L-80E transmission is simply outstanding in every way. Surprisingly good handler for such a huge rig, although it will never fool a driver into thinking that its a sports car!
-
Lovin it - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
By Sub-2 - November 12 - 2:00 amThis is my second Suburban. The firsat was a 92 2wd. This truck is a big improvement over my 92. The ride quality is awesome. There is a little corner sway that is common in big SUVs.I give Chevy an A for effort on this truck.
-
K2500 4WD Diesel - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
By kegler - October 24 - 2:00 amI have the diesel version, so my experience is probably different than others. The diesel runs very well and is extremely reliable. It pulls a trailer without problems (both a heavy boat and a camper). Overall, a very nice vehicle that gets better than normal fuel mileage because of the diesel package.
-
Its a lemon, but it runs good. - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
By TSgt Vaz - October 3 - 2:00 amI purchase this vehicle for one purpose and it was for my family. They have enjoyed traveling around the US with it. I have had alot of electrical problems with this Suburban, but it has performed wonderfully for me. It has 116,000 miles on it and it still running good. I just travelled 7,000 miles this july. My family was very comfortable riding in it.
