Overview & Reviews

One of the longest-running models sold in the United States, the Chevrolet Suburban debuted back in 1936. After serving faithfully for many evolutionary years as a truck primarily meant for commercial or rural use, the extra-large Suburban has increasingly become the go-to choice for families or those in need of class-leading passenger and cargo capacity, third-row seating and solid truck-based towing capability.

With stout underpinnings, strong powertrains, a comfortable ride and spacious seating for up to nine plus their cargo, the current truck is a very capable large SUV. A short list of competitive sport-utilities may offer more refinement and ultra-lux conveniences for more bucks, but the big Suburban (as well as its GMC equivalent, the Yukon XL) remains the only full-size SUV available in both light- (1500) and heavy-duty (2500) versions. It certainly comes recommended, and older models are also good choices for consumers desiring a used SUV.

Current Chevrolet Suburban
The Chevrolet Suburban full-size SUV is available in three well-equipped trim levels: LS, LT and LTZ. All are powered by V8s. Standard on the Suburban 1500 is a 5.3-liter unit making 320 horsepower and 335 pound-feet of torque. The 2500 gets a 6.0-liter V8 packing 352 horses and 382 lb-ft. Both are matched to a smooth and cooperative six-speed automatic transmission. A choice of two- or four-wheel drive is yours either way, and towing capacities can approach 10,000 pounds.

For such a big truck, the Chevrolet Suburban is relatively quick. However, the base V8 Suburban doesn't always feel so quick when carrying a full load of passengers or cargo. The suspension system is impressive, though, and provides composed handling and a smooth ride. The Suburban isn't exactly nimble around corners, but the cabin is quiet at speed and the ride is always comfortably controlled. When pointed straight down an interstate or out in the wide-open spaces, there aren't many better, more capable cruisers than the Chevrolet Suburban. Overall, it's a compelling choice for SUV shoppers with lots of people- or gear-hauling needs.

Used Chevrolet Suburban Models
The present-generation Chevrolet Suburban debuted for the 2007 model year. Compared to the previous Suburban, this version rides on an updated chassis that provides all of its prior strength along with a more comfortable ride and improved handling, performance and efficiency. These Suburbans also boast safety advancements like front seat side airbags, stability control and side curtain airbags for all three rows.

Originally, the 5.3-liter V8 was standard only on the LS and 1LT, and it produced 310 hp and 340 lb-ft of torque. The 6.2-liter V8 was standard on the 2LT and LTZ models at this time as well, but it featured a slightly lower output (366 hp, 376 lb-ft) than the 2500 version, which has remained unchanged. For 2010, the 5.3-liter became standard on every 1500 and adopted its current output. Another key difference is the standard four-speed automatic transmission on hand prior to 2008 on the 2500 and '09 for the 1500.

The previous-generation Suburban that debuted for the 2000 model year and lasted through 2006 was packaged more efficiently than before -- and although increasingly outclassed by newer competitors in its later years, its warehouse-sized interior made it an easy pick for families and home remodelers who truly needed to max out passenger and cargo space. Interior materials and fit and finish were merely adequate, however, and the exterior design was beginning to look a tad dated. Plus, it was still a brick aerodynamically.

It was slightly shorter than its predecessor, as earlier Chevrolet Suburban models shared much of their styling and powertrains with the GM full-size pickups on which they were based. Several trim levels and a couple modest V8s were available initially, but by 2001 the two "small-block" engines were up to 285 and 320 hp, and were still outpaced by an available new 8.1-liter V8 with 340 hp and 455 lb-ft of stump-pulling torque.

The Chevy Suburban inched further up the comfort scale as the years went by, but the big news for 2003 was the availability of an innovative Quadrasteer four-wheel-steering system on 3/4-ton models -- reducing the turning circle by a substantial 8 feet and also improving towing stability. The cabin was now more accommodating, too, with numerous improvements like tri-zone climate controls and available DVD entertainment, second-row captain's chairs and power-adjustable pedals. Updates including OnStar, steering-wheel audio controls and tire-pressure monitoring carried the big Chevy through 2006.

Previous to this, there was the Suburban from 1992-'99. After a long, enduring model run by the previous generation that extended from 1973-'91, the then-new '92 Chevrolet Suburban finally adopted the sleek body design and freshened interiors of its previously updated pickup truck siblings. In addition to handsome new looks, the completely redesigned next-generation Suburban boasted more glass area and a lower step-in height than its predecessor.

After a few years of detail improvements, redesigned seats and a new modular dashboard graced the Suburban's interior in 1995, and a year later daytime running lamps marked the adoption of several powerful new Vortec gasoline engines ranging up to 290 hp. For off-roaders, four-wheel-drive models substituted a modern independent front suspension and more convenient Insta-Trac electronic shift-on-the-fly transfer case. In 1998, four-wheel-drive operation was enhanced again with an optional AutoTrac automatic full-time 4WD system for set-it-and-forget-it convenience.

User Reviews:

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  Beautiful Burb - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Hathorn Transfer - August 5 - 2:00 am

  Bought our 99 Burb brand new and now have 117,000 miles on it. About 15k miles a year with business, and approximately 5k towing a 30 travel trailer. Loaded with a family of 5 and the dog! Cant beat the Chevy 350 V-8. Ive switched to synthetic fluids throughout and dual non-restrictive exhaust and gained about 25 hp. Gas mileage hovers around 15 mpgs. Its the best vehicle weve ever owned.

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  Great vehicle - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By jsnell - August 5 - 2:00 am

  Dont buy this planning to tow enclosed car haulers - go for the 2500 series.

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  cool truck - 1995 Chevrolet Suburban
  By jomibu - July 25 - 2:00 am

  its big, refined, and tough. it rides like a sedan and has a pretty good turning radius.Its ride is 10x better than and ford epedition or exursion. Its the best SUV on the planet

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  2002 Z71 Suburban - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Z71 - July 23 - 2:00 am

  There is no better looking Suburban then the Z71. The ride is not that much stiffer the the LS & LT.

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  Fuel Mileage - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By cmcgee - July 17 - 2:00 am

  We purchased the vehicle used. It is a 1999 Chevy Suburban LT completely loaded. The vehicle was owned by a salesman and had about 125,000 miles at the time of purchase. My wife, who drives the vehicle on a regular basis, is a stay at home mom, but she is never at home. She makes lots of short trips around town. Her fuel mileage on the 4x4 suburban is around 17 mpg. We recently took a trip to Virginia Beach. We left our home which is located just off I-95 and went to Emporia Va. Then we took 58 into Va. Beach. I refueled once we got into Va. Beach. On our 3 hour trip, we averaged 22.3 mpg. I have been very impressed with this vehicle since.

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  My Suburban - 1993 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Russell E Wikander J - July 15 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle for many uses. Great for 9 passengers. Great for my construction work as it will haul full sheets of plywood, and sheetrock as well as 8 lumber. The Suburban with its black windows protects my tools from people who used to steal my tools from my previously owned pickup.

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  Mileage and Brakes for the 1999 K1500 Su - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Spoto - July 14 - 2:00 am

  Highway mileage seldom over 13-14mpg at 65 to 70mph. Brakes are very poor when at a panic stop. There is split second hesitation before brakes grab. First brake pad replacement at 17000 miles,second at 34000 miles. Third row seat too heavy and too difficult to remove and replace.

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  2001 Suburban LS - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Red 01 - July 13 - 2:00 am

  I have one major complaint with this vehicle. Wind noise around the front passenger door and the windshield. I have had it into 2 different dealers 3 different times. Some adjustments have been made but the problem persists. I had been told that the problem was anything from the bug deflector to the antenna to this is "normal wind noise". If it is normal then why when I drove a GMC pickup as a loaner for one of my service visits the pickup was noticably quiter? After all, it has the same hood, fenders, doors, etc. as the Suburban. If the wind noise problem could be fixed I would be fairly happy with the vehicle.

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  My Z71 Suburban - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Schredder - July 13 - 2:00 am

  I really like my new Z71. The looks are super and everything is well thought out and the build quality seems excellent..........at least compared to the poorly built new TrailBlazer. Give us bigger engines !!

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  our 97 Sub - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
  By coxmcse - July 11 - 2:00 am

  We bought the Suburban for several reasons. First, it can easily haul my wife and I and our three children and still give us a third row seat as well as cargo room. Second, it is a very safe vehicle. Third, it can haul our family, our camping gear and our pop-up camper with ease. This is the main reason we didnt go with a minivan. Fourth, the powertrain is reliable. The entire truck has been reliable ever since we bought it. We did buy used because, like many vehicles, this truck loses value too quick to warrant paying for a new one. This truck was four years old and in great shape and we picked it up for about 45% of the cost for a new one.