Chevrolet Suburban

Chevrolet Suburban Models

The Chevrolet Suburban comes with a choice of two or four-wheel drive and is available in two load ranges, 1500 and 2500. Three trim levels are available: base, LS and LT. Suburban 1500s come equipped with a 5.3-liter V8. The 2500s are available with a choice of 6.0-liter or 8.1-liter V8s.

All Suburbans come with four-wheel anti-lock brakes, dual front air bags and dual side-impact air bags, but air conditioning is an option on base models.

Moving up through the trim levels brings nicer interiors: LS and LT come with power windows, front and rear air conditioning, a compass and remote keyless entry. LS gets a nicer cloth reclining front bench seat with adjustable lumbar support; and bucket seats are an option. LT is fitted with leather seating surfaces and premium full-function heated front bucket seats. LT also comes with electronic climate control, premium CD stereo, the HomeLink universal garage door opener, and GM's OnStar system. Otherwise, the primary functional difference is that LT comes with Chevy's ZW7 Premium Ride Suspension.

Driving the Chevrolet Suburban

This new Chevrolet Suburban offers excellent handling for a big, heavy truck; and the steering provides better feel than previously. Driving quickly over wet pavement through the San Juan Mountains, high above Colorado's Delores River, we never lost traction. I took turns driving the Suburban on the wet, winding road with the road test editor from one of the major enthusiast magazines. Each of us has extensive racing experience, but we were unable to get the Suburban to come unglued. We drove into wet turns as quickly as we'd ever want to go in a Suburban and never lost grip. We were impressed. The frame is completely re-engineered. The entire front part of the frame is hydro-formed from one piece of metal and is far more rigid than a bunch of pieces welded together.

Ride quality in the Chevrolet Suburban 1500 is smooth, greatly improved over the previous-generation Suburban. The optional Premium Ride suspension features a hydraulically controlled rear self-leveling system to keep the Suburban at normal ride height even when carrying heavy loads. This system offered a good ride quality on the Suburban I drove. The more sophisticated optional Auto-Ride suspension system uses computer-controlled shock damping for improved ride quality over uneven pavement. Whether towing a horse trailer or picking up a soccer team, Auto-Ride continually adjusts the suspension for optimum ride and handling. This technology also helps reduce dive on braking (so that the nose of the vehicle doesn't dip down unduly), and body roll (or lean) during cornering. Most people find the 1500 models meet their needs.

The 2500 models, often referred to as the 3/4-ton versions, are only needed for those who tow heavy trailers. Rated to tow up to 10,500 pounds, they effectively match the towing capacity of the Ford Excursion. Suburban 2500 will ride a bit harsher because its rear suspension uses leaf springs instead of the coil-springs used on the 1500. But the 2500 rides surprisingly well, given its load range, a big improvement over the previous-generation 2500 models and smoother than the big Ford Excursion.

Until last year, Suburbans came with mushy brakes. You had to tromp on them to get the thing to stop. GM redesigned the brake system to address this. The pedal on the new Suburban works smoothly and progressively, which makes is easier to stop without drama. A new Dynamic Rear Proportioning system modulates the pressure applied to the rear brakes for more effective braking. Brake pads and rotors are 40 percent larger and use twin-piston calipers. This new four-wheel-disc brake system reduces 60-mph stopping distances by 20 feet, according to Chevrolet, and the pads are expected to last 40 percent longer.

Cost is the main consideration on whether to get four-wheel drive. Those in the Sunbelt may not see justification for it. But even if you aren't an off-road driver, four-wheel drive can keep you going through snow, or on sandy, unpaved roads, or help pull a boat up a slippery boat ramp. If you don't get a 4WD model, consider the optional traction-assist system for the 2WD models. 4WD models offer several modes of travel and shifting among them is as easy as changing stations on the radio. Press 2WD Hi, then, as conditions grow worse, press the 4WD Hi and 4WD Lo buttons to operate the system like a traditional part-time four-wheel-drive. If conditions are fluctuating, hit the Auto 4WD button and the Autotrac all-wheel-drive system automatically transfers power from a slipping wheel to the wheels with the best traction; no input is needed from the driver.

Suburban's automatic transmission comes with a tow/haul mode. Pressing a switch on the end of the column shifter changes the shift points of the transmission. The tow/haul mode improves performance while towing and lessens wear on the transmission. Even when not towing, it works well when driving through mountainous terrain.