Welcome the VIP of road-side gas stations: the everyman-gas guzzler, the Chevrolet Suburban. However, despite its greediness, the Suburban has scored a market homerun. Here's why.
The Chevy Suburban debuted in 1936 and has matured through eleven generations. Beginning as a two-seater, eight-passenger hulk with 90-hp, the Suburban had barely reached first grade before World War II interfered and Chevy took a hiatus from producing civilian vehicles. Beginning in the 1950s, Chevy started injecting serious power into their sluggish beast. Torque-filled power, family-friendly utilities, class-leading cargo space, and off-road versatility characterize recent generations.
The Chevy Suburban debuted in 1936 and has matured through eleven generations. Beginning as a two-seater, eight-passenger hulk with 90-hp, the Suburban had barely reached first grade before World War II interfered and Chevy took a hiatus from producing civilian vehicles. Beginning in the 1950s, Chevy started injecting serious power into their sluggish beast. Torque-filled power, family-friendly utilities, class-leading cargo space, and off-road versatility characterize recent generations.
In 2010, the nine-seater Suburban arrived with more power, panache and aplomb than ever. It comes in two sizes: light 1500 and heavy-duty 2500. The power plant trio sports a standard 5.3-liter, 310-hp V8 with a whopping 340 lb-feet of torque, featuring GM's fuel-efficient cylinder deactivation technology; optional on the 1500 is a 6.0-liter, 366-hp V8 shoveling out 376 lb-feet of torque; and the 6.0-liter, 352-hp V8 with 382 lb-feet of torque, which is standard on the 2500. All are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. RWD and 4WD are both available. The 'Burban comes in three trims.
LS
The $40,000 LS (difference of $2,000 between 1500 and 2500 variants) sports a long list of interior amenities. Besides regularities, the Suburban also has a 40/20/40-split front bench seat, rear-seat A/C, full power accessories and an eight-speaker AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system replete with auxiliary audio/USB jacks.
The $40,000 LS (difference of $2,000 between 1500 and 2500 variants) sports a long list of interior amenities. Besides regularities, the Suburban also has a 40/20/40-split front bench seat, rear-seat A/C, full power accessories and an eight-speaker AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system replete with auxiliary audio/USB jacks.
LT
To the LS's respectable roster the $44,000 LT adds a colossal cornucopia of interior elements, such as power front bucket seats, an upgraded audio system with rear headphones, improved A/C, leather upholstery, Bluetooth, remote vehicle parking and rear parking assist. The exterior features items like fog lamps, luggage-rack rails and running boards.
LTZ
Only available as a 1500, the $52,000 LTZ rolls on 20-inch wheels and adds luxury like leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, power-folding heated second-row, a 10-speaker Bose surround sound system and more.
To the LS's respectable roster the $44,000 LT adds a colossal cornucopia of interior elements, such as power front bucket seats, an upgraded audio system with rear headphones, improved A/C, leather upholstery, Bluetooth, remote vehicle parking and rear parking assist. The exterior features items like fog lamps, luggage-rack rails and running boards.
LTZ
Only available as a 1500, the $52,000 LTZ rolls on 20-inch wheels and adds luxury like leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, power-folding heated second-row, a 10-speaker Bose surround sound system and more.
Options include a heavy-duty tow package, off-road package, navigation system, rearview camera, rear-seat DVD entertainment system and anything else on Santa's list.
Performance & Handling
Unlike many of its truck-based competitors, the Chevy Suburban offers an unexpectedly amenable and quiet ride. The drive is comfortable, the tow power - nearly 10,000 pounds - is immense, and the acceleration - sub 9 seconds - isn't atrocious. Similar vehicles include the Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Ford Expedition. For off-road capability, check out the Jeep Commander.
Performance & Handling
Unlike many of its truck-based competitors, the Chevy Suburban offers an unexpectedly amenable and quiet ride. The drive is comfortable, the tow power - nearly 10,000 pounds - is immense, and the acceleration - sub 9 seconds - isn't atrocious. Similar vehicles include the Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Ford Expedition. For off-road capability, check out the Jeep Commander.
Fuel Economy
Fuel economy is not quite up to snuff. The Suburban's 5.3-liter 14/20/16 mpg and the 6.0-liter 12/17/14 mpg is a virtual hole in your pocket. However, the Suburban's other attributes may make up for its lack of fuel economy. The Toyota Sequoia gets similar mpg. For better economy, check out the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid, Mazda CX-9, or Nissan Armada.
Safety
Suburbans come standard with four-wheel antilock brakes, stability control, OnStar, and a cornucopia of airbags with rollover sensor. NHTSA awards it a perfect ballot in both front and side crash tests and a 3-star rollover. This is slightly higher than class average.
Reliability
J.D. Power and Associates ranks the Suburban's Overall Initial Reliability at three stars and Predicted Reliability at two-and-a-half twinkles.
Fuel economy is not quite up to snuff. The Suburban's 5.3-liter 14/20/16 mpg and the 6.0-liter 12/17/14 mpg is a virtual hole in your pocket. However, the Suburban's other attributes may make up for its lack of fuel economy. The Toyota Sequoia gets similar mpg. For better economy, check out the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid, Mazda CX-9, or Nissan Armada.
Safety
Suburbans come standard with four-wheel antilock brakes, stability control, OnStar, and a cornucopia of airbags with rollover sensor. NHTSA awards it a perfect ballot in both front and side crash tests and a 3-star rollover. This is slightly higher than class average.
Reliability
J.D. Power and Associates ranks the Suburban's Overall Initial Reliability at three stars and Predicted Reliability at two-and-a-half twinkles.
Bases loaded: immense cargo space, powerful hauling, great features, and an eighty-year history of success; homerun complete.
Dan Legal is a member of the web team that runs the website LemonFree.com Classifieds. LemonFree is a car search engine which currently has over 2 million new and used cars for sale. If your interested in purchasing a Chevy Suburban; trust LemonFree to help you find your next car today!
Dan Legal is a member of the web team that runs the website LemonFree.com Classifieds. LemonFree is a car search engine which currently has over 2 million new and used cars for sale. If your interested in purchasing a Chevy Suburban; trust LemonFree to help you find your next car today!
