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Introduction
Chevrolet Suburban -- 2007 Review: An American icon dating to 1936, few vehicles combine 8-passenger capacity, four-wheel-drive capability, a 2,561-lb. payload rating, and a 9,700-lb. towing ability in one do-it-all vehicle quite like the Chevrolet Redesigned for 2007, the Suburban is available in 1500- or heavier-duty 2500-series specification, with two or four driven wheels, in LS, LT, or LTZ trim. We spent a week driving the Suburban 1500 4WD LT equipped with the LT3 option package, navigation, a rear seat entertainment system, and other goodies for a sticker price of $49,045 including the $875 destination charge.
Why We Drove It
Redesigned for the first time since Dubya landed in Washington, the Chevrolet Suburban is improved in every way. Key among the changes are a refined interior with high-quality materials and fit, improved driving characteristics, upgraded workhorse capabilities, stronger engines with Active Fuel Management for better gas mileage, enhanced safety features such as side curtain airbags and stability control, and contemporary technologies like a reversing camera, park assist, a touch-screen navigation system, and remote engine starting. We drove the Suburban around the Los Angeles region, including a day trip to Santa Barbara filled with people and provisions, and discovered the ultimate family vehicle.
Performance
The Chevrolet Suburban’s weight outmatches power from its 5.3-liter V8 engine. Adequate off the line and possessed with a wonderful American V8 burble, the Suburban’s passing power is lacking, the transmission takes its time downshifting, and once the engine revs up there’s little added thrust. With one person aboard, jumping into holes in traffic is difficult. To its credit, when stuffed with a full load of human cargo the Suburban doesn’t behave much differently than when unloaded – try that in a minivan. GM likes to tout Active Fuel Management and the Suburban’s highway fuel economy rating, but in a mix of city commuting and a weekend road trip, we got just 12.5 mpg. Plan on $75 fill-ups.
Handling
Handling is surprisingly good for a vehicle of this size. The Suburban takes sweeping curves with more speed than expected, slows and stops decisively, and doesn’t suffer excessive body motion. The standard 265/70 tires aren’t much to brag about, and it’s ridiculous that the Suburban so easily scrapes its front air dam on driveway aprons and drainage dips – especially the 4WD model. That trait underlines the fact that the Suburban is designed for driving on pavement, and with its soft-sidewall tires and suspension tuning clearly meant to soak up urban bumps this truck almost glides on air. That certainly serves its primary buyer, but I can’t help but think this 4WD rig should be a little stiffer.
Fun to Drive
Aside from the challenge the Chevrolet Suburban poses in urban environments, and its command-of-the-road driving height, there’s nothing about this SUV that can be remotely considered fun. This vehicle is all about function.
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