2023 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN

SUBURBAN HAS LONG HISTORY OF SERVING AS ULTIMATE FAMILY HAULER

If it seems like the Chevrolet Suburban has been around a long time, that’s because it has.

In fact, the beast of Chevy’s SUV fleet is the longest running automotive nameplate in the world, now into its 12th generation since its introduction as a 1935 model.

That beats out the Ford’s F-Series pickups by over a decade and Toyota’s Corolla, which has assumed the title of the world’s all-time best-selling vehicle, by over 30 years.

With the Volkswagen Beetle long out of production, no other nameplate comes close to the Suburban’s staying power. 

What’s remarkable about this longevity is that the Suburban barely makes the top 100 in overall vehicle sales and doesn’t even lead the full-size SUV segment, trailing among other competitors its Chevy Tahoe sibling.

Of course, pricing has a lot to do with that, along with the Suburban’s immense size. Most buyers are going to find Tahoe’s 25.2 cubic feet of cargo area behind its third row and 72.6 behind the second, compared to the Suburban’s 41.5 and 93.8, respectively, more than adequate, and the Tahoe starts at about $3,000 less for the base model than the Suburban’s base that opens with an MSRP of $59,095.

The 2023 Chevrolet Suburban is offered in six trim levels topped by the High Country, which this review is based on. LS trim serves as the base model with LT, RST, Z71, and Premier in between.

A 5.3-liter V8 engine is standard across the line with a 6.2L V8available. My test 2024 Chevy Suburban High Country features the optional 3.0L inline-6 turbo diesel that, while rated at only 255 horsepower, cranks out 460 pound-feet of torque to match the larger V8 gas engine in pulling power.

A 10-speed automatic transmission is standard across the board, and each trim is available in 2-wheel or all-wheel drive except for the Z71, which is available only with 4-wheel owing to its off-road emphasis.

The turbo diesel with two-wheel drive is rated at 21 miles-per-gallon city, 27 highway, and 23 comb while four-wheel-drive models check in at 20/26/22.

The gas engines are a bit thirstier, of course, with the 5.3L V8 earning numbers of 15/20/17 (2WD) and 15/19/16 (4WD) and the larger 6.2L /V8 checking in at 14/20.16 (2WD) and 14/18/16 (4/WD).

As the top-of-the-portfolio model, the 2023 Chevrolet Suburban High County offers a long list of standard features. Some of the more distinctive ones include tech features like wireless charging for cell phones and other devices, Chevy’s Infotainment 3 system with a 10.2-inch touchscreen and built-in Google capability, navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Bluetooth streaming audio for most phones. 

With the size of the interior, you may find yourself stretching to get to some of the touch points, but the system overall is user-friendly.

Standard interior features on the 2024 Chevy Suburban High Country include tri-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats with leather seating surfaces, second-row heated bucket seats, and split-bench third row with power fold capability.

LED headlights, daytime running lights, and taillights and a hands-free liftgate also are standard.

Safety features include front pedestrian braking, forward collision alert, lane-keeping assist with lane-departure warning, auto high beam, HD surround vision, and rear pedestrian alert.

All that is included in the $80,400 starting price.

My test vehicle had options that, with the $1,895 destination and delivery charge, put the final total at $90,555. Those options started with the Advanced Tech Package ($2,700), a rear-seat entertainment system that includes two 12.6-inch HD screens ($1,995), power assist steps ($1,745), a power panoramic sunroof ($1,500), air-ride adaptive suspension ($1,000), adaptive cruise control ($500), and a trailering package ($415).

What I liked about the 2023 Chevrolet Suburban: The huge interior has massive space for both passengers and cargo. Space behind the third row is plentiful. Tech features on the High Country trim include knobs for both tuning the radio and manually adjusting climate control. It’s a smooth cruiser out on the highway.  Chevy’s hands-free driving system Super Cruise is available on the High Country. HD Surround Visiton is standard and a huge help. Optional running boards make getting in and out a snap.

What I didn’t like about the 02X Chevrolet Suburban: The massive size is both a blessing and a curse. All that room is nice, but it’s a bear to maneuver through mall parking lots and not all that easy to find enough space to park it and still get out the doors. I would prefer a standard shifter instead of buttons to change gears.

Would I buy the 202X Chevrolet Suburban? Too big for me, but if you have to haul around kids’ sports teams around as part of your tasks, it’s ideal for hauling them and their gear, even bats and catcher’ equipment.