After spending more than 15 hours driving across Texas with my family in the 2024 Chevrolet Suburban High Country, I get it: a full size SUV is great for a road trip, but can it also be good investment for every day driving?
The power of the 3.0L Duramax turbo diesel engine in our test model was definitely nice, but let’s be honest: comfort, space, and a bit of sanity are the top priorities in a family car—for daily use or holiday driving. I discovered firsthand why the Chevy Suburban, which is larger with more cargo space than its Chevy Tahoe sibling, is such a popular choice for family road trips, from ample storage space to innovative tech.
But can you justify the price, starting at $59,200 for the base model to $92,750 for the fully loaded Chevrolet Suburban 4WD High Country model we test drove? I’m not saying you need to go all in on the top of the line for your next family car, but here are some things to consider in a full-size family-friendly SUV, and how it will make your road trips easier, less stressful and more fun.
Video: Here’s how we fit all our stuff, and passengers, into the 2024 Chevrolet Suburban
This story is 100% human researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. No AI was used.
All Those Luxuries Make Time In the Car More Pleasant… For Everyone
Our Chevrolet Suburban High Country model was packed with high-end features such as adaptive air ride suspension, heated and ventilated seats, and a 12.3-inch digital driver display. It had center row captains chairs and seating for seven, making it perfect for families or groups of friends planning a getaway. And with the 10.2-inch multimedia screen equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, staying connected on the road was easy.
Video: Here’s a sneak peek at the upcoming 2025 Chevy Suburban!
Go Ahead, Pack The Refrigerator. We Did
The shining jewel of the Chevy Suburban as a full-size SUV road trip car is that it has so much versatile space. When I say the Suburban has storage space, I mean it LOTS of storage space. We brought along everything we thought we would need and everything fit without being piled to the ceiling.
We even brought along a small fridge to pack food to eat on the road so we don’t have to dine out in a restaurant every day. And since thereT are multiple plug options throughout the SUV, it was easy to plug in to keep things cool. We could also power up other gadgets and appliances.
Video: Is the Suburban a better road trip car than the Chrysler Pacifica minivan?
And Then, Pack The Rest of the Gear
I will admit, we did fold down the 3rd row seats, creating enough space to pack swim gear, toys, luggage and filming equipment, and everything fit comfortably in the back. There is 144.7 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats folded for those days you need to use it just for hauling. There is 93.8 cubic feet behind the second row and 41.5 behind the 3rd row, enough for an extended trip even when there is a 5th or 6th passenger.
Read: Are Your Kids Properly Secured? It’s Child Passenger Safety Week
A Full Size SUV is Road Trip Ready with Power Seats and a Flat Floor
If you’re like me and love a good garage sale, you’ll appreciate the flat load floor in the cargo area. The seats power-fold with the push of a button, providing a flat loading floor that’s perfect for garage sale treasures or larger items.
This is great for road trip packing, of course; that means that luggage, coolers and equipment will fit more neatly in the cargo area.
Hidden Compartments Are Clever, Though This One is Stupendous
This one really amazed me: The center console slides to open a cubby between the front seats, but that’s not all: There’s a tray underneath it AND the center console space isn’t compromised; it is deep and holds quite a lot. That’s because the console slides back, which also pushes the cup holders, USB ports and a small storage cubby closer to the rear seat passengers.
The hidden nature of this little space is perfect for storing valuables like small purses, wallets, or phones, ensuring they’re safe and out of sight.
Easy Third Row Access and Lots of Legroom are a Must-Have
Even with my son’s car seat installed in the second row, getting into the third row was surprisingly easy. There’s enough leg room to easily pass by a child car seat to reach the pass-through to the 3rd row. Or, for SUVs with a center row bench, seats that slide forward and tilt, or as in the Suburban, fold and tumble, will let 3rd row passengers easily climb in.
I’m on the shorter side, so the automatic running boards (or fixed running boards for those who don’t want to pay the freight for automatic) were a fantastic addition for getting in and out of the Suburban without a struggle.
Hands-Free Driving Is a Game-Changer, We Discovered with Super Cruise
I have to admit, driving hands-free was a bit nerve-wracking for me. I’m the type who rarely even uses regular cruise control because I like to feel fully in control when I’m behind the wheel. However, the Chevy Suburban’s Super Cruise, which allows for hands-free driving on mapped highways, has changed my mind.
This system, which requires an initial purchase and includes 3 years of service and a subscription afterward, combines mapped information with road markings and tracking of other vehicles around you. It can operate on certain two-lane roads and the system will even change lanes for you. And if any of the required criteria is missing, such as in a construction zone or a snow storm, the system will signal the driver to take the wheel.
Hands-free driving is particularly useful for long stretches of road to reduce driver fatigue and make the journey more enjoyable. Even in remote areas like Big Bend National Park, we were able to use this feature, thanks to Chevrolet’s extensive road mapping.
Make Sure Everyone is Entertained
Entertainment on a long trip is non-negotiable. We try to keep our little guy’s time screen-free as much as possible, but after hearing “Are we there yet?” for the millionth time, sometimes you just need to flip on a screen so everyone can relax.
The Suburban’s available rear entertainment system is a good way to keep the kiddos happy with YouTube and Hulu on tap, as well as streaming or gaming. This built-in feature in the Chevy, unlike some of its competitors, does come with a subscription fee, but you can also sign into your own subscriptions, too.
The Inspo to Road Trip Is a Bonus
A spacious, family-friendly SUV seems perfect for road trips But is it, really? Time in the 2024 Chevy Suburban opened my eyes to not just interior details that made it great for family travel, but its advanced features, including Super Cruise and the entertainment system made me think they might be worth the investment even if they are only used a few times a year.
It’s only been a few weeks, but I’m already planning where to take my family next.
