When it comes to family SUVs, there are luxe brands and there are brands that deliver the luxury of space, comfort and confidence, often with premium materials and features. The Chevrolet Suburban falls solidly in that second class.
Priced from $59,000 to $85,000, buyers can choose from 6 trims, add all wheel drive (a $3,000 bump) and choose from two or three engine options, including a V8 that generates 355 HP and 383 torque, a V8 that generates 420 HP and 460 torque or a diesel that generates 277 HP and 460 torque.
We test drove the top of the line High Country model (MSRP $92,750, including $1,995 destination charge) outfitted with a diesel engine, so we were able to try out every fun and important feature. Here’s what we liked, what you need to know and what should be considered carefully in the 2024 Chevrolet Suburban.
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You’ll Feel Like the Captain in the Driver’s Seat of the Chevrolet Suburban
With its high ground clearance, comfortable seating, premium features and conveniences at your finger tips, you have everything you need at hand. The center screen is large and easy to see, the arm rest is comfortable and there are lots of places to put things such as your phone. There’s also wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; connect your phone once and every time you get into the Suburban, you’re connected again.
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There’s Comfortable Space For Everyone
With seating for 7 or 8 passengers, and in our High Country edition, leather seating, everyone feels comfortable and no one is squished. There are plenty of places to put a drink, handbag or phone and there are USB charge ports for every seat. The panoramic sunroof, a $1,500 addition, makes the cabin feel even more roomy.
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There’s a Brilliant Place to Put Your Purse!
With the push of a button the front center console slides back to reveal a tray, the perfect place to put a purse. And, with the console pushed back, cup holders and USB ports, as well as climate controls, are easier for center row passengers to reach. If you need the space in the center row, just push the button to slide the console forward. One caveat: you do have to give up some arm rest function, but for those who need a great handbag storage spot, it’s worth it.
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These Buttons Will Change Your Life
Chevrolet has loaded the upper console with a lot of controls that you might not even consider. Here’s what they do, clockwise from the left:
- “Slide” opens the sunroof
- Driver’s side light, just press to power on, press again to power off
- Garage door remote controls with 3 options
- Passenger’s side light, just press to power on, press again to power off
- Sunroof tilt, to add fresh air circulation or release hot air in warm weather
- OnStar assist panel, with SOS for emergency response, OnStar assistance and the push to talk button for quick access, such as “help with navigation”
- Sunroof shade
- Center console slide control, press the corresponding arrow to open or close
- The dial allows you to set the lift gate height: turn to “Max” to open fully, 3/4, so it won’t bump the ceiling in your garage or so your kids can reach the power close button, or you can turn off the power so it can only be opened and closed manually
- Buttons on either side of the liftgate adjustment allow you to auto fold the 3rd row; the left side folds the left and center seat, the right button folds the right seat
- “Off” button to turn off interior lights when the doors are open
The Digital Rear View Mirror Will Become Your Best Friend
When there are passengers in all the seats, when the Suburban is loaded to the roof, when you’re towing a trailer or when it’s dark outside this mirror has you covered. It displays a video view behind the car with a wide, bright view. It’s much brighter than the reflective view, which is great for low-light situations. It’s also great for parking, especially parallel parking.
Parking is a Breeze With Forward and Side Cameras
With an SUV this large you might be tempted to always park at the far reaches of the parking lot and avoid parallel parking. But with forward and side cameras, there’s no need. We parallel parked the Suburban around town all week and the cameras made it really easy.
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Running Boards Make Getting In and Out Easy. Automatic and Powered, Even Better
The power running boards on our test model deployed as we approached with a key and retracted when we locked the car. Yes, they make getting in and out easier for everyone, but there’s another reason to love them: You can step up and slide in with the door only partially open. This makes getting in and out of the Chevrolet Suburban so much easier in tight parking spots.
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These Welcome Graphics Are Such a Nice Greeting!
Graphic animations greet you on the central screen and the driver display when the Suburban is powered on. It’s a small thing but it’s delightful.
Head Up Display Keeps Your Eyes on the Road
We love this feature. It projects your speed, navigation directions, driver assist and safety features right and other information on the windshield in front of you. It can be customized, too, so see as much or as little as you want.
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A Motion Activated Lift Gate Is Wonderful Thing
But finding the sensor with your foot can make you look ridiculous as you stand behind the car kicking the air underneath the bumper (ask me how I know). Chevrolet’s solution was to add a projection light so you can see where the sensor is. Approach with your key and the bowtie lights up; swipe your foot across it and the liftgate will open.
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Installing Kids Car Seats Is a Breeze
Not only does the Chevrolet Suburban feature large center seats large with lots of leg room, but there’s enough room for an adult to stand up to install both kids car seats and the kids. Center seats are on a rail and can be pushed forward or back, and there is plenty of room for rear facing car seats, which need a minimum of 29″ seat back to seat back; we measured 32″ behind the driver’s seat set for someone who is 5’8″.
The 3rd row also has good room for kids car seats, though there are only upper tethers, not lower anchors so car seats would have to be seatbelt installed.
Rear Seat Screens are Still an Option
While a lot of carmakers have eliminated rear seat entertainment systems, Chevrolet has enhanced them. This $1,995 option allows users to log into their YouTube and Hulu accounts or stream from an HDMI port. And, wireless headphones mean that not everyone has to listen to the Frozen. Again.
These Radio Control Buttons are Brilliant
Change the radio station with these buttons on the back of the steering wheel. On the right side are volume adjustment buttons. We love that they don’t take up space on the front of the steering wheel and they are right where your fingers are, anyway.
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Caveat to Consider: 3rd Row Is Large and Roomy, But Not Always Easy to Access
There is room for 3 people—though only head restraints for two, so the middle seat may not be an option for seating—and lots of leg and head room. The bench seat does not have lower child seat anchors, but there are 3 upper tethers for securing seats on the backs of the seats; seats can be installed using the seatbelt. 3rd row passengers also have two USB ports, cup holders and air vents in the ceiling.
Getting into the 3rd row is easy with captains chairs that create a pass through. Seats also seats flip and fold for access, which is how the 3rd row is reached in models with a center row bench. While the opening is large and getting in was not difficult, if kids car seats are installed here, they have to be removed to access the 3rd row.
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Caveat To Consider: Super Cruise Hands Free Driving Is Great — For a Price
Chevrolet is equipping or offering Super Cruise for hands-free highway driving on all its new cars and trucks. It is typically offered as part of a package that will include other things, here, advanced self-parking, and is about a $3,000 option. Also, it will require a subscription, but there are options for that, too. If you road trip, have a long commute, spend a lot of time in heavy highway traffic or tow, Super Cruise is a really great thing to have.
Caveat to Consider: This is A Big SUV
There is no way around it; the Suburban is huge. It’s larger than its nearly identical twin the Tahoe, which is basically the same except that it has a smaller cargo area. With the frame of a full-size pickup truck, the Suburban measures 225″ long, 81″ wide and 75″ tall. It’s 15″ longer than the Tahoe but has the same 8″ ground clearance.
Caveat to Consider: The Diesel Engine is Loud But Powerful
The Duramax badge on the back of the Suburban signals this is diesel. But just roll down your window and listen; it’s loud. However, it delivers great towing — up to 8,100 lbs. and 22 MPG, which is pretty good. However, diesel can be more expensive, which may be a downside unless you really need it. The other two V8 engine options offer more power but lower MPG.
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Caveat to Consider: Do You Really Need This Much Cargo Space?
This is what 41 cubic feet of space—versus 25 cubic feet in the Tahoe—looks like behind the 3rd row, seen here with luggage for a family of 4. There’s room for a lot more, and for families with double strollers, hockey bags or camping gear, or all of that, this can be the difference between can and can’t.
There are not a lot of full-size SUV options for families, especially families who spend a lot of time in the car, who road trip, who tow and who need space for sports equipment and carpools. The Chevrolet Suburban is well thought out and considerate of many things a family needs, but there are caveats that buyers need to consider, especially with such a hefty price tag.
In 2025 Chevrolet will introduce an updated Suburban and Tahoe with some new features, and cosmetic changes, though the basics, including engine options, seating and space, will remain the same. Giving buyers even more to consider.
