2019 Chevy Suburban Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byTravis LangnessReviews Editor

　　Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.

　　

What's new

New RST Performance Edition package with 6.2-liter V8Part of the 11th Suburban generation introduced for 2015

　　These days, it seems like just about every vehicle is a SUV-this or crossover-that. Yet some of these so-called SUVs are little more than front-wheel-drive hatchbacks styled to look a little more aggressive. Keeping it real, however, is the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban. It's about as traditional a SUV as you'll find.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban Fleet 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$209/mo  for Suburban Fleet

　　Suburban Fleet

　　Fleet 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $49,700 MSRPFleet 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $52,700 MSRPLS 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $50,800 MSRPLS 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $53,800 MSRPLT 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $55,800 MSRPLT 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A) (Most Popular) - $58,600 MSRPPremier 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $65,500 MSRPPremier 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $68,500 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　The big Suburban offers three rows of seating to accommodate up to nine passengers, or you can fold down the rear seating to get up to 120 cubic feet of cargo space. Under the hood is a brawny V8 and available four-wheel drive with low-range gearing. For 2019, the Suburban also gets an injection of even more power. A new optional 6.2-liter V8 provides 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque.

　　Whether you go with the standard V8  or upgrade to the optional 6.2-liter V8, the Suburban has plenty of thrust for daily driving, even when fully loaded. Unfortunately, all that power and the significant weight it's pulling means that fuel economy suffers. Many modern three-row crossover SUVs will do much better at the pump. The Suburban is comfortable and quiet, sure, but it's also harder to maneuver in town and significantly less comfortable on the highway than those similarly priced crossover (car-based instead of truck-based) rivals.

　　You might also want to take a look at the Ford Expedition, which is the Suburban's main rival. It's similarly capable, but benefits from a fresher design and a more comfortable ride quality. Still, there's still a place in the world for a big and capable SUV, and the Suburban definitely gets the job done.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.3 / 10

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Chevrolet Suburban LT (5.3L V8 | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | Z71 Off-Road Package).

　　NOTE: Since this test was conducted in 2015, the current Chevy Suburban has received some revisions, including the addition of optional safety features such as forward collision warning and a teen-driver system. Overall though, findings remain broadly applicable to this year's Suburban.

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.3 / 10
Driving	7.0
Comfort	7.5
Interior	7.5
Utility	5.0

　　

Driving

7.0

　　We like this 5.3-liter V8, as well as the standard manually shiftable six-speed automatic. It is generally well-behaved for such a large vehicle, but there's no getting around the Suburban's immense size and weight. Towing capacity and mild off-road ability are welcome attributes.

　　

Acceleration

6.0

　　Despite the sluggish gas pedal calibration, the 355-hp 5.3-liter V8 is up to the task of moving this four-wheel-drive Suburban. Even with its as-tested weight of nearly 5,900 pounds, this SUV needed only 7.2 seconds to reach 60 mph.

　　

Braking

6.0

　　Panic stops from 60 mph showed good stability. Though braking distances were longer than those of some competitors (60-0 mph in 131 feet), the pedal felt solid and inspired confidence around town.

　　

Steering

7.0

　　Steering effort is predictable but feels overly light and doesn't offer much feedback. While the Suburban's reactions are a bit slow, you can guide it down most roads with confidence.

　　

Handling

6.5

　　There's no getting around just how big and heavy this Suburban is, but the chassis maintains composure right up to the limit. The all-terrain tires, standard on the Z71, can't be expected to do much more with such a heavy SUV.

　　

Drivability

6.0

　　The engine and transmission are smooth and the ride relaxed. The lazy gas pedal is frustrating. The cruise control system does not hold speed downhill, but tow/haul mode does a much better job. The outside mirrors are too small for such a large vehicle.

　　

Off-road

7.5

　　A locking differential is standard, as are a set of all-terrain tires, skid plates and a low-range transfer case. Standard running boards combined with the Suburban's enormous wheelbase discourage any off-roading beyond an uneven gravel road.

　　

Comfort

7.5

　　It's very quiet and, in the front two rows of seats, very roomy and comfortable. The third row will still handle two adults, but only for shorter trips. The ride is generally good on smooth surfaces, but minor road imperfections and ripples cause the rear of the cabin to shimmy and shake.

　　

Seat comfort

8.0

　　The front seats are comfortable and support a wide range of body types. The second row doesn't adjust much because of the seat-folding mechanism, but it's still comfy. The third row is thin and flat.

　　

Ride comfort

6.5

　　Over smooth pavement, body motions are well-controlled and the all-terrain tires absorb sharp impacts. Rippled and imperfect roads can send vibrations through the body and create a shudder in the rear of the cabin.

　　

Noise & vibration

9.0

　　It's exceedingly quiet at idle and low speeds with only light wind noise on the highway. Credit the new triple-perimeter door seals for the silence. All-terrain tires are as hushed as the 5.3-liter V8.

　　

Interior

7.5

　　The interior is attractive with good ergonomics. Second-row passengers enjoy ample space and visibility, along with heated seats (included with optional Luxury package). The solid-axle rear suspension robs third-row legroom and results in a high load floor.

　　

Ease of use

8.5

　　Major and minor controls are clear and all within easy reach. The touchscreen system is legible and easy to operate. Instrumentation is easy to read and configurable.

　　

Getting in/getting out

8.5

　　The long rear doors make getting into the second row very easy. Access to the third row is helped by folding the second-row seats.

　　

Roominess

7.5

　　Some drivers might find the large center armrest to be intrusive when steering. The second row is spacious but doesn't slide fore and aft. The third row is limited by its high floor and so-so legroom. The Ford Expedition Max's third row is much better.

　　

Visibility

7.5

　　Lots of glass and a good seating position provide good outward visibility. A rearview camera and rear parking sensors are standard on all Suburbans. The exterior mirrors are much too small for a vehicle of this size.

　　

Quality

8.0

　　Interior quality and ergonomics are up to class standards, as are the materials used. Everything from the switchgear to the power-folding seats has a solid, positive feel. Outside, the fit-and-finish hides the Suburban's truck origins.

　　

Utility

5.0

　　The flat load floor and power-folding second- and third-row seats are welcome features, but the extremely high liftover height makes for difficult loading. Maximum cargo room is immense but is about equal to space in the smaller Toyota Sequoia.

　　

Technology

　　The Suburban comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. We've found it to be responsive and easy to use. A full suite of driver assistance features help the Suburban keep pace with its tech-minded rivals.

　　

Which Suburban does zzdcar recommend?

　　The 2019 Suburban gets a new optional engine: a 6.2-liter V8. It's paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission and it provides a big increase in power. And given a big budget, that's certainly the engine we'd choose. Unfortunately, you can only get the upgraded engine with the top trim level, the Premier. For most Suburban shoppers, the midlevel Suburban LT will do just fine. It's still capable of towing more than 8,000 pounds, and it has more a more appealing set of standard features than the LS. A wide array of options are available, too. Consider getting the affordably priced Max Trailering package for its upgraded suspension and altered axle ratios.

　　

2019 Chevrolet Suburban models

　　The 2019 Chevrolet Suburban is a full-size SUV with seating for up to nine passengers. It is offered in three trim levels: LS, LT and Premier.

　　Standard feature highlights for the LS include a 5.3-liter V8 engine (355 horsepower, 383 pound-feet of torque), a six-speed automatic transmission, 18-inch alloy wheels, seating for eight passengers (a front-row three-passenger bench seat is optional), automatic wipers, remote start, rear parking sensors, tri-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats, a leather-wrapped tilt-only steering wheel and a household-rated power outlet.

　　On the technology front, you get an 8-inch touchscreen interface, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a USB port and aux audio input, and a six-speaker audio system with satellite radio. Also included is OnStar communications (with a 4G LTE connection and onboard Wi-Fi) and the teen-driver system (limits certain settings for young drivers).

　　The optional Enhanced Driver Alert package adds forward collision alert with automatic low-speed braking, a vibrating safety-alert driver seat, automatic high beams, lane keeping assist and power-adjustable pedals.

　　The LT trim includes all of the above, along with a power-operated liftgate, leather upholstery, heated front bucket seats (thereby reducing passenger capacity to eight), a telescoping steering wheel, driver-seat memory functions, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a nine-speaker Bose audio system.

　　The optional Luxury package adds power-folding mirrors, auto-dimming driver-side mirror, foglights, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, keyless entry and ignition, heated second-row seats, power-folding second- and third-row seats, a heated and power-adjustable tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. The Texas Edition package is equipped identically but adds badges, plus crossbars for the roof-mounted cargo rails.

　　At the top of the Suburban lineup, there's the Premier trim, which includes the Luxury package and adds 20-inch wheels, xenon headlights, an adaptive Magnetic Ride Control suspension, ventilated front seats, a navigation system, upgraded power-adjustable front seats, a wireless charging pad and a 10-speaker premium Bose surround-sound audio system.

　　Only on the Premier can you get the RST Performance Edition package which includes a 6.2-liter V8 (420 hp, 460 lb-ft) paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission and some unique exterior trim.

　　The LT and Premier trims are eligible for second-row bucket seats (thereby reducing seating capacity to seven). You can also get the Sun, Entertainment and Destinations package on these trims. It includes a sunroof, a navigation system (LT trim) and a rear-seat entertainment system. Adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking, power-retractable rocker-sill passenger steps and a head-up display are available only on the Premier trim.

　　Many of the standard features offered by the top trim levels of the Suburban are available as options for the lower trim levels.

　　Offered on all trims are 22-inch wheels. The Max Trailering package, available on all trims, includes a special rear-axle ratio, electronic two-speed transfer case (for four-wheel drive models), a trailer brake controller and an auto-leveling suspension for non-magnetic suspension vehicles.

　　The Z71 Off-Road package is available only on the LT trim, and it includes all-terrain tires, unique cosmetic elements, tubular-type rocker-sill passenger steps, underbody skid plates, an off-road suspension calibration, the electronically operated two-speed transfer case, hill descent control, front and rear parking sensors and rubber floor mats.

　　

2019 Suburban Highlights

Trim: FleetLSLTPremierFleet

　　

Base MSRP	$49,700
Engine Type	Flex-fuel (ffv)
Combined MPG	18 MPG
Cost to Drive	$209/month
Seating	8 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	39.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles