2021 Chevy Suburban Review

The Chevrolet Suburban is Chevy's biggest SUV. It's built on the same platform that underpins the Chevy Silverado 1500, but it has three rows of seating and enough space for the whole family — or two. Chevy redesigned the Silverado for 2020 and has now applied a similar architecture to usher in the 12th generation of this three-row large SUV. For 2021, one of the country's longest-standing SUVs has a whole new look and feel.

The Suburban is one of the few truck-based SUVs still around. But being truck-based can't be an excuse for being behind the times. The previous-generation Suburban offered plenty of towing capacity but came up short in refinement, versatility and features. From the looks of things, Chevy has addressed many of the weaknesses and made the Suburban a more compelling SUV.

While there's no getting around the sheer size of the Suburban, the new independent rear suspension, as well as the addition of an available air-spring suspension with adaptive dampers, greatly improve the Suburban's ride smoothness and handling response. The steering is pleasingly direct, as is the feedback from the brake pedal.

With 10 forward gears to pick, the 5.3-liter V8 (355 horsepower, 383 lb-ft) that you'll find in most Suburbans generates easy speed, while the thrust and sound from the optional 6.2-liter V8 (420 hp, 460 lb-ft) in the High Country can make you smile. When you're in motion, it's difficult to notice the engine deactivating cylinders to save fuel, though the stop-start is more apparent when the engine turns back on as you leave from a stop. You can disable the engine stop-start feature if you find it annoying.

The 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-six (277 hp, 460 lb-ft) will be available in the fourth quarter of 2020. We expect that engine to provide stronger tow ratings and superior fuel range.

Even with the substantial redesign, there's a feeling of familiarity in the new Suburban. Knobs, buttons, surfaces and interfaces are all recognizable, and even the layout is similar to the previous generation. The new optional 10-inch touchscreen system is easy to access and clear to read. Alas, the push-button selector for the transmission requires more attention than it should during a three-point turn.

A byproduct of the redesigned chassis and new rear suspension is a lower floor, which has the benefit of increasing legroom for second- and third-row passengers. For extra flexibility, the Suburban gets sliding second-row seats for the first time too. There's also optional power-folding functionality for the rear seats; the seats fold quickly and can be controlled from multiple places inside the vehicle. All the changes translate to a giant leap forward for interior quality and usability.

The Suburban has tech updates galore. On the safety front, standard features such as forward collision mitigation and options such as an improved trailer camera system are just the tip of the spear. Other available safety items include blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot), lane keeping assist (steers the Suburban back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) and a 360-degree surround-view system using nine cameras.

Besides the new 10-inch touchscreen infotainment interface, the Suburban can also be equipped with a massive head-up display. Passengers in the second row can be entertained by optional 12.6-inch LCD touchscreens with their own HDMI inputs and the nifty ability of sharing map data with front-seat passengers. Additional USB ports ensure every passenger can charge their device, but be aware that the majority are USB-C. You'll need an adapter if your devices use regular USB cords.

The Suburban already had tremendous cargo capacity, but the redesign has pushed its capabilities even further. Thanks to a longer wheelbase (4.1 inches), an increase in overall length (1.3 inches) and the new lower floor, the 2021 Suburban now boasts 144.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity, which is 23 cubic feet more than last year's model. This means the Suburban, along with its corporate cousin, the GMC Yukon XL, offers more cargo room than any other SUV on sale today.

Towing continues to be a strong suit of the big Chevy. When equipped with the 5.3-liter V8, the Suburban can tow as much as 8,300 pounds. The 6.2-liter's rating drops to 8,200 pounds but will definitely make easier work of the load thanks to its added power. Towing numbers for the diesel engine have not yet been released, but we expect capacity to exceed 9,000 pounds. The Max Trailering package will be a must since it includes an upgraded cooling system, an integrated trailer brake controller, and hitch guidance to make backing up to a trailer a breeze.

The 2021 Suburban is offered in six trim levels: the LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premier and High Country. The Suburban comes standard with a 5.3-liter V8 (355 horsepower, 383 lb-ft) mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel drive is available on all trim levels (standard on the Z71), with either a single- or two-speed transfer case. Two other engines are also available:

For the High Country trim only, Chevy swaps in a 6.2-liter V8 (420 hp, 460 lb-ft). There's also an optional turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder diesel engine (277 hp, 460 lb-ft) that will be available in the fourth quarter of 2020. Chevy will offer it on every Suburban trim except the Z71.

LS
Starts you off with:

• LED headlights
• 18-inch wheels
• Eight-passenger seating (2-3-3); front-row bench seat is optional on LS only
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
• 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)

LT
Adds to the LS with:

• Hands-free liftgate
• Wireless charging
• Nine-speaker Bose audio system
• Driver-seat memory settings and heated front seats
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror

RST
Includes these features:

• 22-inch wheels
• Unique front fascia and black exterior trim
• Special RST seats with contrasting stitching

Z71
Adds extra off-road capability with:

• Unique front fascia to improve ground clearance
• Two-speed transfer case (for low-range gearing)
• Hill descent control
• All-terrain tires
• Front skid plate and tow hooks

Premier
Steps up the standard equipment by including:

• Magnetically controlled shock absorbers (better ride and handling capabilities)
• Digital instrument panel
• 10-speaker Bose audio system
• Second-row bucket seats (drops capacity to seven passengers)
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Lane keeping assist (steers the Suburban back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
• Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)

High Country
Adds more luxury with:

• 420-hp 6.2-liter V8
• Surround-view parking camera system
• Head-up display
• Rear pedestrian alert system
• Special grille with bronze accents

Many of the features on the higher trim levels are available as options on the lower trims. Other significant options, depending on the trim level, include:

• Max Trailering package
• Panoramic sunroof
• Rear entertainment system
• Traffic-adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the Suburban and the car in front)
• Air suspension (can raise or lower the ride height of the vehicle)