2022 Chevrolet Suburban

Chevrolet got a lot of mileage out of the previous-generation model, but now we finally have an all-new Chevy Suburban which debuted for the 2021 model year. With a name like Suburban (Chevy's oldest model name, FYI) it's fairly obvious what this large SUV is built for. It's aimed at suburbanites who have to ferry loads of kids and cargo from point A to point B. For decades, it did a prime job, but the previous-generation car was a bit of a donkey-kart compared to its rivals. It had a live rear axle, which is something else it had in common with the very first Suburban dating back to 1935.

Apart from all the other evident upgrades made to the Suburban, the fact that it finally embraced a fully independent rear suspension is likely the biggest change of all. The tried-and-trusted naturally-aspirated 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V8 engines were carried over. Both are now mated to a ten-speed automatic gearbox and produce between 355 and 420 horsepower. A downsized diesel is also available. All of these important upgrades place the Suburban in a much better position going up against competition like the Jeep Wagoneer, GMC Yukon, and Ford Expedition in the USA.

The Suburban is still essentially a big box on wheels. There's not much you can do to the side profile, except add a nice set of alloys to fill the arches. Base models get 18-inch alloy wheels, while the top-spec High Country rides on a set of Sterling Silver 22-inch alloy wheels. All models get LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights. A hands-free power liftgate is standard above base LS trim, while a full panoramic sunroof is optional across the range. The Z71 has some blacked-out exterior accents and an off-road-friendly front fascia. As for the overall design, it's unmistakably Chevrolet. There's nothing offensive nor stunning about it, which is perfect considering the historical application of the vehicle.

The Suburban has a massive wheelbase. It's 134.1 inches, and the overall length is 225.7 inches. The overall width without mirrors is 81.1 inches, and it's 75.7 inches tall in the default driving mode. All in all, this gives it impressive interior dimensions. Base models use a standard coil spring suspension, while the Z71 and High Country gets access to Chevy's optional Air Ride suspension. On the standard steel suspension, the ground clearance is eight inches, while models with the optional air suspension can go up to ten inches in the maximum ride height setting.

The optional air suspension also has an impact on the off-road-related figures, though none of them are particularly impressive. At best, you're looking at approach, breakover, and departure angles of 34.5, 19, and 22 degrees, respectively. This SUV ain't going anywhere more adventurous than a dirt road. The lightest model in the range is the 2WD with the standard 5.3-liter V8 engine. It weighs 5,616 pounds, compared to the diesel 4WD's 6,072 lbs.

Chevrolet offers a nice range of colors for the Suburban, even from the entry-level. All are no-cost options, excluding the $495 Cherry Red Tintcoat. Base options include Black and Summit White. The metallic palette consists of Satin Steel, Empire Beige, Midnight Blue, Auburn, Evergreen Gray, and Dark Ash - the last three new for 2022. On the LT trim and upwards, you can opt for Iridescent Pearl Tricoat for an additional $995. Shadow Gray and Graywood have been discontinued.

There are three engine options available. The LS, LT, Z71, RST, and Premier come standard with a 5.3-liter V8, with a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder diesel being an option on all of these but the Z71. The Z71 model is only available with the 5.3-liter or 6.2-liter V8s. The top-spec High Country comes standard with the turbocharged diesel, but you can upgrade to the 6.2-liter V8 engine. Only the RST and Premier have access to all three engines. A ten-speed automatic transmission does duty across the board. Apart from the 4WD-only Z71, every trim level is rear-wheel-drive as standard, with an all-wheel-drive system being an optional extra.

There's little chance of drag racing breaking out in the suburbs, so Chevrolet doesn't provide any performance or top speed figures for this behemoth. Towing capacity is way more important in the segment, and in the right configurations (5.3L V8 with 2WD) the Suburban can tow up to 8,300 lbs. The lowest quoted towing capacity is for the 6.2-liter V8 AWD, and even that can tow an impressive 7,400 lbs. Tow ratings for the diesel models vary from a minimum of 7,800 lbs to a maximum of 8,100 lbs.

The 5.3-liter naturally aspirated V8 is carried over from the previous model. It produces 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. The larger 6.2-liter V8 delivers 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The turbocharged six-cylinder diesel only produces 277 hp, but it matches the larger V8's 460 lb-ft torque rating.

All engines are mated to the same ten-speed automatic transmission boasting the same set of gear ratios. First, second, and third exist to provide brisk acceleration, while eight, nine, and ten are cruising gears to improve fuel economy.

The naturally aspirated V8 engines are both carried over from the previous model, which is a double-edged sword. We know they're reliable, but they come with supercar-like fuel consumption figures. The 5.3-liter V8 produces 355 hp at 5,600 rpm and 383 lb-ft at 4,100 rpm. The 6.2-liter provides a nice 420 horses at 5,600 rpm, and 460 lb-ft at 4,100 rpm. What this means is that you have to keep both engines fairly high in the rev range to get access to full power. Thankfully, the Suburban's 10-speed auto doesn't hesitate to drop a cog or two to get you back in the powerband. We quite like the 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel. The claimed 277 hp isn't impressive compared to the gas engines, but it provides 460 lb-ft at an extremely low 1,500 rpm.

As mentioned earlier, the Suburban comes with an independent rear suspension, but don't let that trick you into believing that it's now an agile track machine. It's still a body-on-frame Heffalump of a machine with a massive curb weight. The new independent suspension adds a nice layer of comfort and the Suburban certainly feels more sure-footed than before, but that's about it. Go for the optional air suspension and the ride will be even smoother.

From behind the wheel, you get the sense that it's the Suburban's weight beating the road flat, but in reality, the new setup just does a good job. It leans when you push into a corner, but what SUV doesn't? It's a boat-like experience, and most likely exactly what customers in this segment want. The driving modes include Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing. Each sets the car up perfectly for the task at hand. We're also glad to see that Chevy didn't bother with an Eco driving mode, which would have been as useful as a lead balloon.

Adding AWD is only necessary if you live in a cold-weather state or spend a lot of time on gravel roads. Even with the optional air suspension in its highest setting, the Suburban is severely limited by its long wheelbase and poor breakover angle.

It's not good news for the V8 engines. The 5.3-liter V8 with 2WD has EPA-estimated fuel consumption figures of 15/20/17 mpg city/highway/combined, decreasing to 14/19/16 mpg with 4WD. The 6.2-liter V8 with 2WD consumes gas at a rate of 14/20/16 mpg, going down to 14/19/16 mpg with 4WD. Thankfully, the Suburban has a large 28-gallon tank, which means you can get around 450 miles on a tank even with the least efficient model. But, as gas prices in the US go up, this may not be good enough.

The turbocharged diesel makes a good case for itself when it comes to fuel efficiency. A 2WD model can do 21/27/23 mpg, while the 4WD is capable of 20/26/22 mpg. With the large tank, you're looking at a total range of 616 to 644 miles.

The first thing you notice about the new Suburban interior is the redesigned center console and the lack of that awful oversized column-mounted shifter. Just looking at the new interior, you can tell the overall quality is much higher, and that it's going to be much easier to interact with. The button count is down, but the layout makes more sense. You get the obligatory touchscreen interface (8-inch on the base trim and 10.2-inch on the rest), a few basic infotainment controls, and the climate-control buttons beneath that. We love the fact that Chevrolet kept the buttons the driver and passenger use most frequently separate. Adjusting the volume and turning the music off is done via one rotary dial. What a revelation. The quality may not be up there with the Germans, but it certainly looks premium enough at the price.

There were a lot of negative things you could say about the previous-generation Suburban, but a lack of space wasn't one of them. Even so, Chevrolet added even more space last year with the new model. Both the second and third-row boast more room than before, and cargo capacity is up by 23 cubic feet over the previous generation. Headroom is 42.3 inches in the front row (40.4 with a sunroof), and 38.9 inches in the second row (37.5 inches with a sunroof). The third row gets a full 38.2 inches of headroom. That's the upside of an SUV being so slab-sided. Legroom is 44.5 inches in the front, 42 inches in the second row, and a generous 36.7 inches in the third row.

These impressive figures place the Suburban in an ultra-exclusive club of three-row SUVs that can accommodate fully-grown adults in the third row. The third-row seats offer nearly as much space as the second-row of a BMW X5, just to give you an idea of how big it is back there.

The base LS has two interior options to choose from, both clad in premium cloth. You can have Jet Black or a mix of Gideon and Very Dark Atmosphere. The LT and Z71 upgrade to leather for the first and second row, available in the same colors mentioned above. The RST comes with perforated leather seats for the first and second row in Jet Black with Victory Red stitching. Premier trims also get perforated leather on the first two rows, but the color options include Jet Black and a combination of Jet Black and Maple Sugar. The High Country removes the Maple Sugar option and replaces it with a dark brown leather called Mocha.

Another major advantage that counts in the Suburban's favor is the available cargo capacity, even with all eight seats in place. Behind the third row, you still get 41.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity, which is more or less what the average five-seat midsize SUV offers. That means there's no need to ever lower the third row, even if you have a month's worth of supply shopping to do. Drop the third row down and you get 93.8 cubes to work with. The cargo area grows to a massive 144.7 cubes with the second row folded flat.

As you'd imagine, there's no shortage of interior storage options. The armrest storage between the front passengers is cavernous, while the rest of the cabin boasts a smattering of nooks and crannies. There are large door pockets with bottle holders, a large glovebox, and more cupholders than there are seats for people.

All models come with LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights. The LS is the only model with a manual liftgate, and the rest get a power-assisted hands-free liftgate. It's the same story on the inside. The entire range gets power-adjustable driver and passenger seats, keyless entry and start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote start, Buckle to Drive, and tri-zone climate control.

From the LT trim, Chevy starts adding luxuries like an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a 12.3-inch driver-information display / gauge cluster, and leather upholstery for the first two rows. Higher up in the range, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot alert, lane-change alert, and magnetic ride control become available. The High Country is a fully loaded specification that includes a head-up display, a 360-degree camera system, a rearview camera displayed on the rearview mirror, and rear pedestrian alert. Driver-assistance systems across the range include a following distance indicator, forward-collision alert with pedestrian detection, automatic braking up to 50 mph, front and rear parking sensors, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning.

The LS is downgraded this year to an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth streaming, Wi-Fi capability, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, connected to a six-speaker sound system, while the rest of the range gets a Bose sound system and the larger 10.2-inch display that the LS also had last year. Perhaps we have the current semiconductor chip shortage to blame for that. From LT and up, this Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Premium system also has Google built in, including Google Assistant, Maps, and Play, as well as SiriusXM and voice activation. In the LT, RST, and Z71, the audio system has nine speakers, while Premier and High Country models get a Bose ten-speaker surround sound system. The Rear Seat Media System is a $1,995 option and is available on all trims except the LS.

The new Chevrolet Suburban SUV was off to a rocky start last year. The 2021 model was recalled a total of seven times during its first year on sale. Reasons included incorrectly installed bolts for the front seats and incorrect bolts used, a front center seat belt that may not be secured, incorrectly routed third-row seat belts that could become damaged, an airbag warning light that may not indicate a malfunction, a loss of power steering assist, and failure of the power control module for the fuel pump. At the time of writing, the 2022 model was still recall-free.

The recalls reflect in the Suburban's J.D. Power Ownership Survey results. It scored over eighty in every category but quality and reliability, which scored only 70, dragging the overall score down to 78 out of 100. Still, it isn't an awful score and places it third in the segment behind the Chevrolet Tahoe (83) and GMC Yukon (81).

The IIHS has not had the opportunity to provide a thorough review of the Chevy Suburban. Thankfully, the NHTSA has tested the all-new Suburban, but it's not great news. These days we expect a brand-new car to get a full five-star review, yet the Suburban only managed to get a four-star rating. The NHTSA gave it five out of five in the side crash, but four stars in the front impact and just three in the rollover segment. This rating is not due to the additional weight, as the Tahoe received the same results.

When you opt for the front bench seat in your Suburban, the airbag count is six. In every other configuration and trim, the Suburban comes standard with seven airbags. Other traditional items include tire-pressure monitoring, traction and stability control, ABS, a teen-driver feature, and a rearview camera.

Chevrolet includes more driver-assistance features as standard across the range. The list consists of a following-distance indicator, forward-collision warning, front pedestrian detection, and, from this year, standard front and rear parking sensors, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning on all trims. Premier models also add blind-spot alert and lane-change alert. Lower trims can option on additional driver aids as part of the available packages. The two top trims can also be ordered with more enhanced driver-assistance systems at additional cost, including adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking.

The changes Chevrolet made to the new Suburban it launched last year are significant. It rides and handles better than before, which makes its size less of a liability. As for the rest of the car, Chevy did what it does best. The engine options aren't groundbreaking but they get the job done. Add the 6.2-liter V8 engine and this large SUV is surprisingly brisk. What matters most is the space, and the Suburban provides plenty. Even with all three rows in place, it still has enough cargo capacity left over for most weekly tasks. The third row can also be used by adults, which is extremely rare in three-row SUVs.

On the downside, it's not as efficient as its main rivals, but the frugal diesel engine is a nice alternative available on most models. The high-end trims are extremely expensive and no longer the go-to when buying a Chevrolet Suburban. The new generation Chevy finally gives customers a good reason to buy it, beyond just being fans of the brand.

The base-model 2WD LS with a 5.3-liter V8 engine has an MSRP of $52,850, increasing to $53,845 when you opt for the diesel. The LT trim costs $58,250 for the standard 5.3L gas, and $59,245 for the turbodiesel. The RST model with the standard 5.3-liter V8 retails for $61,450, increasing to $62,445 for the diesel and $65,265 for the 6.2-liter V8. The Premier trim with the standard V8 costs $66,200, the Duramax Premier Suburban will cost $67,195, and the 6.2-liter V8 Premier is $68,695. The top-spec High Country drops the 5.3-liter V8. The 6.2-liter V8 Premier has a base price of $73,100. The diesel High Country is slightly cheaper, retailing for $71,600. Adding 4WD to any of these trims ups the base price by $3,000.

The Z71 is only available in 4WD format, and also only with the two gas V8s, not the diesel. The 5.3-liter V8 has an MSRP of $63,450 and the 6.2-liter costs $72,050. Destination and delivery costs add $1,695 to all these prices.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban range is made up of six trims: LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premier, and High Country. On the outside, the base model has 18-inch alloy wheels, LEDs for its headlights, tail lights, and daytime running lights, roof side rails, and rain-sensing wipers. Inside, it comes with keyless access and go, cloth upholstery, electrically adjustable front seats (ten-way for the driver, eight-way for the passenger), three-zone climate control, a leather-trimmed and manually tilting/telescoping steering wheel, a 12-volt power outlet, and remote start. The infotainment system has an eight-inch touchscreen and supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth streaming, and a six-speaker audio system. Safety fare includes seven airbags (six if you opt for the front bench), automatic high beams, Buckle to Drive, front and rear parking sensors, stability control, a backup camera, a teen-driver feature, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, a following-distance indicator, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist.

LT adds to these features a hands-free power liftgate, leather upholstery for the first two rows, driver's memory settings, a 12.3-inch digital driver-information display / gauge cluster, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a universal home remote, a 10.2-inch infotainment screen with voice activation and Google built in, and a nine-speaker Bose audio system.

The RST trim is essentially an appearance package with 22-inch gloss-black alloy wheels and black roof rails and peforated leather upholstery. The Z71 trim is off-road focused and as such, it is 4WD only and has a two-speed transfer case, heavy-duty air filter, hill-descent control, skid plates, recovery hooks, all-terrain tires on 20-inch alloy wheels, and a different front fascia with a higher approach angle. It shares its interior specifications with the LT.

Premier trim is another jump up and it has 20-inch polished alloy wheels, Magnetic Ride Control, a driver's-side auto-dimming exterior mirror, powered adjustment for the tilting/telescoping steering wheel, a power-release second row, power-folding third row, a power-sliding center console, a Bose ten-speaker surround-sound audio system, lane-change alert, blind-spot alert, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The High Country is the flagship trim and is not available with the standard 5.3-liter V8 engine. It runs on 22-inch alloy wheels and has HD surround-view camera, head-up display, rear pedestrian alert, and a rear-camera view displayed on the interior mirror.

The Max Trailering Package costs between $250 and $565 depending on trim, and adds various trailering-enhancing features that may include an integrated trailer brake controller, hitch guidance with hitch view, a two-speed transfer case on 4WDs, and a more hardcore radiator. The Driver Alert Package for base models retails for $495 and adds lane-change alert with blind-spot assist and rear cross-traffic alert to the trims below Premier. However from the LT trim and up, it also requires various additional features to be added, amounting to over $2,500 in total.

The LT model is highly customizable, as it will likely be the most popular model in the range. It's available with the LT Signature Package for $4,890 or the LT Signature Plus Package for $4,325. These two packages consist of everything included in the $2,525 Luxury Package, but with their own unique design features. The latter is the most important, as it adds memory settings for the front seats, a power-operated third row, a power-release second row, heated auto-dimming side mirrors, rear pedestrian alert, a power-adjustable steering column, an automatically heated steering wheel, and heated second-row seats. The Rear Seat Media System goes for $1,995 and includes dual 12.6-inch HD rear displays, wireless Wi-Fi projection, and wireless headphones. It is available on all trims except LS. The Luxury Package is available on the LT, Z71, and RST trims.

For the RST trim, the Sport Performance Package is new this year and bundles the 6.2-liter V8 engine with Magnetic Ride Control suspension and a dual-system exhaust with polished stainless-steel tips.

For the Z71, you get an Off-Road Package, which adds all of the niceties included in the Luxury Package, plus the Max Trailering Package and the Off-Road Capability Package. The full house option goes for $5,485. In case you just want the Off-Road Capability Package, it costs $2,995 and adds the adaptive Air Ride suspension, an electronic limited-slip differential, and Magnetic Ride Control.

Premier models have access to model-specific packages. The $4,485 Premium Package, for example, adds a panoramic sunroof, rear camera mirror washer, rear camera mirror, the Max Trailering package, and adaptive cruise control. At the top of the range, the High Country has a few optional packages, including a High Country Deluxe bundle for $5,055 that includes the adaptive Air Ride suspension, adaptive cruise control, sunroof, and power-retractable assist steps, to name a few.

Honestly, there's no need to go above the LT specification, in our opinion. The LS is just a bit too rental-spec for our liking, but the LT adds a power tailgate, a Bose nine-speaker sound system, a 10.2-inch infotainment screen with Google, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather seats for the first and second row and, from this year, the Driver Alert Package. Not bad considering the $5,400 price difference. The top-spec models are far too expensive, and the Suburban is too compromised length-wise to be a real off-roader. So we'd stick with 2WD unless you live in a cold-weather state. We'd also opt for the diesel engine for the improved gas mileage figures.

We'd add the basic Luxury Package and the Rear Seat Media System to entertain the kids. With all these goodies included, you're looking at a Chevrolet Suburban with a price of just under $67k.

These two are essentially the same car, though the Tahoe has a slightly smaller wheelbase. That means you get less cargo capacity, and the third-row loses its ability to easily accommodate fully-grown adults. The Tahoe is available with the same engines, interior trimmings, and standard features as the Suburban. It's slightly more efficient thanks to a lower curb weight, but not so much that you'd notice. There's only one real reason you'd choose one over the other, and that's how much space you need. If you need to haul loads of people and cargo in your vehicle, the Suburban is the way to go. If you don't, get the Tahoe.

Of the two, the Ford is one of the more modern competitors. Ford uses a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6, available with 375-400 hp. Equipped with the right tow package, the Expedition can tow up to 9,300 lbs, in comparison to the Chevy's 8,300 lbs. The Ford's infotainment system is also easier to use, and the interior quality is just slightly better. It's nowhere near as spacious as the Chevy, however. The Suburban has double the cargo capacity behind the third row. Ford is more generous when it comes to standard safety features, and it received a full five-star rating from the NHTSA.

The Expedition is expensive at the top end, but the mid-spec Limited offers epic value for money. We suggest taking both for a test drive, but considering these cars will likely be used to ferry the most valuable cargo there is, we're inclined to go with the Ford.