2007-2008 Chevrolet Suburban: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

More power, fresh styling, and new features highlighted the 2007 redesign of Chevrolet's two large sport-utility vehicles: the Tahoe and the longer half-ton Suburban. Also redesigned for 2007 were the closely related GMC Yukon and Denali, and their Yukon XL counterparts, plus the Cadillac Escalade-all of which shared this basic design. Despite little-changed exterior dimensions, all of these GM SUVs had more cargo space and rear passenger room than the 2000-2006 generation. Compared to Tahoe, the Suburban was about 14 inches longer in wheelbase, 20 inches longer overall, and had nearly 30 cubic feet more cargo volume. Both had a liftgate with opening glass. Each came in LS, LT, and luxury LTZ trim levels. Each offered buyers a choice of rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, which could be left engaged on dry pavement and included low-range gearing. Antilock braking and traction/antiskid control with rollover sensors were standard. Suburbans were similar to GMC's Yukon XL, as well as the Cadillac Escalade ESV. Rivals included the Ford Expedition EL and Toyota Sequoia. A 320-hp 5.3-liter V8 was standard in Suburban 1500s, with a 355-hp 6.0-liter V8 optional. The 5.3- and 6.0-liter engines had GM's Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation. Some versions of the 5.3 V8 could run on E85 (an ethanol/gasoline blend). The sole transmission was a four-speed automatic. Suburban 2500s, rated three-quarter ton, used a 352-hp, 6.0-liter V8 and a six-speed automatic transmission. Standard on the Suburban LTZ and available for the Suburban LT was GM's Autoride suspension, which included load-leveling and automatically adjusted firmness based on road and driving conditions. The LT also was available with Chevrolet's Z71 Off-Road Suspension Package. Passenger capacity ranged from five to nine, with two- and three-place seating available for any of the three rows. Curtain side airbags that covered all seating rows and included rollover deployment were standard with the LTZ and available for LS and LT models. Second- and third-row seats folded, and the third row could be removed. As in GM's other large SUVs, a spring-release option could flip the second-row seats to provide third-row access. Other new features included a rearview camera, power liftgate, power running boards, and rear obstacle detection. Also available were a navigation system, power-adjustable pedals, heated first- and second-row seats, and DVD entertainment. GM's OnStar assistance was standard.