2009 Chevrolet Suburban: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

The 2009 Chevrolet Suburban makes news by offering a new 6-speed automatic transmission as well as additional safety and luxury features. This report covers the half-ton Suburban 1500 and three-quarter-ton Suburban 2500. Suburban shares its basic designs with the GMC Yukon XL. Compared with Chevy's Tahoe, Suburban is about 14 inches longer in wheelbase, 20 inches longer overall, and has nearly 30 cu ft more cargo volume. Suburban 1500 and 2500 seat up to nine passengers and come in LS and LT trims. A top-line LTZ version is exclusive to the 1500. All are available with rear-wheel drive or GM's Autotrac 4-wheel drive that can be left engaged on dry pavement and includes a low-range gear for off-roading. Standard on the 1500 is a 310-hp 5.3-liter V8 engine. A 366-hp 6.0-liter V8 is optional. Both engines have GM's Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation, and the 5.3 V8 can run on E85 ethanol-blended fuel. The sole transmission is a 6-speed automatic. Previously, the 5.3 V8 used a 4-speed automatic. All Suburban 2500 models have a 352-hp 6.0-liter V8 and 6-speed automatic. Maximum towing capacities are 8100 lb for the 1500 and 9600 lb for the 2500. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and curtain side airbags. Blind-spot alert is newly available on the LTZ. Heated and cooled front seats are newly standard on the LTZ. Other new-for-2009 features include a wireless cell phone link, dual-screen DVD entertainment, and a backup camera that displays both on the optional navigation system screen and in the rearview mirror.

COMPETITION

Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Large SUVs are traditionally workhorse seven-plus passenger wagons with brawny truck-type chassis, ample towing ability, lots of cargo space, and generally poor fuel economy. These vehicles offer towing and payload ratings similar to large pickup trucks.

Our Best Buys include the Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Ford Expedition. We have no Recommended picks in this class for 2009.