At a Glance:
- MSRP: From $52,300
- Towing capacity: 7,400 to 7,800 lbs
- Horsepower: 277 to 420 hp
- Cargo volume: 41.5 ft³, 144.7 ft³ with seat area
- Seating capacity: 7, 8
- MPG: Up to 21 city / 27 highway
- Engine: 3.0 L 6-cylinder diesel , 5.3 L V8 , 6.2 L V8
Can you believe that it has been more than 80 years since Chevy introduced the Suburban to American drivers? During its storied and multi-decade history, this full-size SUV has served police, private industry, and even busy families admirably, while basically creating the SUV class that continues to dominate US car sales today.
The culmination of years of design and mechanics innovation fed by real-world consumer feedback, the 12th edition Suburban receives significant performance (and appearance) updates that guarantee the vehicle will continue to be a popular choice for space-hungry car buyers.
Interior
While the Suburban has always set a high standard for passenger and cargo room, the 2021 model adds 23 cubic feet of load-space with its lower floor and longer wheelbase. For shoppers who think Chevy’s ample Tahoe is still too tiny, step right up to the Suburban for a full body experience that will satisfy the hungriest space hog. Even the traditionally skimpy third row is now a full-sized area for passengers competing on the same level as commercial transport vans.
Speaking of large, the driver gauge-cluster is now larger and easier to read, as is the available heads up display. Other interior appointments are all quality installed and even luxe in certain trim/package configurations.
As might be expected in a vehicle big enough to transport a volleyball team and their coach, the Suburban is prepared to entertain them all with multiple charging ports, a Wi-Fi hotspot and a standard 10.2-inch Android/Apple-compatible touchscreen in the center stack. Optional, but practical in a vehicle this large, is a rear-seat entertainment system with two mounted 12-inch screens. Controls are intuitive and we appreciated that, beyond the initial set up, the infotainment system and other dash controls are easy to operate and adjust without creating a distraction for the driver.
Exterior
The distinctive and, we think, beautiful new grille implemented on other Chevy models makes its way to the Suburban in 2021. It’s a modern, unique, and clean face that suits the larger-bodied SUV well. In profile, the classic Suburban exterior silhouette is still boxy, but doesn’t look as hulking or heavy as it once did thanks to tapered roof and floor rails. It’s easily the best-looking Suburban ever and, for our money, the best-looking full-size SUV of 2021.
Features
The standard features on the 2021 LS base trim are good, but not exciting. In fact, you’ll be easily tempted to go beyond the base since so many of the more interesting options are only available in the LT, RST, Premier, High Country, and Z71 configurations. If you’re not careful, the price of your vehicle can swell by more than $20K. Build your budget to allow for at least some of the great features below.
At the Premier trim level there is an available $4,500 premium package that features a multicolor heads-up display, panoramic sunroof, and 360-degree camera system for easier parking and maneuvering.
The trailer package, on the other hand, is a reasonable $465 and includes items that are nearly a must for anyone planning on hauling toys or tools. Included in that package:
- Integrated trailer brake controller
- Hitch guidance with hitch view
- Advanced trailering system
- Enhanced radiator cooling
Driving a vehicle as large as the Suburban can be intimidating for people used to smaller, lighter SUVs or cars, but Chevy offers advanced driver assistance systems that go a long way towards reducing that anxiety. We list the standard and available features below, but we recommend going with any package/trim that gets you both.
- Standard assistance equipment
- Forward-collision warning
- Forward pedestrian detection
- Automatic emergency braking
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Available assistance equipment
- Enhanced automatic emergency braking (works at a wider variety of speeds)
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane-departure warning
- Lane-keeping assistance
- Blind-spot warning
- Rear cross-traffic warning
- Reverse pedestrian detection
- Lane-change warning
- Surround-view camera
- Front and rear parking-assist sensors
- Safety Alert Seat (vibrates as warning)
Power & Handling
There are no complaints with the “standard” 355-hp 5.3-liter V-8 found in most trims, but there are some interesting options for drivers who need more power and/or torque. There is a 420-hp 6.2-liter V-8 (High Country edition only) and a diesel 3.0-liter six-cylinder great for trailering to choose from.
Handling is confident and the vehicle doesn’t “float” as much as previous generations. This year’s Suburban adds an independent rear suspension with coil springs that gets credit for lowering the vehicle’s floor to allow additional space and cargo volume, but perhaps it also improved the SUV’s handling nature by lowering its center of gravity?
Similar to the 2021 Tahoe, the Suburban also offers an adaptive ride suspension system that allows the vehicle to automatically or manually be lowered and raised for the purpose of providing improved ground clearance or aerodynamics. We highly recommend this feature to upgrade the ride of the heavier, wider, and longer Suburban.
Final Thought
The 2021 Suburban competes with and beats mega-SUVs such as Ford Expedition Max and Toyota Sequoia. If you’re in the market for a larger SUV or even a minivan, look at the Suburban first to see not only how it compares, but how evolved this vehicle has become since you last drove or rode in one.
Want to learn more about the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban?