Driving Impressions

The Suburban is available in half-ton (1500 Series) or three-quarter-ton (2500 series) versions with either 2- or 4-wheel drive. The 4WD system is GM?s Insta-Trac, which allows on-the-fly shifting between 2WD to 4WD. We tested a half-ton Chevrolet Suburban equipped with the base 5.7-liter V8 engine, 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission and 2WD, which is how most Suburbans hit the road. It was outfitted with leather seats, including a 6-way power seat for the driver. The optional leather on our model accounted for more than $2000 worth of the $10,000 of options. (The vehicle listed for $30,039.) Though the tested model had 2WD rather than 4WD, it coped handily with rugged dirt roads. At the same time, it provided a quiet and smooth highway ride on a long trip. We?d suggest ordering the 4WD option, if only for improved resale value, which already is strong on all Suburbans. Every penny invested in 4WD generally is returned in resale value. The standard 5.7-liter V8 engine produces 200 hp at 4000 rpm and 310 pound-feet of torque at 2400 rpm. The base engine has a federal mileage rating of 13 mpg in the city and 15 mpg on the highway. To avoid frequent gas station stops, the Suburban has a 30-gal. fuel tank. A 6.5-liter V8 turbodiesel engine, rated at 190 hp at 3400 rpm and 385 lb.-ft. of torque at 1700 rpm, is available on the 2500 Series. Mileage ratings are not required on gross vehicle weights of more than 8500 lb., but the engine, depending on duty cycles, is designed for a 25 percent to 80 percent improvement in fuel economy over gasoline engines. Also available on the 2500 Series is the optional 7.4-liter V8 engine rated at 230 hp at 3600 rpm and 385 lb.-ft. of torque at 1600 rpm. New for ?95 is Dexron III automatic transmission fluid, which never needs replacement under normal service. Also, an interlock mechanism that prevents shifting the automatic transmission out of the part position unless the driver?s foot is depressing the brake pedal, now comes standard on all models. Four-wheel anti-lock brakes are also standard. The Suburban is equipped with variable-ratio power-assisted steering as standard equipment to provide easier maneuvering at low speeds and greater control and stability at high speeds. Still, the Suburban is by no means nimble in handling. In Texas, one may have wide-open spaces for such an enormous vehicle, but parking at the local grocery store can prove tricky for the novice.

Final Word

The Suburban is not only well-suited to roaming the sweeping Texas range but also to hauling the Little League team or towing a trailer. But it comes at a price. A fuel fill-up will cost as much as $50. And don?t be fooled by the Suburban?s seemingly low base sticker price of $21,587. You can?t buy one for that. The tested model was nearly $10,000 more than the base sticker price, and that was without 4WD. Still, based on its unrivaled size and ability to carry people and their things, it?s worth it. However, you?ll be lucky if you can find one to buy at all. Production is limited, and demand is so strong that dealers can?t keep them on the lots.