A staple of the Chevrolet brand since 1935, the Suburban continues to offer room and capability as only an extra-large SUV can. Buyers who aren't intimidated by the sheer size of the 2019 Chevy Suburban will be rewarded with a rugged, all-purpose vehicle that feels like home.
What's New for 2019
With the introduction of the RST Performance Edition on Premier models, a 6.2-liter V8 engine and 10-speed transmission are now available.
Choosing Your Chevrolet Suburban
The Suburban is one of the few vehicles than can seat up to nine passengers – and does so with 39.9 cubic feet left over for cargo. That space grows to 76.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and balloons to 121.7 cubic feet with both rows out of the way.
Most models are powered by a 5.3-liter V8 engine, good for 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission does the shifting. The Suburban is EPA-rated at 15 miles per gallon city, 22 mpg highway, and 18 combined with rear-wheel drive, or 14/21/16 mpg (city/highway/combined) with four-wheel drive, which is a $3,000 option.
A 6.2-liter V8 is available on the top-trim Premier only. The larger engine puts out 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, and comes with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Models so equipped are EPA-rated at 14/23/17 mpg with RWD or 14/20/16 mpg with AWD.
With either engine, towing capacity reaches 8,300 pounds with the available Max Trailering Package ($300 to $780, depending on configuration). All Suburbans can get an Interior Protection Package ($250) with all-weather floor and cargo mats. A dual-screen second-row video entertainment is also available across the board for $1,995. A Theft Protection Package can be added to the LT and Premier for $410.
As before, the Suburban comes in three trim levels:
CarsDirect Tip
The 2019 Chevrolet Suburban LT provides an impressive load of equipment for the money, especially when equipped with the Luxury Package. Many buyers will appreciate the extra grunt of the 6.2-liter V8, but it's only available in pricey bundles that push the MSRP into unheard of territory for this model.
SUVs used to be the way to go when you needed to combine family, cargo, and trailer hauling into one rig, and the Chevrolet Suburban is the longest-running model in this segment. The 2019 Chevrolet Suburban continues its bulky ways with an extra touch of style and class inside and out. Despite the Suburban’s recent improvements, the modern-day crossover is burying its legacy with their improved fuel economy, capabilities, and passenger room. Is the 2019 Suburban a good fit for the average SUV shopper? Keep reading to find out.
Best Value
At first glance, the word “value” may not seem to belong next to the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban lineup due to its $51,895 starting price. But for that price, there's a lot of value baked into the base model. Moving up one trim to the Suburban LT pushes the price further north, but it also puts you in the lineup’s sweet spot.
The Suburban LT includes upscale features like leather seating, a nine-speaker Bose audio system, heated front seats with memory, a power liftgate, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, low-speed automatic emergency braking, a safety alert seat, power-adjustable pedals, and more. The Suburban LT also has a ton of optional packages to dress things up.
Model: 2019 Chevrolet Suburban LT
Engine: 5.3-liter V8
Output: 355 hp / 383 lb-ft
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive
MPG: 15 City / 22 Hwy
Options: Luxury Package ($2,860, remote keyless entry with push-button start, heated second-row seats with power release, heated power-folding mirrors, power tilt-and-telescope steering wheel, power-folding third row, hands-free power liftgate, fog lights, front and rear park assist, rear cross-traffic alert, lane change alert, blind-spot monitoring, body-color trailer hitch cover, nine additional months of free SiriusXM radio)
Base Price: $56,895 (including a $1,295 destination fee)
Best Value Price: $59,755
Performance
No matter which powertrain you choose, the base 5.3-liter V8 or the 6.2-liter V8, the 2019 Suburban has plenty of power to move its big body. These engines also play a key role in the Suburban’s monstrous 8,300-pound towing capacity, but its new optional 420-horsepower, 6.2-liter V8 is the king of the hill.
Though the Suburban is too big to be a true off-roader, the optional Z71 package makes it more confident off the beaten path with its upgraded wheels and rubber, hill-descent control, recovery hooks, upgraded suspension, and more.
The 2019 Suburban is large and in charge, and it drives like it. Its big body isn't well suited for cornering at any type of speed, and its boxy body doesn’t help matters in the fuel economy department.
Style
The latest take on the Suburban’s styling is an eye-grabbing one as it combines the classic boxy characteristics with uniquely shaped headlights and taillights. This combination of old and new keeps the interest of traditionalists and the younger crowd. Plus, there are tons of options to customize the Suburban’s looks, including the Midnight Package and RST Edition.
Moving inside, the Suburban abandons its classic looks for a more car-like format that helps it hold its own against the growing crossover market. Add to this stylish cabin the array of standard features and virtually limitless options, you have an interior built for just about anyone.
Though the big body may be a stretch for some people to drive, it houses a massive cabin that seats up to nine people in its three rows. Also, that third row doesn't require contortionist skills to squeeze into it as the second row slides up to give clear access to this rearmost row and its adult-friendly 34.5 inches of leg room.
When it comes time to haul, the Suburban is ready with its 39.3 cubic feet of cargo room with all three rows upright, 76.7 cubes with the third row folded, and 121.7 cubes with both rear rows folded.
The Best and Worst Things
The Suburban’s cabin is a standout in a near-extinct class. Chevy did a great job giving it a car-like look and feel to battle the popular crossover class while offering more third-row leg room and the cargo capacity of a Boeing 747.
But the Suburban is a wildebeest in a world built for cats. It takes up massive amounts of concrete in parking garages and backing it up may require a marshaller – orange batons and all.
Right For? Wrong For?
The Suburban is perfect for a large family that also does its share of cargo and trailer hauling.
A large family that's only worried about seats for butts and enough room for groceries may prefer a smaller, easier-to-pilot crossover.
The Bottom Line
The 2019 Chevy Suburban is doing everything it can to keep the large SUV segment alive, and it's mostly successful. But with crossovers getting larger, more capable, and more fuel efficient, you may want to consider one before going with this hefty rig.
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Specs & Features
Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
This Safety Rating comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which evaluates how this vehicle performs in crash tests. NHTSA conducts frontal, side and rollover tests because these types account for the majority of crashes on America's roadways. This Overall Crash Safety Rating combines scores for these three crash tests.
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
This Safety Rating comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which evaluates how this vehicle performs in crash tests. NHTSA conducts frontal, side and rollover tests because these types account for the majority of crashes on America's roadways. This Overall Crash Safety Rating combines scores for these three crash tests.
5.3L V-8 / 355 HP / 383 ft.lbs.
Transmission
This Safety Rating comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which evaluates how this vehicle performs in crash tests. NHTSA conducts frontal, side and rollover tests because these types account for the majority of crashes on America's roadways. This Overall Crash Safety Rating combines scores for these three crash tests.
6-spd sequential shift control auto w/OD
Drive Type
This Safety Rating comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which evaluates how this vehicle performs in crash tests. NHTSA conducts frontal, side and rollover tests because these types account for the majority of crashes on America's roadways. This Overall Crash Safety Rating combines scores for these three crash tests.
Rear-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
This Safety Rating comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which evaluates how this vehicle performs in crash tests. NHTSA conducts frontal, side and rollover tests because these types account for the majority of crashes on America's roadways. This Overall Crash Safety Rating combines scores for these three crash tests.
15 / 22 / 18 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
This Safety Rating comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which evaluates how this vehicle performs in crash tests. NHTSA conducts frontal, side and rollover tests because these types account for the majority of crashes on America's roadways. This Overall Crash Safety Rating combines scores for these three crash tests.
8 / 9
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
This Safety Rating comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which evaluates how this vehicle performs in crash tests. NHTSA conducts frontal, side and rollover tests because these types account for the majority of crashes on America's roadways. This Overall Crash Safety Rating combines scores for these three crash tests.
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