2021 Chevrolet Suburban

Buyers can have their Suburban in six trims: LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premier, and High Country. Pricing starts at $52,995 including destination for a base LS, though consumers will likely start their shopping with the $57,795 LT. The priciest model, the High Country, begins at $73,595.

Most Suburbans will end up with the base 5.3-liter V8. This engine has been powering the Suburban for years. The only thing new for 2021 is its expanded fuel management system, which now has up to 12 modes of cylinder deactivation, each automatically determined based on driving conditions.

A 6.2-liter V8 comes standard on the High Country, the only trim to offer this engine. It also gets the fancy fuel management system. New for 2021 is a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six, optional on all trims but the Z71. The engine is all new and has been specifically developed for full-size trucks and SUVs.

All three engines are paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission. Five of the trims come standard with rear-wheel drive, but four-wheel drive is available for $3,000. The Z71 comes standard with 4WD.

Though towing and EPA stats haven't been announced yet, keep an eye on the turbodiesel. With its widespread availability and its promise of segment-best EPA figures, it could make Suburban ownership a bit more economical – but only if its claims of substantially better fuel efficiency play out.

The Suburban is the only vehicle outside commercial-grade vans that can haul nine passengers. However, doing so requires purchasing a base LS trim or the fleet-only FL model. Nearly all Suburbans will therefore be eight-passenger models, but second row captain's chairs are also available for a seven-passenger layout.

With its new rear suspension, passenger room is greatly expanded for the third row, which now has almost 37 inches of leg room, 2 inches more than last year. Second-row leg room is also up 3 inches over the outgoing model, for a total of 42 inches.

Cargo room also benefits. There's now 41.5 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row, 93.8 behind the second, and a full 144.7 cubic feet with both back rows folded. That's more cargo room than any SUV on the market.

Standard safety equipment on the Suburban includes automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic high-beams, and rear park assist.

The Premier and High Country get front parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, and lane change assist. These are available on lower trims through the Driver Alert Package.

The High Country alone gets a surround-view camera system.

A 10.2-inch touchscreen has been made standard on the redesigned Suburban. It comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wi-fi hot spot capability, satellite radio, HD radio, and Bluetooth. Eight USB ports (four up front, two in each of the back rows), a six-speaker audio system, and a 4.2-inch driver information display are also standard.

The LT gets standard wireless charging an a nine-speaker Bose audio system, while the Premier and High Country add a 10-speaker Bose audio system and navigation. The High Country also gets a head-up display.

The digital platform that underlies all these technologies is also new. It has five times more processing power than the outgoing model, which translates to fast, intuitive, and seamless digital performance. It also has extra bandwidth for future features that could be purchased and downloaded via over-the-air updates.

Dual 12.6-inch LCD screens are also offered through the rear-seat entertainment package. These can be bundled with the navigation system on lower trims.

The most basic of Suburbans is still a long way from spartan. Besides the aforementioned safety and tech features, it comes with standard features like 18-inch wheels, LED headlights and taillights, a 10-way power driver seat, an eight-way power passenger seat, keyless start, cloth upholstery, tri-zone climate control, and remote start.

The LS is the only trim that can be ordered with the front bench seat.

Most shoppers will want to start with the LT. The upcharge over the LS brings about a hands-free power liftgate, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, wireless phone charging, heated front seats, front leather seats, and a 10-way power passenger seat.

Shell out another $3,500 or so and Chevy will outfit your LT with the full gamut of sporty-chic tinsel with the RST. There's big 22-inch black wheels, blacked-out trim, exclusive badging, perforated leather seating, and other aesthetic touches.

As the RST is to the street, the Z71 is to the trail. It gets numerous exclusive features that make it well matched for off-road adventures, such as the all-terrain tires, standard four-wheel drive, hill-hold assist, a two-speed transfer case, skid plates, and hill descent control.

Luxury is the name of the Premier's game. It gets magnetic ride control, 12-way power front seats, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated second-row outboard seats, a power third row, and an 8-inch driver information center. This is also the trim where the fuller roster of active safety features becomes standard.

The priciest Suburban is the High Country. It is the only trim to get the 6.2-liter V8, and along with the Z71 one of two trims to offer an optional air suspension. This suspension offers load-leveling, up to 4 inches of automatic height adjustment, and the ability to raise the body an additional 1 or 2 inches when the transfer case is set to 4WD HI or 4WD LO, respectively.

The High Country comes standard with a surround-view camera, a head-up display, a rear camera mirror, and 22-inch wheels.

Compare Suburban Trims Side-By-Side