Just How Impressive Is the Chevy Suburban?

If you’re wondering how spacious and capable the Suburban is, that’s a great question, and it should come as no surprise that it’s one we’re more than happy to answer because we never shy away from bragging about the Chevy lineup. Chevy offers seven different SUVs these days (not including all-electric models), which gives you a tremendous number of great vehicles to choose from. If you’re interested in a used Chevy Suburban for sale, however, then you must want a large and powerful vehicle, because the Suburban is the biggest SUV in the lineup. This is a full-size SUV, so you know it’s large, but even when compared to other full-size models out there, it still dominates its class. Let’s take a closer look at the kind of capability and spaciousness the Suburban has provided in recent years, and you’ll see precisely why so many people have chosen this for their large SUV.

Know Your Suburban Model Years

When you’re looking at different used Suburban models, it’s important to keep in mind that the model year and other factors you’re looking at can make a big difference. The Suburban has been around since the 1930s, though that’s not exactly what you’ll find at our dealership when you go in search of a used model. Chevy released the 10th generation of the Suburban for the 2007 model year, and you likely won’t find anything older than that for sale—though even those models are going to lack a lot of modern features and niceties. The 11th generation of the Suburban launched for the 2015 model year, making that the best place to start for older used options, though the current 12th generation that started with the 2021 Suburban is even better.

It’s important to note that the differences between 2020 and 2021 Suburban models can be quite significant, especially when it comes to their size and capabilities. Chevy gave the Suburban a full redesign for its 12th generation, and this included a significant growth in interior size, resulting in more cargo room. While we love older Suburban models, the improvements for the current generation can’t be overlooked and are well worth going for when looking at different used options. Your budget and what you can find will always determine the right SUV to meet your needs, but just keep in mind that you can get a lot more from your vehicle if you get a 12th-generation Suburban compared to what came before.

Impressive Power and Performance

To appreciate just how much power the Chevy Suburban brings to the road, there are a few different things we should look at. For starters, let’s check out the Suburban itself and what it offers. If you go back to a 2020 or earlier Suburban model, then you can find one of two engines: a standard 5.3L V8 with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque or a 6.2L V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. You can see that’s great power and performance; for comparison’s sake, these are two of the engines you can find on the Chevy Silverado 1500 full-size truck from the same year, showcasing the kind of robust capability they offer.

If you jump up to the 2021 Suburban, however, then a third engine becomes available: a 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel with 460 lb-ft of torque. We don’t have to tell you how unusual it is to see a diesel engine in any sort of SUV, though it makes perfect sense to have one in a large and impressive full-size model. All 2021 Suburban models come with a 10-speed automatic transmission, while earlier ones had a six-speed automatic standard on the 5.3L V8—a 10-speed was only provided on the available 6.2L V8. Again, earlier models are excellent, but these kinds of improvements can make a big difference regarding the experience you get behind the wheel each day.

To further put things into perspective, consider how the Suburban compares to other full-size SUVs you might find. Looking at a 2020 Toyota Sequoia, for example, it has one engine on offer: a 5.7L V8 with 318 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque; that’s fairly comparable to Chevy’s standard engine but much less than the available engine option for the Suburban. The 2020 Nissan Armada similarly has a V8 engine with 390 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque; this falls between the two engines for the Suburban, and it’s the only option found on Nissan’s full-size SUV. Chevy gives you more options, which is great when you’re looking at used models, and you can find more power to enhance your driving experience each day.

Capability Both On and Off the Road

The power and performance of Chevy’s engines is no surprise; what some folks find surprising, however, is the kind of capability that the Suburban offers. For starters, this full-size SUV can handle just about anything you want from it thanks to 8,300 lbs of maximum towing from its standard engine. While we know not everyone looks for a large SUV with towing in mind, it’s great to have that extra power for pulling a trailer or camper behind your vehicle. If you enjoy an outdoor lifestyle and want to be able to plan for a week-long camping trip while taking everything you need with you, then the Suburban is ready to deliver.

What’s just as impressive is that in 2021, Chevy introduced a Suburban Z71 model designed to leave civilization behind and head off-road. The Z71 comes with standard four-wheel drive to ensure superb traction for all kinds of terrain and situations. It also has an enhanced off-road suspension plus more great features that are ideal for hitting the trail or taking you to your favorite campsite. That’s not something you’ll find on every full-size SUV out there, making this the perfect choice if you want a large SUV for exploring the great outdoors.

Massive Size and Interior Space

Since the Chevy Suburban is a full-size SUV, you’d expect it to be large and have plenty of room inside, and it does. That said, it goes well beyond what many people think they’ll find, and this is generally the largest SUV on the road, year after year. Going back to the previous generation and the 2020 Suburban, it measures 224 inches in overall length and has a 130-inch wheelbase. This model gives you 39.3 cu.ft. of rear cargo space, with 76.7 cu.ft. of cargo volume behind the second row and 121.7 cu.ft. of total cargo room inside. What’s incredible, however, is that the redesigned 2021 Suburban has 41.5 cu.ft. of rear cargo space, with 93.8 cu.ft. of cargo volume behind the second row and 144.7 cu.ft. of total cargo room behind the front seats.

For comparison’s sake, the 2021 Ford Expedition MAX (Ford’s largest SUV) has 36 cu.ft. of rear cargo space, 79.6 cu.ft. of room behind the second row, and 121.5 cu.ft. of total cargo volume. Every other full-size SUV out there falls similarly short: the 2021 Toyota Sequoia has just 18.9 cu.ft. of rear cargo space, while the Nissan Armada has only 95.4 cu.ft. of total cargo volume behind its front seats—that’s almost the same as the volume behind the second row of the Suburban. If you’re looking for a full-size SUV with a lot of room inside for you to take advantage of, nothing comes close to the Suburban.

Is the Chevy Suburban the SUV for You?

Although we can’t answer whether the Suburban is the right SUV for you, you probably have a pretty good sense of the answer at this point. If you’re looking for a full-size SUV with impressive power and performance under the hood, then the Suburban is a great choice. And if you want a large model that gives you more room inside than anything else out there, then the Chevy Suburban—especially one from the last few years—is the way to go. With a used model, you can get a vehicle that’s perfect for a growing family while also going easier on your budget, something we can all appreciate. And if you’re still not sure which SUV is right for you, then we’ll help you figure it all out and make sure you drive away in the perfect vehicle with everything you need.