These are the first pictures exposing the new front-end styling of the 2007 Chevrolet Suburban.

Based on the new GMT900 platform that's already spawned a new Tahoe, the Suburban is the second of a large family of SUVs and trucks to come from GM in the next two years. General Motors is speeding up the introduction of all of the GMT900 vehicles - including the upcoming Tahoe, Yukon, Escalade, and more - and we expect to see a major product introduction at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next January, with many of the 2007 GMT900 SUVs on sale as early as January.

The new Suburban may go on sale as early as mid-spring of 2006.

Chevrolet announced the 2007 Chevy Suburban, the next generation of the industry’s most capable full-size SUV. The all-new Suburban is capable of hauling more passengers and cargo than any other vehicle in the segment – and a 360-degree safety system of occupant protection and crash-avoidance technology that demonstrates GM’s commitment to providing world-class safety.

The ‘07 Suburban is based on GM’s new, full-size SUV architecture, which features sleek exterior styling, a sharper, more precise driving feel, more power with improved, segment-leading fuel economy, increased interior refinement and improved quietness. Suburban rides on a 130-inch (3,302 mm) wheelbase, which supports generous passenger and cargo capability, while enabling a smooth ride.

“Suburban is the industry benchmark when it comes to capability and the 2007 model affirms the reputation established in 1935, when the first Suburban was introduced,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “Suburban continues to meet the needs of consumers by delivering its combination of cargo, passenger and towing capabilities safely and efficiently.”

The 2007 Suburban is available in the second quarter of 2006. It is offered in LS, LT and LTZ models, with 2WD and 4WD (a Z71 off-road package will be offered later in the model year), as well as 1500 and heavy-duty 2500 series. At the start of production, Suburban 1500 models will come with an efficient 5.3L V-8 with Active Fuel Management™ displacement on demand fuel-saving technology. Later, a new, all-aluminum 6.0L V-8 with Active Fuel Management displacement on demand and variable valve timing (VVT) will be available. A 6.0L engine with VVT and an iron cylinder block is offered on 2500 models.

Suburban also offers a host of new and enhanced safety features, including available head curtain side air bags and standard StabiliTrak stability control system with new rollover mitigation technology.

“Suburban has a long history of safety innovation,” said Peper. “The ’07 model elevates Suburban’s safety reputation with one of the most comprehensive and cohesive systems of standard and available features – all wrapped in a stronger structure that provides comforting assurance.”

Superior safety

The ’07 Suburban offers security in the form of a 360-degree perimeter safety system of occupant protection and crash avoidance technologies. New features include roof-mounted head curtain side air bags with rollover protection for all seating rows and front-seat safety belt pretensioners that are linked to the vehicle's sensing system to provide segment-exclusive deployment in rear-end crashes. These features are integrated into a stronger vehicle structure that is also designed for improved compatibility with other vehicles. The roof-mounted head curtain air bags include design features that provide increased rollover protection and occupant containment. Sensors located at the front of the vehicle, in the side doors, and within the occupant compartment provide increased and more immediate crash detection. The vehicle's sensing system provides segment-exclusive capability to deploy front seat safety belt pretensioners during certain rear-end collisions, enhancing the belt system's ability to hold the occupants firmly in place.

The roof-mounted head curtain side air bag system incorporates one of the segment's first rollover indication sensors, which is located on the vehicle's center tunnel in the occupant compartment. The sensor monitors the vehicle's accelerations and roll rate. If these signals indicate an impending rollover, the roof-mounted head curtain side air bags deploy to provide an extra measure of occupant protection and containment. These rollover-capable head curtain side air bags stay inflated longer than air bags developed only for side impacts because rollover incidents can last longer. The deployment duration and other design features of the rollover-capable air bags combine to provide increased occupant protection and the ability to help keep occupants inside the vehicle.

Crash avoidance is bolstered through enhanced design and driver control dynamics, such as wider front and rear tracks, as well as more responsive suspensions – including a new coil-over-shock front suspension design and new rack-and-pinion steering. The vehicles are built on a stronger and stiffer, fully-boxed frame that contributes to enhanced crash energy management. The front frame section has been designed to optimize crush progression, resulting in improved energy absorption efficiency. The improved crush performance, enabled by hydroformed frame rails and efficient chassis component packaging, also comprehends design provisions for improved vehicle-to-vehicle compatibility in the event of a frontal impact with a smaller vehicle.

Additional safety features include:

*Standard StabiliTrak stability control system with rollover mitigation technology.
*Standard dual-stage driver's front air bag.
*Standard dual-stage outboard-front passenger air bag with Passenger
Sensing System.
*Available roof-mounted head curtain side air bags for all three seating rows.
*Standard front seat safety belt pretensioners with rear impact
deployment capability.
*Standard tire pressure monitoring system.
*Available rain-sensing wiper system.
*Available Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist that can detect certain stationary objects in the rearward path of the vehicle and send an audible warning sound and display via three LEDs on the right D-pillar.
*Available rear-view camera system designed to provide the driver with
a view of people or objects in the rearward path of the vehicle.
*Standard pull-up/push-down power window switches.

All models come with the Generation 6 OnStar system (with a one-year Safe and Sound service plan). The system includes the General Motors Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) system, making crash data available to emergency services to potentially dispatch the appropriate life-saving personnel and equipment to crash scenes faster. If the vehicle is in a crash that activates an air bag, the OnStar system automatically notifies an OnStar Advisor, who will check on the occupants or summon emergency help if necessary. OnStar also can assist authorities in locating a vehicle if it is reported stolen (ability to locate stolen vehicles varies with conditions).

New full-size SUV foundation


Suburban is built on GM’s new full-size SUV platform, which incorporates features such as a new, fully boxed frame, coil-over-shock front suspension, rack-and-pinion steering and an all-new, premium interior system that bolster the vehicle’s comfort, quality and capability. Wider front and rear tracks enhance handling and lower the center of gravity for a more confident road feel.

Extensive attention to detail was paid by Suburban’s engineers to ensure a quiet driving experience. It centers on a new, stiffer frame, which reduces vibrations transmitted to the passenger cabin. The strength and accuracy of the fully-boxed frame also enable more precise mounting and tuning of chassis and suspension components, which also help reduce vibration. Even the tires on the large, 17-inch standard and 20-inch available wheels were designed to reduce noise.

Noise-reducing components and materials are used throughout the body structure, including the headliner material, door seals and front-of-dash area. The engines also feature a quiet-tuned alternator and an acoustically tuned engine cover that reduces engine noise heard inside the vehicle. New door seals help reduce seal “pull-away” at highway speeds, which can cause wind noise. Also, a sleeker shape, thanks to improved aerodynamics, streamlined exterior mirrors and roof rack, more steeply raked windshield and tighter body gap tolerances, assures a quiet ride.

Suburban’s quietness and smoothness is complemented by the Autoride suspension system, which is standard on LTZ. This segment-exclusive bi-state, real-time damping system provides an extremely refined ride with greatly reduced body motion. The system consists of a semi-active, two-position damping control system that responds in real time to road and driving conditions, based on body and wheel motion sensors.

Suburban’s quietness and smoothness are complemented by capabilities full-size SUV customers depend on. Suburban 1500 offers up to 8,100 pounds (3,674 kg) of towing capability (2WD models), when properly equipped. Suburban 2500 can tow up to 9,700 pounds (4,400 kg).

Distinctive exterior design
Suburban’s all-new exterior design is leaner and more agile looking, with a more steeply raked windshield and smoother roofline accentuating the exterior length. Suburban wears the new face of Chevrolet, with a large Chevy gold bowtie, centered on a twin-port horizontal grille. The body-colored grille surround is inset with an argent texture mesh. Fog lamps and headlamps feature jewel-like optics. The lower fascia, incorporating the front license plate holder and integrated tow hooks, is aggressively styled with a skid plate look that enhances Suburban’s rugged, off-road appearance.

Suburban’s front end styling reflects its capability. It includes the fast-rake windshield; a bulging power dome hood; a prominent new fender design with integrated wheel flares; a distinctive new grille and headlamps; and a full-wrap fascia. The wraparound fascia, which eliminates the conventional bumper-to-body gap, is one of the numerous attributes that gives the Suburban a more refined look. It also enhances aerodynamics. There also is a new family of 17-inch and 20-inch wheels. Seventeen-inch wheels and tires are standard, with 20-inch factory-installed wheels available. The larger wheels fill Suburban’s wheel houses, giving the vehicle a confident stance.

An available Z71 Off Road package (available in the fourth quarter of 2006) takes this aggressive look to the next level, with larger tow hook openings, larger, more prominent fog lamps and specific grille texture and platinum chrome grille trim. Eighteen-inch wheels and tires also are part of the package.

Suburban is offered in nine exterior colors: Greystone Metallic, Dark Blue Metallic, Sport Red Metallic, Bermuda Blue Metallic, Black, Summit White, Gold Mist Metallic, Antique Bronze Metallic and Silver Birch Metallic.

Refined interior and thoughtful convenience built in

The interior of the ’07 Suburban represents significant new levels of refinement, comfort, quality and convenience. The roomier interior is airy, thanks to a lower instrument panel and deeper windshield that improve outward visibility. Passenger space also is increased, including more shoulder space for rear passengers, which is packaged with the available roof-mounted head curtain side air bags with rollover protection for all seating rows. Behind the first-row seats, Suburban offers 137.4 cubic feet (3,890.6 liters) of cargo room.

Suburban’s seats are designed to provide more comfort, additional passenger-carrying flexibility, and easier entry/egress. Door pillar-mounted first- and second-row three-point safety belts facilitate the slimmer designs (second-row, center position uses an SUV-typical three-point belt-to-seat design). Seat comfort has been further improved with firmer foams, including more aggressive bolsters. The front-row seats have one-inch more aft travel than previous models. Second-row seats provide 0.4 inch (10 mm) more legroom and knee room. Their seatback angle is adjusted an additional two degrees rearward for extra comfort.

Refinements throughout Suburban’s spacious interior create an environment that exudes quality and precision. A two-tone color scheme is executed with new, softer and low-gloss materials for the instrument panel and other trim pieces. An all-Ebony interior is available.

Additional details include LED backlighting for the instruments and chrome accents on instruments and vents. Flush-mounted accessories and controls, such as the climate control/radio center stack, create a seamless, “single unit” appearance. Also, there are almost no exposed metal hardware or latches, as all models feature enclosing “close outs” around the seat bottoms and door sill trim plates.

Accessibility and capability are enhanced with features that include a unique power-release fold-and-tumble second-row seat and a third-row seat that also is easily removable. New comfort features include increased seat travel and seatback angles and an upgraded HVAC system. Storage capability is improved with the segment’s largest center console storage bin, a larger glove box and additional new storage compartments.

Suburban’s interior features include:

*Power-release fold-and-tumble second-row seat
*Remote vehicle starting system
*First- and second-row heated seats
*Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist
*Rearview camera system
*Touch-screen navigation system
*Power-articulating running boards (third-quarter ’06 availability)
*DVD rear-seat entertainment system with larger, 8-inch screen and enhanced features.

Suburban also features an impressive new audio/navigation lineup, which provides quality entertainment and information. A new family of CD/MP3-compatible radios leads the audio lineup, with an enhanced DVD entertainment system that includes a larger, 8-inch screen (with in-dash loading). A new touch-screen navigation radio is available and incorporates the view monitor for the available rear-camera system.

Enhanced efficiency

A new Gen IV small-block V-8 family offers more power than comparable powertrains in previous models. Standard at the start of production in Suburban 1500 models is a Vortec 5.3L V-8 with 320 horsepower (238 kw)* and 335 lb.-ft. of torque (463 Nm)*, which offers Active Fuel Management displacement on demand fuel-saving technology. Active Fuel Management displacement on demand technology seamlessly switches between eight- and four-cylinder power to save fuel. Two versions of the Vortec 5.3L Gen IV V-8 – including an aluminum-block version that is standard in 4WD models – are compatible with E85 ethanol-based fuel, an alternative to gasoline. The engines can run on any combination of gasoline and/or E85 fuel.

Coming later in the year for 1500 models is a powerful, new all-aluminum 6.0L V-8 with variable valve timing, as well as Active Fuel Management displacement on demand technology. The engine is rated at 355 horsepower (264 kw)*. VVT helps optimize camshaft timing to improve low-rpm torque and high-rpm horsepower. The system is enabled by a unique dual-equal cam phaser – the industry’s first application of VVT on a mass-produced V-8 cam-in-block engine. The unique dual-equal phaser adjusts the camshaft timing at the same rate for both the intake and exhaust valves. A Hydra-Matic 4L70 electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission is paired with the engine.

Heavy-duty Suburban 2500 models offer a 6.0L V-8 with VVT. It features an iron cylinder block and is rated at 350 horsepower (261 kw)* and 360 lb.-ft. of torque (497 Nm). It is matched with a robust Hydra-Matic 4L80 four-speed automatic transmission.

Contributing to Suburban’s more efficient performance are improved aerodynamics. A more steeply raked windshield and smoother roofline improve airflow over the vehicle, while a dditional contributors to efficiency include a lower, wider front air dam, tighter tolerances and gaps between the fascias, lamps and grille openings, and improved front-end sealing that nearly eliminates air leak paths. These features all contribute to enhanced fuel economy and improved driving quietness, compared with previous models.

It’s no secret that the hand-of-god 6.2-liter V8 is popular at TTAC. Those of us who command one with our right foot are outnumbered only by those who wish they had the 420-horsepower engine in their driveway.

General Motors sensibly started offering the larger V8 in trims other than ones named Denali a little while ago, finally debuting it in the Tahoe RST late last year. For 2019, buyers of the big kahuna Suburban can spec the hairy-chested 6.2L, as well.

The new RST Performance Package, which also appears on the Tahoe, will be an option on the Suburban’s top-tier Premier trim. It is rated at 420 horses and 460 units of twist, just like the engine’s other truck-based applications. Paired with the direct-injection 6.2L is the company’s 10-speed automatic.

Fans of towing gear with their RST Suburban will be gratified to find 3.23 ratio gears in the rear axle housing, plus an available trailer brake controller. GVWR will be either 7,300 lbs or 7,500 lbs, depending on options. The burly Maximum Trailer Package will bring that kit with a different axle ratio on emasculated machines, with the now admittedly workaday 5.3-liter engine. Expect the big-engined RST to haul 8,100 lbs — about the same as a 5.3L with the Max Trailer Package but with extra gusto.

An uprated alternator is fitted to the RST, as well. Gotta provide juice for all that extra testosterone somehow, I guess. Magnetic Ride Control is also on tap, an active suspension that GM claims reads the road every millisecond, triggering damping changes in the electronically controlled shock absorbers

Outside, GM is playing the same bit of visual chicanery as they are with their RST Tahoe. Two RST packages are available: RST Edition provides the exterior bling, while RST Performance Edition plunks the 6.2L between the fenders. The former is available on both the LT and Premier models, bringing 22-inch wheels wrapped in Bridgestone P285/45/22 tires, a gloss black grille and mirror caps, color-keyed door handles, and blacked-out badging. The latter is only available on the Premier.

GM will also be happy to sell you a raft of performance accessories to accompany your 6.2L Suburban, including a Borla-branded exhaust and Brembo-branded brakes. Colors for the high-po RST Performance Edition and low-po RST Edition are limited to the greyscale – silver, white, black, and grey. The 2019 grey is slightly different from the 2018 grey, with Shadow Grey Metallic replacing Tungsten Metallic. Remember that when you’re placing a bid at Barrett-Jackson in 30 years.

The body-on-frame family at Chevy absolutely dominates the full-size SUV market, counting for nearly half of the market’s sales. Right now, GM and Ford are going in opposite directions with engine choices for their large SUVs, as the Blue Oval plugs an EcoBoosted V6 in its Expedition while Chevy continues to offer only V8s. And, as we see here, increasingly bigger ones.

Pricing and performance metrics are expected closer to launch.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban made its debut today in Detroit, alongside its smaller sibling, the 2021 Chevy Tahoe. Per usual, the two are mighty similar to each other, but we’re going to focus on the Suburban here.



Of all the changes Chevy made to its next generation of full-size SUVs, the switch to an independent rear suspension is the most important of all. It’s meant to provide superior ride comfort and body control, while aiding hugely in interior space, as well. In terms of the latter, the new Suburban is also 1.3 inches longer in overall length and has a 4.1-inch longer wheelbase. This, combined with a whopping 5.3-inch-lower load floor mean huge gains in cargo space and third-row room. The Suburban gains 3.7 inches of third-row legroom, and gains 16.2 cubic feet of space behind the second row. That gain alone is basically the equivalent of a midsize sedan's trunk.

There are three suspension options. The standard setup has traditional coil springs and passive dampers. The mid-tier suspension uses coil springs and GM’s fourth-gen magnetic dampers, and is standard on Premier and High Country trims (optional on Z71). Then, the top-of-the-line suspension combines the magnetic dampers and a completely new air suspension system available on High Country and Z71 trims. The air suspension offers up to 4 inches of height adjustment depending on the situation. At highway speeds, it’ll lower 0.75 inch, and can go skyward in off-road situations.

The powertrain story is almost identical to what it was before, with one big exception: the addition of the 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel, which makes the same 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque as it does in the Silverado. The 5.3-liter V8 is still the standard engine making 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, while the 6.2 liter V8 is the upgrade. This larger V8 continues to make 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both V8s feature GM's advanced Dynamic Fuel Management system.



Chevy integrated its next-gen electrical architecture in the new Suburban, which means it’s about as technologically advanced as any other Chevy today. The standard infotainment system is a 10-inch touchscreen mounted front and center. Meanwhile, an 8-inch digital screen in the instrument cluster is standard on the Premier and High Country (a 4.2-inch screen goes on the rest of the trims). A giant 15-inch head-up display is optional, and a rear-seat entertainment package mounts huge 12.6-inch touchscreens to the back of the front headrests.

Similar to the Silverado strategy, the Suburban will have great variation in looks from trim to trim. The LS and LT are the two base trims. From there, Chevy is offering an RST, Z71, Premier and High Country. The High Country is new for Suburban, displacing the Premier as the top trim model of the 2020 truck.

Pricing isn’t available yet, but the 2021 Suburban will be going on sale in mid-2020.

Ever since General Motors introduced the all-new, T1-based 2021 Chevrolet Suburban, many have wondered whether GM would offer a new heavy-duty version of the SUV as well. Now, GM’s vice president of Global Product Programs, Tim Herrick, has hinted that a new Chevy Suburban HD could be on GM’s radar.

General Motors recently announced that it had delivered the first unit of the Chevy Colorado-based GM Infantry Squad Vehicle to the U.S. Army. During the announcement, Herrick was asked how GM would bring its various technologies into the defense market. His response mentioned a new Chevy Suburban HD model.

“I have full-size truck stuff in my blood, right? So I understand what it takes to make a light duty truck, a heavy duty truck, an SUV, make them all together architecturally work, and then expand that architecture, whether it’s putting batteries in, or different engines and the like,” Herrick said. “Expanding the architecture architecturally would be great. And with that, then you bring, maybe a heavy-duty Suburban.”

There hasn’t been a Chevy Suburban HD in production since the end of 2018 following the discontinuation of the K2-based Suburban 3500HD. Previously, the Suburban 3500HD was available exclusively to fleets, starting at $80,215, $30,000 more than the $49,915 starting price of the standard Suburban model. Powered by the 6.0L V8 L96 gas engine, the Suburban 3500HD is motivated by 360 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, which was directed to all four wheels by way of the six-speed 6L90 heavy-duty automatic transmission.

Compared to the standard model, the Suburban 3500HD came with substantially greater payload capacity, specifically 4,405 pounds from an 11,00-pound GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating), as compared to the 1,670 payload rating and 7,500-pound GVWR offered by the standard Suburban.

As such, the HD model was a great choice for armoring and bulletproofing.

Although Herrick’s recent comments are from an official confirmation, they are still the first time we’ve heard anything related to a new Chevy Suburban HD model from GM brass. That said, we fully expect a new, T1-based Chevy Suburban HD to launch for the 2022 model year.

The right move in chess isn’t the flashiest one. It’s the incremental play that sets up the next one. For companies like General Motors, the next move is electric. But right now, GM needs to improve fuel economy in vehicles like the hulking 2021 Chevy Suburban. Enter the tried-and-true Duramax diesel engine.

The 3.0-liter straight-six gives the Suburban fuel economy figures on par with smaller vehicles. It gets 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined on four-wheel-drive models, like the one we tested. Rear-wheel-drive versions improve fuel efficiency by 1 mpg.

That’s better than the V8 Suburbans, which muster 15/19/17 with the 5.3-liter engine and 4WD, while the uplevel 6.2-liter mill achieves 14/19/16 mpg ratings. For further comparison, the four-wheel-drive 2020 Ford Expedition Max gets 16/21/18 with its twin-turbo V6. If you need a truck-based SUV but are concerned about slurping gas, a diesel-powered Suburban becomes an interesting notion.

“It really came down to us giving customers a lot of choices,” Jaclyn McQuaid, GM’s executive chief engineer for full-size trucks and SUVs, told Autoblog. “We know the SUV buyer is looking for this opportunity.”

The engine is a key feature for the new generation of Suburban, which gets its first major makeover since 2015. Chevy's largest SUV also gets a nicer interior, upgraded styling and suspension enhancements.

The diesel serves up 277 horsepower and an impressive 460 pound-feet of torque. The Suburban’s standard 5.3-liter V8 is rated at 355 hp and 383 lb-ft, while the uplevel 6.2-liter unit makes 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. The diesel’s maximum torque comes on at 1,500 rpm, so it can pull away quicker than its V8 siblings, which need to rev far higher in the band to achieve similar performance. It’s also helpful for towing, something Suburban owners prioritize.



GM hasn’t used a diesel in a full-size SUV since 1999, and now it has a veritable stable of oil-burners. In addition to the Suburban, the Chevy Tahoe, Cadillac Escalade, and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL received diesel options for 2021 as well. The engine made its debut in the 2020 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks.

The Duramax is a $995 option on most Suburban trims, though it’s not available on the off-road-tuned Z71. On the top-shelf High Country trim level, where the 6.2-liter V8 is standard, the diesel actually results in a $1,500 discount. We tested the Suburban Premier with four-wheel drive that stickers for $79,115, including destination charges. It came nicely equipped and included magnetic ride control (which improves ride and handling), 20-inch aluminum wheels, a 10-speaker Bose audio system, LED head and tail lights and leather front seats. A range of safety features, including forward collision alert, lane keeping assist and rear traffic alert are standard on that trim level. Our tester also added the $4,435 Premium option — that’s right, the Premier Premium — with a panoramic sunroof, the trailering setup, adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The gray exterior is anonymous, but the jet black interior with maple syrup-colored seats and dash is attractive. All told, it feels worth the price.

The latest Chevrolet infotainment system is far better than its predecessors. It’s easier to use, and the 10.2-inch diagonal high-definition touchscreen is colorful and sharp. The rear camera mirror, part of the Premium option bundle, is something we’d recommend. We first sampled the video mirror in the now-discontinued Cadillac CT6 in 2016. In a sedan, it’s a cute feature you don’t need. In a three-row SUV, it’s helpful when trying to see past people and cargo. Plus, the 2021 Suburban is really long. The back window is nearly five yards from the driver. Cameras help.

The diesel starts up with a slight burble and returns plenty of low-end torque. It even sounds good as you lay on the throttle and let the revs build between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm. The 10-speed automatic transmission is a solid partner, and the stop-start feature is non-intrusive.

The SUV’s improved handling shows. The Suburban received an independent rear suspension for 2021, which has resulted in improved handling, ride comfort and more interior space by lowering the rear floor. The latter remedied a counterintuitive problem the Suburban and especially the smaller Tahoe faced over the years: They’re huge, but they actually held less stuff than you would think.

The Suburban is outstanding for family use. We piled up the miles over the long Thanksgiving weekend, checking out multiple holiday light fests, where this big Chevy served as a rolling living room. With basically every public activity carrying some level of virus risk, our single-family quarantine on wheels was a nice way to escape from the cares of the world. The Suburban is relatively quiet and composed on the highway, though its size shows when navigating downtown areas.

GM’s gas-fed V8s are stellar, and the feel of a naturally aspirated V8 is non-negotiable for some buyers. But, the Duramax diesel doesn’t beat the driver over the head with sounds or smells, and at times it’s easy to forget it’s there. If you like fuel economy and torque — diesel’s best qualities — Duramax is something you should consider in the Suburban. Yes, Americans have trouble with the idea of diesels, but in the Suburban, it doesn’t feel out of place.

With smooth fenders and a demonstrative beltline, the Suburban and its smaller sibling, the Tahoe, translate the Silverado’s styling cues to the full-size SUV segment. After the Silverado weathered some initial controversy over its appearance, it has generally found acceptance, and this design language speaks well on an SUV. It’s accentuated with boomerang-shaped daytime running lights and a big, yet tasteful grille marked with two horizontal parallels three quarters of the way up. In an era where grilles are getting larger and more garish, Chevy designers resisted the urge to make their SUVs cartoonish. Smart.

The 2021 Suburban is a step forward for the venerable nameplate that dates to 1935. Fortified with diesel power, GM is reinforcing its already-strong grip on the large SUV segment. The Ford Expedition is a handsome vehicle, perhaps more distinctive than the Suburban and Tahoe. But with more engine options, better interiors and improved ride and handling, the Suburban (and Tahoe) are back on top of this segment.