The new 2023 Chevrolet Suburban 1500: Speck and Feature

Overview

The Suburban name dates all the way back to 1935, and after 87 years it’s as well known as Coca-Cola. Now in its 12th generation, this behemoth full-size, body-on-frame SUV continues to offer three rows, seating for up to eight passengers, and towing capacity aplenty. An abridged version of the ‘Burban, the slightly shorter Tahoe, is reviewed separately.

Standard equipment on the Suburban includes a V-8 engine with 355 horsepower, but you can opt for a 277-hp inline-six turbodiesel or a gas V-8 with 420 hp. All engines are connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission that seems to read your mind, and each one is available with either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive—except for the Z71 trim, which is meant only for offroad driving and comes equipped only with four-wheel drive. When it comes to hauling cargo, the Suburban has massive space: 20 cubic feet more than the Jeep Wagoneer when their third rows are folded down.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Suburban's engine lineup consists of two V-8s and one diesel six-cylinder. All engines are compatible with a 10-speed automatic transmission and either rear- or all-wheel drive. The default engine on all but the top High Country model is a 355hp 5.3L V-8. The standard engine for the High Country trim is a 420hp 6.2L V0, but this trim can also be equipped with an optional diesel 3.0L six=cylinder (which pumps out 277 horses but ties that of the bigger v=8 in terms of 460 lb/ft torque).

The Suburban comes with the option for adaptive dampers and an adjustable air suspension. The latter lets you manually or automatically adjust the Suburban's ride height. This provides better passenger accessibility, aerodynamics, and ground clearance.

If you want a sportier look with blacked-out exterior trim and 22-inch wheels, check out the RST model. The Z71 trim looks more rugged and comes with 20-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, underbody skid plates, and a two-speed transfer case that provides the traditional four-wheel drive.

Towing and Payload Capacity

Suburbans with all-wheel drive and the diesel powertrain have the lowest towing capacity at 7,800 pounds. Those fitted with rear-wheel drive and the 355-hp 5.3L V8 engine can tow up to 8,300 pounds when optioned with the available Max Trailering package – making it the Suburban with highest towing capacity.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The Suburban is available with either a diesel or gasoline engine. The diesel engine is the most efficient, with ratings of 21 mpg city and 27 highway for the rear-drive version. The standard 5.3-liter V-8 gasoline engine is estimated at 15 mpg in the city, but both engines are rated at 20 mpg on the highway.

We always put Suburbans through our 75-mph highway route test as part of our comprehensive testing process. After we did this with the Tahoe—the ‘Burban’s smaller sister—we found that it got 27 mpg. This confirms that the diesel engine is more efficient than a gas engine.

In comparison to the Tahoe diesel, we wouldn't anticipate a Suburban with this engine to have much worse gas mileage. According to the EPA, the Tahoe only improves one mile per gallon on the highway. For additional details about fuel economy for different types of suburban models, check out the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Suburban has more cargo and passenger space than its predecessor. Additionally, the second and third rows have a bit more legroom, and the seats in the second row can slide back and forth. Plus, Suburban's independent rear suspension helps make the cargo area not only larger by 23 cubic feet (145 total) but also flatter and lower to the ground.

The car's most popular features, like wireless phone charging and heated-and-ventilated seats, were available before, but its head-up display is bigger than ever. Plus, the LT model now comes with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster standard.

Is a Chevrolet Suburban a reliable car?

The Chevrolet Suburban Reliability Rating is 3.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 11th out of 14 for full-size SUVs. The average annual repair cost is $944 which means it has poor ownership costs.

If you want to feel safer in poor visibility, consider converting to brighter LED lights for rear lights and fog lights. Before making such decisions, check the specs of 921 bulb for backup lights as well.

Do Chevy Suburbans have transmission problems?

Recurring transmission problems are common in lemon law cases. Chevrolet Suburban vehicles are unlikely to be an exception. Common transmission problems found in these vehicles include buffering noises, shaking, shuddering, jerking, vehicle vibration, shifting problems and transmission failure.

How long do Chevy Suburban engines last?

A Chevy Suburban's engine will last between 200,000 and 300,000 miles with good maintenance, and the Chevy Suburban's transmission will last between 130,000 and 220,000 miles with good care.