Road test | Chevrolet Suburban diesel: The juggernaut that holds its appetite

As you can see from the unboxing of each new generation, SUVs have never been so large physically. This inflationary push, which evolves in the opposite direction of our necessary environmental awareness, obliges engineers to redouble their efforts to contain their thirst, but also to ensure a certain level of handling and comfort. At Chevrolet, the Suburban renewed last year tries the bet with a new engine bolted to a revised platform to flesh out its argument.

Charles René
Press

Design

The work is almost pharaonic in size. Stretching 5.7 m long, much of which hangs from the rear, the Suburban does not play modesty. That’s a full meter longer than a Nissan Rogue. This imposing presence is accentuated by its height of 1.92 m, but also by a relatively well-proportioned brushed aluminum grille that incorporates the headlights and daytime running lights in the form of an inverted C. To ensure a consistent look, the rear side windows blend into black pillars, a successful illusion that balances it all out. The glazed surface is also abundant, as one would expect on this type of vehicle. The opening of the rear hatch is just as important, coupled with a rear window which can also be lifted independently, a rather practical element for carrying longer objects.

On board

To increase the living space inside this Suburban, engineers have stretched its wheelbase by about ten centimeters compared to the 2020 vintage. This increases the legroom for all rear seating positions. The volume offered when the seatbacks are folded also increases by 651 L, an impressive addition. This is, at a few liters, comparable to the capacity of the rear trunk of a Honda Civic hatchback. You can easily get comfortable, no matter where you sit, which was not the case before. Moreover, the dashboard has been completely revised with the emphasis placed on better quality materials. You get used to the transmission control buttons fairly quickly, but the knobs and buttons on the central nacelle are too low. In addition, some plastics are cheap and the assembly is a bit uneven in some places. That said, the execution is much better than before.

Under the hood

At first glance, the mechanical offering of this Suburban does not appear to have changed that much. The two 5.3L and 6.2L V8s refuse to leave the ship, no doubt to reassure traditionalists and lower development costs. There is something new, however, taking the form of a 3.0L turbodiesel inline-six. Its output of 277 hp obviously does not impress much, but its torque of 460 lb-ft, as much as the 6.2 L, is significantly more convincing. These technical facts do not, however, express how extremely well suited this engine is to the mission. The abundant torque makes the acceleration ample nervous, a plumb which however attenuates at higher speeds. That said, you never really feel in a vulnerable position, without threatening to eclipse the pure performance of the V8. This engine really stands out because of its extraordinary frugality, targeting 10 L / 100 km without forcing the note, and with satisfactory smoothness.

Behind the wheel

At no time can we forget the immensity of this Suburban. Whether it’s its long hood that unfolds under our high seating position or that rear window that appears to be in another area code because it is so small in the central mirror. It is a real juggernaut. You must therefore plan ahead for each parking maneuver. However, the frame of this SUV has undergone many improvements, including the addition of a rear multi-link suspension. Vehicles of this stature that perform this well are rare. Despite its ladder platform, we perceive this rigid and well supported Suburban. Movements are smooth and bump absorption with continuously adaptive electromagnetic damping is exceptional. Comfort predominates, but the seats should be more supportive. Braking is also very confident in an emergency maneuver. Dynamically difficult to take this vehicle to task, the improvements are really tangible.

Embedded technologies

Unlike the Escalade, this Suburban does not have its own multimedia system deployed on a large OLED screen. In the version we tested, the 10.2-inch touchscreen was nevertheless pleasant to use and intuitive. Multiple cameras allow us to have different points of view and broadcast in a good resolution, which facilitates our positioning in space. The whole thing is completed by partly digital instrumentation and a large 15-inch projection in the windshield. At the rear, a pair of optional 12.6 ” individual screens ($ 2,295) round it off eloquently with good picture definition and the ability to dock to the vehicle’s WiFi system for watching movies. and streaming series. The portrait is completed by a Bose audio system that produces a well-defined tone.

The verdict

It is difficult to guarantee the purchase of a vehicle of this size if you do not need to tow anything or if you do not have a large family. The Chevrolet Suburban is among the bulkiest vehicles on the market today, in addition to being rather expensive if you equip it even the smallest. If necessary, its design based on a ladder frame gives it the robustness necessary to tow up to 3629 kg with the turbo-diesel engine. This mechanism is also the most interesting of the lot for its overall qualities, but especially for its ability to limit its thirst not far from the consumption of a compact SUV in exchange for only $ 2,000, according to the equipment groups. . Its cavernous interior and the refinement of its road handling propel it ahead of its only direct rival, the Ford Expedition Max. However, it loses feathers when examining the materials used and their manufacture. In short, a very convincing effort which still requires realistic adjustments.