2012 suburban length

Trim Family Comparison

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Cargo (Std/Max):

137 cu.ft.

The Chevy Suburban is the longest-running nameplate in the history of the automobile. The name started as a trim level in 1935 and has been used continuously ever since. GM considered discontinuing the granddaddy of all sport utilities before the market exploded in the late 1990s.

Originally it was a station wagon body bolted to a Chevy pickup frame. It still follows the same formula and is based on the GMT900 truck chassis, but now refined for family hauling comfort. The current model launched in 2007 - one year before the oil price shock -- and no corners were cut.

The Suburban soldiers on as a competent full-size SUV for the time being, and is expected to be replaced mid-decade in lieu of the recession following the oil shock and the new stricter government-mandated Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard coming in 2016. GM expects the next-generation Suburban, still based on the Silverado, to be a niche model and will have minimal affect on CAFE standards.

Bodystyle: SUV
Engines: 5.3L V-8, 6.0L V-8
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Models: 1500 LS, LT, LTZ; 2500 LS, LT,

After several updates last year the Suburban only gets minor revisions for 2012. A new hard drive-based navigation system is available. Electronic trailer sway control and hill-start assist become standard features. An optional heated steering wheel joins optional heated seats. An optional second-row DVD-based entertainment system can show two movies simultaneously. Last year the several new convenience and luxury items became standard on the 1LS. Three new paint colors also became available for the large SUV: Steel Metallic, Steel Green Metallic and Ice Blue Metallic.

No changes to the body of the 2012 Suburban however the full-size SUV can be fitted with optional chrome 20-inch wheels on 1LTZ models. Or for a more rugged appearance the Suburban can be ordered with the Z71 Off Road appearance package that comes with high-pressure monotube gas shocks, 18-inch off-road tires automatic locking rear differential, color-key fender flares and bright chrome grille insert. The Suburban rides on a 130-inch wheelbase and is 222-inches bumper-to-bumper, giving it enough room for up to eight passengers and all their cargo.

The massive three-row SUV's optional touch-screen navigation system gains an internal hard drive. Electronic trailer sway control and hill-start assist are now standard. An optional heated steering wheel joins optional heated front- and second-row seats. The optional second-row entertainment system now has the ability to play two DVDs at the same time - now all your kids are spoiled. The 'burban's 130-inch wheelbase provides enough room for up to eight passengers and a bi-weekly Costco run. Power-release fold-and-tumble second-row seat is optional. Ultrasonic parking assist and backup camera use the optional navigation system's screen. Tri-zone HVAC is available as well. The Suburban offers up to 137.4 cubic feet of cargo room.

The gigantic three-row body-on-frame SUV handles like a truck, but its small-block V-8 engines provide enough torque to power the behemoth. The 1500 comes with a 5.3-liter V-8 with cylinder shutoff technology and E85/flex fuel capability. . The rear-wheel drive version has an iron engine block; the four-wheel drive model has an all-aluminum mill. Both engines make 320 horsepower and 335 pound-feet of torque. The 2500 comes with a 352-horsepower/382 pound-feet iron-block 6.0-liter. Suburban 1500 can tow up to 8100 pounds when properly equipped; 2500 models can tow up to 9600 pounds.

The Suburban comes with several airbags to protect in front side and roll-over collisions. StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with rollover mitigation technology works with roof-mounted head curtain air bags to increase rollover protection and keep passengers in the vehicle. The head curtain side air bags stay inflated longer than air bags since rollover incidents can last longer. One-year OnStar with Automatic Crash Response, Emergency Services, Crisis Assist, Stolen Vehicle Assistance featuring Stolen Vehicle Slowdown, Roadside Assistance and more is standard. Optional ultrasonic parking assist works with optional rearview camera to aid in backing and parking.

1500 LS, LT, LTZ (5.3L) RWD/4WD: 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway
2500 LS, LT (6.0L) RWD/4WD: 10 mpg city/15-16 mpg highway

• Interior space
• Variety of configurations
• Off-road capability (4WD)
• Torquey small-block V-8
• Refinement

• Parking it
• Refueling it
• No flush-folding third row
• Aging design

The SUV as only Chevy knows how.

• Ford Expedition
• Toyota Land Cruiser
• Cadillac Escalade
• Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
• Nissan Armada