Nothing says “America” more than wide roads and humongous vehicles. Insert screeching Eagle noise here. When it comes to that, the Suburban is ginormous. The truck-based, land-yachts are the nation’s preferred full-sized, grocery-getters. No brand is more synonymously tied to that than the segment king, Chevrolet. The venerable Suburban also happens to be the longest running nameplate in automotive history. Making its original debut in 1935, the Suburban is celebrating its 90th Anniversary. To put that into perspective, FDR was only halfway through his tenure as President.
Overall proportions are the same as the previous generation,with the 2025 model pushing the family fascia with revised light designs front and rear. Trim-specific grille enhancements help to differentiate models within the lineup. For this year, Suburban also features new wheel designs, ranging in size from 18 inches to a staggering 24 inches. Everything coming together to create a striking SUV, complete with all the road presence you come to expect from the bowtied brand.
RUNDOWN
The Suburban is offered in no fewer than six trim levels for this year: RST, Z71, LT, LS, Premier, and finally High Country. Aside from the off-road focussed Z71 and range-topping High Country models, every Suburban comes as standard in rear-wheel drive spec with selectable, four-wheel drive an option. The standard engine is the venerable 5.3-liter V-8, which provides 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, with an optional upgrade to the 6.2-liter V-8 which makes 420 hp/ 460 lb-ft. It should be mentioned that there is also a 3.0-liter, inline-six Duramax diesel delivering 305 hp and 495 lb-ft.
The choice of configurations for the 2025 Chevrolet Suburban makes for a welcomed variety in the lineup’s on-road demeanor. It can ride on either standard steel springs or adjustable air suspension, with the additional option of adaptive Magnetic Ride dampers. Premier and High Country versions get the latter as standard equipment, but they can also be ordered with the RST and Z71. The adaptive air setup is optional only for the High Country, Z71, and RST. Any vehicle riding on the largest, 24-inch wheel options will be required to have both air and magnetic suspension upgrades. For this week’s test vehicle, Chevy graciously provided the RST trim level in Radiant Red. They did NOT disappoint.
Unless you have a lead foot, or the last name Earnhardt, the standard 5.3-liter V-8 never feels truly underpowered, and delivers a pleasant burble. GM’s 10-speed, automatic transmission helped to keep it in its sweet spot. The beefier, 6.2-liter V-8 in the test vehicle feels like a significant upgrade, the bigger motor is much more eager to motivate nearly three tons of SUV. The RST also brings the option of combining this engine with a sweet-sounding sport exhaust.
The Suburban is a fairly comfortable cruiser when riding on the standard steel springs, but the air suspension does add plushness to the ride, although also a little more float over bumps and body roll under cornering. Even working with the optional magnetic dampers the air springs can’t hide the full size of the 24-inch wheels. The combination of adaptive dampers and steel springs in the Z71 creates the stiffest set-up, unsurprising when off-roading is part of the mission.
Control weights are well-balanced, with the Suburban getting a quicker steering rack than the shorter Tahoe has. Steering is quite accurate. Bite from the brake is good from the top of the pedal travel, instilling confidence when piloting such a large barge. While the experience doesn’t feel quite as luxurious as the GMC Yukon Denali and Cadillac Escalade range-toppers, it isn’t far short. The Suburban benefits from the same developments as those pricier models, but in a more affordable package.
Suburban Life?
If we’re being completely honest, there’s simply no getting around the sheer size of the Suburban. Behind the third row seats you’ll find a class-leading 114.7 cubic feet of cargo space. This kind of Jurassic level size can be troublesome to thread the tighter parking lots at times. “Turn Out to Turn In” as they say.
Chevrolet has loaded the Suburban with an amazing amount of technology, an approachable infotainment system being at the heart of this. The screen setup is a genuine improvement over the outgoing car and Google Maps integration worked wonderfully, and can be displayed on the gauge cluster. Thankfully, Chevrolet hasn’t entirely eliminated hard controls in the interior either, with physical climate control buttons mounted below the center screen. This trend by multiple manufacturers is a soapbox topic for many. Myself included.
While the cabin is quiet, there are still some hard touchpoints in the Suburban’s lower trims to show where costs have been trimmed. Material selection feels in keeping with the segment, and the interior is more handsome than Ford’s new offering.
The standard “Chevy Safety Assist Suite” is another plus, bringing a full array of assistance systems including forward collision alert, lane keeping assist and lane departure warning. A 360 degree camera system is also standard. Higher Suburban trim levels also benefit from optional Super Cruise to give hands-off driving, the latest version of the system remaining excellent at navigating dense highway traffic. The RST package provided weekly vehicle did not. Another observation I found is that the size of the Suburban almost forces you to opt for the larger wheels, the entry-level 18s looking much too small and giving the truck ungainly proportions. Like a weight-lifter skipping leg day. Even the 24s look relatively modest on the Suburban due to the gap between the top of the tires and the arches.
Should You Buy One?
If you’re in the market for a full-size SUV in the States, there is a good chance you’re already looking at either Suburban or Tahoe. Chevrolet owns 37 percent of the market with those two models, GM’s other brand just extends that dominance.
The Suburban is a wonderful SUV when tasked with hauling people and supplies, without the drawback of needing to feign performance credentials. But there is a premium to pay for the segment champion.
The base model Suburban LS starts at $63,495 including destination charges, which doesn’t include the $3000 upcharge for four-wheel drive. The LS sees that price jump up to $66,695, with the likely highest volume RST coming in at $71,495. The off-road focused Z71 is one of the most expensive offerings, carrying an MSRP of $73,945, not far behind the High Country’s $79,095 starting price. As tested, the RST example I spent the week with was $86,980.
For reference, those prices fall right in line with the competitors from Ford and Jeep. Chevrolet will also sell the shorter wheelbase Tahoe for $3000 off each trim level.
Favorite Detail:
The 10-speed transmission is the stand out in this truck. The gearbox makes sure that the engine is always delivering exactly what you’re asking for. It’s quick to drop several gears for a highway pass, then shifting right back into a tall ratio for economy. There’s also a new shifter in 2025. Say ‘adios’ to those horrible dash-mounted buttons, replaced with the electronic column shifter found in the current GM EV products, one that suits the Suburban far better. Exactly where they were for generations pastsed.
Finally
The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban stands as a testament to an enduring legacy in the full-size SUV market. Combining spaciousness, power, and advanced technology to cater to families and adventurers alike. While it retains the substantial size characteristic of its lineage, the updated design elements and versatile engine options enhance its appeal. With a half dozen trim levels and a range of features, the Suburban offers something for various preferences, though its size may present challenges in tighter driving scenarios. While “the king” may sport a blue oval, the true ruler sports a bowtie.
Images source: The Royal Texan
The Unofficial Ambassador for the State of Texas
