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The Chevrolet Suburban is a large sport utility vehicle from Chevrolet. It is one of the longest-lived automobile nameplates in the United States, dating from 1935. The Suburban is a member of the Chevrolet C/K series of truck-based vehicles.
Many automotive companies in the United States used the "Suburban" name to indicate a windowed, station wagon type body on a commercial frame including Dodge, Plymouth, Studebaker, Chevrolet, and GMC. With the end of production of the Dodge Town Wagon in 1966, only General Motors continued to manufacture a vehicle branded as a "Suburban", and they were awarded an exclusive trademark on the name in 1988. The Suburban is one of the largest SUVs on the market; it has three rows of seats (one of the few station wagons to have all bench rows) and a normal-sized cargo area behind them.
Chevrolet began production of its all steel "carryall-suburban" in 1935. GMC brought out its version in 1937. These vehicles were also know as the "Suburban Carryall" until rebranded simply as the "Suburban" in the 1980s with the arrival of the SUV craze.
General Motors has produced these large SUVs for both its GMC and Chevrolet marques, but in 2000 the GMC version was renamed the Yukon XL; today the name is limited to vehicles produced under the Chevrolet marque. In 1999 Cadillac introduced its version of the Suburban, calling it the Escalade ESV. Notably, the Escalade ESV seats a maximum of 8 people, as well as the Chevrolet and GMC models can also seat 8. Shorter versions of these vehicles are sold as the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade. Versions with a pickup bed in place of the rear cargo box are sold as the Chevrolet Avalanche and Cadillac Escalade EXT.
The Suburban of the 1990s and 2000s is a full-size SUV with three rows of seating, a full pickup truck frame, and V8 engine. The trucks are popular with large suburban families due to their "go anywhere, haul anything" nature, but have been criticized for their excessive bulk and poor fuel economy.
In recent years, the Suburban has been popular as a police car, fire chief's vehicle, or EMS fly-car. Suburbans are also popular when converted for duty as a limousine.
In the late 1990s, GM also introduced a RHD version of the Suburban, badged as a Holden, for the Australian consumer. It proved to be a failure, however, and GM withdrew the Suburban in 2000 from Holden's lineup.
GMT800
The GMT800-based Suburbans were introduced in the 2000 model year. As of 2006, Chevrolet sells two models of Suburbans: 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton. On the 1/2 ton model, a customer has a choice of five different trim levels: base, LS, LT, Z71, and LTZ. The first four offer the Vortec 5300 V8 (295 hp at 5200 rpm and 335 ft·lbf of torque at 4000 rpm). The latter trim choice has a Vortec 6000 V8 (335 hp at 5200 rpm and 375 ft·lbf of torque at 4000 rpm). On the 3/4 ton model, there are only two trim options, either LS or LT. These both come with a standard Vortec 6000 V8 or an available Vortec 8100 V8 (325 hp at 4200 rpm and 447 ft·lbf of torque at 3200 rpm). All types of the Suburban can either be 2WD or 4WD, except the LTZ, which is AWD.
GMT900
The 2007 model year Suburban and Yukon XL were unveiled at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show in January. Production of the redesigned GMT900 Suburban and Yukon XL began at Janesville Assembly and Silao Assembly in March of 2006, with the vehicles arriving at dealerships in April.
The new models have been redesigned with more modern styling, which has been seen on the already released Tahoes and Yukons. The exterior features a more aerodynamic shape, made partly by a steeply raked windshield angle. The new design has less drag than previous models, making it the most aerodynamic SUV in the market, excluding other GM makes and models.
The interior has been improved on, too, with a redesigned dashboard and improved seats. It still retains its 9-passenger seating availability, which is available on LS models. LT2, LT3, and LTZ models welcome leather seating and available 6, 7, and 8 passenger seating.
Towing is also the best of any other full-size SUV, with the ability to tow up to 9,700 pounds on three-quarter ton models.
Older Model Series
1936 - 1938
1939 - 1946
1947 - 1954 - "Advance Design"
The last series to feature "Canopy Express" models.
1955 - 1959 - "Task Force"
1960 - 1966
This model series introduced a factory-equipped 4WD ("K") option for the first time. Engines included both I-6 and small-block V-8s. One ton, 10 foot models were no longer available after 1966.
1967 - 1972 - "Three doors"
The 1967 through 1972 Suburbans are easily recognised by having only a single drivers side door and two passenger-side doors. They were available in both 2WD and 4WD models, and were equipped with the small-block V-8s of the current model year (e.g., 283, 307, 350 cubic inch V-8s.)
This series would also be the last to offer C-10 & C-20 Panel Truck models for commercial purposes.
1973 - 1991 - "9-passenger seating"
In 1973, the Suburban was a 4-door vehicle. The body style remained largely unchanged for 18 model years - making this series the longest in production of any Suburban. Both 2WD and 4WD models, designated "C" and "K" were offered, as well as one-half ton and three-quarter ton ("15" and "25") models. The base engine was the small-block 350 cubic inch V-8. A 400 cubic inch V-8 was optional. The 454 cubic inch big-block V-8 was now available for the first time, but only in the 2WD three-quarter ton models. A 6.2 L Turbodiesel V-8 was also available in later models.
Trim options included base level, and upgraded Silverado versions. An optional 3rd row bench seat allowed for 9-passenger configurations.
GM temporarily changed the usual "C/K" designation to "R" and "V" for the 1988 through 1991 model years. This was done to avoid confusion with the GMT400-based C/K pickup trucks, which were introduced in 1988, during the overlap period.
1992 - 1999 - GMT400
The GMT400-based Suburbans were introduced in the 1992 model year. This was actually quite late compared to their pickup truck bretheren - which switched platforms in the 1988 model year. Both 2WD and 4WD models, again designated "C" and "K" were offered, as well as one-half ton and three-quarter ton ("1500" and "2500") models. The base engine for all variants was the small-block 5.7 L (350 cubic inch) V-8. The big-block 7.4 L (454 cubic inch) V-8 was optional for the 2500 series. The optional 6.5 L Turbodiesel was available on all models - though rare on the 1500 series.
The GMT400 series introduced independent front suspension for a more comfortable ride compared to older models. The 2WD models used coil springs and 4WD models used torsion bars in the front suspension. All models used leaf springs in the rear.
Trim options included a base-level version, the LS, and the LT. Interior seating arrangements allowed for either bucket or bench seating in the first row, and optional 3rd row bench. Thus it could be configured from 5- to 9-passenger seating.
There were a number of mid-life upgrades on the GMT400. These include:
- Revised interior in 1995 - including a driver-side air bag
- Vortec engines with increased horsepower and fuel efficiency in 1996
- OnStar and passenger-side air bags in 1997
- A new full-time 4WD option in 1998
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