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1955 Ford Crown Victoria2023 Chevrolet Suburban: The Legendary Family Hauler
The original Chevrolet Suburban debuted in 1933. Does the 2023 model continue its legacy, or fall short of expectations? Find our thoughts here.
2023 Chevrolet Suburban – chevrolet.com | Shop 2023 Chevrolet Suburban on Carsforsale.com
What’s new for the 2023 Chevrolet Suburban?
Now in its seventh generation, the Chevrolet Suburban offers six trim levels, three engine choices, and either rear or four-wheel drive. Chevrolet hasn’t added much for the 2023 Suburban over last year’s version. The big change is that at some point during the year, Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving is scheduled to arrive via an over-the-air update.
The Breakdown
Spacious interior
Great infotainment systems
Fun 6.2-liter engine
Cheapish interior quality
Lacking important safety equipment
Expensive upper trims
Does the Suburban family proud
2023 Suburban Specs
- 355 horsepower from base engine
- 383 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 6 available trims
- 41.5 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 93.8 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- 8,300-lb towing capacity
- Standard Android and Apple connectivity
- Standard automated emergency braking
- 10-year Corrosion Warranty
2023 Chevrolet Suburban Powertrain
Chevrolet offers three distinct engines in the 2023 Suburban. Each of these mates up to a 10-speed automatic transmission and either rear or four-wheel drive. The base motor is a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. It’s a dutiful engine with more personality than one might expect.
The diesel is the fuel-sipper of the bunch but frankly, we’d skip it. It develops 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque but it can’t pull as much as the 5.3-liter and it’s slower than the 6.2-liter V8. Again though, if fuel economy is a big concern for you, the diesel is likely the answer.
Finally, the 6.2-liter V8 at the top of the pile boasts 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. It’s the fun engine and can easily lay down rubber at the tip of a pedal should you ask it to. All 2023 Suburbans are uncannily sharp in the way that they respond to driver input. They’re quick to turn, easy to place, and responsive too. The downside is that they’re gigantic and so blind spots are plentiful and drivers who aren’t ready for that sharpness can get themselves in trouble.
Towing & Payload
When properly equipped, the Chevrolet Suburban can tow up to 8,300 pounds. Interestingly, to achieve that figure, they must be equipped with the 5.3-liter V8. For the segment, this is about average if not a little above it.
2023 Chevrolet Suburban Fuel Economy & MPG
Drivetrain choice makes a huge difference in terms of the fuel economy on offer from the 2023 Chevrolet Suburban. Suburbans with the 6.2-liter V8 and 4WD get the worst fuel economy according to the EPA with an estimated combined rating of just 16. The 5.3-liter gets up to 17 mpg combined, and the diesel can achieve 23 mpg combined. With that in mind, it’s good to decide on rear or four-wheel drive and the engine based on your everyday needs.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
If there’s one thing that the Suburban always seems to do well its interior space and comfort. It’s that quality that makes it one of our favorite SUVs for large families. Frankly, you’d have to compare it to a Ford Expedition Max or a Jeep Wagoneer L to match its ability to carry people and things in the cabin itself. The ride quality itself is pretty good too. Most trims use conventional suspension components and they feel great on the road.
The optional Magneride shocks available and sometimes standard on higher trims are nice but unnecessary in our eyes. The cabin is quiet and well-suited to accommodating full families. There are cup holders and USB power ports throughout and the seating itself is comfortable too. We really like the highly-adjustable nature of the front seats and available second-row captain’s chairs. Cargo space behind the third row is generous too. With all the seats in place there’s 41.5 cubic feet back there. Drop them and that more than doubles to 93.8.
2023 Chevrolet Suburban Entertainment & Tech
The base Suburban LS trim comes with an 8-inch infotainment system and six speakers. While small, it’s very functional and even includes wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Every trim above that benefits from a larger 10.2-inch infotainment screen, a nine-speaker Bose sound system, and an upgraded driver information display.
The menu layout is easy to navigate and the screen reacts to touches quickly. We like the speakers too as they produce a much fuller sound than you’ll get in the base Suburban. Higher trims can also add a rear-seat entertainment system which includes a pair of 12.6-inch screens mounted on the back of the front-seat headrests.
Safety Features
The Suburban gets a few safety check marks including features like automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. At the same time, we’d love to see it add other technology like blind spot warning as standard across the lineup. It seems like the logical thing to do in a vehicle so large and pricey.
2023 Chevrolet Suburban Trims & Pricing
LS – $58,795
The base Suburban gets the 5.3-liter V8 along with LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, power-adjustable front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a second-row bench, and an 8-inch infotainment system with Android and Apple connectivity along with six speakers. A first-row bench can be optioned on the LS only.
Safety equipment includes parking sensors, lane keep assistance, lane departure warning, and forward collision mitigation. The 3.0-liter Duramax Turbo Diesel is also available across this and every other trim except the Z71 (where it’s unavailable) for $995 or a little less.
LT – $64,295
Go for the LT and you’ll get an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather upholstery in the first two rows, a wireless device charger, a hands-free liftgate, driver’s seat memory settings, heated front seats, a larger 10.2-inch infotainment system, an upgraded gauge cluster, and a nine-speaker Bose sound system.
RST – $66,895
This appearance package adds 22-inch wheels, unique exterior trim, and RST seats with contrast stitching. This is the first trim where the 6.2-liter V8 is available but buyer beware, the price goes up by about $10,000 if you pick it.
Z71 – $68,895
The Z71 is an off-road focused trim so it gets 4WD as standard equipment. On top of that, it also gets a two-speed transfer case, hill descent control, a front skid plate, tow hooks, 20-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and a unique front bumper that improves approach angle.
Premier – $72,145
This is the first truly luxurious Suburban. It gets a 10-speaker Bose sound system, a power-folding third row, ventilated front seats, blind-spot warning, second-row bucket seats, and magnetically controlled shock absorbers.
High Country – $78,945
The top trim gets the 6.2-liter V8 along with a unique grille, a surround-view camera, a heads-up display, a digital rearview mirror, and a rear pedestrian alert system. Other available features like a rear-seat entertainment system, a panoramic sunroof, and GM’s Super Cruise technology all cost more on top of the price of a stock Suburban High Country.
Warranties
Chevrolet offers a very basic five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty along with its three-year or 36,000-mile limited warranty. It also offers a single complimentary maintenance visit. That lags behind competitors from Jeep and Hyundai.
What we think
2023 Chevrolet Suburban – chevrolet.com | Shop 2023 Chevrolet Suburban on Carsforsale.com
The 2023 Chevrolet Suburban is a fine family vehicle for those who need it. It’s more than capable of performing the duties that most buyers will need. We’d love to see more a la carte options as well as better interior quality at this price. At the same time, it’s probably the most enjoyable large SUV from a driver’s perspective.
