What should one expect out of a modern SUV? Utility, power, and plenty of modern features, but also a driving experience that stands out from the rest. The industry is currently crowded with SUVs, many of them compact and subcompact vehicles that attempt to straddle some line between size, engine power, and fuel efficiency. That said, some classics remain in the field, offering a real, unfiltered SUV driving experience. Few vehicles embody this quite as well as the 2019 Chevy Suburban. This is an SUV that can trace its history back to the 1930s while remaining true to what’s expected of an SUV ever since. With the SUV market growing ever larger with the 2020 Chevy Suburban now on Chevy dealership lots, we’re excited to shed a focused light on the 2019 Chevy Suburban. We’re going to see how it has held up against the competition.
One of the Largest Players in the Game
Nowadays, the compact SUV is king. These are the kinds of vehicles that attempt to promise drivers everything they want and more. Unfortunately, these vehicles end up being a jack of all trades but a master of none. Sure, they offer a roomier interior than your typical sedan, but in an attempt to save on fuel economy, they end up being cramped and often offer underpowered engines. In your standard compact SUV, it’s unlikely that you’ll be doing any serious towing either. Which can be a huge let down for all those cross country haulers out there.
The 2019 Chevy Suburban is refreshing from this crowded arena of small and punchy SUVs. At first glance, the Chevy Suburban is a giant coming in at 224.4-inches-long and offering a max seating capacity of nine passengers. With a starting price of $50,800 MSRP, it is clear that the Chevy Suburban is no casual commuter. It’s a vehicle built for the large family, or driver who appreciates cargo space above all things. Speaking of cargo space, with all the rear seats folded, drivers will find a tremendous 121.7 cubic feet of cargo room, which is certainly plenty. We’re getting ahead of ourselves, as when discussing a full-sized SUV of this caliber, what’s beneath the hood ought to take a top priority.
A Full-Sized Engine for a Full-Sized SUV
When you visit a Chevy dealership and spot the 2019 Chevy Suburban, you’ll likely find three different trim options, the LS, LT, and Premier. The LS, or base model, starts out strong offering an impressive 355 horsepower 5.3-liter V8 engine as standard; so, no, the 2019 Chevy Suburban is far from underpowered. The 6-speed automatic transmission is a welcomed addition as well, providing a worthwhile driving experience for base model drivers. That same engine comes with some pretty robust specs too, reaching a max towing capacity of 8,300 lbs. when properly equipped, and it offers up 383 lb-ft worth of torque to the table. Rear-wheel drive is also as standard on the base Chevy Suburban, which is to be expected. The 2020 model has a 5.3-liter V8 that remains unchanged.
Drivers who want a little more oomph under the hood can opt for the more revamped 6.2-liter V8 engine, which offered on both the 2019 and 2020 models. This engine provides a maximum of 420 horsepower with 460 lb-ft of torque. This welcome uptick in power is supported by a 10-speed automatic transmission and a Magnetic Ride Control suspension. This fully-loaded version of the Suburban can be found in either the RST Performance Package or the Premier Plus Special Edition package, both of which will cost a fair amount extra. That said, drivers who want a little more power, and expect greater performance from their SUV will be plenty satisfied.
Looking at the 2019 Chevy Suburban, we realize that it takes more than size and a great engine to win the hearts of potential drivers. As well as these hugely important factors, creating a comfortable and modern drive certainly takes up a considerable amount of value.
Comfort is Key
The traditional SUV is a master of size and comfort. They offer more than enough legroom for all passengers as well as plenty of room left over for any cargo you may have. The 2019 and 2020 Chevy Suburban follow in line with this standard, offering 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row of seating. Fold those seats down, and you’ll be greeted with an expansive 76.7 cubic feet of cargo space. As mentioned prior, when all rear rows of seating are folded down, drivers can expect a wildly enormous 121.7 cubic feet of cargo space.
Although having an excellent SUV driving experience means more than just offering plenty of wiggle room, it also means having a quality drive. The 2019 Chevy Suburban surpasses this expectation with flying colors, as standard models come with shockingly soft cloth upholstery. For a little bit extra you can spoil you and your passengers with leather upholstery, as well as soft-touch surfaces. Power-adjustable bucket seats in the front row, also have a significant payoff and are specifically designed for long hours on the road.
When it comes to comfort, the Chevy Suburban is on the verge of luxury, offering both plenty of room, and premium add-ons to an already robust SUV package. That said, this review would be incomplete if we did not cover the tech behind every model of this sizable Chevy SUV.
A Near Futuristic Driving Experience
Safety and infotainment technology within the 2019 Chevy Suburban is no joke. When it comes to infotainment tech, every model gets a three-zone climate control system, power-adjustable front seats, and an infotainment screen that is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible. Moving up the line of trim options, the LT trim adds the possibility of a Bose audio system, as well as a power liftgate. At the top Premier trim option, drivers will find ventilated front seats, a more robust Bose sound system, keyless ignition, and a hands-free liftgate.
While these premium comfort features are bound to catch the attention of potential drivers, it isn’t the only tech highlight in the Chevy Suburban. Safety is another key characteristic of the Chevy Suburban package, and many models come with tech that creates a near-futuristic driving experience. Base models don’t add much in the way of safety tech, offering the standard slew of airbags, and anti-lock braking. Spend a bit more cash, and you’ll find safety features that attempt to avoid collisions and accidents altogether, like automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam headlights, and active lane control.
The 2019 Chevy Suburban and Looking Forward to 2020
The 2019 Chevy Suburban stays true to what’s expected of the traditional SUV. While the steep sticker price may turn some buyers away, the Chevy Suburban makes no sacrifice in power, size, and tech. Designed for both families, and the true adventurer, the 2019 Chevy Suburban continues to be a real stand out of a crowded vehicle and is bound to satisfy a wide range of drivers. Now that the 2020 Chevy Suburban is available, we see a lot of the same between these two models, which is hardly a bad thing. Drivers can expect the same full-sized SUV, with a few small tweaks to the already smart and remarkable design. That said, you shouldn’t only take our word for it. We urge those interested to visit your local Chevy dealership to experience first-hand what it’s like to sit behind the wheel of the all-new impressive 2020 Chevy Suburban.
