2018 Chevrolet Suburban SUV Review & Ratings

Performance

The 2018 Chevrolet Suburban sport utility vehicle is powered by a 5.3-liter V8 engine producing 355 horsepower and 383 lb. ft. of torque. The power is distributed to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. An all-wheel-drive option is also available for the auto. With a full-sized SUV that is designed to carry people and cargo, the acceleration suffices to haul the load without much urgency. Despite its massive load capacity, the Suburban can reach 60 mph in a little over seven seconds. Definitely, not the sportiest in its delivery but the engine has enough oomph to move people and cargo around. Handling is far from being light-footed but the stability is there even when brought to the limit of its cornering abilities. A light steering that is lacking road response is common among bigger SUVs and the Suburban is no exception. Fortunately, it handles accurately and the effort is weighted just right. With a firm pedal that commands the brakes with ease, there is minimal excessive movement even under intense braking. The distance it took to brake from 60 mph is 131 feet, a few more feet than most of its competitions in the full-size SUV category. Despite that, the bite of the calipers is linear in its application.

Technology

The base LS trim comes standard with automatic wipers, keyless entry and ignition, automatic climate control, power-adjustable driver seat, Bluetooth, five USB ports, 110V power outlet, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio and an infotainment system with a CD player, 8-inch touchscreen and six-speaker sound system. The Enhanced Driver Alert package includes power-adjustable pedals and several advanced safety and driver aids. The LT trim builds on the LS trim with all its options and then adds a power liftgate, heated front seats, driver seat memory settings, auto-dimming rearview mirror and a nine-speaker Bose sound system. The Luxury package includes a hands-free liftgate, power-folding mirrors, auto-dimming driver side mirror, fog lights, heated second-row seats, power-folding second and third-row seats and a power-adjustable heated steering wheel. The Sun, Entertainment and Destinations package for the LT trim adds navigation and a rear-seat entertainment system. The Z71 Off-Road package adds off-road suspension, electronic two-speed transfer case, hill descent control and front parking sensors. The Premier trim comes with all the bells and whistles that include xenon headlights, adaptive suspension, ventilated front seats, second-row bucket seats, navigation, power-adjustable front seats and a 12-speaker Bose sound system. The Sun, Entertainment and Destinations package for the Premier trim now adds power-retractable side steps and a heads-up display. The Max Trailering package is available for all trims and it includes towing and trailering equipment and auto-leveling suspension for models without the magnetic suspension. Some standard features on the higher trim can be added as a standalone option on the lower trim.

Safety

The 2018 model has been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and it achieved four stars in the front crash test, five stars in the side crash test and three stars for the rollover test. Overall it got a 4-star safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features include rear parking sensors, a teen-driver monitoring system, and a rearview camera. Advanced safety and driver aids are added when stepping up to the next trim and they include forward collision warning, low-speed automatic braking, automatic high beams, vibrating safety alert driver seat, lane departure warning and intervention, front parking sensors, blind spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert.

Appearance

The 2018 model has a length of 224.4 inches, a width of 80.5 inches, a height of 74.4 inches and a wheelbase of 130 inches. The LS and LT trims come with 18-inch wheels as standard while the 20-inch and 22-inch wheels are the options available. The Premier trim begins with 20-inch wheels and can opt for 22-inch wheels. Each of the available wheel diameters has varying designs to choose from. For the LT trim, the Texas Edition package adds roof rail crossbars and unique badges to the body. The Z71 Off-Road package includes burlier all-terrain tires, unique exterior trim, tubular side-steps and underbody skid plates. The RST (Rally Sport Truck) Edition package for both the LT and Premier trims adds black exterior trim and the option for black wheels.

Comfort

Stepping up into the cabin is aided by running boards and the front and rear doors open up a spacious entryway. Loading cargo or even crawling through the trunk door can be a bit of a hassle because of the taller floor height relative to the ground. The first and second rows are very roomy but the third row feels tight given the raised knees in its seating position. For all trims, there is seating for seven people but opting for the bench style front seats allows for one more passenger. The first and second row of seats are comfortable but are firm enough to not induce aches. The third row, however, isn’t as padded and the cushion is flat. Unfortunately, the second row does not slide to and fro to allow more leg room. The suspension has been set up to provide a ride quality that is stable and can absorb smaller rough patches with ease. Bigger bumps along the road can be more interruptive and can be shaky for passengers. External noise is greatly reduced whether at idle or highway speeds, creating a quiet and relaxed atmosphere inside.

Cargo

Behind the third row of seats is 39.3 cu. ft. of space, and folding them down opens up 76.7 cu. ft. of space. Upon folding down the second row of seats, there is 121.7 cu. ft. of space for loading cargo.