2023 CHEVY SUBURBAN A UTILITARIAN WORKHORSE FOR 88 YEARS

By NITISH S. RELE – motoringtampabay@gmail.com

Take the Chevrolet Tahoe, super-size it and you basically have a Chevy Suburban. Jokes apart, the 2023 Suburban is the bigger sibling with a nearly 14-inch longer wheelbase and stretched more 15 inches in length.

In fact, the two full-size SUVs even share the 6.2-liter V-8 engine, which cranks out 420 horsepower @ 5600 rpm and 460 pounds-feet @ 4100 rpm. The fully boxed frame is coupled to a vigorous 10-speed automatic transmission and comes in either rear-wheel or all-wheel-drive versions. Magnetic Ride Control, which adjusts the independent coil-over shocks/stabilizer front and multilink rear suspension as per road conditions, brings toughness and rock-solid stability to the ride. An electric power steering makes it a breeze to handle the heavy SUV at higher speeds or while pulling into a parking lot.GM’s Active Fuel Management system deactivates half of its eight cylinders to conserve gas during the frequent stops in peak-hour traffic. Also assisting save fuel is the stop/start feature, especially at a red light.

You can recognize a Suburban anywhere, thanks to its mammoth presence. Our test-drive trim, High Country, gets a badging up front on the grille with bronze accents while flanked by horizontal LED headlights and daytime running lamps. Step into the huge cabin and centered 10.2-inch touch screen for infotainment (nobody can escape Google built-in capability!) draws your attention, as does the 12.3-inch digital cluster. Ingress and egress to the second- and third-row seats, which can be operated via a button, is effortless. Other amenities include a tri-zone auto a/c, power four-spoke tilt/telescopic steering column and rear lift gate, 15-inch head-up display, 10-speaker Bose audio system, and 12-way power heated/cooled front seats.

Safety features include dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag for all rows, four-wheel antilock brakes, stability and traction controls, lane departure warning and keep assist, auto emergency brake, blind spot monitor, safety-alert and rear-cross traffic seat, forward collision alert, surround-view camera, keyless start, daytime running lights and tire pressure monitoring system.

At a base price of $80,400 (for our top-line High Country) and topping at over $90,000 with options, this isn’t a cheap drive. And neither are its fuel economy figures (at just 16 mpg in city/highway) anything to write about. But leave apart the two noes, the 6,000-pound-plus Suburban will continue to attract buyers, mainly for its capability of carrying passengers comfortably, towing up to 8,300 pounds and boasting cargo space of 144.7 cubic feet with second- and third-row seats folded. No wonder, this full-sized SUV is a purposeful phenomenon that has served its buyers well for 88 years now. In fact, no other nameplate has been around that long without at least some time off.

SUBURBAN 4WD (HIGH COUNTRY)

Wheelbase: 134.1 inches

Length: 225.7 inches

Width: 81.1 inches

Height: 76.7 inches

Fuel capacity: 28 gallons

City: 14 mpg

Highway: 18 mpg

Web site: www.chevrolet.com