2008 Chevrolet Suburban

The Chevrolet Suburban underwent a major redesign for 2007 and emerged as a more modern, refined, handsome, and user-friendly truck. Built on a traditional body-on-frame platform, the Suburban weighs a bit more than some of the newer unibody trucks, but the engineering tweaks that it received in 2007 went a long way toward improving the ride, structural rigidity, and driving experience. That sturdy frame also helps the Suburban 1500 achieve a towing capacity of up to 8100 pounds, and Suburban 2500 models can tug up to 9700 pounds.

Inside, a modern and uncluttered interior gives the Suburban a luxurious look that is in step with the nearly $39,000 base price. Three rows of seats are standard on all Suburban models, although the third-row seats are only somewhat useful for adults. Since the Suburban is essentially a Tahoe with an extension grafted on behind the rear wheel wells, there is plenty of space behind the third row for cargo. Like the Tahoe, six-footers might find the front seat lacking in headroom especially if the sunroof is ordered.

Four-wheel drive (4WD) is optional on all Suburban models; rear-wheel drive is standard. Chevrolet offers two 5.3-liter V-8s and two 6.0-liter V-8s in the Suburban lineup. Under the hood of 1500-series two-wheel-drive (2WD) models is an iron-block, aluminum-head 5.3-liter V-8 that makes 320 horsepower. Suburban 1500 models with 4WD get a lighter all-aluminum version of the same engine that puts out 310 horsepower. Both versions of the 5.3-liter engine are E85 compatible and have fuel-saving cylinder deactivation which allows the engine to run on four cylinders when full power isn’t needed. An all-aluminum 6.0-liter V-8 with 366 horsepower is optional on Suburban 1500 3LTs. The heavier-duty Suburban 2500 gets an iron-block version of the 6.0-liter that makes 352 horsepower and mates to a six-speed automatic. A four-speed automatic is standard on all Suburban 1500s.

For 2008, Chevy offers five different trim levels for the Suburban 1500: the LS and 1LT offer excellent value, while the 2LT, 3LT, and LTZ offer a bit more luxury and power. Customers shopping for the heavy-duty 2500 Suburban have LS, 1LT, 2LT and 3LT trim levels to consider. All Suburbans are comfortable, spacious, and good-looking large sport-utilities that can be configured in nearly any way and for any use. Even with optional 20-inch wheels the ride is supple and quiet and the Suburban isn’t that far off the refinement and driving experience of smaller unibody competition.