2002 Chevy Suburban Review
2002 Chevy Suburban Review
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Appraise This CarChevrolet Suburban model years
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Choice of powerful Vortec V8s, cavernous cargo space, room for nine.
Cons
- Gas guzzler, its massive size is a liability in urban areas.
What’s new
The base trim level has been dropped. New for this year on LS are standard six-way power driver and front passenger seats, heated outside mirrors, exterior side steps that make getting in and out easier and the HomeLink system that can be programmed to control automatic garage doors or community gates all from one keypad. 5300 V8s can now burn gasoline/ethanol mixed fuels.
Edmunds says
With its capable suspension, excellent powertrain and standard room for nine, the Suburban remains one of the best family-haulers available anywhere ... but bring gas money.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS 2WD 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 4A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.52 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$297/mo for Suburban 1500 LS
Suburban 1500 LS
vs
$257/mo
Avg. Large SUV
Vehicle overview
Still a strong seller after all these years, the "original" full-size sport utility is a force to be reckoned with. Although it no longer holds the title of the biggest sport-ute of them all, the Suburban still offers seating for nine and plenty of cargo room in a package that will fit in the average garage.
The Suburban comes in two models, the 1500 and the heavy-duty 2500, both offering two- and four-wheel-drive configurations. The standard engine in the 1500 is the 285 hp Vortec 5300 V8. New upgrades this year allow this engine to run on gasoline/ethanol mixed fuels that burn cleaner than ordinary gas. The more robust 2500 comes standard with a 320-horsepower 6.0-liter V8, with an 8.1-liter V8 optional. The larger 8100 eight-cylinder produces 340 horses and 455 lb-ft of torque for heavy-duty towing applications.
All models use electronically controlled four-speed transmissions with a tow-haul mode that reduces gear hunting for more predictable performance while towing heavy loads. Recent improvements in frame and body stiffness have given the Suburban remarkably improved ride and handling characteristics. Four wheel disc brakes with ABS are standard on all models. The 1500s are equipped with a five-link coil-spring rear suspension that isolates the road so well you'll forget you're in a nearly three-ton SUV. The suspensions on 2500s are built for strength, employing a stiffer leaf spring setup in the rear that enables them to tow up to 12,000 pounds when properly equipped.
All Suburban interiors are spacious with solid ergonomics. There's room for nine if you stick with bench seats, but ordering the optional captains chairs drops capacity to only seven passengers. Standard features on LS models include dual front and side airbags for the driver and front passenger, cruise control, remote keyless entry and a nine-speaker AM/FM CD stereo system. New for this year on LS models are standard six-way power driver and front passenger seats, heated outside mirrors, exterior side steps that make getting in and out easier and the HomeLink system that can be programmed to control automatic garage doors or community gates all from one keypad. Uplevel LT models add the OnStar communications system, electronic climate contro, and heated leather bucket seats up front.
Carrying the torch as the longest surviving nameplate in the business, the Suburban continues to provide the basic features that people look for in a full-size SUV: plenty of passenger room, stout underpinnings and a strong drivetrain. Although the Excursion may have the Suburban beat when it comes to sheer size, the Suburban's combination of manageability, power and clean design make it a more functional full-size SUV.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2002 Chevrolet Suburban.
5 star(70%)
4 star(23%)
3 star(1%)
2 star(6%)
1 star(0%)
88 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.25 out of 5 stars
Love it
chkrhntr, 09/24/2010
2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS 4WD 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 4A)
I bought my 4WD 'burban new and finally gave it to the kids at 142,000 miles. Only thing that ever failed was the fuel pump ($600). Very reliable and got over 17mpg on freeway! Extremely comfortable to drive and handled like a luxury car. My other 4WD owning friends referred to it as "the pillow barge". I wish i still had it.
4.63 out of 5 stars
Best Big Family Rig.... HANDS DOWN!!!
Matt M., 04/28/2010
2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS 4WD 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 4A)
Bought our 'burb with 85,747 miles. We were nervous about buying one with over 75k, but now I'd buy one with 150k on it... Previously we had a 2005 dodge ram 3500 long bed, we needed more room for the kids and this was the first obvious option. After owning this one I'll definitely buy another. It pulls our 23' travel trailer with ease and the whole family is comfortable. NO MECHANICAL … PROBLEMS whatsoever, and 161,982 miles later we've done nothing more than maintenance and tires / brakes. the MOST DEPENDABLE VEHICLE I'VE EVER HAD!!
4.63 out of 5 stars
Great Car, Will never own anything else!
divot2245, 08/17/2011
2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS 4WD 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 4A)
I bought my burb 6 years ago with 71000 miles on it, It now has 216000 and still going strong, never have had any major problems with it besides regular maintenance.
Always starts and has never left me stranded, except for a flat tire, but thats not the car.
This is my second burb and inbetween the two I owned and expedition, complained the whole time I owned the car.
Got this burb and … have never looked back.
Passanger space is great and I have had 7 grown adults in the car comfortably for long journey's.
Gas milage is about 13, but that is the only complaint I have.
Its safe, I can see through the windows of the car in front of me.
I would reccommend this truck to anyone
5 out of 5 stars
Nineteen Years of Ownership AA++
Paul46, 12/25/2018
2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS 4WD 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 4A)
I bought this Suburban 19 yrs ago and call it my "land Yacht". We always take this vehicle on trips as it is just such a pleasure to drive down the road. It will consistently get 18-19 mpg which is great for such a large vehicle. We have had zero issues with this Suburban. It is our second time around with the first one a 1984 model. You can get 5 people and all their gear along … with bicycles and other things on the roof rack. The versatility of this vehicle is endless. We are now in our 17th year with this Suburban. We drove the first one 22 years of great service and that is what prompted getting another one. Our kids are now out of the house and we keep this one in the garage most of the time. We have had no mechanical failures with this Suburban and think GM did a marvelous job of design and dependability.
2002 Suburban Highlights
1500 LS
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $35,938 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 14 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $297/month |
Seating | 9 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 45.7 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Suburban include:
- Alarm
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover3 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
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