The 2018 Chevrolet Suburban is a vehicle with a very broad set of skills. With three rows of seating and a massive interior, it can fit up to nine passengers or carry more than 120 cubic feet of cargo. Its traditional trucklike construction and beefy V8 engine help it tow as much as 8,300 pounds in the right configuration. It's also a quiet, comfortable and relatively well-equipped vehicle. All of this means that the Suburban is a prime candidate for large families with a taste for adventure.

That utility does come with some drawbacks. The Suburban's XL size means it's a handful in tight parking lots, and its truck-based suspension can't deliver the carlike ride comfort of a crossover. Poor fuel economy means you'll be paying a lot at the pump, too. But if you're looking for a rig that doesn't compromise on size, utility or power, the Suburban is tough to beat.

trim levels & features

The 2018 Chevrolet Suburban is a full-size SUV with seating for up to nine passengers. It is offered in three trim levels: LS, LT and Premier.

Standard feature highlights for the LS include a 5.3-liter V8 engine (355 horsepower, 383 pound-feet of torque), a six-speed automatic transmission, 18-inch alloy wheels, seating for eight passengers (a front-row three-passenger bench seat is optional), automatic wipers, remote start, rear parking sensors, tri-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats, a leather-wrapped tilt-only steering wheel and a household-rated power outlet.

On the technology front, you get Chevy's MyLink infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen interface, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, five USB ports, and a six-speaker audio system with satellite radio. Also included is OnStar communications (with a 4G LTE connection and onboard Wi-Fi) and the teen-driver system (limits certain settings for young drivers).

The optional Enhanced Driver Alert package adds forward collision alert with automatic low-speed braking, a vibrating safety-alert driver seat, automatic high beams, lane keeping assist and power-adjustable pedals.

The LT trim includes all of the above, along with a power-operated liftgate, leather upholstery, heated front bucket seats (thereby reducing passenger capacity to eight), a telescoping steering wheel, driver-seat memory functions, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a nine-speaker Bose audio system.

The optional Luxury package adds a power-operated tailgate, power-folding mirrors, auto-dimming driver-side mirror, foglights, front parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, keyless entry and ignition, heated second-row seats, power-folding second- and third-row seats, a heated and power-adjustable tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. The Texas Edition package is equipped identically but adds badges, plus crossbars for the roof-mounted cargo rails.

The Premier trim includes the Luxury package and adds 20-inch wheels, xenon headlights, an adaptive Magnetic Ride Control suspension, ventilated front seats, a navigation system, upgraded power-adjustable front seats, a wireless charging pad and a 10-speaker premium Bose surround-sound audio system.

The LT and Premier trims are eligible for second-row bucket seats (thereby reducing seating capacity to seven). You can also get the Sun, Entertainment and Destinations package on these trims. It includes a sunroof, a navigation system (LT trim) and a rear-seat entertainment system. Adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking, power-retractable rocker-sill passenger steps and a head-up display are available only on the Premier trim.

Many of the standard features offered by the top trim levels of the Suburban are available as options for the lower trim levels.

Offered on all trims are 22-inch wheels. The Max Trailering package, available on all trims, includes a special rear-axle ratio, electronic two-speed transfer case (for four-wheel drive models), a trailer brake controller and an auto-leveling suspension for nonmagnetic suspension vehicles. This year's new RST (Rally Sport Truck) package adds some special exterior styling details.

The Z71 Off-Road package is available only on the LT trim, and it includes all-terrain tires, unique cosmetic elements, tubular-type rocker-sill passenger steps, underbody skid plates, an off-road suspension calibration, the electronically operated two-speed transfer case, hill descent control, front parking sensors and rubber floor mats.

trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2015 Chevrolet Suburban LT (5.3L V8 | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | Z71 Off-Road Package).

NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current Chevy Suburban has received some revisions, including the addition of optional safety features such as forward collision warning and a teen-driver system. Overall though, findings remain broadly applicable to this year's Suburban.

driving

We like this 5.3-liter V8, as well as the standard manually shiftable six-speed automatic. It is generally well-behaved for such a large vehicle, but there's no getting around the Suburban's immense size and weight. Towing capacity and mild off-road ability are welcome attributes.

acceleration

2.5

Despite the sluggish gas pedal calibration, the 355-hp 5.3-liter V8 is up to the task of moving this four-wheel-drive Suburban. Even with its as-tested weight of nearly 5,900 pounds, this SUV needed only 7.2 seconds to reach 60 mph.

braking

2.5

Panic stops from 60 mph showed good stability. Though braking distances were longer than those of some competitors (60-0 mph in 131 feet), the pedal felt solid and inspired confidence around town.

steering

Steering effort is predictable but feels overly light and doesn't offer much feedback. While the Suburban's reactions are a bit slow, you can guide it down most roads with confidence.

handling

There's no getting around just how big and heavy this Suburban is, but the chassis maintains composure right up to the limit. The all-terrain tires, standard on the Z71, can't be expected to do much more with such a heavy SUV.

drivability

2.5

The engine and transmission are smooth and the ride relaxed. The lazy gas pedal is frustrating. The cruise control system does not hold speed downhill, but tow/haul mode does a much better job. The outside mirrors are too small for such a large vehicle.

comfort

3.5

It's very quiet and, in the front two rows of seats, very roomy and comfortable. The third row will still handle two adults, but only for shorter trips. The ride is generally good on smooth surfaces, but minor road imperfections and ripples cause the rear of the cabin to shimmy and shake.

seat comfort

The front seats are comfortable and support a wide range of body types. The second row doesn't adjust much because of the seat-folding mechanism, but it's still comfy. The third row is thin and flat.

ride comfort

Over smooth pavement, body motions are well-controlled and the all-terrain tires absorb sharp impacts. Rippled and imperfect roads can send vibrations through the body and create a shudder in the rear of the cabin.

noise & vibration

It's exceedingly quiet at idle and low speeds with only light wind noise on the highway. Credit the new triple-perimeter door seals for the silence. All-terrain tires are as hushed as the 5.3-liter V8.

interior

3.5

The redesigned interior is attractive with good ergonomics. Second-row passengers enjoy ample space and visibility, along with heated seats (included with optional Luxury package). The solid-axle rear suspension robs third-row legroom and results in a high load floor.

ease of use

4.5

Major and minor controls are clear and all within easy reach. The MyLink touchscreen system is greatly improved. Instrumentation is easy to read and configurable thanks to a new screen.

getting in/getting out

4.5

The long rear doors make getting into the second row very easy. Access to the third row is helped by folding the second-row seats. The available hands-free liftgate with height-adjustable opening aids cargo access, but the load floor is high.

roominess

3.5

Some drivers might find the large center armrest to be intrusive when steering. The second row is spacious but doesn't slide fore and aft. The third row is limited by its high floor and so-so legroom. The Ford Expedition EL's third row is much better.

visibility

3.5

Lots of glass and a good seating position provide good outward visibility. A rearview camera and rear parking sensors are standard on all Suburbans. The exterior mirrors are much too small for a vehicle of this size.

quality

Interior quality and ergonomics are improved from past versions, as are the materials used. Everything from the switchgear to the power-folding seats has a solid, positive feel. Outside, the fit-and-finish hides the Suburban's truck origins.

utility

The flat load floor and power-folding second- and third-row seats are welcome features, but the extremely high liftover height makes for difficult loading. Maximum cargo room is immense but is about equal to space in the smaller Toyota Sequoia.

technology

The Suburban comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen and Chevy's MyLink infotainment system, which includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. We've found these systems to be responsive and easy to use. A full suite of driver assistance features help the Suburban keep pace with its tech-minded rivals.

Features & Specs

	LT 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A)	Premier 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A)	LT 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A)	Premier 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A)	LS 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A)	LS 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A)	Fleet 4dr SUV 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 6A)	Fleet 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 6A)
Starting MSRP	$58,280	$67,830	$55,280	$64,830	$53,150	$50,150	$52,190	$49,190
MPG	18	18	19	19	18	19	18	19
Seating	8	7	8	7	8	8	8	8
Transmission	6-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Fuel	flex-fuel (FFV)	flex-fuel (FFV)	flex-fuel (FFV)	flex-fuel (FFV)	flex-fuel (FFV)	flex-fuel (FFV)	flex-fuel (FFV)	flex-fuel (FFV)
Horsepower	355 hp @ 5600 rpm	355 hp @ 5600 rpm	355 hp @ 5600 rpm	355 hp @ 5600 rpm	355 hp @ 5600 rpm	355 hp @ 5600 rpm	355 hp @ 5600 rpm	355 hp @ 5600 rpm

See all 2018 Chevrolet Suburban SUV features & specs

Safety

Our experts’ favorite Suburban safety features:

OnStar: Provides standard subscription-based safety systems such as roadside assistance, remote door unlocking and automatic crash notification.
Forward Collision Alert: Warns the driver of an impending forward collision and will even apply the brakes in low-speed scenarios.
Lane Departure Warning: Monitors road markings and alerts the driver when the vehicle is drifting out of the lane without signaling.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4/5
Driver4/5
Passenger4/5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5/5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5/5
Driver5/5
Passenger5/5

Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5/5
Back Seat5/5
Rollover
Rollover3/5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover21.2%

Top Consumer Reviews

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Lori Gallagher, 4/11/2018

We are in Suburban Heaven!!

We went back and forth between a Toyota Sienna and Chevy Suburban for a year and a half. We had driven a Sienna and were so close, like driving to purchase, before I actually test drove the 2018 Suburban. One mile into the test drive, I was in love!! I was sure I would not be able to comfortably park this huge vehicle, but I pulled in between two cars as well as well as our Tailblazer. This thing lets me know if something is close by vibrating my

Jan, 6/2/2018

Why would anyone buy one of these monsters?

Rented a car for a day since my Mercedes E350 was getting serviced. Car rental had only a Suburban available. Pros: Suburban seems to have high towing capacity. Engine is smooth and has lots of low end torque. Cons: The car is enormous and even on the highway I was always afraid to hit another vehicle. Parking or maneuvering is a nightmare. Visibility from car is very poor. Truck based design makes sure you feel even minor imperfections of the

Ross, 2/18/2018

No Telescopic steering wheel?

Looking to purchase an American SUV vs. the Toyota Highlander I have had for the last 5 years. I can't believe a 2018 Suburban LS 4WD for well over $50,000 does not have telescopic steering wheel. I am 6' 1" and the driving dynamics suck without having the wheel come further back. Cars less than half this price have this feature. I know the 2018 Highlander Limited is not the same type of vehicle but it has pretty much every feature the top of the

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