2020 Chevrolet Suburban Review
The 2020 Chevrolet Suburban is wrapping up its 11th generation. That’s right – 11!
And, any given vehicle generation-cycle lasts around 6-years. So quick math tells you that the Suburban has been around for 66-ish years – right? Wrong.
Because the first Chevrolet made with the Suburban name was in 1935! So, that’s 85-years and counting! In fact, Chevy’s Suburban is the longest-running nameplate in automotive history.
And not only is Suburban rich with history but it’s just a big fun vehicle to both drive and ride-in. From families to heads-of-state to group prom dates Suburban has hauled them all for years.
Arguably Suburban is the original 3-row SUV. And that definitely holds true for 2020 because it seats up to 9!
- Versatility
- Drive/ride
- Interior space
So, when my pal Lewis Cook at Martin Chevrolet told me he had an extra I could test drive for this review I jumped at the chance.
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224.4″ length x 74.4″ height
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2020 Chevrolet Suburban Oversized SUV
Outside of a customized vehicle or a multi-passenger van, the Chevrolet Suburban is one of the biggest passenger vehicles on the road.
And while Chevrolet has been steadily growing its crossover SUV lineup, Suburban continues to sit atop of the heap in size.
Throughout Chevy Suburban’s storied history it’s always been a big vehicle designed to haul lots of people and or stuff. And this American icon stays true to its roots being assembled in Arlington, Texas.
Trim Configurations And Prices
Chevrolet offers Suburban in many variations. Here are starting manufacturers suggested retailing prices along with their corresponding trim designations.
- LS $52,995
- LT $57,795
- Premier $66,795
While the above doesn’t indicate ‘many variations’ there’s much more. Because, in addition to those trim options are Special Editions you can select. For example, there’s the Premier Plus Edition, the Signature Edition, and the Midnight Edition. And you can go with two different RST Editions as well as two different Z71 Editions.
Lots of Special Edition options
Plus, with Suburban being an SUV you have the option of 2-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive. BTW – if you go with 2WD it’s rear-wheel drive! (Which will always be my preference.)
Engines, Transmissions & MPG
Depending on the trim you go with the 2020 Chevrolet Suburban comes with two different powerful engines. While both of them are V8s, but one is a 5.3-liter and the other is a 6.2-liter.
- 5.3L V8 w/ 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque
- 6.2L V8 w/ 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque
Two powerful V8-engines available
And the two optional V8 engines are matched with a specific transmission. So, the 5.3-liter engine is matched with a 6-speed automatic. While the 6.liter is matched with a 10-speed automatic.
What is Suburban's towing capacity?
For a vehicle the size of Suburban, it posts impressive fuel economy numbers in any configuration.
On the low-end, during city driving, it’s rated for 14 mpg. Conversely, on the highway, it’s rated for up to 23 mpg.
* A big asterisk to note is that these are fuel economy ratings. And they certainly do not factor towing or hauling people and or stuff.
What is Suburban's curb weight?
2020 Chevy Suburban Look Like Exterior
The 2020 Chevrolet Suburban looks like a large Tahoe or an extra-large Traverse. It looks athletic, big, and highly capable.
Includes total road ownership ;0)
Driving the 2020 Chevrolet Suburban
I have to say that Suburban didn’t feel as big as it is when I was driving it. Sure, it felt big and gave a feeling of total road ownership. But I personally didn’t have any trouble maneuvering it.
And one element that really struck me about driving it was how smooth it was. I mean with its 130-inch wheelbase and 224.4″ overall length I just didn’t feel anything jarring at all.
- Wheelbase: 130
- Overall
- Length: 224.4
- Height. 74.4
- Track:
- Front: 68.7
- Rear 68.7
*All inches
Going off-road may very well present a different experience but I loved driving the Suburban.
Ground clearance ~7.9-inches
And with an estimated 7.9″ of ground clearance, you’re ready for anything typical roads going to present you with. And that’s in pretty much any condition or season.
Inside The 2020 Chevrolet Suburban
In a word, the inside of Suburban is cavernous – truly.
Giant center console
There’s a reason Suburban has been used for hauling dignitaries and families alike for… ever. Because it’s interior has been designed to do so from the very beginning and it’s done a phenomenal job of just that since inception.
- Headroom: 42.8/39.1/38.5
- Shoulder room: 45.3/39.7/34.5
- Hip room: 60.8/60.3/49.3
*All inches front/2nd/3rd-row
2nd-row bench or captains chairs available
And if Suburban isn’t the original 3-row utility vehicle then it’s definitely the most notable. Because it has a Hollywood film career to prove it.
Easy access to the comfortable 3rd-row
Up to 121.7 cubic feet of cargo space
And the 2020 Chevrolet Suburban offers a monstrous amount of cargo space. With both rows of backseats folded down, you are granted nearly 122 cu-ft of cargo space.
Hidden Compartments
Suburban also offers a couple of my favorite ‘Chevrolet’ signature features. That’s very-smart hidden compartments.
Cargo floor hidden compartment
First, there’s the ridiculously huge compartment in the floor of the cargo area. As you can see above, it’s subdivided which makes it even more useful.
But the second one is my favorite…
Hidden compartment behind navi screen
Because in the dash, behind the infotainment screen is where the other hidden compartment resides. And as you will notice in the picture above this one even has a USB port!
Infotainment Technology
Android Auto, Apple CarPlay 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and Blu-ray DVD system are all available to keep you and your crew entertained.
8-inch HD touchscreen
Suburban has you covered with up to 7 USB ports. And up to an additional 6 charging ports for a total of up to 13 charging locations… which seems excessive but it’s a really big vehicle.
Also, parents can rest a little easier knowing that Chevy’s Teen Driver system is standard. It allows moms and dads to set controls and monitor your kid’s driving performance. :0)
Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
One of the things I really like about Suburban is that it offers Chevy’s Safety Alert Seat. So here’s how it works. Instead of annoying beeps when say, you’re backing up and getting close to something, your driver’s seat rumbles. It’s an elegant and effective solution that I’d love to see (or feel) on more vehicles. I’m just not a big fan of the beeps.
Available rumble seat alert
Standard:
- Rearview camera
- Rear park assist
Available:
- Lane change alert w/ side blindspot alert
- Automatic emergency braking
- Forward collision alert
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Adaptive cruise control
- Head-up display
- Safety alert seat
2020 Chevrolet Suburban Top-3
So, coming full-circle to my Top-3 favorite aspects of the 2020 Chevrolet Suburban. The vehicle offers so much that there’s plenty to choose from!
- Drive: I love driving big vehicles. Perhaps only slightly more than I love riding in them. And whether behind the wheel or relaxing in the back driving/riding in Suburban is a pleasure.
- Utility: If it’s not the original SUV then it’s most certainly one of them. And it’s the longest-running nameplate in automotive history… so all the stuff it does is notably appreciated.
- Interior space: Inside Suburban just keeps going. But it’s not just space, it’s also how it’s laid out. And definitely the two hidden compartments and that huge center console.
Courtesy of Martin Chevrolet
A final shoutout of thanks to my friends at Martin Chevrolet. If a Suburban, or any Chevrolet, is on your list then that’s the best Southern California Chevy dealer by far!
Martin Chevrolet is on Hawthorne Boulevard in Torrance, California, and at MartinChevrolet.com.
Chevrolet, Find New Roads!
