2007 Chevrolet Suburban Review

It's tough to beat American automakers when it comes to designing big trucks, as evidenced by the redesigned Chevrolet Suburban sport-utility vehicle. After all, the Suburban was introduced in 1935, when the "SUV" designation was about 50 years in the future.

The 2007 Suburban is new, inside and out, and can carry more people and cargo than any other full-size SUV. It's more shapely and has lots of power, an improved interior and new features. Its four-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly, although some rivals have a more modern five-speed automatic.

With the demise of the Ford Excursion, the Suburban and its derivative General Motors models such as the Cadillac Escalade are the largest SUVs on the market.

Yet, the new Suburban has good steering, handling and anti-lock braking for a big truck, although the brake pedal needs a more progressive action. The 130-inch wheelbase helps assure a smooth, sedan-like ride, and a stability control system with new rollover mitigation technology is standard.

Despite its surprisingly carlike nature, you never forget you're in a truck in the Suburban, which is built on a stronger, stiffer, full boxed frame that enhances crash energy management. Its elephantine size discourages quick maneuvers and fast lane changes. However, stability is enhanced by a more responsive suspension and wider front/rear tracks that lower the center of gravity for a more confident road feel.

The new rack-and-pinion steering no longer has the annoying vagueness of the old Suburban steering.

Say what you want about large SUVs and recent high gas prices, many folks need the space and towing capabilities of these big guys. Moreover, the new Suburban delivers an estimated 15 mpg in the city and 21 on highways with rear-drive and 15 and 20 with four-wheel drive. Not bad for a vehicle that weighs about 5,800 pounds.

Helping economy is the Active Fuel Management fuel-saving feature of its strong 5.3-liter, 320-horsepower pushrod V-8. This feature lets the engine seamlessly switch between eight- and four-cylinder operation to lower fuel consumption. The engine also has flex-fuel capability for an ethanol-gasoline blend, which can be hard to find.

An optional 6-liter, 355-horsepower pushrod V-8 provides less fuel economy but more towing capacity -- although most Suburban buyers won't need it.

There are LS, LT and equipment-loaded LTZ versions. Prices range from $36,660 for the LS rear-drive versions to $48,345 for the top-line LTZ with four-wheel drive. I tested the mid-range LT version with four-wheel drive, which lists at $40,235.

All Suburbans are well-equipped with comfort and convenience equipment, although some option packages can bump up the price considerably.

For instance, my test LT had a $4,050 option package, which contained such items as leather upholstery, power adjustable pedals, power heated front seats, Bose premium sound system, remote starter and head curtain side air bags with rollover protection.

Among other options are a $1,295 rear entertainment system with a larger (8-inch) screen and a $995 power sliding sunroof. The $350 power remote liftgate is handy if your arms are full of stuff.

The marginal interior is gone, replaced by a quiet cockpit with an upscale appearance. Gauges can be read easily, and cupholders and controls are logically placed -- although sound system and climate controls are small. There's a huge front covered console cargo compartment and even the glove compartment is rather large. Front doors have roomy pockets, but the rear ones have no pockets of any size.

My test LT could easily swallow seven tall adults, although the Suburban can seat up to nine. Even the third-row seat area was roomy enough for two 6-footers, although it called for above-average effort to reach it. The tall Suburban's running boards really are needed for most to enter or leave any seating row.

Buyers of the LTZ model can get $1,095 power running boards, which glide out when the door is open and move out of sight when they're closed. They're well worth the money, considering that they don't allow snow and ice buildup.

The hatch is large and has a fairly low, wide opening. Cargo space is impressive with two rows of seats in their normal position, although the third seat in that position allows only a moderately large cargo area. The third-row seatback flips forward and also can be removed for more cargo space, but it's heavy and cumbersome.

The new-generation Suburban is a big improvement over its predecessor, and it is built to last a long time. 

2007 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 

PRICE: $36,660-$48,345

LIKES: Deftly redesigned. High utility. Powerful. Reasonably economical.

DISLIKES: High step-in. No five-speed automatic transmission. Small secondary controls.