There are very few vehicles on the market today with as long a history as the Chevy Suburban. The Suburban was introduced to the public for the first time in 1935 and has since become a household name. Fans and critics alike have continuously praised the Suburban for its versatility and performance, a trend that has continued to this day. The lineup has seen many changes since its inception, and the all-new 2021 Chevy Suburban brings forth its long-awaited twelfth generation. The question remains, how has Chevy built upon the previous generation, and how significant are these changes?
For starters, the new Suburban measures a longer length than its predecessor, which enhances available cargo space. This change is namely due to an independent rear suspension that has been integrated into the lineup for the first time. In addition to this, a host of upgrades have been made surrounding the latest and greatest tech-centric features. Long-running fans of the Suburban will feel right at home and will enjoy the enhancements that have been made.
The three trims from the previous model make a return. However, three additional trims have been added to the lineup, bringing the total number of available trims to six. For reference, the three trims returning from last year are LS, LT, and Premier. The MSRP for the base LS trim will remain at the same $51,700 as of last year’s model, which sits well with pre-existing fans of the Suburban. The newest trims come in the form of the RST, Z71, and High Country, which serves as the highest-tier. As is the tradition with automobiles, higher-tier trims offer you more features. However, those who purchase a base LS model of the 2021 Suburban will also be treated to a respectable feature set.
Available Engines
Both V8 engines from the 2020 Suburban have made their way over to the 2021 model with an additional diesel option this time around. Each engine comes paired with a smooth 10-speed automatic transmission. The two engines that make their return starts with the 5.3L V8 that produces 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. For an engine that comes standard, this V8 produces ample performance compared to many contemporaries. Fuel efficiency ratings for this engine will differ depending on whether your Suburban is an FWD or 4WD configuration. With FWD, this engine gets EPA-estimated ratings of 16 mpg city and 20 highway while 4WD variants get 15 MPG city and 19 highway. Fitting this engine inside of a properly equipped Suburban will grant a maximum towing capacity of 8,100 lbs.
As previously stated, both V8 engines have made their way over to the newest Suburban, the latter of which is a 6.2L V8. This engine can pump out 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque and is highly recommended for those looking for the utmost performance for their Suburban. Fuel efficiency ratings take a slight hit with the 6.2L V8 as it gets 15 MPG city and 19 highway with FWD and 14 mpg city and 19 highway with 4WD. These ratings aren’t detrimentally different from the aforementioned 5.3L V8 so it won’t be a concern to the average driver. Where the 2021 Suburban begins to separate itself from its predecessor is the inclusion of a diesel engine variant. This diesel-powered engine is a 3.0L I-6 producing 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque which matches the torque output of the 6.2L V8 engine. Fuel efficiency ratings for this diesel engine are currently unknown but we can expect to hear more about this soon.
A Fresh Interior
One glance at the interior for the all-new 2021 Suburban and the generational gap becomes more apparent. One example of this is seen with the 2021 Suburban’s infotainment center, which now comes standard with a 10.2-inch touchscreen. This replaces the 8-inch touchscreen that came standard the years prior. In addition to this, the 2021 Suburban also offers an additional 8-inch instrument cluster and a class-leading 15-inch Head-Up Display (HUD). You may also opt for dual 12.6-inch LCD screens to be integrated into the rear side of the vehicle for passenger entertainment. As previously mentioned, the new Suburban is longer than its predecessor with a maximum cargo room of 144.7 cu.ft. Compared to the 2020 Suburban, which had 121.7 cu.ft. of max cargo room, we’re looking at an 18.8% increase. This larger Suburban also translates to more legroom for the second and third rows with 42 inches and 36.7 inches respectively. Looking at the 2020 Suburban in comparison, which got 39.7 and 34.5 inches, respectively, passengers will enjoy the extra space.
A 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot comes standard in the 2021 Suburban much like the year prior. More and more vehicles are being integrated with hotspots as they allow for a fast and reliable connection whenever away from home. With an integrated hotspot, your passengers may connect their wireless devices to browse the web and stream their favorite media. Couple this with the aforementioned dual 12.6-inch screens, and your passengers will be treated to plenty of entertainment during road trips. Bluetooth also comes standard with the Suburban, meaning you may sync your phone’s music playback directly to the infotainment system without any cables needed. Connecting your smartphone to the infotainment center also highlights more notable features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.
With CarPlay and Android Auto, your infotainment center becomes the virtual gateway between your smartphone and your vehicle. By syncing your iPhone or one of many compatible Android devices, the process is seamless, and setup is a breeze. Once connected to CarPlay or Auto, your phone’s main functions become immediately accessible while the phone is put away. Giving drivers a way to stay properly connected while driving without causing distraction is what these features do best. Among these features, you may access phone calls and or text messages, look up navigational directions utilizing your phone’s built-in maps, and much more. In addition to this, accessing Siri or Google Assistant can be done solely through voice commands, so as long as you don’t mind talking to the air, you’re golden. There’s no denying that these two software suites have become a high priority for aspiring vehicle shoppers, and we’re glad to see Chevy recognize this fully.
What The Next Generation Tells Us
After looking through the 2021 Suburban, a few things become clear. First and foremost, the next generation of vehicles is going to provide a strong emphasis on interconnectivity and entertainment. Surely, vehicles will get faster, more fuel-efficient, and so forth. However, in the digital age, many aspiring shoppers have been taking plenty of these tech-centric features into consideration. What the next generation of the Chevy Suburban does so well is finding a healthy balance between performance and technology. Keeping in mind that the 2021 Suburban is the first of its generation, we see plenty of room for improvements. The ultimate consensus remains, the 2021 Suburban is the vehicle you should consider if you’re looking to upgrade in the current year. The best way to get started with purchasing your new vehicle is to locate your local Chevy dealer. After finding the right dealership and working alongside their sales team, you’ll be driving off the lot in your brand new 2021 Suburban in no time!
