In production since 1935, the Suburban has enjoyed a remarkable transformation over the last eight, nearly nine, decades. It started as a “carryall” model renowned for its all-steel body construction, a first in an era where most automakers relied on wood. Chevrolet’s use of steel made the Suburban more rugged and versatile, setting a precedent of innovation that continues today with models like the 2023 Chevy Suburban.
With each new generation, Chevrolet has proven the Suburban only gets better with age as it addresses the ever-evolving needs of drivers. As a result, it’s established its reputation as a family-friendly SUV, a stylish and capable alternative for the minivan-averse. However, the 2024 Chevy Suburban takes this a step further by offering tech-savvy features that transform every aspect of the driver experience. Today, the Suburban isn’t just a practical carryall for your family and cargo, but a modern marvel that reflects our reliance on technology to improve every aspect of our lives, even when we’re behind the wheel.
Cruising Tech: Super Cruise
As a full-size SUV, the Suburban has a large footprint, but Chevrolet does everything to improve the driver experience by heightening the SUV’s agility and handling. We see this in industry-leading technologies like Super Cruise, the first true hands-free driving technology. Top-tier trims like the Premier and High Country offer this feature and transform your time in the driver’s seat using cutting-edge technology to let you confidently take your hands off the steering wheel.
Super Cruise is a tech-rich system that relies on LiDAR map data, GPS, sensors, and real-time cameras. LiDAR, or Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing technology that reads the elevation of the Earth’s surface with accuracy within four inches. This precision technology constantly works behind the scenes to read your surroundings when Super Cruise is engaged. At the same time, the GPS technology evaluates your location, a critical component since Super Cruise is location-specific and only works on compatible roads throughout North America. Fortunately, these roads stretch hundreds of thousands of miles and include most major interstates and divided highways nationwide.
With real-time GPS readings and LiDAR map data, Super Cruise knows the Suburban’s precise location. At the same time, the Lane Sensing Camera monitors the Suburban’s position in the lane as the Driver Attention System analyzes or watches your focus. For example, you don’t have to keep your hands on the steering wheel but must remain attentive and focused on the road. If the system senses your eyes aren’t on the road ahead, it will alert you to refocus your attention.
Ride Quality Tech: Magnetic Ride Control and Air Ride Adaptive Suspension
Chevrolet also relies on tech-savvy features to improve the Suburban’s ride quality and handling, a significant advantage that proves the Suburban is your average full-size, family-friendly hauler. Chevrolet equips the SUV with a first-in-class Four Corner Air Ride Adaptive Suspension and performance-oriented Magnetic Ride Control. While these features are suspension-focused, they serve two distinct roles that improve your experience in the driver’s seat.
The Suburban’s Magnetic Ride Control relies on sensors, an electronic control unit, and monotube dampers at each wheel. The dampers are filled with magnetorheological fluid. This $10 word means iron particles are swimming in hydrocarbon oil. The particles are easily magnetized, differentiating the Suburban’s handling and ride quality from other full-size SUVs. The variability of the magnetic field means it responds to the driving conditions ten times faster than the blink of an eye or mere milliseconds. Before you notice a bump in the road, the Suburban’s Magnetic Ride Control has already adjusted the shock absorbers.
While the Suburban’s Magnetic Ride Control technology works behind the scenes to improve ride quality and handling, Chevrolet gives you more control over the suspension with its class-leading Four Corner Air Ride Adaptive Suspension. Many luxury SUVs offer air ride suspensions, but drivers pay a premium. Fortunately, Chevrolet doesn’t ask as much. The 2023 Suburban’s adaptive suspension gives you manual control over the SUV’s ride height, letting you optimize it for easier ingress and egress or increase its ground clearance. For example, you can lower the ride height to make it easier for passengers to climb inside or to make loading or accessing cargo easier. Then, with a quick turn of a knob, you can reset the suspension to standard height.
Connectivity Tech: The Chevrolet Infotainment System and Google Built-In
Connectivity features are standard across the industry, with every model offering some form of digital display and instrument clusters. However, Chevrolet gives the 2023 Suburban an advantage by expanding its display sizes and integrated features. As a result, the family-friendly Suburban is one of the best-equipped and tech-savvy full-size SUVs in production.
The 2023 Suburban features a digital cockpit framed by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.2-inch center touchscreen display, and an optional 15-inch head-up display. The digital instrument cluster is one of the largest in the segment and complements the head-up display by putting critical information, like speed, mileage, navigational alerts, etc., within immediate view. With the head-up display, the best-selling family hauler transforms into a modern chariot with cutting-edge features at your fingertips. It’s the very antithesis of the minivan stereotype of decades past.
Chevrolet ups the ante by adding Google Built-In to the Suburban, making connectivity hands-free even with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. But what makes Google Built-In so special? The feature personalizes your experience in the driver’s seat, equipping the Suburban with a virtual Google Assistant that responds with a simple, “Hey Google.” Of course, your Google Assistant works with other Google-related tools, including Google Maps and Google Play. The inclusion is notable, especially since Google Maps is fully integrated and can locate Super Cruise-compatible roads. In addition, Google Play gives you access to a variety of apps designed for your Suburban, taking your experience to new levels.
Trailering Tech: Advanced Trailering System and Visibility Tools
As drivers, we’re always looking for more. We want more power, capability, and features without compromise, and Chevrolet delivers with the 2023 Suburban by taking its well-roundedness to the next level. The Suburban has always been a “carryall” vehicle, but the latest model combines that capability with a new generation of cutting-edge technologies. These features run the gamut, from everyday tools like the Rear Camera Mirror that provides a live stream behind the SUV to a comprehensive camera system with 13 available views and an Advanced Trailering System.
Most notably, the 2023 Suburban has the technology to handle every demand, with a maximum trailering capacity of 8,300 pounds. Moreover, Chevrolet lessens the learning curve of towing this load with the Suburban’s camera system and in-vehicle trailering app. The system offers 13 views, giving you an extensive view around the SUV with Transparent Trailer, Picture-in-Picture Side View, and Rear Trailer View. The Suburban’s in-vehicle trailering app is also an exceptional addition. It lets you create custom trailer profiles, navigate pre-departure checklists, test the lights, see maintenance reminders, and more from the Suburban’s infotainment display.
Tech-Rich and Ready for the Road
The Suburban has rightly earned its place as one of the best-selling SUVs in the industry, a feat that began in the 1930s with its all-steel body design. Today, the 2023 Suburban is a far cry from the early carryall and its simplified design, but its premise is the same. The Suburban can still carry it all, but it does so with cutting-edge technology that makes our experience in the driver’s seat more enjoyable. From technology to improve the ride quality and performance to features that keep us connected and even let us cruise without our hands on the wheel, the 2023 Suburban is the embodiment of modern innovation and forces us to rethink the stereotype that often befalls family-friendly SUVs. In a class of ordinary family haulers, the Suburban is tech-savvy and truly extraordinary.
