2011 Chevrolet Suburban

2011 Chevy Suburban Overview
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2011 Chevy Suburban
SELECTED TRIM
MSRP Range:$41,335 - $56,580 |Get Dealer Pricing
Value: Excellent
Recalls:2 Recalls

2011 Chevrolet Suburban 1500/2500 Review

4 Star Rating  (4 Stars) The big oil shock survivor

Reviewed by Internet Auto Guide

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Overview
Although not sold as a separate model at first, the Chevy Suburban, around since 1935, can lay claim to being the oldest continuous nameplate in automotive history. Before the sport/utility market took off in the late 1990s, GM considered its discontinuation.

Originally just a Chevy pickup with a station wagon body, when the GMT900 Suburban launched in the 2007 model year, it was a more developed evolution of the Silverado. This reflected the kind of money automakers spent developing big SUVs before the 2008 oil price shock.

Considering the oil shock and severe recession that brought GM to bankruptcy, plus 2016's 35.5-mpg Corporate Average Fuel Economy mandate, it had appeared the current model might become the last body-on-frame, rear-drive based Suburban.

In the end, GM has decided that the low cost of building the 7-/8-passenger Suburban off the Silverado, with its high profit margin, makes it a viable niche model beyond 2016. So there will be a new body-on-frame model by mid-decade. If not, what would the Secret Service drive?

The Range

  • Bodystyle: 4-door sport/utility vehicle.
  • Engines: 5.3L V-8, 5.3L V-8 (aluminum block), 6.0L V-8.
  • Transmission: 6-speed automatic.
  • Models: 1500 LS, LT, LTZ, 2500 LS, LT (RWD and 4WD).

What's New

New paint colors are Mocha Steel Metallic, Steel Green Metallic and Ice Blue Metallic. The 1LS trim level gets standard rear audio system controls with two headphone jacks, Bluetooth connectivity, floor console with storage area, wood grain interior trim, luggage rack center rails, body color outside door handles and mirror caps, and premium cloth front buckets with optional 40/20/40 bench. The 1LTZ 4WD adds standard chrome recovery hooks and two-speed transfer case.

Exterior

Chrome 20-inch wheels are a new option on 1LTZ. The Z71 Off Road appearance package includes high-pressure monotube gas shocks, 18-inch off-road tires, automatic locking rear differential, color-key fender flares and bright chrome grille insert.

Interior

Optional features for the three-row SUV include a power-release fold-and-tumble second-row seat, first- and second-row heated seats, Ultrasonic parking assist, driver information center, tri-zone automatic HVAC, rearview-mirror camera, touch-screen navigation and eight-inch DVD screen.

Performance & Handling

It handles like a truck, of course, but the torquey small block V-8 launches the goliath quite well. The RWD 1500 comes with an iron block 5.3-liter Vortec, and the 4WD 1500 has an aluminum-block 5.3. Both have cylinder shutoff technology, E85/flex fuel capability and make 320 horsepower and 335 pound-feet. The 2500 comes with a 352-horsepower/382 pound-feet iron-block 6.0-liter.

Safety

Standard features include roof-mounted head curtain side airbags with rollover protection for all three rows and front seatbelt pre-tensioners designed to provide deployment in rear-end crashes. StabiliTrak stability control with rollover mitigation also is standard.

EPA Fuel Economy

  • 1500 LS, LT, LTZ 5.3L V-8, 6-speed automatic, RWD: TBD
  • 1500 LS, LT, LTZ 5.3L V-8, 6-speed automatic, 4WD: TBD
  • 2500 LS, LT 6.0L V-8, 6-speed automatic, RWD: Not EPA tested.
  • 2500 LS, LT 6.0L V-8, 6-speed automatic, 4WD: Not EPA tested

You'll Like

  • Interior space
  • Variety of configurations
  • Off-road capability (4WD)
  • Torquey small-block V-8
  • Refinement

You Won't Like

  • Parking it
  • Refueling it
  • No flush-folding third row
  • Aging design

Sum Up

4 Star Rating The big oil shock survivor
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