The Chevrolet Suburban has always been the pick for those who want to haul their entire family with utmost comfort. The torquey V8 motor under the hood makes it an exceptional highway cruiser and the massive dimensions coupled with the spacious cabin make it very accommodating for seven or eight passengers. With the launch of the twelfth generation of the Suburban last year, Chevrolet has managed to tie a lot of loose ends of the older generations too.
The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban has been launched for a base selling price of $54,700 and comes with only a few changes from the 2021 model. More trims can be had with the optional 6.2-liter V8 motor and the digital gauge cluster and an updated infotainment system is offered for all but the lowest LS trim. More driver-assistance techs are onboard and optional features and packages see changes too. Competing with the Ford Expedition Max, Nissan Armada, and GMC Yukon XL, here are 10 things you need to know before buying the 2022 Chevrolet Suburban.
10 Comfortable And Spacious
Ever since the twelfth generation of the Suburban came out, it has been one of the easiest choices of the segment for those who cannot compromise on the space and comfort front. Get the lower trim configurations, and you are looking at a seating capacity of eight passengers owing to the bench seats in the middle. However, the more expensive trims of the Suburban gets captain seats in the middle.
The overall space in the front and the middle row is slightly better than the segment rivals like the GMC Yukon XL and Ford Expedition Max. However, the third row turned out to be one of the best in terms of headroom and legroom. There are many storage options inside and the cargo capacity of 41.5 cu ft behind the third row tops the chart.
9 Base V8 Engine Is Smooth And Torquey
The 5.3-liter naturally aspirated EcoTec3 V8 motor with dynamic fuel management, direct injection, and variable valve timing manages to put out a respectable 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. The 10-speed torque converter automatic transmission is offered, and it can be had with either RWD or 4WD drivetrain options.
The 0-60 MPH comes in 7.2 seconds, which is identical to that of the GMC Yukon XL, as it comes with the same powertrain as the Suburban. However, both the Ford Expedition Max and Nissan Armada offered more powerful motors and superior acceleration times. Nevertheless, the maximum towing capacity of 8,300 lbs is excellent.
8 There Is An Optional Diesel Engine
The Duramax 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 diesel comes unchanged and is going to be the go-to choice for the folks who cannot compromise on the towing capacity and gas mileage. Putting out a decent 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, the towing capacity is one of the best in the segment.
Even though the horsepower numbers are not going to impress many buyers, the torque figures are up there with that of the 6.2-liter V8 motor. As a result, the Suburban lunches forward when you need an instant boost of acceleration due to the wide torque band it comes with. The 10-speed automatic transmission puts the power down quite well too.
7 Z71 Is The Most Rugged Trim
The Z71 trim is the one to get if you want the most rugged feeling full-size SUV for the price range. Coming with massive 20" alloy wheels, a red recovery hook, butch-looking front skid plate, all-terrain tires, and black tubular assist steps, the Suburban Z71 looks the part when out on the road.
Many would also admire the more imposing front-end design due to the blacked-out front grille with a neatly integrated bow tie in the middle and a striking Z71 badging onto the side of the grille. The Z71 trim also comes with the optional four-corner air ride adaptive suspension system which offers unmatched ride quality on-road and off-road.
6 Gasoline Engines Offer Mediocre Gas Mileage
Fuel efficiency has been an underwhelming aspect of most of the full-size SUVs out there and the 2022 Chevrolet Suburban is no different. Coming with a massive 5.3-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine as standard, the 2022 Suburban only offers a city gas mileage of 15 MPG and a highway gas mileage of 20 MPG.
The combined gas mileage of 17 MPG turned out to be slightly lower than the Ford Expedition Max which offered a mileage of 19 MPG. However, the 28-gallon fuel tank capacity is excellent and that helps it to do a highway range of 560 miles. If you get the 4WD variant, the combined gas mileage reduces to 16 MPG.
5 Diesel Engine Is Reasonably Frugal
The diesel powertrains usually have a reputation for providing superior gas mileage and the same is true in the case of the 2022 Chevrolet Suburban. In comparison to the mediocre gas mileage provided by the 5.3-liter V8, the optional 3.0-liter Duramax diesel punched out much better gas mileage numbers, making it a preferred choice for those who have quite a lot of driving.
The city gas mileage of 20 MPG and a highway gas mileage of 26 MPG equates to combined gas mileage of 22 MPG. This is 5 MPG more than what the gasoline V8 motor offers. The 10-speed automatic transmission makes sure that you are in a higher gear and that does a wonderful job in churning out such an excellent figure. The tank range is exceptional too.
4 Capable Infotainment System
The standard 10.2" touchscreen display comes with Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Premium system, and it offers all the Google-based features like voice assistant, maps, and play store. The features list includes Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM radio, navigation, charging ports, and wi-fi hotspot connectivity.
The steering mounted controls help the driver to operate the infotainment with ease and the touchscreen display is just an arm's throw length away from the driver and passenger seat. The audio is handled by a Bose 9-speaker audio system and most of the trims get the 12.3" digital gauge cluster. There are optional rear seat entertainment displays too.
3 Has A 4-Star NHTSA Crash Test Score
Coming with a 4-star overall crash safety rating in the NHTSA crash test, most buyers would be happy to purchase the 2022 Chevrolet Suburban as it's a reasonably safe family hauler. The driver-assistance techs like forward collision warning, automated emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist are standard for all the trims.
You would need to opt for the Driver Alert Package to get more driver-assistance techs. However, both the Ford Expedition Max and Nissan Armada managed to get an overall crash safety rating of 5-stars in the NHTSA crash test.
2 Competitive Warranty
The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban gets an impressive limited and powertrain warranty, which turned out to be superior to most of the segment rivals like the Ford Expedition and Nissan Armada. The limited warranty is covered for three years or 36,000 miles and the powertrain warranty is for five years or 60,000 miles.
There is complimentary maintenance coverage for the first visit and the roadside assistance and corrosion warranty is similar to the outgoing model year as well. However, the 2022 Suburban did get a recall for improper rivets on seat belt assembly. It got multiple customer complaints according to the NHTSA as well. Nevertheless, JD Power gave it an overall consumer rating of 80 out of 100.
1 6.2-Liter V8 Is Available In Most Trims
If you found the 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 motor a bit underwhelming, the good news is that Chevrolet also offers the 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 with direct injection, variable valve timing, and dynamic fuel management producing 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The transmission remains identical to the base motor, and it can be had in RWD or 4WD drivetrain configuration.
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The 0-60 MPH comes in 6.1 seconds and that is more than a second faster than the 5.3-liter V8 motor. The engine is a bit more refined and offers better performance numbers than most of the segment rivals. However, due to the lack of forced induction and mild hybrid assist, it returned mediocre gas mileage. This engine also comes as an option in most of the trims and is standard in the top-spec High Country trim.