Driven: 2009 Chevrolet Suburban

I forget each year how much I really enjoy Summer time.  Warm temps, plaid shorts, and Camp Winaukee are things that I look forward to as much as I look forward to the snow in the Winter.  I am lucky enough to have the opportunity to work at a Summer camp in NH each year.  Not only am I out in the sun, coaching the game I love, but I am around true friends and live on an amazing lake for almost 3 months.

Each year we have a few rental vehicles:  a couple 15 passenger vans, and a couple smaller vehicles for short trips around the lakes region.  This year we were lucky enough to be given a steel blue Suburban LT, which sits on the same platform as my dream vehicle, the Avalanche.  I have been looking forward to getting behind the wheel of one of these for a while, and last week I had the opportunity to drive to Manchester for a pick-up.

My first reaction after climbing into the Sub was the realization of how big these trucks really are.  This is the first vehicle that wasn't lifted that I've had to climb up into.  I have driven mid-size SUVs my whole life, so I'm not used to the big step up. 

After I familiarized myself with the interior, I threw some CDs into the 6-disc changer and headed on down the road.  The instrument panel is laid out very well, and everything is very easy to reach from the driver's seat.  The steering wheel controls were very simple, so taking my eyes off the road for anything was vastly reduced.  The gauges were very easy to read, with a white backlight lighting up the cluster.  The sound system was very good, even though it wasn't the Bose package available on the LTZ.  Leather was soft and the seats were supportive.

It took me quite a while to get used to the drive-by-wire system utilized on the accelerator.  There was a lot of travel in the pedal before you got to any serious accelerating power.  The 5.3 felt underpowered for that size vehicle, especially in the hills that I have to drive to get out of camp.  The longer wheelbase and increased weight of the Suburban are to blame for this, though.  I have ridden in a Tahoe before and didn't feel that it needed any more.  With a rear axle ratio of 3.08, it would probably benefit from a 3.55 ratio or the 6.0 engine..

I was very impressed with the way the Sub handled in the twisties.  I never felt out of control, and body roll was nowhere near what I expected.  I took the access road at the same speed I would have in my Jeep, and I would say that the Sub felt more substantial and better planted.  I never noticed the extra length or size that I had around me.

I stopped to gas up, because the last guy to take it was inconsiderate enough to leave it on E.  The 35 gallon tank was a shocker to me, and the $75 price tag for a tank of gas was a bit sobering.  I haven't seen that kind of gas bill since the price for a gallon was around $4.  

On the highway, the Suburban truly shined.  70mph felt like it was nothing, and the body-on-frame platform absorbed the road bumps very well.  Road noise was minimal, and once I got a hang of the accelerator, finding that sweet spot for the passing gear was effortless and smooth.  It had decent power coming out of a toll booth, but again, still felt a bit underpowered.

I was very impressed with gas mileage.  With the Cylinder Deactivation System, I saw about 19mpg on the trip.  On flat stretches of highway, the V4 symbol came on pretty often, but the extra 4 were needed more than not.

Overall, the new GMT900 platform is incredibly solid, and the product that Chevrolet is putting out is great.  Interiors are nicely appointed, even for an LT, and final fit and finish is high quality.  The drivetrain is good, especially with a tried and true 5.3 V8.  It seemed a bit underpowered for this application, but you can't argue with 19mpg out of a 3 ton SUV.

Starting price for the LS Suburban is around $40,000, LTZ models start around $55,000.  The price tags are a bit hard to swallow, but for the product you receive, it is right on course with others in its class.

I am very excited to get my butt in the seat of an Avalanche after driving its big brother for a day.  Kudos to GM for finally putting out a product to be proud of.

2010 Chevrolet Suburban

5.3L V8

320hp/335lb-ft torque

3.08 Rear Axle ratio

Pros:

- Plenty of room for all your stuff

- Great road manners

- Interior fit and finish

- Controls are easy to reach/read/use

- Incredibly comfortable

Cons:

- 35 gallon gas tank:  hope you have a big wallet

- Drive by wire has a lot of dead travel

- Underpowered

- Sticker shock