2022 Chevrolet Suburban: The Ultimate Family SUV

Chevrolet’s iconic SUV struts it.


With room for up to nine, the Chevrolet Suburban is the consummate wagon, although it is an SUV. Introduced in 1935, the Suburban is the oldest and one of the most recognizable nameplates in the world. Through 12 generations the Suburban has certainly changed, but its mission as the true flagship of the Chevrolet brand has not.

2022 Chevrolet Suburban Overview

Chevrolet offers the 2022 Suburban in LS ($52,900), LT ($58,300), RST ($61,500), Z71 ($63,500), Premier ($66,300), and High Country ($73,200) trims. Add $1,695 for the destination charge.

Other upgrades include four-wheel drive ($3,000), which is standard on the Z71, and engine changes. You should know that it is possible to package a Suburban with the final cost approaching $90,000!

2022 Chevrolet Suburban Review

Exterior Features

2022 Chevrolet Suburban RST profile

The Chevrolet Suburban supplies a formidable presence with its bold grille, signature lighting elements, and wide hood. An elevated profile and slab sides mean business, with copious amounts of sheet metal on display. Not only is the Suburban a family staple, but it routinely does fleet duty in civil and federal service.

Trim differences range from wheel size to ornamentation upgrades, but none have the flash of the GMC in Denali guise nor the glitz of the Cadillac. That’s okay as the Suburban’s mission is decidedly middle-of-road, building on more than eight decades of passenger-carrying experience.

Chevrolet dresses the base trim with assist steps, heated and power-adjustable side mirrors, 18-inch wheels, roof rails, and a manual liftgate. Beginning with the LT trim, a power liftgate comes standard.

Through the trim walk, wheel choices as large as 22 inches roll out. Other features include skid plates, puddle lamps, and special Texas Edition badging.

Interior Highlights

2022 Chevrolet Suburban RST interior

The Suburban offers two additional inches between the front and rear axles with the current-generation model. That translates into improved passenger space, including enhanced legroom in the third row.

Eight-passenger seating is standard, although if you choose the LT trim, the wide and comfortable front bucket seats may be swapped out for a split-folding bench seat, creating space for as many as nine. Otherwise, shoppers may replace the middle row bench seat on the other trims (standard on the Premier and High Country), thereby dropping passenger capacity to a net seven.

Cargo volume is a significant consideration for shoppers in this class. The standard space is 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row or 93.8 cubic feet with the last row folded. Drop down both the second and third rows, and there are 144.7 cubic feet of cargo space to be had. The longer wheelbase also resulted in a slightly larger cargo compartment.

GM paid extra special attention to interior design and quality for all three brands and it shows. Although the trio shares much under the hood and underneath, there are some differences among models, including between the Yukon XL and the Suburban. Both feature expansive interiors with a layered dashboard, an oversized center console, and a massive console storage compartment.

One standout feature is the “secret” compartment that exists immediately to the right of the display screen. That compartment appears to be some type of vent on initial inspection. Slide the door to the right and a long and narrow compartment opens. We are not sure what would fit inside, although a wallet certainly is one possibility.

Ample Storage Compartments

Look around and you will find numerous cupholders, cubbies, and other storage compartments. The Suburban was absolutely designed with families in mind, and it shows.

Moving through the trim walk reveals how luxurious the Suburban becomes as you reach the Premier and High Country trims. In any case, all trims come with full power accessories, a tilt-and-telescopic steering column, and air conditioning.

The base model has cloth seats. With the LT, an 8-way power driver’s seat with two-way lumbar support, and a 6-way power-adjustable passenger seat with lumbar support are included. Also, the front seats are covered in leather.

The Premier and High Country come with leather-trimmed seats, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power-folding third-row seat. Package upgrades bring in such features as a power panoramic sunroof.

Technology Overview

2022 Chevrolet Suburban dashboard

Is the 2022 Suburban technically advanced? It is. Indeed, the LS, LT, RST, and Z71 trims come with a 10.2-inch HD touch-screen display with six speakers (nine, beginning with the LT). Bluetooth, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa are included.

USB ports are offered on each row and this model comes with a pair of 115-volt outlets. A wireless charging pad is standard. Choose the Premier or High Country trims and these gain navigation.

A rear-seat media system is available with all but the LS trim. This package includes dual rear seat-mounted 12.6-inch LCD HD color touch-screen displays, Wi-Fi, a pair of wireless headphones, and two HDMI ports.

Further, all trims offer an available 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, enabling connectivity for up to seven devices. Rounding out the available features are a head-up display and rear camera mirror.

Key Safety Features

Consumers demand driver-assist safety features and the 2022 Suburban does not disappoint.

All trims come with forward collision alert, following distance indicator, front pedestrian braking, and automatic emergency braking. Rear park assist, an HD rear vision camera, and Teen Driver technology are included.

Standard with the two top trims, but available elsewhere is lane change alert with side blind zone alert, front and rear park assist, a safety alert seat, and adaptive cruise control. A trailer side blind zone alert feature is included with the advanced trailering package.

Competitive Set

The Chevrolet Suburban along with the standard-wheelbase Chevrolet Tahoe comprise the bow-tie brand’s full-size SUV models. GM also offers the GMC Yukon/Yukon XL and the Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV.

The Ford Motor Company supplies two models, the Ford Expedition and the Lincoln Navigator. Both come with standard and stretched wheelbase versions. Stellantis, the owner of the Chrysler Group, recently released the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer. Each of these models occupies the full-size SUV segment.

Competition from foreign mainstream brands is limited to such models as the Nissan Armada and Toyota Sequoia. Not one matches the wheelbase of the Chevrolet Suburban, however.

Drive Impressions

Engine Choices

2022 Chevrolet Suburban RST engine bay

The Chevrolet Suburban offers three engine choices in a segment where one typically does it. The standard engine is a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The second choice is a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.

A 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder turbodiesel engine is also available. This one makes 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. All three engines work with a 10-speed automatic transmission to route power to the wheels.

Fuel economy ranges from 15/19/16 to 16/20/18 mpg city/highway/combined for the 5.3-liter V8 engine. Choose the 6.2-liter V8 and this one earns from 13/19/16 to 15/20/17 mpg city/highway/combined. Choose the turbo-diesel and this engine makes 20/26/22 to 21/27/23 mpg city/highway/combined.

Towing and Payload

2022 Chevrolet Suburban RST three-quarter rear

The tow ratings for the 2022 Suburban are impressive. The standard engine has a maximum trailer weight rating ranging from 7,600 to 8,300 pounds. The upgraded V8 comes in with a slightly lower rating, ranging from 7,400 to 8.200 pounds. Choose the turbodiesel and these pull 7,800 or 8,000 pounds. Drivers can reach the top numbers by installing the Max Trailer Package.

As for payload, the 2022 Suburban holds from 1,684 to 1,884 pounds. Keep these numbers in mind when shopping, especially if your family comprises several older children and you routinely pack heavily when on a trip. With room for as many as nine and ample cargo and roof space, you can easily approach the top end of the segment.

We are long-time fans of GM’s big SUVs. And judging by annual sales, customers are too. GM holds a more than 2-to-1 advantage over the Ford Motor Company in this segment. In addition, GM sells more copies of the full-size Silverado and Sierra pickup trucks combined than the Ford F-150.

No wonder each overhaul and update is so meticulously prepared by the automaker.

Doubtlessly, some may find the Suburban and the Tahoe too big for their tastes. But if you need room for at least eight, no crossover or minivan offers the passenger and cargo capacity that these huge boys supply.

Moreover, the current GM models supply superior forward sightlines and when utilizing mirrors, including the rear camera mirror, side and rear obstructions are not an issue.

2022 Chevrolet Suburban RST lighting elements

We have driven large GM SUVs outfitted with either of the V8 engine choices. Both are equal to the task, although we confirm that the 6.2-liter puts the stout in the V8. We would probably opt for the latter if hitting the road with a full contingent of passengers, payload, and towing were in the cards.

The turbodiesel is somewhat of a mystery, at least with the SUVs. In similar pickup trucks, we noticed the average power offered when stepping off, but relished the passing grunt of this engine. If long-term ownership is a consideration, then the diesel must be duly considered.

There are a few other matters to keep in mind when evaluating the Suburban. For starters, the electronic-assisted steering makes this SUV easy to maneuver. When we had to perform a U-turn on a four-lane road, the Suburban cut in with ample room to spare. A comfortable ride and strong braking are additional attributes of note.

Finally, the Suburban in a four-wheel-drive guise can withstand off-road punishment. No, we are not suggesting taking this SUV rock crawling, but you need not be afraid to tackle muddy expanses with confidence and ease.

Parting Thoughts

2022 Chevrolet Suburban RST three-quarter rear

The Chevrolet Suburban upholds its legacy in fitting form. It is the flagship Chevy in a fleet that is now heavily skewed toward SUVs and pickup trucks. Nevertheless, this SUV bridges several sectors with its passenger-carrying capabilities, cargo space, and towing.

Expect to pay around $65,000 for a well-equipped model or much more if you are seduced by an array of engine, comfort, and trim upgrades. Shop wisely and you will come away with a vehicle that can satisfy your needs for many years.


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Matthew Keegan

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