2015 Chevrolet Suburban

New for 2015

The Chevrolet Suburban gets a complete redesign for 2015, with numerous changes inside and out.

Old-School Quality, New-School Efficiency

If you’re looking for a full-size SUV with a good mix of comfort and capability, check out the 2015 Chevrolet Suburban. This redesigned version of Chevrolet’s SUV mainstay is both stylish and luxurious, yet does everything a big truck should.

Powertrains and Performance

All 2015 Chevrolet Suburban models come with a standard 5.3-liter V8 engine that offers plenty of power for cruising and hauling, along with impressive fuel economy for a full-size SUV. As for drivetrain, the Suburban is available in rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive configutations.

The 5.3-liter EcoTec V8 offers 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. It can tow up to 8,300 pounds with rear-wheel drive, or 8,000 pounds with four-wheel drive. EPA-rated fuel economy is 18 mpg combined (16 mpg city, 23 mpg highway) with rear-wheel drive;* the four-wheel drive Suburban loses 1 mpg in the highway category.

Features and Trims

The 2015 Chevrolet Suburban is a five-door full-size SUV with three rows of seating, with a $47,595** base price that puts it between its more basic Chevrolet Tahoe and high-end Cadillac Escalade siblings. That makes the Suburban a practical compromise between premium content and affordability.

The LS trim level comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, a SiriusXM satellite radio and HD Radio-capable audio system, rearview camera, and automatic three-zone climate control, among numerous other features.

In addition to the applicable features from the LS, the Suburban LT adds heated front seats, leather upholstery, Bose® premium audio, and a number of driver assistance features such as forward collision alter, lane departure warning, and a vibrating safety alert seat.

Chevrolet also offers a top-of-the-line LTZ Suburban Denali that’s such a big step up from the other versions it could be considered a separate model. Enhancements include an adaptive magnetic suspension, 20-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, and heated and ventilated front seats with additional lumbar adjustments. A premium 10-speaker Bose® surround-sound system is also added to the mix.

In addition, the Suburban is one of many General Motors vehicles to get OnStar 4G LTE with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. The system not only enhances GM’s OnStar telematics system, but can also handle up to seven devices. Service is provided by AT&T® for a monthly fee.

Exterior/Interior

The Suburban is all new for 2015, and nowhere is that more apparent than the exterior. While previous Suburban models had a charm of their own, the 2015 version goes beyond the typical enclosed pickup truck styling with a standout design.

The exterior is much sleeker than before, enhancing aerodynamics as well as looking cool. Sculpted headlights feature a reversed C-shaped LED pattern, and form the starting point for a sweeping character line that extends all the way to the tailgate.

The doors are also inlaid to reduce wind noise, making the nicely-appointed cabin an even more pleasant place to be, while the soft-touch instrument panel and excellent material quality demonstrate Chevrolet’s attention to detail.

On the technology front, the Suburban is available with a dynamic eight-inch diagonal color-touchscreen display. A wireless charging pad for smartphones is also available.

Safety

Driving a full-size SUV can be difficult, but the 2015 Chevrolet Suburban gives its driver a little help with a lot of new safety systems. In addition to typical features like anti-lock brakes, stability and traction controls, and a full complement of airbags, active safety features use cameras and sensors to help increase the driver’s awareness.

These standard and available features include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic detection, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.

Bottom Line

The 2015 Chevrolet Suburban offers a nice compromise between a premium SUV and a more mainstream model. Its exterior styling and interior appointments rival those of the more prestigious brands, but its price is easier to stomach, and you won’t be afraid of getting everything dirty.

*EPA-estimated 16 city/23 hwy mpg.

**The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price excludes destination freight charge, tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment.

Image: Chevrolet (Vehicle shown with optional equipment)