CHEVY FORUM REVIEW: 2017 Suburban Premier 4WD
Living large is exactly what the 2017 Chevy Suburban is all about!
We recently had the opportunity to spend quality time with Chevrolet’s biggest and mightiest SUV — the Suburban. To say that this three-row, 9-passenger SUV is massive would be an understatement, but then again, that’s exactly what some families need and want.
In case you don’t recognize the “Premier” moniker, that’s okay, because that’s Chevy’s new name for the now defunct “LTZ” trim that adorned range-topping Chevys for decades. Our black on black Premier 4WD model was by all means outfitted through the roof, and therefore featured a whopping $77,805 price tag, including a $1,195 destination charge.
Size Matters
At nearly 225-inches in length the Suburban is a family’s dream, providing enough room to fit up to nine passengers with generous leg and hip room. Our press vehicle featured two captain chairs in the second row, therefore diminishing passenger seating capacity to only seven. Still, that’s exactly as much, if not more room that what the average buyer requires.
The Suburban’s greatest selling point aside from its seating capacity, is its massive 121.7 cu. ft. of cargo room. Where most three-row SUVs on the market lose a large chunk of their cargo space once the third row is deployed, the Suburban retains a generous 39.3 cu. ft. This makes it perfect for families who constantly need a third row, plus generous cargo space. This came in especially handy as we spent the weekend chauffeuring the kiddos and their friends around, plus a quick trip to the go-kart shop.
If you’re a cycling or road trip fanatic, the Suburban’s nearly 75-inches in height might make it extra-challenging to attach a roof-mounted cargo box or bike rack. We suggest that you consider a rear hitch bike or cargo rack, although if you’re already taking advantage of the Suburban’s 8,000 lbs. of towing capacity you might not have much of a choice. The ride height and the Premier’s optional 22-inch wheels allowed us to appreciate the power-retractable running boards, which allowed us and the little ones to easily hop in and out of the Suburban.
The aluminum 22-inch wheels will set you back $2,495, and budget $1,745 for the fancy running boards.
The Driving Experience
There are vehicles out there that manage to hide their proportions, and feel considerably smaller at the wheel than they really are. The Suburban isn’t one of them.
It didn’t take us long to feel the might of the Suburban while driving down the road. The smooth and surprisingly refined 5.3-liter V8 Ecotec3 engine provided the behemoth with ample power when needed. In addition, cylinder deactivation and automatic aero shutters tried their best to positively impact fuel economy, and they did. During our test we averaged approximately 12-mpg combined, and achieved 19-mpg during a 50-mile highway stint. The Suburban is rated at 15-mpg city and 22-mpg highway, for an EPA combined average of 18-mpg.
Our decked-out family hauler featured the high-tech magnetic ride control, which unfortunately didn’t succeed at improving the bumpy and stiff ride quality. We’d be curious to test a similar vehicle without the optional 22-inch wheels for a true ride-quality assessment.
On the road the Suburban is composed and enjoys a strong and towering presence. Brakes, steering, and overall driving dynamics are exactly what one would expect from a vehicle this large. Again, the optional large wheels and tires provided an unwelcome tire hum at highway speeds.
Living Large
There’s a reason why the Chevy Suburban and its smaller sibling, the Tahoe sell like hot cakes. It’s because they’re simple, they’re straight forward, and they simply work. The accommodations may not be as high-end (even at nearly $80k) like in some of its competitors, but there’s an air of simplicity and reliability.
For example, the optional $2,985 rear entertainment center is by far one of the most user-friendly units we’ve ever tested. The power mechanism to fold the third row is also quite easy to comprehend, and all buttons, cubbies, and features are clearly labeled with individual buttons. Sure, this may clutter things a bit, but it also makes operating components a breeze for occupants of all ages.
Overall
If what you’re looking for is size and might, the Chevy Suburban (in whichever trim you can afford) is most likely your best and only option. If you ask us, we’d certainly skip the 22-inch wheels, and would probably ditch the magnetic ride control for an old-school suspension. Furthermore, we’d opt for less-expensive running boards, and we’d have ourselves a decently-priced top-notch family ride.
2017 Chevy Suburban Premier 4WD
- Starts at: $67,730
- Price as tested: $77,805
