2025 Chevrolet Suburban

Based on the excellent Tahoe, the Suburban takes the full-size SUV idea to its extreme by stretching the length and creating even more space for passengers and cargo. Over many years, the Suburban has become a great American family vehicle. This current generation debuted for 2021 and gets some meaningful enhancements for 2025. Chevrolet has made an already superb SUV even better. It’s tough, capable, roomy, comfortable, and surprisingly quiet. The ideal road-trip SUV, the Suburban will ruin you for taking to the highway in anything else.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of full-size SUVs, including the Chevrolet Suburban.

Styling tweaks keep the Suburban looking fresh, yet still completely recognizable. The standard suspension has been set up for greater comfort. The optional diesel engine gains more power, while the erstwhile push-button gear shifter is replaced by a column stalk. New technology includes the segment’s biggest infotainment touchscreen.

We think we could live quite nicely with the LT trim; however, Chevy sells more Premium, RST, and Z71 models. We’d probably opt for the RST or Z71.

Looking at the competition, the Ford Expedition Max and GMC Yukon XL (mechanical twin to the Suburban) are priced similarly to the Suburban. In comparison, the Jeep Wagoneer L is a little pricier.

Before buying a new Suburban SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. In resale value stakes, the Suburban turns in an above-average performance, outdoing the Ford Expedition Max.

Most Suburban buyers go for the base 5.3-liter V8 engine. It makes an acceptable 355 horsepower. The Ford Expedition Max starts with 380 horsepower, while the Jeep Wagoneer L goes straight for 420 horsepower.

If the plan is to transport a lot of people and stuff, the Suburban’s optional 420-horsepower V8 or the turbocharged diesel would make easier work of it. The 6-cylinder diesel engine receives more muscle this year: 305 horsepower and 495 lb-ft of torque. That latter figure is important because it’s 35 lb-ft more than the bigger V8’s and will provide plenty of low-end thrust. This engine is also more frugal with fuel.

We’ve driven all three of Tahoe’s powertrains and found none of them lacking. They are characterized by smooth, relentless power delivery. Although we would be quite satisfied with the base V8, the 6.2-liter V8 upgrade delivers significantly more zip. If towing and hauling is your thing, the updated 3.0-liter turbocharged 6-cylinder Duramax diesel generates 10% more hp for 2025 and plenty of torque. All three accelerate eagerly.

Chevrolet says it has improved the stock suspension in the 2025 Suburban. We always liked the ride quality of this full-size SUV — it’s a fine vehicle for road trips. But if it’s more comfortable, that’s great. Chevy also offers an adaptive air suspension or a Magnetic Ride Control suspension for an even better blend of cushioning and composure.

The other mechanical change for this year is the gear selector. Previously, there was a push-button arrangement on the dash near the steering wheel. We felt it wasn’t intuitive to use and was one of the few gripes in our consumer reviews. This updated Suburban has a shifter stalk on the steering column.

Fuel Economy

The popularity of the 5.3-liter V8 shows that Suburban owners aren’t too bothered by 17 mpg in combined city/highway driving (with rear-wheel drive). Or seeing that figure drop by one digit when 4-wheel drive is in the mix. The upgraded diesel engine should still be able to match or get close to last year’s 23 mpg (RWD) or 22 mpg (4WD). The Ford Expedition Max achieves 19 or 18 mpg, while the Jeep Wagoneer L manages 20 or 19 mpg combined. Although the government has yet to publish the diesel’s fuel economy, Chevy says that with the Suburban’s 28-gallon tank, the diesel has a range of 750 miles or more between fill-ups.

A full complement of souls in a 2025 Chevy Suburban could be as many as nine, with the LS trim offering an optional 3-person bench seat for the front row. Most trims have an 8-seater setup, though. It is reduced by one when a pair of captain’s chairs are installed in the second row. This year’s revamp has modernized the dashboard by adding an 11-inch digital instrument cluster and a crisp 17.7-inch central touchscreen as standard.

We were delighted to find that the higher-level trims come with a powered moving center console with 10 inches of travel front to rear. It brings the rear cup holders closer to the rear seats. Thanks to an adjustable cushion, the armrest can remain in position. It includes secure storage and cup holders, too. It’s also optional in the lower trims, except for the LS.

Legroom in the second row measures an expansive 42 inches (the same as the Tahoe), with third-row passengers enjoying 36.7 inches, almost three more than the Tahoe — although the Ford Expedition Max is slightly roomier in these spots.

The Suburban can definitely hold the luggage of nine people, though. Behind the 60/40-split folding third row is an area of 41.5 cubic feet. And with the second and third rows folded, there’s 144.5 cubic feet of cargo volume. This is where the Chevy beats its Ford and Jeep rivals handily. We also like the low and flat load floor.

This SUV with the wide, open cabin is best suited to wide, open spaces, not tight little city streets. It’s 15 inches longer overall than the Tahoe. That makes it 18.8 feet long. It’s a good thing that front and rear parking sensors are fitted as standard. Chevrolet has performed some minor surgery on the exterior design for 2025. It’s freshened up the front end a little, which was all it needed.

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
We always appreciate the ability to integrate a phone into a vehicle’s infotainment system. Especially when it’s wireless, we don’t have to dig that phone out of a pocket or purse.

Infotainment touchscreen
A new, high-resolution 17.7-inch display becomes standard in every new Suburban. That’s big and really lends a more tech-rich feel to the cabin. We’re also fans of the easy-to-use infotainment system.

Hands-free tailgate
It is one of those convenience features that gets used a lot. It’s standard in all Suburbans except for the base LS.

Super Cruise
With this optional superpower, you can drive on more than 400,000 miles of North American highway with your hands off the wheel and feet off the pedals (but eyes on the road).

Connected cameras
A new option for the 2025 Suburban, this enables owners to check the cabin and surroundings remotely. Automatic crash recording and a dashcam are also part of the package.

Trailering technology
Features like Boat Ramp Assist and Trailer Navigation — which works out the ideal route while taking the trailer’s size into account — make towing much more manageable.

The base engine for the 2025 Suburban SUV lineup is a 5.3-liter V8 generating 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. The RST, Z71,  and Premier trims offer the option of a 6.2-liter V8 developing 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. This is also standard in the top High Country trim. Another option in all but the Z71 is a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder diesel engine, boosted for 2025 to generate 305 horsepower and 495 lb-ft of torque. All three engines connect to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is the standard setup, with 4-wheel drive on the options list or standard in the Z71. The maximum towing capacity is 8,300 pounds, which is achieved by the RWD version with the smaller V8 engine. For comparison, the Jeep Wagoneer L can pull up to 10,000 pounds.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

Chevrolet’s new-vehicle warranty lasts three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. Powertrains are covered for five years or 60,000 miles. These terms are typical among mainstream manufacturers. The first scheduled service is also included.

Safety Ratings

The Suburban earned four out of a possible five stars overall in crash testing carried out by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Standard safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection.