2021 Chevrolet Suburban

Pros: Towing ability; available diesel engine; passenger and cargo room

Cons: Fuel economy with gas engines; tight-quarters maneuverability; high base prices

CG Says: The Chevrolet Suburban is redesigned for 2021 along with its shorter-length sibling, the Chevrolet Tahoe, and the Cadillac Escalade and GMC Yukon. The 2021 Suburban grows even longer than the previous-generation model (it’s 3.4 inches longer in wheelbase and 1.3 inches longer overall), and gains an independent rear suspension and a host of new features. The new Suburban retains its truck-like body-on-frame-construction, but gains an independent rear suspension for improved ride and handling. Available for top models is a new adaptive air suspension that can change the vehicle’s ride height. The more-compact rear suspension and the increase in length and wheelbase provide a 2.3-inch gain in second-row legroom, 2.2 more inches of third-row legroom, and an increase of 2.2 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third-row seat.

The 355-horsepower 5.3-liter and 420-hp 6.2-liter V8s carry over from the previous-gen Suburban, but gain a Dynamic Active Fuel Management system that enables the engine to run on two, four, six, or eight cylinders as driving conditions warrant (the previous Active Fuel Management could deactivate only up to four of the cylinders). A 3.0-liter inline-six turbodiesel with 277 hp and 460 lb/ft of torque is slated to arrive later in the model year. All engines are paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission; previously, the 5.3-liter engine had a 6-speed automatic. Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection is now standard. Other available safety features include lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, rear pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. Many Suburbans tow trailers, and to make towing safer and easier, the Suburban offers a trailer-view camera system with up to nine camera views (including a hitch view for easier trailer hookups), as well as a blind-spot monitor that accounts for the added length of a trailer and an app that monitors trailer-tire pressure and temperature. A truck-based SUV may seem like something of a relic in a world dominated by crossover SUVs, but the Suburban offers interior room and towing capacity that is hard to beat. The new independent suspension makes for a more refined and even roomier SUV. If you need a full-size SUV, the Suburban is must see.