2009 Chevrolet Suburban: What's New

Vehicle Overview
Chevrolet’s Suburban full-size sport utility vehicle is available in a wide variety of payload, drivetrain and trim-level configurations: Regular-duty 1500 and heavy-duty 2500 models come with either rear- or four-wheel drive in base LS, LT and top-of-the-line LTZ trims. The Suburban can seat up to nine, and its GM sibling is the more upscale GMC Yukon XL. The Suburban competes with other full-size SUVs including the Ford Expedition EL, Nissan Armada and Toyota Sequoia.

New for 2009
The Suburban gets a standard six-speed automatic transmission and a variety of safety and luxury features in new option packages.

Exterior
The Suburban has an overall length of 222.4 inches, width of 79.1 inches and height of 76.8 inches. Compared to its competitors, it is the longest full-size SUV. It is narrower than the Sequoia but 0.3 inches wider than the Armada and Expedition. As for height, the Suburban sits lower than the Expedition and Armada but a couple inches taller than the Sequoia. A Z71 offroad package features front recovery hooks, a chrome grille and 18-inch wheels with offroad tires. Seventeen-inch wheels are standard on LS and LT trims, while 20-inch wheels are optional on the LT and standard on the LTZ.

• Auto-dimming outside mirrors with turn-signal display
• Optional power liftgate on higher trim levels
• Optional power-articulated running boards on LTZ
• New rear and body-side moldings on LTZ
• Variety of chrome options, including a custom grille, recovery hooks, door handles, mirror caps and fuel-filler doors

Interior
Cargo volume measures 45.8 cubic feet behind the third row. With the second row stowed and the third row removed, cargo volume expands to its maximum 137.4 cubic feet. Other options include a navigation system, a rear-seat entertainment system, dual-zone automatic climate control and first- and second-row heated seats.

• Optional DVD screen for third row
• OnStar 8.0 with available Turn-by-Turn Navigation
• Bluetooth connectivity with steering-wheel controls
• Heated and cooled seats standard in the LTZ
• New cloth fabric

Under the Hood
The Suburban’s engines differ depending on whether a regular-duty 1500 or heavy-duty 2500 is selected, as well as whether it has two- or four-wheel drive. The 5.3-liter V-8 can run on E85 and uses Active Fuel Management to shut down cylinders when they’re not needed to improve fuel economy. An available all-aluminum 6.0-liter V-8 has variable-valve timing and Active Fuel Management. Suburban 2500 models are powered by an iron-block version of the 6.0-liter V-8. When properly equipped, the Suburban 1500 can tow up to 8,100 pounds and the 2500 can tow up to 9,600 pounds. All engines are mated to a standard six-speed automatic transmission.

• 310-horsepower, 5.3-liter V-8 with 335 pounds-feet of torque
• Aluminum 366-hp, 6.0-liter V-8 with 376 pounds-feet of torque
• Iron-block 352-hp, 6.0-liter V-8 with 382 pounds-feet of torque
• Integrated brake controller for electric-controlled trailer brake systems
• New, optional fuel-saving 3.08 axle ratio for two-wheel-drive models with 5.3-liter V-8
• Optional heavy-duty trailering package with 3.42 axle ratio

Safety
Now standard on all models is OnStar 8.0 and a complimentary one-year subscription to Safe & Sound, including the Advanced Crash Response System, which provides crash data to emergency services.

• Standard antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability system
• Standard side curtain airbags for all rows
• Optional backup camera with display in rearview mirror or navigation screen
• Optional blind-zone alert system
• Optional Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist