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The big ol’ Chevy Suburban is all new for 2000. New chassis, new suspension, new styling, new interior and many new mechanical and electronic features.

All new it may be, but the Chevy Suburban is still recognizable at 1,000 yards. The look is similar to the last generation, and the driving style is unmistakable, but Suburban now exhibits a new refinement in form and function.

First off, the ride is noticeably smoother and the seats are more comfortable. The dashboard is better to look at and deal with. Ride and handling have improved, though that’s a relative thing for this behemoth. The styling has been smoothed off and cleaned up, though it’s still no head turner.

Suburban recently lost its crown as biggest sport ute in the universe to bigger, heavier Ford Excursion. But with Suburban’s newfound refinement, the Excursion comes off as kind of a thug. In overall drivability, Suburban runs rings around Excursion, though the Ford has the edge when it comes to brute strength.

There is a more muscular Suburban, the 2500, with a 6-liter engine and greater towing and carrying capacity, more similar in purpose to the Excursion.

A longtime favorite of such big-sky people as Texas ranchers, Suburban in the past decade has turned into a grocery getter, soccer-team carrier and status symbol for middle America.

People own Suburbans (the GMC counterpart is now known as GMC Yukon XL, meaning an extra-length Yukon) for a variety of reasons. With its powerful V-8 and solid chassis, it’s a champ at towing big boats and horse trailers. There’s lots and lots of room inside, with seating for as many as nine and plenty of luggage space behind the third seat.

And people feel safe and secure in this large, heavy object that rides high above traffic. I think the safety factor sells a lot of Suburbans.

The test Suburban was a four-wheel-drive, high-end model with all manner of comfort and convenience extras. Much of the optional equipment came in one big LT package, which costs $11,491 and includes an upgraded stereo, rear air-conditioning, Onstar communication system, leather surfaces, running boards, and heated power side mirrors that shine “puddle lights” on either side when the remote unlock is activated.

The tester also came with an electronic feature called Autoride, which automatically adjusts the shock-absorber damping according to road surface, explaining the test Suburban’s fine ride.

I’m still a bit mystified about the whole Suburban thing. It’s a great big truck, and no amount of chassis development or electronic suspension will make it any less so. It’s boring to drive, requiring many compromises because of its size and weight.

No real complaints about the new version, though. General Motors did a nice job updating this beast, though it could have gone a bit further in freshening the styling. The GMC trucks, including Sierra pickup and Yukon, got a better face lift.

2000 Chevrolet Suburban

Vehicle type: Eight-passenger, four-door sport-utility vehicle, rear/four-wheel drive.
Base price: $28,627.
Price as tested: $42,450.
Engine: 5.3-liter V-8, 285 hp at 5,200 rpm, 325 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm.
Transmission: 4-speed automatic.
Curb weight: 4,914 pounds.
Wheelbase: 130 inches.
EPA mileage: 14 city, 16 highway.
Highs: Newfound refinement. Towing, carrying capacity. Comfortable, roomy interior.
Lows: Restyling too bland. Mediocre gas mileage. It’s just plain too big.