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SAN FRANCISCO — The Chevy Suburban is a big ol’ hunk, but it’s the perfect vehicle for swallowing six adults and their carry-on bags for a long weekend.

That’s precisely what I did with one recently, and although the hybrid-driving folks in the Bay Area stared at us as if our very presence was endangering the planet, the Suburban was the four-wheeled equivalent of a five-star accommodation.

The 2007 Suburban is a long-wheelbase version of the redesigned Chevy Tahoe. Designers and engineers have worked to add more power, better fuel economy, a refined interior and a more precise driving feel. I give them high marks all around, with one exception. The fuel economy is rated at 15 miles per gallon in the city and 20 on the highway, but with our load I averaged 14.5 for mixed highway and freeway driving. That’s not great, but it’s hard to expect much more given the circumstances.

A major goal of the redesign was to reduce noise. Sound-deadening components are used in the headliner, door seals and firewall. The engine gets a special cover and noise-reducing alternator.

A stiffer frame reduces vibrations and enables the suspension to be more compliant. GM’s StabiliTrak vehicle stability control system is standard, and it is designed to help mitigate rollovers. Side-curtain airbags with rollover protection are optional.

Refinement shows up in various ways. First, the styling is clean and crisp. Four-millimeter shut lines and body seams are on par with those of luxury cars. Chrome trim is used in small, tasteful doses. Reclining the windshield reduces aerodynamic drag, lowers wind noise and improves fuel economy. Seventeen-inch wheels are standard and 20-inch wheels are optional. Anti-lock, four-wheel disc brakes are standard as well.

The Suburban’s 130-inch wheelbase creates room for three rows of seats plus a decent stash of luggage. The third seat, divided by a hard center section and cup holders, is not the most accommodating place for adults, although one of our group seemed to enjoy riding there so much he always claimed it first. Tight legroom being what it was, the others preferred to ride three across on the second seat rather than pretzel-twist into the third seat.

The test vehicle was equipped with more than $11,000 in options that added greatly to its comfort and convenience. They included remote vehicle start, heated front and rear seats, rear parking assist, a navigation system and a rear-seat DVD system with an 8-inch LCD screen and backup video camera. Power adjustable pedals, rain-sensing wipers and a tire-pressure monitoring system were also handy.

The power liftgate made it easy to load and unload luggage.

Inside, the Suburban is as plush as any luxury car. The leather seats are soft and comfortable. The layout and design of the radio and climate control is simple and clean. Large knobs have a quality feel that was missing in previous models.

The 5.3-liter V-8 has 320 horses, but it shuts down four cylinders in cruising situations and offers the best-in-segment fuel economy with a combined city/highway mileage of 21.3 miles per gallon for a two-wheel-drive model. Unlike Cadillac’s V-8-6-4 engine in 1981, this system works seamlessly to turn cylinders on and off without the slightest hiccup.

This engine felt a bit light on pulling power when we tackled some of San Francisco’s steep city streets with six on board. An all-aluminum, 6.0-liter V-8 with active fuel management and variable valve timing will be available before long.

It’s a shame that a diesel engine isn’t available because diesels use less fuel and have plenty of muscle for towing.

Price

The base price of the test vehicle was $39,665. Options included leather seats, heated front and rear seats, power adjustable pedals, Bose AM/FM/stereo with XM satellite radio, side-curtain airbags, 20-inch wheels, rear park assist, power liftgate, navigation system with backup camera, 4.10 rear axle ratio and towing package. The sticker price was $52,030.

Warranty

Three years or 36,000 miles with a five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.