2010 Chevrolet Suburban Cranston RI

TheCarConnection.com's editors have driven the latest Chevrolet Suburban , and this road test is written from their firsthand driving impressions. Editors have compared the Suburban to similar full-size SUVs from Ford and Toyota to help you decide which vehicle is right for you. TheCarConnection.com's editors also compiled a full review that summarizes opinions from other Web sites for a comprehensive look at the Suburban, inside and out.

Likes
Strong V-8 acceleration
Controlled ride
Towing capability
Roomy seats in first and second rows

Dislikes
Difficult to maneuver in town
Third-row seats are tough to access
Step-in height can be a challenge

The 2010 Chevrolet Suburban is one of the largest sport-utility vehicles on the market-as large as its near-identical twin, the GMC Yukon XL , and related to the glitzier Cadillac Escalade ESV . Compared to the smaller Chevy Tahoe, the Suburban has 20 inches more overall length and a wheelbase 14 inches longer. Available with a single engine size and a single transmission for 2010, the Suburban 1500 has a base price of more than $40,000. It competes directly with the Ford Expedition , GMC Yukon XL , Nissan Armada , and Toyota Sequoia . (This review by TheCarConnection.com covers only the half-ton 1500 model; TCC does not review heavy-duty commercial trucks like the Suburban 2500.)

The long, tall, and wide Chevy Suburban is styled about as you'd expect. For a big box, it's tastefully rendered, with a nice balance between glass and sheetmetal, some subtle fender flares, and curves around the corners of its windows. The Chevy front-end treatment isn't quite as successful as that of the GMC Yukon XL , but it's clean and not as imposing as it could be. In all, the Suburban is far less clunky-looking than it was in its last generation-and it's among the best-looking full-sized utes, particularly when compared to the ungainly Toyota Sequoia and the exaggerated Nissan Armada . With slightly different interiors in five-passenger and six-passenger versions, the Suburban blends plastics and wood grain into a friendly, airy cabin with straightforward gauges and intuitive controls. The most expensive versions have a wood-grain-trimmed, chrome-detailed interior that could have been lifted from a premium sedan.

The Suburban engine lineup is simplified for the 2010 model year. All Suburban 1500s use a 320-horsepower, 5.3-liter V-8 for motivation, and they team the power to standard rear-drive or optional four-wheel drive through a six-speed automatic transmission. The engine is flex-fuel capable and comes with cylinder deactivation, which turns off cylinders when full power isn't needed. The V-8 is powerful and smooth, and can deliver fuel economy as high as an estimated 14/20 mpg. The powertrain isn't really taxed by ordinary passenger duty, and it can tow up to 8,100 pounds. The obvious drawbacks to its size come with handling.

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