The Chevrolet Suburban is one of the oldest nameplates in the automotive world, remaining a staple of the lineup since 1935, and it is the largest SUV in the brand's extensive portfolio. Just a few years ago, the 12th-generation Suburban debuted, and for the 2025 model year, the big sport utility gets significant updates in style, features, and technology.
Photo: Perry Stern
While the Chevrolet Suburban was all new in 2021, it gets some significant updates for the 2025 model year, including:
Chevrolet offers the 2025 Suburban in six trim levels: LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premier, and High Country. Rear-wheel drive (2WD) is standard on all except for the Z71, which comes exclusively with four-wheel drive (4WD). Prices range from around $64,000 to around $87,000, including the destination charge.
JD Power previously published a review of the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban Premier. This review focuses on the Suburban's updates for 2025 and how they potentially impact its overall consumer appeal.
For this 2025 Suburban review, Chevrolet provided a test vehicle equipped with RST trim, 4WD, and the following options:
The test vehicle's price was $86,980, including the $1,995 destination charge to ship the SUV to your local dealership from the Chevrolet assembly plant in Arlington, Texas.
Styling changes for the 2025 Chevrolet Suburban are subtle, and most shoppers are unlikely to notice the differences. The revised grille and front fascia give the Suburban a crisper look, while new LED daytime running lights feature a slim light below the hood line and the familiar C-shaped lights below. Headlights move down, framed by the lower running lights.
The Suburban’s rear gets a cleaner look with a bar spanning the width of the liftgate, connecting the restyled LED taillights. My RST test vehicle also featured quad exhaust pipes for a powerful look. The new 24-inch wheels complete the bold new look and are available for the first time on the RST and High Country trims.
Photo: Perry Stern
While the exterior updates may be subtle, one look inside the cabin of the Suburban and it's clear this is a significant update from the previous version. At the forefront is the standard 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen that flows smoothly into the updated 11-inch digital driver display. The large center screen angles toward the driver for better visibility, but it's still accessible from the passenger side.
The lower dashboard and vast reduction in physical controls give the Suburban's cabin a fresh, modern look. The gear selector moves from the dashboard to a stalk on the steering column, freeing up space, and the revised steering wheel gets more intuitive controls.
A redesigned center console creates new storage spaces and puts the wireless charging pad within easy reach of the driver. There's still plenty of room in the storage bin beneath the center armrest, and the optional power-sliding console reveals a hidden compartment ideal for securing smaller items.
Overall, materials have a more premium vibe, and higher trims have more soft-touch surfaces. The RST I drove featured new Victory Red stitching, adding some pizazz to the interior style. At the same time, the top-level 2025 High Country is the first Suburban to use authentic wood décor, nicely matched with the perforated leather seat trim.
As one of the largest SUVs on the market, the Suburban continues to provide a roomy cabin with comfortable, spacious seating in all three rows of seats. Front seats are available with heat and ventilation, and seating heat is also available for second-row passengers. The Suburban makes good use of its extensive space with its ability to carry up to eight passengers while simultaneously providing an impressive 41.5 cubic feet of cargo space.
The Chevrolet Suburban features a Google-based infotainment system, as it has since 2022, and the new 17.7-inch display screen makes this intuitive system even better. The added real estate makes the display easy to read, with large icons on the main screen. A configurable Home screen lets the driver choose the most commonly used features and put them front and center.
Climate functions are in a dedicated lower section of the infotainment screen, with some redundancy in the physical controls below. Cabin temperature is adjustable via the touchscreen or knobs, and fan speed is selectable in both locations as well. The redundancy seems somewhat unnecessary. However, I like the physical controls, which are easier to use without looking away from the road.
Google Maps is the default navigation system, while the voice interface uses one of the best natural-voice systems available—Google Assistant. Logging in to your account makes it easy to share destinations among devices and provides access to the Google Play Store to install additional features like Waze or Spotify. Still, I found it simpler to connect my Galaxy S23+ via Bluetooth and run Android Auto. Apple CarPlay is also standard with a wireless connection.
Further enhancing the driving experience is the new 11-inch digital driver's display. The bright screen does not need a hood, adding to the open design and improving driver visibility. It's also clear and easy to configure with various layouts, including a full-screen navigation map.
I put the speedometer in the center with fuel economy on the right and my audio selection on the left. When routing to a destination, the right component automatically shows the next driving direction.
Not only does the Suburban offer plenty of space for people and cargo, but it can also tow up to 8,200 pounds. For the 2025 model year, Suburban enhances its towing technology to make the experience safer and less stressful. Already available with an integrated brake controller, hitch view, and blind-spot steering assist with trailering, the updated Suburban offers a range of new features.
Trailer Tire Health monitors the life of the trailer tires and provides overspeed warnings, while the surround-view camera shows the estimated trailer's path based on its width and length to avoid cutting corners too close. There's also a new Boat Ramp Assist feature with step-by-step instructions for launching and retrieving the boat to help prevent becoming a viral video.
Photo: Perry Stern
While some of its rivals have stepped away from the big V8 engine in favor of more efficient turbocharged V6s, the Chevrolet Suburban hasn't made that move. Two V8s are available, and my Suburban RST test vehicle came with the larger 6.2-liter variant, putting out a plentiful 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Chevrolet also offers the Suburban with an upgraded diesel engine with 305 hp and 495 pound-feet of torque—a significant bump from the previous version.
The Suburban excels at many things, but fuel economy is not its forte. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the 2025 Chevrolet Suburban 4WD with the 6.2-liter V8 engine gets 16 mpg combined. Surprisingly, the fuel-economy estimates remain unchanged for the 2WD version. During my standard drive loop in the Suburban RST 4WD, the trip computer indicated 15.8 mpg.
It may be one of the largest non-commercial vehicles on the road, but the Suburban gets moving quickly off the line. The big V8 delivers smooth power via its 10-speed automatic transmission, and the throttle is easy to manage, avoiding upsetting what could be half a dozen people sitting behind you.
The ride is comfortable when cruising on the freeway, although there is a bit of road noise at higher speeds. Chevrolet offers the Suburban with Super Cruise, its advanced hands-free driver-assistance system, but my test vehicle was not so equipped. That said, the standard adaptive cruise control worked well, maintaining consistent speed and distance from the car ahead.
Thanks to the adaptive air suspension, the Suburban handles better than expected from a vehicle that weighs almost three tons. Steering delivers good feedback, and body lean is minimal in the corners. However, with the 24-inch wheels, the ride became rather bumpy on rough pavement and gravel roads.
Not surprisingly, testing a vehicle in Southeast Michigan in February often includes snowy roads, and this drive was no exception. With the Suburban's 4WD system set to Automatic, the big SUV had no issues taking a snowy trek through the woods, providing good traction and a confident ride.
Photo: Perry Stern
With its expansive cargo area, spacious, upscale cabin, and impressive utility, the 2025 Chevrolet Suburban stands out amongst the small group of full-size SUVs. The new technology and refreshed cabin for the 2025 model year make the Suburban an even better choice. However, the all-new Ford Expedition Max will surely challenge the big Chevrolet. And don’t forget about the GMC Yukon, which was also updated for 2025. But after almost 100 years on the market, the Suburban should hold its own in this competitive full-size SUV market.
Perry Stern has worked in the automotive industry for over 30 years and has always been a car enthusiast. Driving almost every new car on the market, Perry has written for multiple publications in addition to his work for JDPower.com. Recently relocated to southeast Michigan, Perry is still crazy about cars, especially his 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
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