As an actor, I envy the Chevrolet Suburban’s Hollywood resume. According to a 2021 Suburban press release, the iconic model had appeared “in more than 1,750 film and TV series” since its first cameo in 1952. That popularity is unsurprising, given that the nameplate’s been around since 1935 and combines the best elements of station-wagon utility with pickup-truck ruggedness.
Today’s Suburban continues that blend of appeal, with the latest technology and safety features, wrapped in an attractive, long wheelbase full-size SUV that delivers the space, practicality, and capability that form the bedrock of satisfaction for families of all sizes, especially large ones.
Photo: Manuel Carrillo III
The Chevrolet Suburban is essentially the extended wheelbase version of the Chevrolet Tahoe full-size SUV. Like its shorter sibling, it can seat up to nine. My Suburban High Country test vehicle, configured with second-row captain’s chairs, could seat seven. Chevy offers the 2026 Suburban in six trim levels: LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premier, and High Country. Base prices range from $65,995 for the LS to $84,995 for the High Country, including the destination charge.
For this 2026 Suburban review, Chevrolet provided a test vehicle equipped with High Country trim, four-wheel drive (4WD), and the following significant options:
The test vehicle’s manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) was $100,785, including the $2,795 destination charge to ship the SUV from the Arlington, Texas, assembly plant to a local dealership. The price does not reflect any current rebates, incentives, or price adjustments since Chevrolet manufactured the test vehicle.
Photo: Manuel Carrillo III
As a full-size SUV, the Suburban is inherently high, making it challenging to enter without whipping out your high-jump technique from high school. I am still spry, so I appreciate that challenge, but with my mother as a passenger at one point, I was happy that Chevrolet equipped the test Suburban with power-retractable assist steps. They are a boon for easing entry if you are in your mid-70s.
Walking up to the behemoth Suburban, I always felt like I was approaching a building. No surprise, there is an embarrassment of riches in space once you are inside, regardless of which of the three rows you are in. Unfortunately, the seats were not as comfortable as the interior space. The driver’s seat bottom felt hard after an hour behind the wheel. I did not experience this in the Tahoe Premier I tested the following week, and I even went on a long road trip with it.
I love the Suburban’s interior design, and with plenty of buttons and knobs, it is easy to control and adjust the various cabin features. The material quality is good, but at least one additional cabin color option would have been nice. My test vehicle’s Mocha interior looked decent, but at this price point, I want greatness all the time. The Mocha only moved me when I saw it in direct sunlight, as in the infotainment system photo below.
The Tahoe Premier I tested the following week had the Sky Cool Gray interior, which looks bright white, and it is sensational. Even with less intricate upholstery at the trim below the High Country, the Tahoe Premier’s interior looked more premium, making me think I was testing a Cadillac Escalade. That never happened behind the Suburban’s wheel, so I think offering a Sky Cool Gray interior option for the High Country would go a long way toward aligning the cabin’s aesthetic with the as-tested price of more than $100,000.
Placing my phone on a wireless charging pad is the exception. The thought of storing objects near me and in sight while I am driving makes me furious. Aside from limited scenarios, like carrying drinks in cupholders, it is sacrilege to me. I know, I am weird. For normal people who like plenty of places to keep their tchotchkes within easy reach, the Suburban’s interior has you covered.
I especially appreciated the Chevy’s large center armrest bin. If I need to stow a small item nearby, there is plenty of room inside to hide it away, which helps keep my neat-freak fury at bay.
As you might expect from such a large vehicle (I still want to call it a building), there is also plenty of space for your large items, with 144.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the back seats folded. Behind the second row, you get 93.8 cubic feet, and the volume behind the third row comes in at 41.5 cubic feet.
Photo: Manuel Carrillo III
The 2026 Chevrolet Suburban comes with a robust set of standard technology, including an 11-inch digital instrument cluster and a 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen with Google Built-in. Other standard tech features include:
My 2026 Suburban High Country test example also included the following upgrades:
Chevy’s standard technology array for the Suburban is generous, but standard wireless smartphone charging would have felt comprehensive for an SUV in this price range. Unfortunately, it is standard on only the top five of the Suburban’s six trims, so value-seeking LS trim lovers are out of luck.
I had low expectations for the Suburban’s available 10-speaker Bose sound system. For such a large vehicle, that is a stingy speaker count, but I was pleasantly surprised by its performance, which I consider to be nipping at the heels of adequate for the SUV’s base price.
This level of Bose should really be the Suburban’s standard system, as it is in the similar GMC Yukon XL. It would be nice if Chevy could also offer an even better array as an option, like the available 22-speaker Bose Performance Series audio in the GMC Yukon (though it is interestingly unavailable in the Yukon XL). At north of $100,000 as tested, nipping at the heels of adequate does not cut it.
However, the Suburban’s infotainment interface does. For the better part of the past decade, navigating GM’s touchscreens has felt as second nature to me as swiping and tapping through Apple CarPlay or my iPhone. Though I prefer Apple CarPlay, I would not feel at a loss with the Suburban’s native interface. The graphics are great, the voice recognition is as astute as Siri’s, and pairing my smartphone wirelessly was a breeze.
Photo: Manuel Carrillo III
Chevrolet equipped my 2026 Suburban High Country test vehicle with the 6.2-liter V8, which produces 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, a nice upgrade over the standard 5.3-liter V8’s 355 hp and 383 pound-feet.
You can also get a 3.0-liter Duramax inline-six turbodiesel, which is the Suburban lineup’s biggest threat to tree stumps with 495 pound-feet of torque and a respectable 305 hp. All the Suburban’s available engines are paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
My test Suburban is rated to tow up to 7,800 pounds. To reach the SUV’s 8,200-pound maximum towing capacity, you must select the 5.3-liter V8 with the Max Trailering package and two-wheel drive.
As configured, my 4WD test SUV was the Suburban lineup’s biggest threat to fossil fuel reserves, with an EPA-estimated 16 mpg in combined driving. I came close during my 155.8 miles of mixed driving, averaging 16.4 mpg.
Simply the thickness and squishy feel of the Suburban’s steering wheel elevate the driving experience, which I found incredibly pleasing overall. I am particularly a fan of grand touring luxury coupes and sports cars, especially when it comes to how they drive. The Suburban has few similarities to those vehicle segments, but it still left me feeling deeply satisfied.
My favorite part of the Suburban’s driving experience is its steering, which feels so car-like. There is a satisfying heft when you turn the wheel, and the precision would not be out of place in a sporty Cadillac sedan. The air suspension provided a smooth glide, though only slightly smoother than the following week’s Tahoe on steel springs. I loved the ride-height adjustability, especially for lifting the SUV at stoplights. It was a fun flex while stopped at intersections.
The sonorous 6.2-liter V8 engine moved my 6,051-pound test Suburban down the boulevard with ease, and the 10-speed automatic shifts smoothly and downshifts without delay. However, smooth starts require a light touch on the throttle. It is too easy to jackrabbit this SUV from a stop, which is the opposite of how the throttle pedal was in the following week’s Tahoe Duramax. I preferred the diesel’s mellower throttle response.
I also preferred the Tahoe’s brake pedal, particularly because I never thought about it. It was calibrated for remarkably predictable, transparent modulation, unlike the Suburban. In my first few seconds of driving it, I almost missed my first stop sign because the brake pedal was so heavy. For about two-tenths of a second, I worried I had encountered brake failure, but I quickly got used to the heft.
As expected, the 3-ton Suburban’s handling is constrained by the laws of physics. I reluctantly wheeled it through a brief stretch of my mountain test loop. The best I can say is that it can negotiate a winding mountain road with confidence, thanks mostly to the terrific steering. But ultimately, in a mountainous setting, a slow cruise to enjoy the scenery is more fun than rushing the edifice through the twisties.
Photo: Manuel Carrillo III
Chevrolet equips the 2026 Suburban with a comprehensive list of standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including:
My test vehicle also included:
Having seen the automotive press sing its praises, I was really looking forward to Super Cruise, but after using it, I found it annoying. Still, it is not a bad form of hands-free driver assistance.
On a 50-mile commute inland from LAX, Super Cruise’s lane centering seemed unsure of where it was placing the Suburban between the lines. This behavior made me nervous, causing more fatigue supervising it than driving the vehicle myself.
I much preferred simply engaging the Suburban’s adaptive cruise control (ACC) and lane keeping assistance (LKA). I found that level of driver assistance more relaxing. LKA stayed out of my way, and the ACC did a fine job, aside from being a little sluggish in adjusting its following distance after a vehicle ahead exited the lane. The Tahoe Premier test vehicle the week after did not have Super Cruise, and I did not mind its absence while enjoying the shorter SUV’s ACC and LKA.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2026 Chevrolet Suburban five out of five stars for overall safety but only three stars for rollover resistance. As of this writing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not published crash test results for Suburbans beyond the 2020 model year.
According to the JD Power 2026 Initial Quality Study (IQS), the Chevrolet Tahoe and Toyota Sequoia rank highest (in a tie) in the Large SUV segment, with the Ford Expedition ranked third.
According to the JD Power 2026 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, the GMC Yukon and Nissan Armada rank highest (in a tie) in the Large SUV segment, with the Chevrolet Suburban ranked third.
Other 2026 Suburban competitors include the Jeep Grand Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer L and Toyota Land Cruiser.
The 2026 Chevrolet Suburban is an excellent choice for an adventurous family that wants to explore in style without being too flashy. It has got space and power to spare, a generous list of standard tech and ADAS, and it is still fun to drive despite its lumbering heft. Though it is worth exploring the competitive advantages of the Ford Expedition Max and the Jeep Grand Wagoneer L, I think the Suburban is the segment’s best all-rounder.
An automotive writer/editor, presenter, and Hollywood actor, Manuel Carrillo III came home from the hospital in a 1977 Porsche 911 S. He's been obsessed with cars ever since. Manuel began his media career on the radio nearly 20 years ago and has worked in automotive journalism since 2012, holding editorial roles at CNET and Capital One Auto Navigator. He also co-hosted MotorTrend's Seduced by Speed, and his work has appeared in Motor1, Robb Report, DUB Magazine, and jdpower.com. He still owns and drives that very 911 S.
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