The Chevrolet Suburban is truly one vehicle that keeps its promises. It’s an SUV that can haul the family, lug cargo around and even head off-road. The Suburban has always captured a unique American appeal so many in the United States love.
Car and Driver traced the SUV’s social history and looked back on how the Suburban came to life. It began in 1935 when Chevrolet offered the “Carryall Suburban.” The Suburban remains the longest-running nameplate in all of automotive history to this day 83 years later.
When released, the Carryall Suburban was a $675 truck-based wagon, but Chevrolet made the body out of steel, not wood. Thus, Chevy’s first SUV of sorts boasted an enclosed cabin, and as the brand added features, buyers continued to flock to the Suburban.
Today, the Suburban and Tahoe hold some of the highest loyalty figures in the industry. Per General Motors, 75 percent of buyers who intend to purchase another full-size SUV purchase another Chevy Tahoe or Suburban. And with the 2019 Silverado here, a 12th-generation Suburban and Tahoe aren’t far off.
Comments
Great Grandpa Suburban!
Well, you’d have to be a great-grandfather to remember the first Suburban.
Maybe if you saw the first Suburban as new, but I am not even a “grandpa” and I remember seeing and riding in several old (pre-1940) vehicles. And at classic auto shows, you see them also as good as then, too.
We had a 2018 rental black LT Suburban for the weekend and overall really liked it. It was a very smooth and quiet cruiser but fuel economy was not it’s strong point with an average MPG of only 14.8 combined. In all fairness it was still cold outside with Winter blend fuel so that probably cost a few MPG. The 5.3 V8 and 3.08 rear axle gave adequate performance but noticeably slower than the last Tahoe we rented with the same setup. This vehicle would have surely benefitted with a 10 speed and an additional 30 horses.
We rented one this year. Liked the size, liked the look, kids liked the Wi-Fi. The Android carplay kept acting up. (Could be my phone) and ride quality I thought was really bad. My wife hated it.
Loved the Suburbans I have had. My first back in 66′ was a two tone Black & Green 51′ with a granny 4-speed with a newer 61′ 250 ” engine. That truck was hard to stick and performed well for many years until replaced by a 69′ in 1978, That Sub was a hotrod with the 4-barrel V8 and dual-pipes and 4-speed. In 1983′ I opted for a new one with 4-WD. Great performing rig that served as a daily material hauler for my construction crews and on weekends hauling race cars and serving as comfortable ski bus to the slopes for my friends and I. During ski season I would put Town & Country studded tires on all four corners and never had an issue with traction up the steep hills or on the Hwy.
The 83′ was sold after I took delivery of my new 88′ Extra-cab 2500 which is still giving service today after 30-years, though, I have to put in a new distributor today after 225,000 miles. The pulse coil failed and it is getting slightly to much clearance so opted for a new one rather then rebuild.