Future 2020 Suburban Prototype Spied Undergoing Testing
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Feast your eyes on the first sighting of the upcoming 2020 Suburban from GM’s Chevrolet marque. Photographed for the first time undergoing testing, the prototype’s vast amounts of cladding can’t hide its gargantuan proportions. Notably, the prototype seen here appears to be using a shorter wheelbase than the body allows, as seen by the rear wheel being very close to the forward edge of the wheel well.
The future Suburban will represent the 12th generation of the industry’s longest-running nameplate. It will ride on the new GM T1 platform introduced by the 2019 Silverado and 2019 Sierra, and will therefore benefit from all of the improvements made to that architecture, including a longer wheelbase, significantly lighter weight, new powertrains and heaps of new technology.
Notably, it’s also possible that the 2020 Suburban will feature an independent rear suspension, a notable and significant departure from the current model’s solid rear axle. An all-new, future Chevy Tahoe will also be derived from the new Suburban as a shorter variant for the 2020 model year (more on the 2020 Tahoe).
The Suburban is the undisputed best-seller in the extended-length full-size SUV segment, enabling it to be a lucrative driver of revenue and profit for Chevrolet and parent General Motors. Hence, it would make sense for Chevy to pull out all the stops for the all-new Suburban so as to give existing owners a reason to upgrade to the new model, lure in new customers in an SUV-hungry market, while fending off Ford and its all-new Expedition – which is showing success during its launch.
Expect to see the 2020 Suburban make its global debut in the first half of 2019, and go on sale later that year as a 2020 model.
About Chevrolet Suburban
The Chevrolet Suburban is a full-size Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). It is currently Chevrolet’s biggest SUV, slotting above the regular-length and also full-size Chevrolet Tahoe. Essentially, the Suburban is the extended-length Tahoe.
The current model was introduced for the 2015 model year and represents the 11th generation of the Suburban nameplate. The model rides on the GMT-K2 platform shared with the Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon and Yukon XL as well as the Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV.
The 2018 Chevy Suburban represents the fourth model year of the eleventh-generation Suburban. The vehicle remains highly competitive in its segment and the 2018 model year brings various improvements, most notably the Suburban RST (Rally Sport Truck) appearance package.
The 2019 Chevy Suburban represents the 11th generation Suburban, and offers up a new exterior color, a new Premier badge on the tailgate, and new color availability for the Suburban RST as well as the introduction of the Suburban RST Performance Package.
The Chevrolet Suburban is built at the GM Arlington factory in Texas operated by GM USA.
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I love the truck like proportions, I prefer the square box look over the curvier round designs. I can’t wait for all three to be shown.
I just hope caddy introduces a v-sport model with that new engine from the get go rather then a mid cycle refresh
You can tell in the last photo its gonna be bigger. Look at how close the rear wheel is to the fender haha
I think it’s testing with a modified body from a current gen.
So the next generation wheelbase is slightly shorter. By an inch or so judging from the way the back wheels are spaced in the fender.
Will GM wise up and offer a diesel in it?
I have my fingers crossed.
2020 All new Cadillac Escalade SUV in 2019.
This is the turning point of the war now those fired fanboys can shut up about their finally new Navigator.
Hopefully it doesn’t have those ugly front air dams like the current gen.
I think it has a solid rear axle.
It would be great if they can get close enough to the 2010 Suburban prototype and listen to the sound it makes, to determine whether Chevrolet engineers might use the new L3B 2.7L DOHC-4v 4-cyl turbo in the next generation Suburban also.
This is clearly a mule. The rear part of the body doesn’t line up right with the rest of the body, or the rear wheel. With the exception of the far less common 2500 models, which had leaf springs, the GM SUV’s have had a 4 link, with a pan-hard bar and coil springs, for almost 20 years now; since the intro of the GMT-800 Tahoe/Yukon/Suburban for MY 2000.
Near as I can tell from recollection and Google, 1500 series Surburbans haven’t rode on leafs since at least 1970. And just from what I remember and have seen RWD C series trucks and Surburbans had coil springs and trailing arms since the mid 60s.
The GMT400’s had leafs, ending in 99/2000 for the Burban / Tahoe.
But yeah, it’s been a while. I imagine all that stuff in the back is to hide that it’s IRS.
Upon more research you are correct. From 1973-1999 GM went backward with the rear suspension design to leafs on all suburban models. Interesting, because in the 60s 2wd models had rear suspensions similar to, but not as refined and well located as the GMT800 to present full-size SUVs.
That said I rode in a few late 70s and 80s Suburbans growing up, and the rode very well, even with archaic leaf springs.
The Suburban does not ride on leaf springs. It hasn’t rode on leaf springs in over 20 years. It rides on a 4 link rear suspension with coil springs.
Anyone think we’ll get a chance to purchase the 2020 Suburban or Tahoe with the new Duramax 3.0 liter diesel?
I would bet that the 3.0L inline 6 turbodiesel will find its way into the next gen half ton and one ton Suburban.
The current Suburban is long enough as is. How much longer does it have to be? It will stomp a mud-hole in the Expedition MAX regardless.
From what I read it just says longer wheelbase. Perhaps they did what the pickups did. Increased the wheelbase by about 4 inches and increase the interior room but the overall length increased just over an inch.
I’d expect a roomier second row seat and longer rear doors, similar to the new Silverado Crew Cabs.
Clearly now IRS, but trying to hide it. Awesome, will be much better for interior packaging
Wonder if this could be an Escalade mule?
I read a while back about GM developing a chassis that can support different suspension types.
Sure looks like a Chevy Suburban though.
I thought it kinda looks like it has the new silverado front grille…… in a good way
Interesting how the article says the suburban is basically a longer tahoe. The tahoe made it’s introduction around 1995, the suburban has been around since about 1935. So I’m pretty sure a tahoe is essentially a shortened suburban…just sayin.
The proportions between wheelbase and body length are off, the rear wheels don’t line up with the hole. Does that mean the body is growing or shrinking? It would make more sense that it was mostly old body on new shorter wheelbase, and not stretched new body on new suspension mounted in the wrong spot on the body.
I guess we wait to find out.
With the pickup trucks having many components shared with these full sized SUVs, the roll out for these new models will will take less time to go into production than the pickups.
I remember the current generation were at dealers within 3-4 months after the Detroit auto show.
We should see the full reveal late this year, LA Auto show, or in January.
Holy crap its got IRS! That RV style broom piece is trying really hard to hide it, but you can make out the LCA in a couple of the shots. I won’t be disappointed if these look like the Silverado. I always liked the GMT-800 and older Burb/Tahoe because they looked like the trucks.
Damn. You are right. I see that too.
The new full sized Chevy SUVs are IFS. Hopefully that doesn’t negatively impact ride quality or towing. They have done so well with that in the past.
Bring back the 2500 version please. I know, GM still builds it but it is for fleet buyers only. Let everyone in on it!
The current HD model is the 3500HD… and arguably offers little benefits to the normal user:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/chevrolet/suburban/2018-chevrolet-suburban/2018-chevrolet-suburban-lineup-trim-levels-pricing/2018-chevrolet-suburban-3500hd/
There has been reports that the secret to General Motors weight savings to the skeletal design of their vehicles has been with AI (Artificial Intelligence); GM has given the AI software system a breakdown of available materials and then the AI software engineers what is the optimum design to cut weight without losing structural integrity which has been demonstrated by how the new GM vehicles have passed all crash tests despite weighing hundreds of pounds lighter, further the AI software system uses a 3D printing system to develop a proof of concept of what the structural components should look like.
I am deeply thankful, that their will be a 2020 Chevrolet Suburban, and Tahoe, and they will
continue to be ‘body on frame’ Trucks, and not Crossover type Unibody vehicles ?
Thank you General Motors, for Listening To your Customers…Very much appreciated.
As for power offerings…I’m sure they will offer multiple choices, from their new modes
of technology available, in order to stay on top, to pull far ahead of the alleged competition.
It’s going to be fun to watch…It will also be interesting to see if buyers, go for the huge discounts, on the left over 2019 models, or go the the extra $$ for the new and improved
Editions, for 2020??
As for us, who are loyal, and content GM/Chevy owners, I hope the don’t change the front
end look, to much…and that they will offer the 2020, in the Premier trim with the 6.2 V-8, along with Borla Exhaust option , and a Chrome grille…and LED headlights please.
Thanks much for keeping all of us, up to speed on the Latest and Greaest from Chevy ?
I just shared your 2020 Suburban / Tahoe Good News, with my Mrs, and we are in total
Agreement, that we would lean towards the Tahoe Premier, as our children are grown,
married, and have families of their own…and yes, the shorter fits nicer in our 23 foot deep
Garage, looks sportier, but more than gets whatever job is needed, done beautifully, and
It is just us, and our puppies…Plus, we have a Silverado for heavy stuff ? and an Impala
Premier for, getting together with friends.