Chevrolet Suburban

The Chevrolet Suburban is a full-size SUV marketed globally by General Motors. In production since the 1935 model year, the Suburban is the longest-running automotive nameplate in the world.

First Generation

The first-generation Chevrolet Suburban was introduced for the 1935 model year, and served as the successor to the Chevrolet Master. Offered by General Motors as a “Carryall” – or a vehicle with a station wagon body on the chassis of a truck – the first-gen Suburban was designed to haul an entire family and their gear. To that end, the full-size SUV could accommodate up to eight occupants at a time.

Despite sharing the front sheet metal and frames with Chevrolet’s half-ton pickup trucks, the Suburban featured an all-metal body reminiscent to those of contemporary station wagons.

Only a single powerplant choice was available, including:

Production of the first-gen Suburban lasted until the 1940 model year and took place at various facilities across North America, including:

• GM Baltimore plant in Maryland
• GM Buffalo plant in New York
• GM Leeds plant in Missouri
• GM Oakland plant in California
• GM North Tarrytown plant in New York
• GM Flint plant in Michigan
• GM Norwood plant in Ohio
• GM St. Louis plant in Missouri
• GM Oshawa plant in Canada

Second Generation

The second-generation Chevrolet Suburban entered production for the 1941 model year, and was temporarily discontinued following the 1942 model year with the onset of WWII. Over the course of the Second World War, General Motors manufactured a variant of the second-gen Suburban as a military transport vehicle. After a hiatus lasting several years, the consumer-spec Suburban returned for the 1946 model year.

Once again, only one powerplant option was offered, including:

A three-speed manual was offered.

Production of the second-gen Suburban ended after the 1946 model year and took place at various facilities across North America, including:

• GM Lakewood plant in Georgia
• GM Leeds plant in Missouri
• GM Oakland plant in California
• GM St. Louis plant in Missouri
• GM Flint plant in Michigan
• GM Norwood plant in Ohio
• GM North Tarrytown plant in New York
• GM Oshawa plant in Canada

Third Generation

The third-generation Chevrolet Suburban was introduced for the 1947 model year, and was the last Suburban generation to feature “canopy express” models.

In an attempt to make the interior easier to access, the front bench seat was split, with two seats on the driver’s side and a single seat on the passenger’s side. This allowed the bench to slide forward and allow for access to the rear two rows of seats, which were also designed in a similar manner.

An interesting piece worth noting is that the design of the Chevrolet HHR was inspired from the third-generation Suburban.

Two powerplant choices were available, including:

There were a number of transmission options offered, including a three-speed manual, four-speed manual and four-speed automatic.

Production of the third-gen Suburban lasted until halfway through the 1955 model year and took place at various facilities across North America, including:

• GM Baltimore plant in Maryland
• GM Janesville plant in Wisconsin
• GM Leeds plant in Missouri
• GM Norwood plant in Ohio
• GM Oakland plant in California
• GM St. Louis plant in Missouri
• GM North Tarrytown plant in New York
• GM Van Nuys plant in California

Fourth Generation

Introduced for the second half of the 1955 model year, the fourth-generation Chevrolet Suburban featured updated engineering and styling that General Motors coined as Chevrolet Task Force. To this end, all trucks – and subsequently the Suburban – received a flatter hood, flush front fenders, and a trapezoid front grille. However, the V-shaped speedometer found in the full-size SUV was shared with Bow Tie passenger vehicles.

Powerplant choices expanded to offer V8 engines with the fourth-gen Suburban:

Transmission options included a three-speed manual, four-speed manual, and four-speed automatic.

Interestingly, the Suburban nameplate was used on GMC 100 Series pickup trucks from 1955 to 1959. Named the Suburban Pickup, this was the last time the Suburban name was used on a half-ton pickup truck. Production numbers of this unique vehicle are thought to be less than 300 units total.

Production of the fourth-gen Suburban lasted until the 1959 model year and took place at various facilities across North America, including:

• GM Baltimore plant in Maryland
• GM Janesville plant in Wisconsin
• GM Lakewood plant in Georgia
• GM Leeds plant in Missouri
• GM Norwood plant in Ohio
• GM Oakland plant in California
• GM Van Nuys plant in California
• GM Willow Run plant in Michigan (1958 – 1959)

Fifth Generation

The fifth-generation Chevrolet Suburban was introduced for the 1960 model year, and featured styling cues taken from other Chevrolet products of the time period – including large oval ports above the grille and a wrap-around front windshield.

The fifth-gen Suburban received several notable features for the new generation, including an independent front suspension setup for RWD models and an available factory-equipped 4WD system.

Powerplant choices consisted of several I6 and V8 engines, including:

It’s worth noting that General Motors introduced a five-door variant of the fifth-gen Suburban for the Brazilian market. Eventually named the Veraneio – or Portuguese for “summertime” – this version of the full-size SUV was available in the South American country until the 1989 model year.

Production of the fifth-gen Suburban last until the 1966 model year and took place at various facilities across North America, including:

• GM Baltimore plant in Maryland
• GM Flint plant in Michigan
• GM Fremont plant in California
• GM Janesville plant in Wisconsin
• GM Lakewood plant in Georgia
• GM Leeds plant in Missouri
• GM Oakland plant in California (1960 – 1964)
• St. Louis plant in Missouri
• GM North Tarrytown plant in New York
• GM São Caetano do Sul plant in Brazil (Chevrolet Veraneio)

Sixth Generation

The sixth-generation Chevrolet Suburban was introduced for the 1967 model year, and saw its wheelbase grow to 127 inches. For the first time, a 3/4-ton Suburban model was offered, while a single driver-side door and passenger-side front and rear door configuration was unique to this generation.

The sixth-gen Suburban received various noteworthy pieces of tech throughout its tenure, including front disc brakes, an optional tilting steering wheel when equipped with an automatic transmission, and a redesigned rear-seat air conditioning system.

Powerplant choices included a wide range of I6s and V8s, including:

Transmission options included a three-speed manual, four-speed manual, and an automatic.

It’s worth noting that sales of the Suburban exploded during this generation in line with rapid growth of the recreational vehicle market. More specifically, General Motors went from selling 6,200 units in 1967 to 27,000 by 1972.

Production of the sixth-generation Suburban lasted until the 1972 model year and took place at various facilities across North America, including:

• GM Flint plant in Michigan
• GM Fremont plant in California
• GM St. Louis plant in Missouri
• GM Oshawa plant in Canada

Seventh Generation

The seventh-generation Chevrolet Suburban was introduced for the 1973 model year, and moved to the Rounded-Line C/K platform. Growing only slightly from the prior generation, much of the seventh-gen Suburban was shared with the C/K crew cab pickup trucks.

Offered in both 1/2-ton and 3/4-ton variants, this generation of Suburban offered seating for up to nine occupants at a time. Marketed by General Motors as a station wagon based on a truck chassis, the seventh-gen Suburban received a substantial revision for the 1981 model year that keep the styling consistent with the C/K trucks.

Powerplant choices included a wide range of I6s and V8s, including:

Transmission options included a three-speed manual, a four-speed manual, two three-speed automatics, and two four-speed automatics.

It’s worth noting that General Motors rebranded the C/K Series as the R/V series for the 1987 model year. Notable updates with the redesignation include standard electronic fuel injection, exterior styling changes, and the inclusion of technologies like ABS.

Production of the seventh-generation Suburban took place at the GM Flint plant in Michigan and the GM São Caetano do Sul in Brazil, and lasted until the 1991 model year.

Eighth Generation

The eight-generation Chevrolet Suburban was introduced for the 1992 model year, and followed the C/K trucks to the GMT400 platform. This generation of Suburban is notable for the inclusion of an independent front suspension setup, where RWD models featured coil springs and 4WD models featured torsion bars. A live axle and leaf spring setup was used in the rear suspension for all models.

Starting in 1994, General Motors began making annual changes to the Chevrolet Suburban lineup, including a refreshed front fascia in ’94, updated interior in ’95, and revised powertrain in ’96 and ’97.

Powerplant choices included a wide range of V8s, including:

Transmission options included two four-speed automatic transmissions.

It’s worth noting that General Motors imported right-hand-drive Suburban models to Australian under the Holden brandname from 1998 to 2001. Interestingly, due to the swap from a left-hand-drive market, Australian-spec Suburban units utilized a dashboard adopted from the Chevy Blazer.

Production of the eighth-generation Suburban took place at the GM Janesville plant in Wisconsin and the GM Silao plant in Mexico, and lasted until the 1999 model year.

Ninth Generation

The ninth-generation Chevrolet Suburban debuted for the 2000 model year, and was available in both light-duty 1500 and heavy-duty 2500 configurations. Based on the GMT800 platform, this generation of the Suburban received a complete overhaul over the preceding model, including softer, more aerodynamic styling elements and an interior overhaul.

There were a few notable features for this generation of Chevrolet’s full-size SUV, including four-wheel disc brakes, available rear self-leveling suspension, and an available electronic climate control system.

For the 2003 model year, the Chevrolet Suburban received a mid-cycle refresh. This revision included new safety features, new radio system, a redesigned instrument cluster, and a updated steering wheel, as well as minor electrical and powertrain revisions.

There were a number of powerplant options available, including:

Transmission options consisted of various four-speed automatics.

Production of the ninth-generation Suburban took place at the GM Arlington plant in Texas, the GM Janesville plant in Wisconsin, and the GM Silao plant in Mexico, and lasted until the 2006 model year.

Tenth Generation

The tenth-generation Chevrolet Suburban launched for the 2007 model year, and featured a more modern and rounded styling with a focus on aerodynamics. Aside from the doors, the tenth-gen Suburban shared no exterior parts with the Chevrolet Silverado. In addition, the interior was significantly redesigned.

Riding on the GMT900 platform, light-duty 1500 and heavy-duty 2500 configurations were once again available. However, the 2500 model was discontinued following the 2013 model year.

There was quite a wide array of V8 powerplant choices offered across both 1500 and 2500 models, including:

Transmission options included two four-speed automatics and two six-speed automatics.

Production of the tenth-generation Suburban took place at the GM Arlington plant in Texas, the GM Janesville plant in Wisconsin, and the GM Silao plant in Mexico, and lasted until the 2014 model year.

Eleventh Generation

The eleventh-generation Chevrolet Suburban debuted for the 2015 model year, and featured an increased emphasis in aerodynamics and efficiency. Just like the tenth-gen models, this Suburban didn’t share exterior pieces or lighting elements with the full-size pickup it was based on. On the interior, passenger space was increased, and fold-flat second- and third-row seats were now equipped as standard.

Riding on the GM K2 platform, the eleventh-gen Suburban offered an HD variant once again. Eventually designated as the Suburban 3500 HD, this police-only model boasted various upgrades for law enforcement, including a unique powertrain, machined aluminum wheels, high-capacity air cleaner, external engine oil cooler, and more. This model was available from the 2016 to 2019 model years.

General Motors never gave the eleventh-gen Suburban a mid-cycle refresh, but did introduce a few updates every year of production.

There were a few powerplant options available, including:

Transmission options included a six-speed automatic and 10-speed automatic.

Production of the eleventh-generation Suburban took place exclusively at the GM Arlington plant in Texas, and lasted until the 2020 model year.

Twelfth Generation

The twelfth-generation Chevrolet Suburban was introduced for the 2021 model year, and adopted a more curvaceous design that followed the Chevrolet Silverado’s design language, although it still featured notable differences from the full-size pickup truck. Interestingly, the launch of the twelfth-gen Suburban was delayed due to problems related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Based on the GM T1 platform, there were two significant additions to the twelfth-gen Suburban, including an all-new independent rear multilink suspension setup with coil springs. In contrast to a live axle and leaf spring setup, this new design allowed for an improved ride quality, increased cargo area, and more room for second- and third-rowing seating. Secondly, the interior was throughly overhauled to feature a standard 10.25-inch infotainment screen, along with a driver-centered steering wheel.

For the 2025 model year, General Motors introduced a mid-cycle refresh for the full-size SUV that featured a new exterior design, fresh interior, wealth of new tech goodies, and an updated powertrain lineup.

Speaking of which, the twelfth-gen Suburban was offered with an I6 engine option for the first time since seventh-generation, as well as two V8s:

A 10-speed automatic was the sole transmission offering.

Production of the twelfth-generation Suburban once again took place exclusively at the GM Arlington plant in Texas, and is currently ongoing.

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