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2010 Chevrolet Suburban 1500

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Overview

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2010 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

The most stylish Suburban to date soldiers on for 2010 with a host of technological and creature comfort upgrades. The Suburban hauls more passengers and cargo than anything in its segment, a fact not overlooked by those who need such convenience or capability. Cousin to the GMC Yukon XL and Chevrolet's own Avalanche SUV/pickup, the Suburban is also related to the shorter full-size Tahoe sport-utility. The 2010 Chevrolet Suburban can be had with two- or four-wheel drive, and in regular 1500 or heavy-duty 2500 models. Depending upon the model, a variety of V8 engines are available, from a 5.3-liter Flex-Fuel V8 on 1500 models to a 352-horsepower, 6.0-liter Flex-Fuel V8 on the 2500 versions.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're a fan of big passenger-carrying wagons, and can cope with the operating costs, SUVs don't get much bigger than a Suburban. Boat and trailer owners in particular gravitate toward Suburbans, which offer up to 8,100-pounds towing capacity (or 9,600 pounds for the two-wheel-drive 2500 series).

You May Not Like This Car If...

Unless you really need this much passenger- and cargo-hauling capability, a smaller vehicle, such as the GMC Acadia, might be a better choice – especially if gasoline prices continue to fluctuate.

What's New for 2010

For 2010, the 6.0-liter V8 now features variable valve timing and is E85 Flex-Fuel compatible. A USB port is added on all models, while the Z71 off-road suspension can now be ordered with the 1LT package. A single-speed transfer case is made standard on four-wheel-drive models; a two-speed transfer case is optional.

Driving the Suburban 1500

Driving Impressions Refinement, though markedly improved, shines less brightly in Suburbans than in shorter-length GM trucks. With four-wheel drive and the 6.0-liter V8, GM's latest automatic transmission is a vast improvement over...

previous units, which sometimes seemed to shift a little abruptly. Despite an abundance of sound deadening materials, there is noticeable engine noise under harder acceleration. However, ride comfort is considerably more appealing; it's pleasantly absorbent and cushiony on smooth surfaces and copes reasonably well with bumps. Acceleration is vigorous from a standstill, if less so to pass or merge. The Suburban feels more truck-like than smaller SUVs and, on the expressway, it behaves admirably.

Favorite Features

Active Fuel Management Technology
Chevrolet is one of several automakers offering V8 engines that can automatically switch to four-cylinder operation as a fuel-saving measure, and it's a welcome feature. Considering the propensity of big SUVs to guzzle gasoline, every little bit of technology that reduces consumption is a bonus.

Power-operated Running Boards
Sure, they might tap you in the shin if you're standing too close, but the Suburban's optional power running boards are wide enough to really help passengers who might have trouble climbing aboard.

2010 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 Details

Interior

There is more passenger space and improved seating comfort compared to previous generation Suburbans, along with greater overall refinement – including enclosing the "close-outs" around seat bottoms for a cleaner appearance. Rear-seat passengers get increased shoulder room, and the driver benefits from a lower instrument panel that helps increase front-seat space. Two-tone color schemes use softer, low-gloss materials for the instrument panel. The third-row seat is removable, and a power-release fold-and-tumble second-row seat is available.

Exterior

At 222.4 inches overall on a 130-inch wheelbase, the Suburban is undeniably a biggie. With body-on-frame construction, it's clearly a truck – though fancier in appearance than many cargo haulers. Improved aerodynamics are credited to a more sleekly-angled windshield and tighter body-gap tolerances, while a bulging power-dome hood adds to visceral appeal. Prominent fenders have integrated wheel flares, and the lower fascia displays a skid-plate look to enhance the rugged aura. Standard 17-inch wheels can be replaced by 20-inchers.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Three trim levels are available: LS, LT and LTZ, with three sub-divisions of the LT level (1LT, 2LT and 3LT), and with either two- or four-wheel drive. Standard LS equipment includes daytime running lights, head-curtain side airbags, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, GM's OnStar emergency and communications system, side steps, split-bench front seat, cloth upholstery, heated power mirrors and remote keyless entry. The 1LT adds tri-zone automatic air conditioning, Bose nine-speaker audio, power adjustable pedals, remote start, ultrasonic rear park assist and a heavy duty rear locking differential. Additional equipment on the LTZ includes Autoride suspension, heated and cooled front-row and heated second-row seats, power-release folding second-row seats, a power liftgate and 20-inch wheels.

Optional Equipment

The Z71 Off-Road option includes larger recovery-hook openings, more prominent foglamps, platinum chrome grille trim and on-road/off-road tires on 18-inch wheels. Power articulated running boards automatically move downward and outward as the doors open. Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist is available, or the optional rearview camera displays the view behind the vehicle. The optional DVD-based rear-seat entertainment system features an eight-inch screen and in-dash loading. Also optional is the 6.0-liter V8 engine and a touch-screen navigation system, and, for vehicles not equipped with a navigation screen, a rearview camera display included in the rearview mirror. Side Blind Alert is available, but only on the LTZ trim.

Under the Hood

With two-wheel drive, the Suburban 1500 has a standard iron-block 5.3-liter V8 engine that produces 310 horsepower. Four-wheel-drive models get a standard all-aluminum V8 also rated at 310 horsepower. Suburban 2500 models contain an iron-block 6.0-liter V8 that generates 352 horsepower. All three engines feature Active Fuel Management technology are E85-compatible.

5.3-liter V8
310 horsepower @ 5200 rpm
335 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/20 (2WD)

5.3-liter V8 Flex-Fuel
310 horsepower @ 5200 rpm
335 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/20 (2WD, gasoline), 10/15 (2WD, E85), N/A (4WD, gasoline), N/A (4WD, E85)

6.0-liter V8
352 horsepower @ 5400 rpm
382 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4300 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

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2010 Chevrolet Suburban Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

4.5

Out of 5

Based on 208 Ratings for the 2007 - 2012 Chevrolet Suburban models.

Review this car

Value

4.3/5

Quality

4.4/5
Reliability

4.5/5

Performance

4.6/5
Comfort

4.8/5

Styling

4.7/5

Disappointed in quality of control systems

By Listo (TX) on Monday, February 13, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 105,000

5 1.0

overall rating 1 of 5rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/5
Value: Not Rated
Reliability: Not Rated
Quality: Not Rated
Performance: Not Rated
Styling: Not Rated
Comfort: Not Rated

Pros: "Engine is bullit proof"

Cons: "Poor door lock actuators and air condition control"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"Very poor air conditioning controls and door lock actuators. Expect to spend $1,000.00 plus yearly on these two items alone."

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Great family car

By laffinlove (CA) on Thursday, February 09, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 31,500

5 4.0

overall rating 4 of 5rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 4/5
Value: 4/5
Reliability: 5/5
Quality: 4/5
Performance: 4/5
Styling: 4/5
Comfort: 4/5

Pros: "Tows great and gets great gas mileage considering"

Cons: "3rd row middle seat belt"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"We love our suburban, there is only 1 thing I wish was different and that is the 3rd row seat belt for the middle passenger. The latch system is constantly falling down and it gets lost in it's pouch. The kids can't get it out so I have to climb back there and get it. I think if the latch had a stiff body (kind of how the old ones were encased in plastic) to hold it up and not cave in when the buckle trying to be inserted there would not be a problem anymore. Fortunately for us we don't use the rear middle often but this is something we have to adjust every time we do use it."

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