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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2013 Chevrolet Suburban 2500

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Overview

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2013 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

KBB Expert Rating: 7.6

The Chevrolet Suburban traces its roots to 1935, and 78 years later, this full-size SUV proudly claims its status as the oldest continuous nameplate in automotive history. While drivers' preferences have changed and gas prices have steadily climbed over the years, there are still families and fleets that yearn for or even require a massive, fuel-thirsty sport utility vehicle that can easily haul people and cargo. In those respects, the Chevy Suburban for 2013 and its twin, the GMC Yukon XL, are among the rare SUVs that can be configured to carry up to nine passengers and tow well over 9,000 pounds. Available in half-ton (1500) and heavy-duty (2500) three-quarter-ton models, the Suburban comes in trims that range from the basic to amenity-laden.

You'll Like This Car If...

The Suburban has long earned its stripes as an SUV that can carry lots of people and haul lots of stuff. The 2013 Chevy Suburban continues that mission while offering a rugged image and many creature comforts.

You May Not Like This Car If...

There's no hiding it: The Suburban is big and thirsty. At over 18 feet long it's no joy to park, and fuel economy is dismal, from a high of 21 mpg to a low of 10 mpg. If you don't need to tow massive loads, consider a Chevy Traverse, which has a better ride and higher fuel economy.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

7.6
Driving Dynamics

6.5
Comfort & Convenience

7.5
Design: Interior & Exterior

6.9
Value

7.3
Safety

7.9

How It Ranks

#24

out of 25

MPG

#3

out of 26

Horsepower

View all rankings

Consumer Rating

8.7 out of 10

View all
consumer ratings

2013 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 Low/wide front photo

What's New for 2013

The 2013 Suburban carries over with minimal changes. Aside from new exterior color choices, the biggest new feature is that powertrain grade braking, previously used only in tow/haul mode, now works in normal transmission mode. The feature slows the vehicle on steep descents using engine torque, which can reduce brake wear.

Driving the Suburban 2500

2013 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 Front angle view photo

Driving Impressions Although the Chevy Suburban is built on a truck frame that's intended to pull or carry heavy loads, the big SUV offers a relatively comfortable ride around town and on...

the highway. Bumps and road imperfections are not exactly blunted, but the Chevy's suspension does an admirable job absorbing them. Both V8 engines offered do a capable job of getting this SUV up to speed, and the Suburban's 6-speed automatic transmission is smooth. More powertrain noise makes its way into the cabin than some drivers may prefer. Due to its sheer length, the 2013 Suburban requires care when maneuvering, especially in tight spots such as parking lots. If you plan to park this vehicle in your garage, make sure its footprint will be accommodated in the space available.

Favorite Features

ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT
Both V8 engines offered in the 2013 Suburban can deactivate four cylinders during light-load driving conditions such as cruising on a flat highway. Doing this conserves some fuel and cuts emissions. When full power is needed, the cylinders are reactivated almost instantaneously.

ADJUSTABLE PEDALS
No matter your leg length, it's easier to find a good fit behind the wheel thanks to the power-adjustable floor pedals. The feature is standard on LT and LTZ trims and available as an option in the base LS trim.

2013 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 Details

2013 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

The Suburban is one of the relatively few new vehicles that can still be had with a 3-passenger bench seat up front. Combined with two other rows of 3-person benches, the Suburban can comfortably carry up to nine people. Alternatively, it can be had with pairs of front- and second-row bucket seats, allowing for greater comfort of two people in each row. Fold-and-tumble second-row seats make for easier access to the third-row seats, which can split and fold in a 50/50 fashion. Cargo room is enormous, and even with the third-row seats up, there is over 45 cubic feet of space. Up front, the 2013 Suburban is conservative yet attractive, though base LS versions still have far too many plastic bits.

Exterior

The 2013 Suburban looks much the same as it has for decades: like a giant metal rectangle on wheels. A visual definition of utility, the big Chevy's boxy shape stands in contrast to the curves, waves and wild angles adorning other people-movers. Dress one of these – and yourself – in black, and some might suspect you're part of a secretive government agency. Up front is a big, 2-bar honeycomb grille with the Chevy bow-tie icon sandwiched between. The broad sides are highlighted by three boxes of windows and prominent wheel arches. Rear-wheel-drive versions have 8.9 inches of ground clearance, and 4-wheel-drive versions sit a bit higher, with 9.2 inches of clearance.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2013 Chevy Suburban 1500 comes in three trims: LS, LT and top-of-the-line LTZ. (The 2500 three-quarter-ton models come in LS and LT trims.) Rear-wheel drive is standard, with 4-wheel drive an option. Base LS versions are equipped with tri-zone air conditioning, cruise control, Bluetooth, AM/FM/CD player with USB port, 17-inch wheels, and six months of complimentary service to OnStar Directions & Connections plan. Stepping up to the LTZ trim brings much more, including leather seats, heated and cooled front seats, Autoride suspension, locking rear differential, blind-spot monitoring system, rearview camera, rear parking assist, 20-inch wheels, and upgraded Bose audio system with 7-inch touch screen and 30-gig hard drive.

Optional Equipment

Add-ons and extras for the 2013 Suburban include power sunroof, rear DVD entertainment system with two sets of wireless headphones, Z71 off-road appearance package, 2-speed transfer case, rearview camera and parking assist for lower trims, engine block heater, heavy-duty trailering package, 22-inch wheels, retractable side steps, and third-row DVD screen.

Under the Hood

2013 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 Engine photo

The 2013 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 half-ton SUV has a 5.3-liter V8 that delivers 320 horsepower. The heavy-duty Suburban 2500 three-quarter-ton SUV packs a bigger punch with its 352-horsepower 6.0-liter V8. Both engines run on regular unleaded or E85 ethanol blend and feature Chevy's Active Fuel Management system, which cuts power from eight to four cylinders under light-load situations. Both engines are connected to a 6-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission.

5.3-liter V8
320 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm
335 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/21 mpg

6.0-liter V8
352 horsepower @ 5,400 rpm
382 lb-ft of torque @ 4,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 10/16 mpg (2WD), 10/15 mpg (4WD)

Pricing Notes

The 2013 Chevy Suburban 1500 has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting just over $43,500 for a base LS model. A top-line, 4-wheel-drive LTZ model with options can reach over $65,000. Three-quarter-ton 2500 models add roughly $1,200 to the price. At these prices, the 2013 Suburban is in line with big SUVs such as the Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada, and Toyota Sequoia. Be sure to check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to see what other buyers in your area are paying for the 2013 Suburban. Down the road, the Suburban's resale value is expected to be marginal, similar to the Ford Expedition and Nissan Armada, and trailing the Toyota Sequoia.

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2013 Chevrolet Suburban Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.7

Out of 10

Based on 214 Ratings for the 2007 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

8.8/10

Quality

8.8/10
Reliability

9.0/10

Performance

9.1/10
Comfort

9.3/10

Styling

9.2/10

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Suburban

By MJ (OH) on Friday, December 14, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 45,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 7/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Reliable, comfortable +++, Safety features"

Cons: "Pricey, big to park, fuel."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"This is a luxury car. Extremely comfortable with nearly every imaginable comfort, "bell and whistle". The "flex fuel" option allows me to have averaged 16.4 mpg...I drive about 15 country miles back and forth to work each day and then a bunch of "around town" stuff...nto bad for this size vehicle. We also travel 12+ hrs with two little ones on a regular basis to visit family. It is very comfortable for us all, and we can fit a TON of stuff in there (this does not help me control my over-packing tendencies...lol). I could not imagine being any happier with a car. I have the White diamond exterior paint...gorgeos! The color is what I couldn't resist...but I now love the rest of it just as much. This also handles very well in snow, and mud...the heated seats are heavenly and it actually cools pretty quickly in the summer despite the amount of space that needs cooling. Downside: It is a little drifty in high winds (like 40+mph....we live in a VERY flat part of the midwest). It does cost a fair amount of money to fill the tank."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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There's Nothing 'Sub' In This Suburban

By Nostromo (NJ) on Tuesday, November 06, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 2,350

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "All Of The Comforts Of Home"

Cons: "It does consume fuel; just so you know."

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

"Circumstances found me requiring a vehicle larger than my 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ. This time, instead of selling to a relative, I traded up for the 2013 7-seat configuration Chevrolet Suburban LTZ. I chose this well-optioned Suburban for its enhanced carrying capacity, luxuriously appointed interior and refined road manners. I was able to take 6 people, including myself, and all of our gear to the New Jersey shore for several days of surf fishing recently. This, of course, was prior to Hurricane Sandy walloping New Jersey with a fury not seen in decades. We left for home two days prior to the hurricane's arrival and as the seas began to churn. The structural integrity of the Suburban LTZ is unsurpassed and bespeaks a vehicle of more compact dimensions. I feel comfortable in tight spaces in much the same manner as with backing-in to a parking spot with my former vehicle, the Tahoe. Outward vision's very good and a Side Blind Zone Alert system embedded in both side view mirrors notifies the driver of vehicles/objects which may be out of the driver's peripheral view. The rear-view camera is a tremendous aid in backing-up and an intuitive grid, which reflects the direction of travel, is displayed on the Navigation/Video screen to alert the driver to obstacles and represents the path of the rear end of the Suburban while in-motion. I like that feature as it allows the driver to 'square-up' the flanks of the vehicle relative to painted lines in a parking lot and/or vehicles on either side. This feature alone can make a good driver a better driver. I enjoy feeling pampered while driving my new Suburban. Comfortable heated and cooled front seats, adjustable control pedals, heated steering wheel and a top-flight Bose audio/video system are conveniences that I relate to whether settling in for a long trip or going out for dinner with friends; I like to tell them that I'm willing to drive. I have not detected a squeak, rattle in over 2000 miles of driving so far. There's a lean, taut feel to this 2013 Suburban that I favor. At highway speeds wind noise is minimal and even at that the audio automatically compensates for it in raising the volume commensurate with increased speed. The 2013 Chevrolet Suburban LTZ represents the pinnacle of this body style's development. The paint on my vehicle is flawless, the body panel fit is precise and flush at the seams where the doors, roof and curved fascias meet. The stance of the Suburban is purposeful even when the vehicle is not in motion and I've received many compliments on my choice which is fine though humbling. You can do a lot with this vehicle and configure the seats so that you can haul/move just about everything. I ask; What's not to like?"

9 people out of 10 found this review helpful

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