Chevrolet Suburban

The Suburban was around long before the sport utility blitz happened. Back when SUVs were primarily work vehicles, or heavy-duty transporters, and not just status symbols underused on paved roads.

Needless to say, the Suburban has always been capable of performing rugged work. However, it has also changed with the times in order to compete with other, less work-inclined models on the market. It has upped the comfort level to meet this challenge, all the while retaining its core strengths.

The Suburban comes in 1500 and 2500 models.

The standard engine with the 1500 Suburban is a 5.3-litre Vortec V8 model. It will pump out 295 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 330 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. Mated to this pumping heart is a 4-speed electronic automatic transmission. Of course, 2WD and 4WD are both offered.

Available with 1500 Suburbans is the StabiliTrak system. If the system determines that the vehicle is not responding appropriately to the driver’s steering, StabliTrak precisely reduces engine torque and applies precise amounts of pressure to the individual front brakes to slow the vehicle and help bring it back to its intended path.

For owners with two-wheel-drive Suburbans with a locking rear differential, electronic traction assist is offered. It gives the big Suburban the surefootedness of a sedan.

When outfitted for maximum seating capacity (three rows of bench seats), the 2004 Suburban will accommodate nine people. For safety, the Suburban has antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, dual front airbags, the LATCH system for child seats and a tire-pressure monitor.

Two newly designed wheels are available: 16-inch cast aluminum wheels on LS and LT, and 17-inch five-spoke aluminum wheels with 16-inch steel blackwall spare, available on LT models. New tire selections include 17-inch all-season P265/70R17 blackwall tires and 17-inch all-season, P265/70R17white outlined-letter tires.

Uplevel LT models certainly erase any notion that the Suburban isn’t well appointed. Some of the standard features include the OnStar system, a Bose AM/FM radio with in-dash 6-disc CD changer, leather upholstery, heated front seats, automatic climate control and power-adjustable pedals.

2500 SUBURBAN

The Chevy Suburban 2500 series is equipped with such a blend of power, spaciousness, safety features and simplistic style that it’s hard to pass up in the full-size sport utility vehicle category. Perhaps that’s why Chevy calls it the premier full-size SUV on the road today.

Larger than the 1500 series the 2500 series can offer even more strength and seating space than its smaller sibling. Both are known for their impressive workmanlike demeanors, rugged frames and safety features, but the 2500 has the unmistakable charm of excessive interior cabin room.

The Chevrolet Suburban include a tire-pressure monitor and a right front passenger safety belt reminder.

The 2500 Suburban is fitted with a 6.0-liter Vortec V8 engine. It is mated to a 4-speed electronic automatic transmission and can produce 325 horsepower at 4000 rpm and 369 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm.

The Suburban comes in either two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive configurations. Also available is the advanced Quadrasteer system, which turns the rear wheels in the opposite direction as the front wheels at low speeds. This gives the big, bad Suburban impressive tight-turning ability.

If you need more power, it’s there for the taking. An optional 8.1-liter Vortec V8 engine is offered to really cover heavy workdays. It can generate 320 horsepower at 4200 rpm and 445 lb-ft of torque at 3200 rpm.