2007 Chevrolet Suburban Preview Big Enough for the Kitchen Sink

[91 s-10baja]

2007 Chevrolet Suburban Preview
Big Enough for the Kitchen Sink
Chevrolet's long-standing (and just plain long) Suburban SUV gets a much-needed makeover for 2007, adding power, sophistication and features.
Originally published 08/23/2006
Written by Jim Gorzelany


Following on the heels of the standard Chevrolet Tahoe sibling's redesign, the extended-length Suburban is all new for 2007. As before, it’s a clone of the GMC Yukon XL and the flashier Cadillac Escalade ESV.
The new Suburban is offered in three trim levels — SLE, SLT and the well-equipped LTZ — in rear- and four-wheel-drive versions. While it remains a large and rectangular-shaped vehicle, with what appear to be only relatively minor exterior styling changes, the Suburban manages to bring several key enhancements to the table, including added power and increased fuel economy.
The previous generation’s 320-hp 5.3-liter V8 engine continues but now includes GM’s Active Fuel Management technology, in which half of the engine’s cylinders are deactivated during low-stress driving. The EPA’s fuel-economy estimate for RWD Suburbans is 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway and for 4WD models, 15 mpg city/20 mpg highway, which is several mpg better than before and is on par with many V6-powered midsize models.

+ click to enlarge | view gallery > Of particular note if you live in the Corn Belt, a Flex-Fuel E85 version, which is capable of running on E85 ethanol fuel or a mixture of E85 and gasoline, comes standard on 4WD models and is available on RWD models. Ethanol is a renewable fuel made from corn husks and other vegetable waste. Flex-Fuel Suburbans are less efficient when running on E85, with EPA-estimated fuel economy of 12 mpg to 13 mpg city/16 mpg to 17 mpg highway.
Heavy-duty three-quarter-ton models (designated "2500," as opposed to "1500" for half-ton versions) offer a 350-hp 6.0-liter V8 that produces a strong 360 pound-feet of torque for extreme towing and hauling duties. Later in the production run, a new all-aluminum 6.0-liter V8 will be available that produces 355 hp and includes Active Fuel Management.
Unfortunately, the 5.3-liter and 6.0-liter engines remain saddled with the carryover four-speed automatic transmission; the similar Yukon XL, meanwhile, offers a six-speed automatic with the 6.2-liter V8 in the Denali version that is light-years ahead in terms of technology.
The Suburban rides on an all-new chassis with a fully boxed frame that’s stiffer than before for added refinement with reduced noise, vibration and harshness. A wider track and a lowered center of gravity contribute to enhanced on-road stability, while a revised suspension provides a compliant ride and more-precise handling qualities.
The LTZ adds the otherwise optional Autoride suspension in which electronically controlled shock absorbers make nearly instantaneous adjustments in stiffness according to changing road and driving conditions to help maintain a smooth and controlled ride at all times. GM’s StabiliTrak stability control system is standard across the line for added on-road command; here it newly incorporates rollover mitigation technology that can deploy the vehicle’s head-curtain airbags before a crash occurs if it determines a rollover is imminent.

+ click to enlarge | view gallery > A nicely resculpted two-tone interior is crafted from higher-quality materials than before, with redesigned seats that offer greater fore and aft travel to accommodate long-legged riders in the front or second row. The instrument panel is positioned lower for easier visibility.
A third-row seat is standard; depending on the seating configuration, the Suburban can accommodate as many as nine passengers. With the second-row seats folded flat and the third row removed, the vehicle boasts a mammoth maximum cargo capacity of 137.4 cubic feet.
The Suburban comes fairly well-equipped, even in its base version. Optional features include a power liftgate, heated front and second-row seats, power-release second-row fold-and-tumble seat, power-adjustable pedals, rain-sensing wipers, remote start, rear parking assist and a Bose premium audio system with XM satellite radio compatibility.
An optional Z71 Off-Road Package (available in late 2006) offers upgraded 18-inch wheels and tires, larger tow hook openings on the front bumper, more prominent fog lamps and a unique front grille treatment.

http://www.forbesautos.com/reviews/2...n/preview.html

[69Firebird400]

Originally Posted by 91 s-10baja

An optional Z71 Off-Road Package (available in late 2006) offers upgraded 18-inch wheels and tires, larger tow hook openings on the front bumper, more prominent fog lamps and a unique front grille treatment.

I can't wait to see the Z71 Suburban/Tahoe. Those were my favorite model of the last generation, and I think they'll alleviate any criticisms that the GMT-900s don't have enough ground clearance. It would be especially sweet if they could allocate enough six speed automatics and 6.2 liter Denali engines for the Chevy Z71s. It's disappointing that you can get the big engine and new transmission in a Cadillac and GMC, but not at all in any Chevy right now.

[GM_Fanatic]

Any guesses on what the "unique front grille treatment" will be on the Z71?

[ChrisNJ]

It said ' the 6.0 in the 2500 can handle extreem towing duty' my arse. the old one w/8.1 did, rated to 12,500#'s with torque of 450. sorry but I also own a 6.0 and while its rated almost the same at 12K#'s in my pick-up, your heart starts beating fast with it at 5K rpm up a hill for 5 minutes, then the temp starts rising, heart beats even faster, kids start whining, engine is screaming bloody murder. not so with the 8.1, calm cool and collect. this is with a 9K # trailer.

[hunchman]

....."The previous generation’s 320-hp 5.3-liter V8 engine continues but now includes GM’s Active Fuel Management technology, in which half of the engine’s cylinders are deactivated during low-stress driving. The EPA’s fuel-economy estimate for RWD Suburbans is 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway and for 4WD models, 15 mpg city/20 mpg highway, which is several mpg better than before and is on par with many V6-powered midsize models."
I really hope this is true

[Highlander]

Originally Posted by 91 s-10baja

2007 Chevrolet Suburban Preview



[font=arial, sans-serif]...
The new Suburban is offered in three trim levels — SLE, SLT and the well-equipped LTZ — in rear- and four-wheel-drive versions.

I know the LTZ is a Chevy trim level, but aren't the other trim levels LS and LT as usual with Chevy?? I think he has some GMC trim level names tossed in there my mistake???

[69Firebird400]

Originally Posted by GM_Fanatic

Any guesses on what the "unique front grille treatment" will be on the Z71?

Assuming that this photo is legit, this is supposed to be what it looks like. But I'd like to see a higher-res than this:

It looks like you posted early in the original thread about this:
Z71 Tahoe,Suburban,Avalanche, pics & content

Originally Posted by Highlander

I know the LTZ is a Chevy trim level, but aren't the other trim levels LS and LT as usual with Chevy?? I think he has some GMC trim level names tossed in there my mistake???

Yeah, looks like they messed that up. Chevy is LS, LT, LTZ for now.

[TahoeMikeZ71]

Originally Posted by GM_Fanatic

Any guesses on what the "unique front grille treatment" will be on the Z71?

A chrome grille like on the All new Silverado Z71.

[TahoeMikeZ71]

Originally Posted by Highlander

I know the LTZ is a Chevy trim level, but aren't the other trim levels LS and LT as usual with Chevy?? I think he has some GMC trim level names tossed in there my mistake???

Yeah, they mixed it up with the Yukon XL trim levels. It's LS, LT (LT1/LT2/LT3), and the LTZ model. With the Z71 coming pretty soon.

[Steel4ring]

Looking forward to the 6 spd tranny. When the 6spd tranny comes I will trade in my 2005 Burb.

[Steel4ring]

Originally Posted by hunchman

....."The previous generation’s 320-hp 5.3-liter V8 engine continues but now includes GM’s Active Fuel Management technology, in which half of the engine’s cylinders are deactivated during low-stress driving. The EPA’s fuel-economy estimate for RWD Suburbans is 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway and for 4WD models, 15 mpg city/20 mpg highway, which is several mpg better than before and is on par with many V6-powered midsize models."
I really hope this is true

I think this is very close. For instance, my 2005 Suburban gets between 17-19 MPG on the highway depending how hard I am pushing. We get 13-15 MPG around town.

So I don't see those numbers as being too far off for the 2007 version. When the 6spd tranny comes out I bet you could expect another 1-2 MPG more in these trucks.

[GMFreak8]

Originally Posted by ChrisNJ

It said ' the 6.0 in the 2500 can handle extreem towing duty' my arse. the old one w/8.1 did, rated to 12,500#'s with torque of 450. sorry but I also own a 6.0 and while its rated almost the same at 12K#'s in my pick-up, your heart starts beating fast with it at 5K rpm up a hill for 5 minutes, then the temp starts rising, heart beats even faster, kids start whining, engine is screaming bloody murder. not so with the 8.1, calm cool and collect. this is with a 9K # trailer.

I don't believe the 6.0 in the suburban is even rated to tow a 9,000 pound trailer. It might be rated close to 12,000 in a truck, but a suburban is completely different. If you knew you were going to be towing a 9,000 pound trailer, you should have gotten the 8.1 to begin with...

I'm perfectly happy with the 6.0 in my Suburban 2500, of course the trailer that I used to pull was only rated at 6,500 pounds.....

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by ChrisNJ

It said ' the 6.0 in the 2500 can handle extreem towing duty' my arse. the old one w/8.1 did, rated to 12,500#'s with torque of 450. sorry but I also own a 6.0 and while its rated almost the same at 12K#'s in my pick-up, your heart starts beating fast with it at 5K rpm up a hill for 5 minutes, then the temp starts rising, heart beats even faster, kids start whining, engine is screaming bloody murder. not so with the 8.1, calm cool and collect. this is with a 9K # trailer.

http://media.gm.com/us/powertrain/en...g%20trans.html
http://media.gm.com/us/powertrain/en.../07truck06.htm

If you look at the dyno plots for GM's truck V8s, it definitely substantiates what you're saying. The 8.1 has not, as far as I know, been updated in a long time but it still gets more than 400 pound feet of torque right off idle. Even the supercharged Northstar in the STS-V and the LS7 can't match it down low.

Of course, the Duramax is better. I'm surprised that's not available with the Suburban.

[ChrisNJ]

GMfreak8, yes your right. I do own an 8.1 in a burb and it now handles the towing duties. my 6.0 was bought in a 2500LD that said it was good to 12K w/4:10's. Please don't misunderstand me, I like my 6.0 alot, it is the best pick-up i've owned, but when compared to the 8.1 for towing duties, it suffers. I SHOULD have bought the HD w/the 8.1 in my pick-up too, BUT the HD was sooo much taller than my current 2500LD that I would have had a hard time loading dirtbikes every weekend. Soo I was compromising, and at the time, thought the 12K rating would be fine, and if I never got the 8.1 would have never known the difference. Then I got the burb 8.1, and in hindsight I should have bought the 8.1L in the 2500HD. Mileage difference is like 1-2 MPG between them. freinds have bought small engines in pick-up's to tow 5-6K# trailers WISHING they would get good mpg not towing, it hasn't worked. example dodge 4.7? v8, gets 10-12mpg city, my burb with twice the engine get 10-12. My 6.0 get 12-14, not enough difference to NOT buy the 8.1. and for 340 days year it comes off the lights like a muscle car!

[GMFreak8]

Originally Posted by ChrisNJ

GMfreak8, yes your right. I do own an 8.1 in a burb and it now handles the towing duties. my 6.0 was bought in a 2500LD that said it was good to 12K w/4:10's. Please don't misunderstand me, I like my 6.0 alot, it is the best pick-up i've owned, but when compared to the 8.1 for towing duties, it suffers. I SHOULD have bought the HD w/the 8.1 in my pick-up too, BUT the HD was sooo much taller than my current 2500LD that I would have had a hard time loading dirtbikes every weekend. Soo I was compromising, and at the time, thought the 12K rating would be fine, and if I never got the 8.1 would have never known the difference. Then I got the burb 8.1, and in hindsight I should have bought the 8.1L in the 2500HD. Mileage difference is like 1-2 MPG between them. freinds have bought small engines in pick-up's to tow 5-6K# trailers WISHING they would get good mpg not towing, it hasn't worked. example dodge 4.7? v8, gets 10-12mpg city, my burb with twice the engine get 10-12. My 6.0 get 12-14, not enough difference to NOT buy the 8.1. and for 340 days year it comes off the lights like a muscle car!

Yeah, i forgot about the 4.10 rearend, also.

I would have loved to get a 8.1, but none around when I was ready to buy, and I didn't feel like waiting weeks for one. The 6.0 suits me just fine though.