The Suburban looks like an old friend. It was completely redesigned for 2000, which gave it a smoother and more aerodynamic look. Sharp edges were rounded. New headlights gave it a more contemporary appearance. But there was no mistaking the 'burb.Two tailgate configurations are available. A lightweight, one-piece rear hatch similar to those found on compact SUVs is useful for families and can be opened with one hand. Chevrolet lists it as a no-cost option. Our test Suburban came with traditional side-by-side cargo doors, which I like because they open wide and allow a closer working position to the vehicle's storage area. Cargo doors are also useful when pulling trailers because they will usually clear the trailer tongue jack. And I like them because it's easier to control my dog when I open them. The hinges have been re-engineered for a more finished appearance; and they let the doors open wide without having to disconnect the hinges. A puddle lamp mounted below the side mirrors shines down to light up the perimeter of the Suburban. It's a nice feature that can be turned on using the keyless remote when approaching the Suburban in a dark parking garage, as it illuminates underneath the vehicle. It can also be used in the backwoods to help you avoid stepping into mud puddles. Suburban is about 17 inches longer than the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon, and nearly identical to the GMC Yukon XL, which was called the GMC Suburban until last year.
The seating is cleverly designed. The third-row seatback folds down without having to remove the headrests, then the whole thing flips forward to substantially increase cargo capacity. A short prop rod locks it into place. This bench seat can be easily removed as it's mounted on wheels; it weighs 75 pounds, however, so get some help before pulling it out the back end of the Suburban. After removing the third-row seat, flip the seat bottom of the second row forward, fold the seatback down (no need to remove the headrests), flip the floor extension down and you've got a huge, flat cargo space behind the driver's seat. Loading cargo is easy because there's plenty of space for it; lift-over height is lower than that of the Ford Excursion. The spare tire has been moved underneath the vehicle to free up rear cargo space. The optional cloth bucket seats in our LS were okay, but don't offer as much support as I'd like. LT's leather seats seem more supportive. The second row is quite comfortable. Headphone jacks allow rear-seat passengers to listen to CDs while those up front turn on the radio. Sitting in the third row is surprisingly comfortable for an adult; slide your feet under the seat in front of you and you can ride back there fairly long distances. Getting back there requires folding and flipping the seat out of the way. Though my height-challenged mother-in-law found getting into the Suburban a bit of a step up, it isn't a problem for those of standard stature. Step-in height is actually lower than before because of the new fully boxed frame. She liked the running boards, which make getting in easier. |
