2005 Chevy Suburban Base Walkaround & Interior

2005 has brought a couple of exterior changes. Most people probably won't even notice that the running boards, or assist steps, have been redesigned for better aerodynamics and, says Chevrolet, better durability.

But we will miss the side-by-side cargo doors that are no longer available at the rear. GM says they didn't sell very well, but we found them useful when pulling trailers because they would usually clear the trailer tongue jack. They also made it easier to control a dog while opening them. Nonetheless, for 2005, all Suburbans come with the one-piece rear hatch with separately opening glass that most families prefer. The hatch is lightweight and can be opened with one hand. It comes with a window wiper/washer, and the one-piece window affords the driver a good view rearward.

A puddle lamp mounted below the LT's side mirrors shines down to light up the perimeter. It can be turned on using the keyless remote. That's a nice feature when approaching the Suburban in a dark parking garage, as it illuminates underneath the vehicle. It can also be used in the backwoods to spot mud puddles before you step in them or to find things that were dropped or placed around the vehicle. We found them useful one night when we dropped our keys while climbing out of the vehicle.

The Suburban is 22 inches longer than a Chevy Tahoe. In most respects, it is identical to the more luxurious GMC Yukon XL.

Interior Features
Climbing into a Suburban is a challenge for some. Younger, taller people find it easy. Running boards make it easier for others. The Suburban's step-in height is lower than it was with pre-2000 models, a benefit of the current model's fully boxed frame.

Once inside, the Suburban is roomy and friendly. The optional cloth bucket seats ($1,035) in our LS were okay, but didn't offer as much support as we would have liked. The LT's leather seats seem more supportive, but we think there's room for improvement here. Big and cushy, they are similar to the seats found in all of GM's full-size pickups and SUVs. Owners often disagree with our assessment.

Power-adjustable pedals allow shorter drivers to sit farther back from the steering wheel and farther away from the airbag, reducing the chance of injury should it deploy. Dual-level airbags inflate with less force in less forceful collisions. Sensors in the front passenger seat and seat belts measure the size and weight of the front-seat passenger and disable the airbag for child-size passengers.

The second row is quite comfortable and very roomy. Headphone jacks allow rear-seat passengers to listen to CDs while those up front tune in the radio. Even 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 for fairly long distances. But getting back there requires folding and flipping the second-row seat out of the way, easiest for younger people.

Part of the allure of the Suburban is its ability to haul vast quantities of cargo, and cleverly designed seating maximizes its potential. 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. The one-piece seat can be removed and is mounted on wheels, but it weighs 75 pounds, so removing it is a lot easier with a second person to help. After removing the third-row seat, flip the bottom of the second row forward, fold the seatback down (again, no need to remove the headrests), flip the floor extension down and you're looking at one of the biggest cargo spaces in the world of SUVs. It's nice and flat, so you could stretch out and go to sleep here. (We know. We've done it.) Loading cargo is easy because there's plenty of space for it. The spare tire lives underneath the vehicle, freeing up rear cargo space.