2019 Chevrolet Suburban Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

In a world where SUVs are getting smaller and Crossovers are starting to rule the road, the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban bucks this trend. This is one large vehicle. The Suburban is a throwback to the huge SUVs that used to be the best-selling vehicles in the U.S.

The Suburban has massive cargo space and can haul up to nine adults with some room to spare. It also offers good off-road capabilities and impressive towing capacity. The size means it may not be right for everyone, but there are still plenty of drivers who would benefit from an old-school, full-sized SUV.

What's New For 2019?

A lot of the interior and exterior styling has remained largely unchanged from the 2018 models. One notable new option is the choice of a 6.2-liter V-8 engine. At 420 hp, this new V-8 ups the previous version by 65 horses. It provides more torque and better towing capacity too. The smaller, 5.3-liter V-8 is still available as an option as well.

A new performance model is available in 2019. The RST Performance Package should satisfy the discerning driver who appreciates a well-tuned machine. A couple of color choices, Havana and Tungsten, are missing this year. Shadow Gray Metallic has been added as a new option.

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2019 Chevrolet Suburban – The Pros

1. A Great New V-8 Engine

New for this year is the 6.2L EcoTec3 V-8 L86 engine. This power plant is capable of cranking out 420 hp at 5600 lb-ft of torque. This engine can be paired with a 10-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic. Sheer power was lacking in years past when the Suburban was compared to other full-sized SUVs. Not so any longer with the addition of this beast of an engine.

2. Good Performance and Handling

You get good performance from the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban even with the base, V-8 engine. This gets you 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. This provides plenty of towing power and good acceleration. Things get even better when you upgrade to the EcoTec3 V-8. This is no sports SUV, but it has what it takes to get a lot of hauling done. Handling isn't exactly nimble with a vehicle of this size, but it is tight and responsive. The new RST Performance Package makes things better still with an upgraded suspension, air cleaner, transmission and more.

3. Massive Cargo Space

This is one of the best reasons to purchase a vehicle of this size. The 2019 Chevrolet Suburban can carry plenty of luggage even with a full load of passengers. This makes it great for camping excursions and long road trips. With the middle and rear sets down, it provides a whopping 121.7 cubic feet of storage space. The powerful engine means it never gets bogged down while carrying such loads either.

4. Plenty of Space for Passengers

It's easy to get six to nine passengers into the Suburban. The rear seats aren't just for small children either. There is a lot of head and leg room that even your tallest of passengers will appreciate. The Suburban is relatively easy to get in and out of too.

5. Lots of Personal Storage Spaces

In addition to cargo and people space, Chevy has packed the Suburban with a lot of thoughtful storage areas. There is an under-floor hidden compartment in the main cargo area to help you keep things organized. There are also a number of small compartments everywhere for small, personal items for the driver and all passengers.

6. A Nice Array of Safety Features

The 2019 Chevrolet Suburban offers a good number of safety features. You get a lane-departure warning. Forward automatic braking and a collision alert are there for you too. Front and rear parking assists help you to safely park this large vehicle. A rear camera makes sure you steer clear of objects, pedestrians and whatever else may be back there. A rear cross-traffic alert keeps you updated on what's going on around you.

7. Good Fuel Economy for its Class and Size

The modern, high-tech engine options do a good job of mitigating any fuel-economy issues large vehicles tend to have. The 2019 Chevrolet Suburban gets a combined fuel-economy rating of 18 mpg. That's specifically 15 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. That's not an economy car, but it is pretty good for this class of larger SUVs.

8. Fantastic Off-Road Capability

The Chevy Suburban is quite the capable off-road performer. This isn't the kind of truck you can tear through a swamp or over a mountain in just for fun, but it can get to where you need it to be in an emergency. It's quite capable for a little off-road exploring on a camping or fishing trip too.

9. Great Towing Ability

This is another category that large SUVs were made for. Not only do you get ample amounts of cargo space in the vehicle, you can hitch a trailer to it as well. It can haul a large load while still providing good performance with its V-8 engines. When properly equipped, the Suburban can tow an impressive 8,100 pounds.

10. A High-Tech Infotainment System

The Suburban's speakers and sound system provide excellent sound quality. This makes for a more pleasant driving experience. Built in WiFi lets you stay connected to your smartphone while driving. You can make calls and perform a number of tasks completely hands free. Chevy's MyLink system provides a high level of customization choices too. The system is also compatible with Apple's CarPlay. A large, touchscreen provides easy-to-see menus and access to the rear cameras.

Reasons Not to Buy a 2019 Chevrolet Suburban – The Cons

1. High Cargo Floor Makes Loading a Chore

Unfortunately, the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban has a cargo floor that's a bit too high. With so much cargo space in the Suburban this almost feels like nitpicking. This isn't a deal breaker, but it does make loading some heavier or awkward cargo a little more difficult than it should have been.

2. Ride Quality Could be Better

The ride quality isn't bad for a vehicle of this type. It's pretty comparable to all of the other SUVs in this class. It's just something to be aware of because it may not be for everyone. The ride quality can get a bit bumpy and is comparable to most full-size trucks.

3. This Vehicle is Huge

This isn't really a criticism of the Suburban in particular. All full-sized SUVs are huge by their very nature. This is just another thing to be aware of if you've never owned a vehicle of this type before. It can be difficult to navigate and park the Suburban. This is one of the reasons that so many drivers are opting for smaller SUVs and Crossovers nowadays. Still, if you have a lot of people and possessions to haul, the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban can get that job done.

4. Gets Expensive With Many Options

This is yet another criticism that really applies to all full-size SUVs and not just to the Chevy Suburban. It may simply be out of the budget for some consumers. It gets especially pricey when you add in a ton of options. It fairs really well in the cost category against its direct competition in this class, though. Still, if you do not need this much towing power and cargo space, a small SUV or Crossover can be had for a lower price.

How the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban Stacks up to the Competition

The Chevy Suburban's main competition comes from the Ford Expedition, Mercedes-Benz GLS-class and the Lincoln Navigator. The Expedition can comfortably seat eight passengers. It has a twin-turbo V-6 engine that cranks out 400 hp. It has a lot to offer, but the Suburban beats it out in horsepower, passenger seats and cargo space.

The Mercedes achieves more horses and offers some fantastic luxury appointments on the interior. It provides some nice safety tech as well. The Suburban gives your rear passengers more head and leg room. It's also friendlier on your wallet at the gas pump too. The Suburban wins out on fuel economy which is important with a vehicle in this class.

The Lincoln Navigator also features a powerful engine and tons of seating and cargo space. Performance, towing ability and safety features are all very close between these two great SUVs. While the Lincoln may slightly edge out the Chevy in a few stats, the Suburban comes in at a much lower base price. This makes the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban a great value.

In Conclusion

There are a few great full-size SUVs still available on the market. The 2019 Chevrolet Suburban is equal to or better than all of them when it comes to the specs that count. The great thing about the Suburban is that it matches the competition in performance and cargo space but often at a much lower base price. This makes the Suburban a great purchase that is hard to beat.