Photo: Chevrolet
Body-on-frame SUVs have gotten a lot more comfortable and smarter for the 2021 model year. General Motors encapsulates this evolution perfectly now that all body-on-frame SUVs in its lineup feature rear independent suspension and better tires from a decade ago.
Car & Driver has recently put the Chevrolet Suburban to the test, and as you already know from the title, the family-sized utility vehicle needed 166 feet (50.6 meters) of runway to brake from 70 miles per hour (113 kilometers per hour). “That’s better than smaller, nimbler cars – including the Mazda3 - and it’s only six feet (1.8 meters) off the mark set by the Audi RS 6 Avant.”
For reference, the 2016 Cadillac Escalade needed more than 200 feet (61 feet) and a two-decade-old Chevrolet Tahoe recorded 248 feet (76 meters). General Motors is adamant that “better stopping distances are related to improvements in a variety of systems,” including the IRS and rubber boots mentioned in the opening paragraph. But that’s only half the story.
The 'Burban tested by C&D is equipped with magnetorheological adaptive dampers, better known as Magnetic Ride Control, and this option isn’t available on competing SUVs. This damping technology helps a lot with body control, especially in the twisties where composure is of the essence.
Another highlight is eBoost, a brake-by-wire system that reacts quicker than a traditional setup. Bear in mind, however, that the rotors and calipers will get hot if you abuse the brake pedal. During the cited publication’s routine of six stops from 70 mph, “the Suburban flashed a warning that the brakes are getting too hot and then set a check engine light before the test’s end.”
As of January 1st, 2021, the largest utility vehicle from the Golden Bowtie starts at $51,700, excluding destination charge, for the rear-wheel-drive specification. 4WD adds $3,000 to the tally, and the 3.0-liter Duramax straight-six turbo diesel is a $995 option over the standard 5.3-liter V8 engine.
For reference, the 2016 Cadillac Escalade needed more than 200 feet (61 feet) and a two-decade-old Chevrolet Tahoe recorded 248 feet (76 meters). General Motors is adamant that “better stopping distances are related to improvements in a variety of systems,” including the IRS and rubber boots mentioned in the opening paragraph. But that’s only half the story.
The 'Burban tested by C&D is equipped with magnetorheological adaptive dampers, better known as Magnetic Ride Control, and this option isn’t available on competing SUVs. This damping technology helps a lot with body control, especially in the twisties where composure is of the essence.
Another highlight is eBoost, a brake-by-wire system that reacts quicker than a traditional setup. Bear in mind, however, that the rotors and calipers will get hot if you abuse the brake pedal. During the cited publication’s routine of six stops from 70 mph, “the Suburban flashed a warning that the brakes are getting too hot and then set a check engine light before the test’s end.”
As of January 1st, 2021, the largest utility vehicle from the Golden Bowtie starts at $51,700, excluding destination charge, for the rear-wheel-drive specification. 4WD adds $3,000 to the tally, and the 3.0-liter Duramax straight-six turbo diesel is a $995 option over the standard 5.3-liter V8 engine.
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