2008 Chevrolet Suburban Review

TheCarConnection.com notes that while the 2008 Chevrolet Suburban is a sport-utility vehicle with a boxy shape, it’s handsomely proportioned and well detailed.

This year’s Suburban Chevrolet offers two models: the half-ton Suburban 1500 and three-quarter-ton Suburban 2500. According to most reviewers, other than the latter's slightly larger dimensions, it's difficult to tell them apart. The Chevy Suburban also has three trim levels, says Edmunds: "base LS, more luxurious LT and the sporty LTZ."

As Kelley Blue Book puts it, no matter what the trim, with it body-on-frame construction the 2008 Chevy Suburban is "clearly a truck -- though fancier in appearance than many cargo haulers." Another thing it clearly is: immense. The Suburban has always been large as such utility vehicles go, but this one, at 18.5 feet is a behemoth.

However, according to Car and Driver, in 2007 the Suburban "underwent a major redesign...and emerged as a more modern, refined, handsome, and user-friendly truck." Changes to the Suburban noted by Cars.com include single-frame headlamps in place of the old stacked ones, and "wraparound lower pieces with integrated fog lights [to] minimize body gaps." Kelley Blue Book also mentions "tighter body-gap tolerances" and credits those and "a more sleekly-angled windshield" for the Suburban's "improved aerodynamics...while a bulging power-dome hood adds to visceral appeal." This source also mentions the 2008 Chevrolet Suburban's "prominent fenders" and says "the lower fascia displays a skid-plate look to enhance the rugged aura."

Regarding the 2008 Chevy Suburban's interior, Car and Driver reports a "handsome design inside"; Cars.com writes that "the new look it got in GM's impressive 2007 redesign still holds up." ForbesAutos describes the two-tone interior as "nicely sculpted," and Kelley Blue Book praises this year’s Suburban: 2008’s models have "greater overall refinement--including enclosing the 'close-outs' around seat bottoms for a cleaner appearance." Chevrolet actually offers two different interiors, one more basic and one that’s very upscale, with wood grain trim and a big center console. The overall effect is quite sophisticated for a truck of its size and duty.