2023 Chevrolet Suburban High Country Review: Premium, Plush, Perfect For Families

Verdict

8.5 / 10

Design | Comfort | Tech | Performance | Safety | Fuel Economy | Pricing | FAQs

The 2023 Chevrolet Suburban is one of the three largest SUVs in America, just behind the Jeep Grand Wagoneer L and Cadillac Escalade ESV. And I don't say that to shame Chevy in any way; as the market clamors for bigger SUVs in general, one of the biggest options is also one of the best.

The Suburban High Country I drove in particular feels like a luxury SUV without the hefty premiums of Cadillac and Jeep. Leather, wood, and metal finishes cover every inch of the acres worth of interior space, and the adaptive air suspension available on the Caddy shows up on the options list here too, yielding epic ride quality, which delivers an epically good ride. Tick the box for the diesel engine, and you’re met with excellent efficiency.

But Chevy isolates much of the goodness in the pricey, range-topping High Country trim. While it still represents a solid value relative to an Escalade or Grand Wagoneer L, $85,000 is still a lot of money for a Chevy.

Design

7/10

• Exterior Color: Silver Sage
• Interior Color: Mocha Brown/Black
• Wheel Size: 22 Inches

The big ol’ Chevy grille is tough to love in most applications, including here. There's too much face and too much chrome on this High Country model, with large horizontal slats that clash with the C-shaped running lights and kinked bodywork. And the nearly hidden headlights don't help offset the otherwise overbearing front end.

The interior is an upscale treat. Mocha brown leather covers virtually every surface; the dash, door panels, center console, infotainment surround, and even lower down on the console where your knees might hit. A few wood accents and hard black plastic pieces are present, but neither is offensive. And the High Country wordmark stitched into the headrests is a nice, premium touch.

Comfort

10/10

• Seating Capacity: 7
• Seating Configuration: 2 / 2/ 3
• Cargo Capacity: 41.5 / 93.8 / 144.7 Cubic Feet

In this class, you'd be hard-pressed to find a body-on-frame SUV more comfortable than the Suburban High Country. It comes kitted out with the most advanced suspension tech GM has to offer – a four-corner adaptive air setup that smooths out even the most imperfect pavement and helps keep the large SUV from feeling unruly. But that is a $4,660 option only available with the High Country Deluxe package.

The seats are excellent in all three rows. The High Country has standard 12-way power-adjustable thrones up front finished in high-quality perforated leather. They offer heating and ventilation for both the driver and passenger to go along with a standard heated steering wheel. The second-row captain's chairs are heated, as well.

Technology & Connectivity

9/10

• Center Display: 10.2-inch Touchscreen
• Instrument Cluster Display: 10.2 Inches
• Wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto: Yes

Wireless charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 10-speaker Bose surround sound system all come standard on this trim. But passengers in the second row will be more than happy with the standard rear-seat entertainment system. The two 12.6-inch screens give you access to streaming services like Hulu, Netflix, and YouTube without forcing you to sign in to some OEM service (looking at you, BMW). It’s as seamless as having two tablets strapped to the backs of the seats.

GM's Other Three-Rows:

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Performance & Handling

4/10

• Engine: Turbocharged 3.0-Liter Diesel I6
• Output: 277 Horsepower / 460 Pound-Feet
• Transmission: 10-Speed Automatic

If towing is your jam, the Suburban diesel can tug up to 7,800 pounds. But the 5.3-liter V8 still moves more; up to 8,300 pounds when properly equipped.

Safety

9/10

• Driver Assistance Level: SAE Level 2 (Hands-Off)
• NHTSA Rating: Four Stars
• IIHS Rating: Not TSP+

Granted, Super Cruise is exclusive to the Premier and High Country trims, and even here it’s an option. You will still have to spend at least $2,700 as part of the Advanced Technology package, adding automatic parking assist and reverse automatic emergency braking. And the safety features for towing are even pricier still, asking at least $3,660 for a Premium package that adds a trailer brake control, a hitch guidance view, and a trailer side blind zone alert. 

Fuel Economy

10/10

• City: 20 MPG
• Highway: 27 MPG

Pricing

2/10

• Base Price: $57,200 + $1,895
• Trim Base Price: $78,245
• As-Tested Price: $85,405

The cheapest way to get into a 2023 Suburban is with the base LS model, which starts at a pretty reasonable $59,095 with destination included. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Suburban High Country I drove is the fanciest, plushest, and priciest Suburban. This version starts at $78,245 with two-wheel drive and $81,245 with four-wheel drive.

It’s one of the most expensive SUVs of the group. A number of things come standard, like the big touchscreen, the nice leather, and the rear-seat entertainment. But some of the best stuff you still have to pay extra for. The adaptive air suspension, Super Cruise, and advanced trailering technology will cost you $4,660 if you bundle them together as part of the High Country Deluxe package.

Competitor Reviews

FAQs

Is The Tahoe Bigger Than The Suburban?

No, the Chevy Suburban is bigger than the Tahoe. The Tahoe is 210.7 inches long and the Suburban is 225.7 inches long.

Can The Suburban Fit Nine Passengers?

Yes, the Chevy Suburban can fit up to nine passengers with the optional front bench seat available on the base LS model.

Is The Suburban Longer Than A Yukon XL?

No, the Chevy Suburban and GMC Yukon XL are both the same size. The standard Yukon is slightly smaller than both of those models and features less cargo and passenger space.