2012 Chevrolet Suburban

Introduction

The 2012 Chevrolet Suburban is what we have always wanted in a large SUV. It offers seating for up to nine people, incredible cargo space and a towing capacity that's robust enough to pull a small building. What’s just as impressive is that the Suburban is able to do all of this, yet it offers a gentle drive that is achieved thanks to its powerful V8 engine combining with its luxurious comfort features.  

Body, Trims and Options

The 2012 Chevrolet Suburban is offered in the form of the1500 model and the heavy-duty 2500 model. Both models are available in the base LS and midlevel LT trims, with the LTZ model available in the 1500 model. The Suburban has a standard eight-person seating capacity, but it offers and available 40/20/40 front bench that increases the seating capacity to nine people.

The LS has 17-inch alloy wheels, power seats, front bucket seats, side assist steps, roof rack side rails, a 50/50-split third-row seat, three zone manual climate control, Bluetooth, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, rear-seat audio controls (that include headphone jacks). It also has all of the features music lovers want, including an eight-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and an iPod/USB interface.

The LT trim has all of the above mentioned features but adds fog lights, roof rack crossbars, a locking rear differential, heated mirrors , power-adjustable pedals, parking sensors for the rear of the vehicle, remote vehicle start and an upgraded Bose sound system that comes equipped with a six-CD changer.

The Suburban LTZ model gets 20-inch alloy wheels, a power lift gate, windshield wipers with rain sensors, a rear air suspension, upgraded leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, driver seat memory settings, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a hard-drive-based navigation system, a rearview camera and an awesome 10-speaker Bose surround-sound system with digital music storage.

Some optional packages for the 2012 Suburban include 22-inch wheels, power-retracting running boards, a heavy-duty towing package, a twin-screen rear-seat entertainment system, and an off-road package.

Interior Design and Special Features

The 2012 Suburban offers a well made passenger cabin that is easy on the eyes. Its interior controls and gauges are easy to see and operate

With the available 40/20/40-split front seat option, the Suburban is able to fit up to nine passengers, a number that is only topped by some full-size vans.

The 2012 Suburban has very impressive cargo space, offering 137 cubic feet of storage behind the front seats, which is 40 more cubic feet than the Nissan Armada.

Engine and Performance

The 2012 Suburban comes with two different engine choices.  The first engine type comes on the 1500 model, and its a 5.3-liter V8 engine that pushes 320 horsepower and 335 pounds-feet of torque. The 2500 model carries a 6.0-liter V8 that pushes 352 hp and 382 lbs-ft of torque. Both engines come with a six-speed automatic transmission, but buyers have a choice to have either rear- or four-wheel drive.

The EPA-estimated fuel economy for the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban is 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway and 17 mpg in combined driving for the two-wheel-drive 1500 model and 10/15/12 mpg for the four-wheel-drive 2500 model.

Safety Features

The 2012 Chevrolet Suburban's safety features includes Onstar, four-wheel antilock brakes, stability control, side airbags for the front seats and a three-row side curtain airbag system complete with a rollover sensor. The LTZ trim offers blind-spot warning system which is a great addition, and one we recommend.

Verdict

For a vehicle as big as the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban, it performs like a smaller SUV. It’s improved suspension gives it a smooth ride, and it offers a pretty quiet passenger cabin. If you are looking for a large SUV this year, look no further than the 2012 Suburban. We promise you it will not disappoint.

Check out Jerry’s Chevrolet for our incredible selection of Suburbans’s at 1940 E. Joppa Rd Baltimore, MD 21234 or follow us on twitter @jerryschevybalt or like us on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/jerryschevrolet.