A new Chevy ->ke199 Suburban really is a rare event. Since the six-pack of new full-size SUVs was revealed by GM, buzz generated quickly for the arrival of these new trucks into dealers. Perhaps the most important news for shoppers is how much the Suburban LTZ will benefit from the highest-tech features from the much pricier GMC Yukon Denali XL and forthcoming Cadillac Escalade ESV->ke245. On the top LTZ Chevy specification comes virtually all of the latest cabin luxuries, like power folding for the third row, a dozen charge ports and a central 8-inch touchscreen interface. Below the chrome smile of the new Sub are also major enhancements for all trims, and even the magneto-rheological dampers for, again, the LTZ spec.

There's only one critical piece of missing gear from the GMC and Cadillac trucks, and we've combed all the details thoroughly to find out what that thing is.

Updated 03/05/2014: Chevrolet announced today prices for the 2015 Suburban which will go on sale later this spring. The 2015 Suburban will be priced from $48,590, including $995 destination freight charge.

Click past the jump to read about the 2015 Chevrolet Suburban's new fold-flat seats, speedier V-8 engine and new tech throughout.

chevrolet-suburban

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: chevrolet-suburban
Pros
Cons

2015 Chevrolet Suburban

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Chevrolet Suburban
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 355
  • Torque: 383
  • Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The Suburban and Tahoe are totally redesigned outside, without carrying over a single panel. New aluminum construction for the hood and rear liftgate help with ease of use, and the rest of the panels are thoroughly reworked.

Gone are the days of messy shut lines, unusual blacked-out pillars, and other compromises stemming from this livable truck's near 100-year history.

New halogen projectors up front are joined by an LED accent under the main headlamp unit. The whole grille is chrome and the brightwork extends into the headlights and sculpted body sides much more than on the chiseled Silverado.

The new smoothness of the body sides is the most remarkable thing. The gracefulness of the shoulderline forms much of the structure front and back, and looks outstanding from Chevy.

The curve of the should looks exactly like the Audi A8, to us at least.

2015 Chevrolet Suburban - Styling Comparison Detail

The Sub also gets a bit friendlier grille with a more pinched lower edge versus the Silverado trucks. A rumored off-road version of the Suburban and Tahoe may bring more SIlverado LTZ design cues up front, as previewed by this basic rendering.

2015 Chevrolet Suburban - Suburban 2500 Rendering

2015 Chevrolet Suburban - Key Exterior Updates

- New inlaid doors fit into the body side openings instead of over the top of the body, significantly reducing wind noise and contributing to improved aerodynamics

- Laminated windshield and front door glass to enhance quietness

- Lightweight aluminum hood and liftgate panels enhance efficiency through reduced overall mass

- A standard rear spoiler on the liftgate houses a relocated rear window wiper that is hidden when not in use

- New worm screw-style liftgate arms take up less interior space than the previous gooseneck arms

- A stronger frame and a wider rear track that contributes to a more planted stance

- LTZ models include third-generation magnetic ride control, a real-time damping system that delivers more precise body motion control by “reading” the road every millisecond and changing damping in just five milliseconds.

- Eighteen-inch standard wheels that are a half-inch wider, reducing tire flex for improved cornering performance. Twenty- and 22-inch wheels are available.

- New, electric variable-assist power steering system enhances fuel economy and tailors steering assist to vehicle speed.

- New four-wheel-disc brake system with Duralife brake rotors that offer up to double the service life, along with brake pedal revisions that improve pedal feel for stronger-feeling, more-confident braking performance.

Interior

The interior is now much more comfortable and versatile for the hauling and family transport duties that the Suburban is known for. An extra four inches of front legroom is welcome, as are the newly-redesigned seats with far better support and adjustment that ever before. An extra 2.5 inches of headroom up front was barely needed but is welcome for the extra visibility it offers.

Connectivity takes a huge leap forward, as does smoothness and quietness on the road. The flush-mounting doors lessen wind noise dramatically versus the old doors whose edges continued into the roof.

Active safety tech is also front and center on the Suburban, proving that all family buyers deserve these options - versus just the Denali and Escalade->ke245 as they might have decided.

The biggest news is regarding the back seats. This third row is now a power-operated folding design that creates a completely flat load floor. No more removing that huge back seat and then never quite getting it installed again.

The second row, which previously folded but did not create a flat load floor, is also greatly improved with another flip forward function so make room to jump in the way back seat.

Total cargo hauling room is slightly less than last year, but the two numbers cannot be compared because of the previous seat removal requirement.

2015 Chevrolet Suburban - Cargo Area Comparison Detail

2015 Chevrolet Suburban - Key Interior Updates

- Fold-flat second- and third-row seats that enhance cargo convenience – including an available power-folding feature

- Approximately two inches greater legroom for second-row passengers, along with easier entry/exit

- Available eight-inch color touch screen radio with next-generation MyLink connectivity

- Up to six USB ports and six power outlets – including a 110-volt three-prong outlet – to support electronic devices of all kinds (up to 12 charging locations)

- Available rear-seat entertainment system with dual screens (Suburban only) and Blu-ray DVD player

- Conversation mirror in the overhead console that provides a panoramic view of the rear seats

- Keyless entry and push-button start.

Powertrain, Suspension and Brakes

All Suburban's come with one engine: the heavily revised 5.3-liter, V-8 that now brings direct injection to improve power output and efficiency.

This is the big change versus the Escalade->ke245 and Denali, which offers a 455 horsepower upgraded V-8 as well.

Even so, the Sub is much nimbler and more eager to accelerate than ever before. Standard rear-drive or optional 4x4 setups ensure the Chevy will always be one of the most capable machines on the road when conditions and weather are terrifying.

2015 Chevrolet Suburban - Safety Features

Engine

5.3-liter 16-valve V-8 With DI, OHV And VVT

Fuel

Gasoline

Transmission

Six-Speed Automatic

Powertrain Layout

Font-engine, Rear-drive (4x4 Opt)

Power (Horsepower)

355

Torque (Torque)

383

0-60 mph (Seconds)

7.4, est

Top Speed (MPH)

108, est

EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined)

16/22/18, est


Safety

The Suburban's colossal size means it is extremely safe on the roads when involved in a collision with another car. The Sub has traditionally been less of an all-star performer in traditional brick wall crash tests, where all that mass has to slow from 35 mph to 0 in just a few inches.

Even so, the 2015 trucks have totally redesigned stability, traction and ABS for better confidence on the roads. They also bring Brake Assist and brake force distribution as standard to all models.

The laundry list of active safety innovations is quite impressive, and they will most likely be offered together as part of a $2,000 Driver Assistance Package.

As much as active safety tech is irritating in most cars, the large dimensions of the Sub mean that any active assistance is a welcome helping hand.

2015 Chevrolet Suburban - Safety Features

- Forward collision alert

- Front park assist

- Lane departure warning

- Lane change assist

- Rear cross traffic alert

- Adaptive cruise control

- Front and rear automatic braking

- Safety Alert Seat

- Standard head curtain side air bags with rollover protection for both seating rows.

- Standard seat-mounted side-impact air bags for driver and right-front passenger provide thorax and pelvic protection.

- StabiliTrak electronic stability control system helps reduce the risk of rollover crashes by keeping the vehicle in the driver’s intended path by applying throttle, braking or a combination of both.

- Available Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist that can detect certain stationary objects in the rearward path of the vehicle and send an audible warning sound.

- Rearview camera system

- Side blind zone alert

- Standard four-wheel-disc brake system with ABS featuring smooth, quiet operation, longer pad life and more resistance to brake pulsation.

- Pretensioners minimize forward movement during a collision, and are standard on the front safety belts.

- LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat attachment system, which is included in all second-row seating positions.

- Tire pressure monitoring system, standard on all models.

- Standard remote keyless entry (RKE) system provides a second function for the red panic button. Drivers can it to locate their cars without sounding the panic alarm.

- Strong body structure to absorb crash energy and provide a protective “safety cage” around occupants.

Pricing

2015 Suburban (2wd)

LS - $48,590

LT - $53,695

LTZ - $62,695

2015 Suburban (4wd)

LS - $51,590

LT - $56,695

LTZ - $65,695


Competition

GMC Yukon XL

These links are to the current-gen XL, but stay tuned for a full review next week.

In general, the Yukon XL is very similar to the Suburban in every way. In fact, before the Yukon XL name hit the scene, GMC called their biggest SUV the Suburban also.

The choice for the Yukon in this generation looks smarter than ever, thanks to a classier nose up front that the Suburban's grin and far better LED headlight accents than the simple slash of the Chevy models.

Ultimately, most people will just buy whichever one has the closest dealership.

GMC Yukon Denali XL

The Denali and Denali XL are also expect to move up a price bracket for 2015, from about $57,000 up to a base of around $59,000. While the Yukon and Suburban both come well-equipped as standard with the 8-inch touchscreen, they make the vast majority of all the other features optional by package or trim level. This can make buying one a bit more tedious than the Denali, which comes in only two flavors: loaded or ridiculously loaded.

Generally, the Denali XL will be around $5,000 more than a similarly-equipped Suburban.

Conclusion

As much as all car makers like to use phrases like “all-new”, “totally redesigned”, and the rest, very few things in this world are a truly clean sheet. For the Chevrolet Suburban, the ladder chassis underneath has had the same merits as it had way back on the 1915 Chevrolet Truck. It was not dubbed Suburban Carryall until 1933, and the big Sub has never looked back.

Carrying it all really is the Suburban’s mission. The new brief also specifies far better comfort, efficiency and tech than ever before.

For all the families who can never seem to get all their stuff to fit before a big road trip: there will always be one definitive solution: the Chevy Suburban.

If Ford's defining product is the F-150, these 2015 "Codename K2XX" SUV's are the defining achievement for General Motors in its 100 years of making new cars.

Definitely some greatest hits in there for all of us. Let us know which is your favorite in the comments below. Our pick? the K-Blazer 1980s version with the droopy rear end.