Hagerty Looks at the Top-Ranging Suburban

The Chevrolet Suburban has been in production for almost 90 years and, across 12 design generations, has offered the same formula for all that time: Three rows of seats inside a wagon-shaped body upon a full-size truck platform. Hagerty is mostly known for providing insurance for vintage vehicles and probably has policies on some of those vintage Suburban models. They decided to take a look at the 2024 Suburban in its High Country form to see what it has become. This Chevrolet of Spring Valley post gives you the highlights.

For this task, they looked at a top-of-the-line High Country model with the optional Radiant Red exterior and Black/Mocha interior. It was powered by the big 6.2-liter V8 and, like all High Country models, had 4-wheel drive. Also included was an air suspension and the Advanced Technology Package, the headline feature of which is the Super Cruise system with a three-year subscription. The model is otherwise safety-focused with Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking, Reverse Automatic Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, and an Enhanced Display and Alert Package. 

The Hagerty tester described the interior as “a living room worthy of some cozy cabin in Montana or Wyoming,” the Mocha interior as “the color of Werther’s candy,” and took note of the unusual zebra striped piping on the seats. The panoramic roof was appreciated for bringing light into the large interior, and the seats were labeled “curl-up-with-a-book comfortable.”

Hagerty did not tow with the Suburban or take it off the pavement but instead drove it casually, much as most owners are likely to do on a daily basis. Parking can be a bit of a challenge in the city, but technology, in the way of sensors and cameras helps. One thing the Suburban ensures is that everyone has space, and nobody has to travel light. When the passenger-to-cargo equation changes, power folding seats make the transition easy, and when you unload the vehicle, the seats can easily be powered up again.

The powertrain takes advantage of the inherent balance of a V8, with the engine sound fading into the background until it is called upon to quickly enhance the vehicle’s velocity. The transmission with ten speeds produces 460 lb-ft of torque.

The independent rear suspension, which made its debut on this 12th generation, was also appreciated for not making itself known by offering a smoother ride than expected on a full-size truck platform. The suspension also allows the Suburban to have a lower load floor. 

Driving a fully loaded Suburban High Country with an as-tested price of $94,795 caused the author to speculate who opts for this top-of-the-line Chevrolet when the pricing overlaps with a Cadillac on the same platform. One thinks of someone who has done well and enjoys nice things but does not want to show off. A successful business owner who might not want to flaunt their profitability to customers is another guess.

In any case, the Suburban shows Chevrolet’s unparalleled experience with this type of vehicle and its ability to read what its customers want. And, of course, not all models are edging toward 6-figures. A Suburban with 4WD starts out well-equipped at $61,195. If the Suburban’s size and ability appeal to you, conduct your own test at Chevrolet of Spring Valley. If we don’t have the model you are looking for, we can find it.