One of the pioneers of the massive sport utility vehicle
revolution, the Suburban has done it for a long time. It
is very large, very strong, very roomy and very dominant
on the road. Perfect for the country, but not so much for
the city, the Suburban really lives up to the title of full-size
SUV.
There are a number of upgrades to the 2005 Chevy Suburban.
Among them is the availability of a new navigation system.
It includes a touch screen integrated with a new audio head
unit. In addition, the OnStar assistance system is now included
in all major equipment packages.
Available Models
The 2005 Chevy Suburban 1500 comes in two trim levels: LS
and LT. Larger Suburban 2500 models are covered in a separate
review.
Interior Features
The four-door Chevy Suburban has a standard third-row bench
seat, resulting in a maximum occupancy of nine passengers.
For goods, the 2004 Suburban 1500 has 131.6 cubic feet of
cargo volume.
The LT model is truly an upscale vehicle. It has such standard
features as automatic climate controls, a Bose AM/FM radio
with in-dash 6-disc CD changer, leather upholstery, heated
front seats, power-adjustable pedals, steering wheel radio
controls and a driver information center.
Exterior Features
A rear liftgate with flip-up rear glass becomes standard
on all models for 2005. Also, the Z71 off-road package is
extended from 4WDs to 2WDs; it features unique wheel flares,
body trim, and special shock absorbers, plus 17-inch wheels
in place of 16s.
Performance
Two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations are
both available. The engine under the hood is a 5.3-liter
Vortec V8 with 295 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 330 lb-ft
of torque at 4000 rpm. It is mated to a 4-speed electronic
automatic transmission.
StabiliTrak is offered with 2005 Suburban ½-ton
models. If the system determines that the vehicle is not
responding appropriately to the driver's steering, StabiliTrak
precisely reduces engine torque and applies precise amounts
of pressure to the individual front brakes to slow the vehicle
and help bring it back to its intended path.
In other changes, the 2005 Suburban has better fuel economy
for the new model year. In addition, the rear axle ratio
changes to a 3.42 ratio, and a 160-amp alternator is standard
on half-ton models.
Safety and Security
The 2004 Suburban received a host of new safety equipment
which the 2005 model retains. It has Hydroboost brakes and
a tire-pressure monitor. Advanced dual-stage airbags, the
LATCH child seat system and daytime running lights are also
standard.
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