2021 Chevrolet Suburban High Country Review

This week I’m behind the wheel of the all-new 2021 Chevrolet Suburban, the flagship Chevy SUV. The last update to the Suburban was in 2015. The new Suburban is longer than the last version, the wheelbase is substantially longer, there is more cargo area, and there is more headroom.

My review vehicle is the top-of-the-line High Country and it is the 4-wheel drive version. There are five lower trim levels available for 2021.

Powertrain

The High Country only comes with the 6.2-liter V8 that is putting out 420-horses. It is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, and this big SUV will tow 8300 pounds. The rest of the Suburban lineup offers the 5.3-liter V8, but you can get the 6.2 as an option, and later there will be a diesel version.

Exterior

Looking at the exterior, the 2021 Suburban looks long and lean, has a huge chrome grill, LED headlights and running lights, 22” wheels, a rear spoiler, and quad rear exhaust. All-in-all, this is a very attractive SUV especially in this Graywood Metallic color.

Interior

There are so many things to love about the new Suburban, but the High Country interior is truly spectacular. The seats are heavily stitched and comfortable with the High Country logo embroidered on the front seat headrests. As you sit behind the heated steering wheel, you see a large speedometer and tachometer and a row of gauges across the top. There is a highly configurable driver info center that you scroll through from the steering wheel.

High on the dash is a 10.2-inch touchscreen that operates the sound system, climate control, Bluetooth, navigation, Wi-Fi, settings, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and even Alexa. By the way, the Apple and Android are wireless, which is an awesome feature.

A swipe to the left gives you the trailer towing settings, apps, OnStar, camera settings, and you can control the rear media from there. This system is simple and reacts incredibly fast. On a side note, the camera system is one of the best I’ve ever seen with numerous different views from overhead. Under the touchscreen are A/C controls, a couple of USB ports, and a wireless phone charger.

To the left of the touchscreen are gear shift buttons, which I really like. Simply push for park, and pull the buttons for reverse and drive. I find this far superior versus the old steering column shifter. Being electronic, when you push the start button to turn off the vehicle, it will go into park automatically.

We’ve got to talk about the center console, for me the coolest feature of the new Suburban. There is a switch to electronically slide the console back to get cup holders closer to the 2nd row occupants. For the front occupants, there is a slide-out drawer for valuables that cannot be accessed when the console is positioned forward. This is a $350 option that I would insist on having.

Moving to the second row of seating, it has heated captain’s chairs that are super comfortable and slide and recline.

Rear passengers can control their own temperature, have USB ports, and a 110-volt power outlet for charging your devices. Rear occupants can enjoy the journey with the rear seat media system that features two vibrant 12.6” screens in the rear that will display different content on each one. You can use your wireless device, the built-in Wi-Fi, or watch a movie from a Firestick. It is an amazing system and it comes with wireless headphones, but be aware, there is no DVD player.

Entry to the third-row seat is a breeze with a power button just inside both rear doors that double flip out of the way. The button is accessible to the 3rd row occupants in case they get stranded back there.

Speaking of the third-row seat, two full-sized adults will be very comfortable, even those over six-feet tall. There are USB ports for the third-row passengers and the roof air conditioning vents go all the way to the rear.

Utility

Cargo area is massive with 42-cubic feet of cargo with the back seats up. Power buttons will allow you to fold the 3rd and 2nd row seats down to a completely flat load floor and have an amazing 144-total cubic feet of cargo. You can pop the rear glass alone OR open the entire power lift gate from your key fob. There is a 110-volt power outlet at the rear if needed.

Features

The Suburban High Country comes fully loaded with all the popular comfort and safety features you want including power tilt wheel, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, remote start, heated and cooled seats, a terrific Bose stereo, a power panoramic moon roof, trailer towing package, a head-up display, power running boards, adaptive cruise control, and much, much more.

Ride and Drive

The driving impressions are fantastic and the ride is great thanks to the new independent rear suspension system that gives you a better ride and drive. It also has magnetic ride suspension that also contributes to the great ride and fantastic handling. It does have the start/stop system, but it is easily disabled.

Fuel economy is 14 in town, 19 on the highway, and 16 overall. MSRP on this High Country with every conceivable option is $84,045, and versus the competition, this is an exceptional value.

Verdict

I grew up riding in my parents’ Suburbans, but never imagined one with the luxury and features that are available today.