2002 Chevy Suburban 2500 LS 4WD

The steering is more precise than expected, and the ride is surprisingly smooth. You hear and feel the tires taking on lumps and bumps, feel the stiffness appropriate to a heavy truck, yet it's pleasantly snubbed, not harsh. Our only dynamic disappointment, in fact, was the slightly spongy feel and too-long travel of the test truck's brakes during panic stops. The 4-wheel discs with anti-lock got the job done well enough, but the pedal feel was not as solid as we'd like.


Suburban's latest redesign (for the 2000 model year) came with some criticism: It was an all-new, vastly improved truck looking little different from the one it replaced. To my eye, it's a handsome look, but familiar and conservative. Very large side mirrors give great views along the flanks—plus lots of energy-sapping wind drag. However, these mirrors are power-adjusted and heated to melt ice or frost, and the driver's side self-dims to ease the impact on the eyes.

Seating options abound. The quad-bucket arrangement here comfortably handles seven adults. Rear seats can be folded and/or removed to create up to 131.6 cubic feet of cargo space.

Inside, there's little to fault. The instrument panel houses a full set of large, very readable gauges. Switches and buttons are ample in size and easily seen, reached and operated. Generous door pockets, a drawer and open cubby in the dash, and a huge covered bin between the (optional) front bucket seats provide plenty of storage. Colors, textures and fits give an impression of better-than-expected quality.


The curbside third of the middle bench slides forward with the flip of a lever for easy access to the rear, and large assist handles are mounted over both rear-side door openings. That middle bench also can be folded forward and the rear one removed to accommodate your standard 4x8 sheet of plywood. Both offer good passenger room but no adjustments.


The Suburban's Autotrac 4WD offers four modes: 2-Hi, 4-Hi, 4-Lo and Auto 4WD (which sends power to the front wheels when it senses slippage at the rear). Mode selection is through convenient push-buttons on the dash. Another appreciated feature is the Homelink universal transmitter in the overhead console, which can be programmed to operate three separate electronic functions such as garage doors, castle gates or exterior house lights.