2011 Chevrolet Suburban 1500
The Chevrolet Suburban can tow a sizable trailer. It can safely transport up to nine passengers. And, equipped with genuine four-wheel drive, it can haul a load of cargo over primitive roads. It's an adept workhorse and arguably the best SUV you can get for towing trailers. For 2011, Suburban is available with a new towing package that includes an integrated brake controller. 2011 Chevrolet Suburban models come with more standard equipment than last year's models, including Bluetooth and upgraded trim. The 2011 Suburban LTZ 4WD comes standard with a two-speed transfer case, allowing low-range operation, and chrome recovery hooks. Launched during the Great Depression in 1936, the Suburban was completely redesigned for the 2007 model year.
The Suburban can hold 137 cubic feet of cargo, or up to nine passengers and 45 cubic feet of cargo, or myriad combinations in between. Two weight classes are offered, the normal 1500 and the heavy-duty 2500. The 2500 is a good choice for towing trailers.
The Suburban is available with two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The 1500 and 2500 are available in LS and LT trim levels, and the 1500 is also available in a more luxury-oriented LTZ trim level.
Suburban 1500 models come with a 5.3-liter V8 engine of 320 horsepower, 335 pound-feet of torque and a 6-speed automatic transmission. The engines in 1500 models with two-wheel drive have an iron block, while models with four-wheel drive have an aluminum block; both versions have aluminum heads. Fuel economy for a Suburban 1500 is an EPA-estimated 15/21 mpg City/Highway.
Suburban 2500 models get a 6.0-liter V8 with aluminum block and heads and variable valve timing rated at 352 horsepower and 382 pound-feet of torque. It also comes with a 6-speed automatic. Suburban 2500 4WD is rated at a woeful 10/15 mpg. Sadly, a diesel engine is not available.
The Suburban 2500 uses a different steering gear, brake parts, suspension, alternator, wheels, tires, axles and fuel tank than the 1500 series. The primary reason for selecting the 2500 over the 1500 is for its greater towing capacity. A Suburban 2500 4WD is rated to tow up to 9,400 pounds, or 9,600 pounds with 2WD. A Suburban 1500 4WD is rated to tow up to 8,000 pounds.
All engines are E85-compatible, which means they will run on 85-percent ethanol fuel, and all have Active Fuel Management (AFM) which switches off half the cylinders when the additional power or idle smoothness isn't needed. Fuel economy with E85 is a dismal 11/16 mpg for the Suburban 1500, however. The EPA hasn't published E85 fuel economy for the Suburban 2500, perhaps because it involves single-digit numbers.
Full Review
Full Review
For 2011, Suburban is available with a new towing package that includes an integrated brake controller. 2011 Chevrolet Suburban models come with more standard equipment than last year's models, including Bluetooth and upgraded trim. The 2011 Suburban LTZ 4WD comes standard with a two-speed transfer case, allowing low-range operation, and chrome recovery hooks. Launched during the Great Depression in 1936, the Suburban was completely redesigned for the 2007 model year.
The Suburban can hold 137 cubic feet of cargo, or up to nine passengers and 45 cubic feet of cargo, or myriad combinations in between. Two weight classes are offered, the normal 1500 and the heavy-duty 2500. The 2500 is a good choice for towing trailers.
The Suburban is available with two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The 1500 and 2500 are available in LS and LT trim levels, and the 1500 is also available in a more luxury-oriented LTZ trim level.
Suburban 1500 models come with a 5.3-liter V8 engine of 320 horsepower, 335 pound-feet of torque and a 6-speed automatic transmission. The engines in 1500 models with two-wheel drive have an iron block, while models with four-wheel drive have an aluminum block; both versions have aluminum heads. Fuel economy for a Suburban 1500 is an EPA-estimated 15/21 mpg City/Highway.
Suburban 2500 models get a 6.0-liter V8 with aluminum block and heads and variable valve timing rated at 352 horsepower and 382 pound-feet of torque. It also comes with a 6-speed automatic. Suburban 2500 4WD is rated at a woeful 10/15 mpg. Sadly, a diesel engine is not available.
The Suburban 2500 uses a different steering gear, brake parts, suspension, alternator, wheels, tires, axles and fuel tank than the 1500 series. The primary reason for selecting the 2500 over the 1500 is for its greater towing capacity. A Suburban 2500 4WD is rated to tow up to 9,400 pounds, or 9,600 pounds with 2WD. A Suburban 1500 4WD is rated to tow up to 8,000 pounds.
All engines are E85-compatible, which means they will run on 85-percent ethanol fuel, and all have Active Fuel Management (AFM) which switches off half the cylinders when the additional power or idle smoothness isn't needed. Fuel economy with E85 is a dismal 11/16 mpg for the Suburban 1500, however. The EPA hasn't published E85 fuel economy for the Suburban 2500, perhaps because it involves single-digit numbers.
Hide Full Review
Retail Price
Smart Buy Price
Engine | 5.3L V-8 |
MPG | 15 City / 21 Hwy |
Seating | 8 Passengers |
Transmission | 6-spd auto w/OD |
Power | 320 @ 5400 rpm |
Drivetrain | rear-wheel |

2011 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 Safety Features
Anti-lock brakes
ABS brakes automatically sense when a tire has stopped rotating under extreme braking, and will modulate the brake pressure to allow the tire to rotate. This increases the vehicles ability to turn while braking.
Stability control
Stability control automatically senses when the vehicles handling limits have been exceeded and reduces engine power and/or applies select brakes to help prevent the driver from losing control of the vehicle.
Front-impact airbags
Front-impact airbags for the driver and passenger have been designed to protect the head during a frontal crash.
Side impact airbags
Side impact airbags for the front seats have been designed to protect the torso during a side impact collision.
Overhead airbags
Overhead airbags are used to protect the occupant's heads in the event of a side collision or rollover.
Pretensioners
Seatbelt pretensioners automatically tighten seatbelts to place the occupant in the optimal seating position during a collision.
Security system
The vehicle is equipped with a means of anticipating and/or detecting unwanted vehicle intrusion. The vehicle is equipped with an ignition disable device that will prevent the engine from starting if the correct original manufacturer key is not used.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 14V827000
RECALL DATE: 2014-12-30
SUMMARY
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.
CONSEQUENCES
If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
REMEDY
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.
COMPONENT AFFECTED
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
NOTES
General Motors LLC