I've Got A 2015 Suburban LTZ For A Week...

"Andrew T. Maness" (theroadlessdriven) 10/10/2014 at 23:35 • Filed to: Chevy Suburban, Test Drive, Car Review, Jalopnik, Oppositelock, Friday, Suburban, Andrew Maness, This Nice Life, GM, America, SUV

2

14

I'm oddly excited about getting a Suburban loaner. I know it's really not much different than the GMC Yukon XL I had this past summer except in fit and finish but there's just something about the nameplate, makes me feel some type of way.

Most people would say it's a big, brash rolling testament to our refusal to give a fuck about silly things like practicality or efficiency. I'd tell them that it's actually quite the opposite. With it's new 5.3L Ecotec V8 and 6spd automatic, the Yukon XL averaged 18.2 mpg over my week with it and I expect the numbers for the Suburban to be the same.

As for practicality, well it's true that most people don't need a vehicle this size but not everyone has just the one special child that they home school and will eventually learn how to drive in a Prius. There are big families out there, both in number and in size. When they go places they need lots of room and a minivan ain't gonna tow the boat they wish to bring along.

I don't have kids but I do work in tv/film production and in this world crew counts as family. So for the next week, I'm shuttling the guys around in style and comfort.

I'm here to answer the tough questions like can we operate a Kessler crane from the back with all the seats folded down? Will a Suburban impress a billionaire? Can a vehicle built to seat an American family of 9, hold 12 international models?

These are some of my questions, what are yours?

Andrew Maness writes about cars because he has one and also has a computer. He's been known to drunkenly Tweet as !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and upload photos to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . He also has a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and thinks talking about himself in the 3rd person is really weird but knows it's necessary if he wants to be taken seriously as an Oppo contributor.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Big Bubba Ray > Andrew T. Maness 10/10/2014 at 11:42

1

How does it compare to the last gen of Suburbans? Big leap forward or just a little bit better? My dad's dd is a 99 Suburban and he rented a 2015 for a few days just for the hell of it. Absolutely loved it.

BadMotorScooter > Andrew T. Maness 10/10/2014 at 11:46

2

There are just a few cars that are known my a single name. When asked, "what do you drive?", you can answer "Suburban" and everybody knows what it is. No need to even mention the year, really. That's really the only difference with a Yukon XL. Well, that and the optional 6.2L on the Yukon XL Denali.

BadMotorScooter > Andrew T. Maness 10/10/2014 at 11:52

2

When will we get a baby Duramax 'Burb? Where is the 2500? And how much bourbon will the 'Burban burden?

nermal > Andrew T. Maness 10/10/2014 at 11:57

0

What's it like driving in the city or other close quarters? Does the size make it stressful?

Racescort666 > Andrew T. Maness 10/10/2014 at 15:36

1

How many strippers can you fit in it and run an Autocross while defeating an American Classic car?

cazzyodo > Andrew T. Maness 10/10/2014 at 16:45

0

Is the pedal feel (both brake and gas) as numb as the last Suburban I drove*?

*my family had an '04 up until Feb 2013. Before that was a '98 Suburban...which was an animal.

Andrew T. Maness > Big Bubba Ray 10/27/2014 at 20:57

0

It's not so much of a leap forward as it is an Interstellar type trip to another universe. Nothing about the last gen of Suburbans was interesting, this one demands attention.

Andrew T. Maness > cazzyodo 10/27/2014 at 20:58

0

Much better pedal feel over the last generation with which I have much experience thanks to Enterprise.

Andrew T. Maness > nermal 10/27/2014 at 21:00

0

I felt supremely confident parallel parking it thanks to it's sensors and backup camera. I also spent a-lot of time driving up and down narrow Hollywood Hills roads, never broke a sweat.

Andrew T. Maness > Racescort666 10/27/2014 at 21:00

1

7 and a half.(midget stripper)

Andrew T. Maness > BadMotorScooter 10/27/2014 at 21:01

1

Baby Duramax Burb...mmmmmmm

It'd say you could fit 4 barrels of bourbon in the Burban.

Racescort666 > Andrew T. Maness 10/27/2014 at 21:09

0

I actually laughed out loud when I read that. Totally forgot about this thread.

Andrew T. Maness > Racescort666 10/27/2014 at 21:19

1

Yeah I've been pretty swamped with real work that pays me. I'll have a bunch of new content including Yukon XL & Suburban reviews coming out this week & next.

I actually debated going to a strip club and seeing how many strippers would fit in it but didn't end up having time. Still have to drive the Escalade ESV though & strippers love Escalades.

Big Bubba Ray > Andrew T. Maness 10/28/2014 at 00:32

0

Wow, it's really that good? Thats great to hear. I'm a huge fan of the Suburan and I'm itching to get into a new one to check it out!