The ISDA SUV of The Year is the Chevy Suburban LTZ (and its GMC twin, the Yukon XL).
The major characteristic that separates the Chevy Suburban LTZ from other SUVs is the vehicle’s magnetic ride control suspension. Combined with 20-inch wheels, the suspension performs the difficult task of improving the ride and increasing the vehicle’s handling capability.
Magnetic ride control is the world’s fastest-acting suspension. It “reads” the road every millisecond and changes damping in just 10-15 milliseconds in shocks filled with minute iron particles. The magnetically charged particles align to provide damping resistance almost instantly.
A wider rear track – 68.7 inches (1,744 mm) – and half-inch wider wheels improve stability and ride. The new geometry also contributes to flatter, more confident-feeling cornering, particularly when carrying more than four passengers.
Standard safety features include blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert, in addition to the LT’s already impressive list of standard electronic safety features. The LTZ adds standard ventilated front seats, power-steering wheel adjustments, HID headlights, and power-folding third-row seats.
The new Suburban offers 360 degrees of safety by incorporating new technologies – including radar – that contribute to 360 degrees of crash avoidance and occupant protection. Standard and available features include forward collision alert, front park assist, lane departure warning, lane change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. Chevrolet’s Safety Alert Seat is available and offers directional vibrations to alert the driver about potential crash threats.
The numbers for Chevy Suburban LTZ:
Payload: 1467 lbs.
If there were four 200-pound passengers, the vehicle could carry 600 pounds of luggage.
Handles at .76 Gs
Certified ISDA members can refer this handling number to their VDI certification skill test. With a VDI Crown Victoria, your speed through the slalom needed to be 36 mph. If you drive the Suburban LTZ, the certification speed is only 33 mph.
In the evasive exercise, the certification speed in the Crown Victoria was 34.3 mph. In the Suburban, that speed would be 32 mph.
Stops from 60 mph in 124 feet
That represents a certification Gs of .7 on the braking and turning
Overall, the vehicle supplies a good ride, with good handling, braking, and evasive capabilities. It is a large vehicle and the next issue will cover some smaller SUVs that could be used as executive vehicles.
Read more about the Suburban here.
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