The more sophisticated optional Autoride suspension ($1120) uses computer-controlled shock damping for improved ride quality over uneven pavement. Whether towing a horse trailer or picking up a soccer team, Autoride continually adjusts the suspension for optimum ride and handling. This technology also helps reduce dive when braking (so that the nose of the vehicle doesn't dip down unduly), and body roll (or lean) during cornering.

Chevrolet Suburban offers excellent handling for a big, heavy truck. The steering is responsive and doesn't isolate the driver from the road. The Suburban grips the road surprisingly well for such a large vehicle. Driving quickly over wet pavement on mountain roads, we never lost traction. We drove into wet turns as quickly as we'd ever want to go in a Suburban and never lost grip. We were impressed. The entire front part of the frame is hydro-formed from one piece of metal, a setup that's much more rigid than a bunch of pieces of frame welded together.

Optional StabiliTrak electronic stability control ($750) offers improved control on uncertain surfaces. StabiliTrak measures where the driver is steering against where the truck is actually heading and, when necessary, reduces engine torque or selectively applies one or more wheel brakes to correct the Suburban's path. StabiliTrak is now offered on all Suburban 1500's, with two or four-wheel drive.

The 2500 models, often referred to as 3/4-ton versions, are only needed for towing heavy trailers. They are rated to tow up to 12,000 pounds, which tops even the Ford Excursion by half a ton. Suburban 2500 rides a bit harsher than the 1500 because its rear suspension uses leaf springs instead of the 1500's coil springs. But the 2500 rides surprisingly well, given its load range. It represents a big improvement over the previous-generation (pre-2000) 2500 models.

Quadrasteer electronic four-wheel steering ($4495) dramatically increases maneuverability by turning the rear wheels in the opposite direction from the front wheels. The turning diameter of Suburban is reduced from 44.5 feet to 35.2 feet with Quadrasteer. In practical terms, Quadrasteer can negotiate a U-turn where a standard Suburban would have to stop and back up. Quadrasteer makes it much easier to park in tight spaces, such as underground garages and crowded parking lots. Add a trailer and the benefits increase. Backing a trailer into a parking space at a 90 degree angle is much easier with Quadrasteer and backing up with a trailer is more intuitive. At high speeds, the system turns the wheels slightly in the same direction as the front wheels for smoother lane changes and enhanced stability. We have been noticing that vehicles equipped with Quadrasteer tend to have a rougher ride, probably due to the heavy-duty rear axle that comes with the system.

Brakes on all Suburbans work smoothly and progressively, providing stopping power without drama. A Dynamic Rear Proportioning system modulates the pressure applied to the rear brakes for more effective braking. The Suburban's braking system was completely redesigned for model-year 2000 and has been further refined for 2003 for better performance, improved pedal feel and quieter operation.

Cost is the main consideration on whether to get four-wheel drive. Those in the Sunbelt may not see justification for it. But even if you don't plan to go off road, four-wheel drive can keep you going through snow or over sandy, unpaved roads, or it can help pull a boat up a slippery boat ramp. If you don't get a 4WD model, consider ordering StabiliTrak for its traction-control feature.

Four-wheel-drive models offer several modes and shifting among them is as easy as changing stations on the radio. Press 2WD Hi for dry pavement. If it rains or snows or you turn onto an unpaved road, hit the Auto 4WD button. The Autotrac all-wheel-drive system automatically transfers power from a slipping wheel to the wheels with the best traction, providing improved control in inconsistent conditions. For serious off-road travel or deep snow, pressing 4WD Hi operates the system like a traditional part-time four-wheel-drive. Shifting into 4WD Lo switches to a low-range set of granny gears for slow, sure-footed traction over rugged terrain.

The standard Vortec 5300 delivers responsive performance. It offers 285 horsepower with 325 pounds-feet of torque at 4000 rpm. Torque is that force that pushes you from intersections and pulls trailers up steep grades. The Vortec 6000 that comes on the 2500 series is a 6.0-liter V8 rated at 320 horsepower with 360 pounds-feet of torque at 4000 rpm. Like the 5.3-liter engine, it uses cast-aluminum heads. The optional Vortec 8000 is an 8.1-liter V8, a big-block cast-iron engine rated at 455 pounds-feet of torque at 3200 rpm.

Suburban's automatic transmission features a Tow/Haul mode that improves life when pulling a trailer through hilly terrain. Pressing the switch on the end of the column shifter turns on Tow/Haul, which reduces the tendency of the transmission to hunt back and forth between third and fourth gears. When the transmission does shift, it shifts more quickly, reducing heat buildup in the transmission for improved durability and reliability. Even when not towing, we sometimes like to use it when driving on mountainous roads.