The Chevrolet Suburban comes in three trim levels, with two- or four-wheel drive. It's available in light-duty 1500 or heavy-duty 2500 chassis. The latest generation of its 5.3-liter Vortec engine (downsized to 325 cubic inches from 350 in the old days) has an aluminum block and makes 310 horsepower with 355 pound-feet of torque. The optional engine is a new 6.0-liter mill, with an aluminum block and heads and variable valve timing, making 366 horsepower and 380 pound-feet.

The popular 5.3-liter (1500, 4WD) is EPA-rated at 15 City and 20 Highway miles per gallon, on regular unleaded, and it can also run on ethanol); the same truck with the 6.0-liter engine is rated at 14/18. Keep in mind that EPA ratings are usually high; you won't likely achieve those numbers.

Safety equipment on all models includes dual frontal airbags, anti-lock disc brakes with electronic proportioning, and electronic stability with anti-rollover mitigation and traction control. Full length airbag curtains are optional, but front side airbags are not available.

Another 6.0-liter engine, with an iron block, comes with the 2500 models. The 2500 also adds hydroboost to the brakes, a heavier suspension with leaf springs, and 16-inch truck tires. The 2500 4WD is rated to tow 9400 pounds, while the 1500 can tow 8000.

The styling changes to the new Suburban are subtle but significant, and handsome. The windshield is raked for better aerodynamics, and the chrome has been swept off the LS and LT. Inside, the dashboard has been lowered and instrument panel finally made tidy. The seats have been raised, giving a commanding view of the road with that lowered dashboard; with optional adjustable pedals, a driver of any size can achieve a comfortable and confident driving position.

The Suburban can seat from six to nine passengers, depending on the seats that are chosen. There are 137.4 cubic feet of storage behind the front seats, with the second row folded and third row removed. Behind the raised third row, there are still 45.8 cubic feet. This (and towing) is what the vehicle is all about: passengers and cargo. However, unlike a growing number of SUVs, the seats don't fold flat into the floor, unfortunate for outdoorsmen who view the cargo compartment as an occasional sleeping area. Setting a nine-foot fly rod in there without having to break it down is still a real luxury, however, and the back of the 'burb will accept other long items that are awkward to load into smaller rigs.

The all-new frame is stronger, stiffer and fully boxed (49 percent stiffer and 35 percent more resistant to twisting). The rigid new frame enabled the suspension to be redesigned, and a rack-and-pinion steering system is used, for the first time. The front track has been widened by three inches, and the rear by one inch. This Suburban rides and handles much sweeter than any before it: less undulation and more precision.

Considering the vehicle weighs nearly three tons (5745 pounds), the acceleration is strong, and the powerful sound of the engine under full throttle is satisfying. The four-speed automatic transmission is smooth, though most SUVs at this level now come with more flexible five-speed automatics.