Sales Chart: Chevrolet Suburban Versus Chevrolet Tahoe 1995-2009

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

We live to serve here at TTAC, so when our faithful commentators requested a comparative graph of Chevy Suburban and Tahoe Sales from the heart of the SUV boom, who were we to say no? And sure enough, there are some interest lessons to be learned from the exercise. In 1999, as the SUV boom headed for the stratosphere, the ‘burban actually passed the Tahoe in terms of volume for one year. But the fad wouldn’t last: Suburban sales peaked in 2001, a year before the Tahoe topped out at nearly 209k units. The Suburban also fell further, suffering big year-over-year losses until a pre-gas-shock uptick in 2007, a year after the Tahoe recorded its first post-peak upswing. Counter-intuitively, the 2008 gas shock actually hurt Tahoe volumes even worse than Suburban, shedding over 50k units (or about 60 percent) compared to 2007 levels. Over the same period, the Suburban “only” lost 30k units of volume (about 55 percent).

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Carlson Fan Carlson Fan on May 08, 2010

    "Try to tow a 3000+ lb trailer or camper with a minivan loaded with 4+ passengers, dogs, and gear. Get back to me about how well that fiasco turned out" You put 3K behind any minivan and then load it with gear and people and you'll be grossly overloaded per the manufacturers specs. Most max tow ratings are with one person in the vehicle. There is no real engineering behind any of them. They are mainly derived in marketing departments. "BTW, the fuel economy ratings for similarly equipped Tahoes and Suburbans are identical, which isn’t surprising." True, but the Tahoe is lighter and that should equate to less fuel used. Although I'll agree it's not enough to sway the buying decison towards the Tahoe on its own.

    • Radimus Radimus on May 10, 2010

      Well, the towing limitations are determined more by the ability of the unibodies to handle the max tongue weight of the trailer, but yes there is a marketing component as well. It just plain costs too much to beef up a passenger car-based minivan enough to safely handle heavier loads.

  • Buster Brew Buster Brew on May 08, 2010

    Thanks for the extra info. The Tahoe certainly has had an affect on Suburban sales, but there is more. Back in 95 if you wanted to haul 7 people, you had three choices: Mini-van, full size van, or Suburban. Now there are countless suv's and crossovers that can accommodate 7 (at least for short trips)and the Suburban's market is more tightly defined. For those who routinely haul 7-9 plus luggage and possibly tow a trailer, the Suburban is still your boy.

  • Npbheights Npbheights on May 08, 2010

    I would like to see one more chart. One with the 4 other Chevy Suburban derived GM Vehicles: The Chevrolet Avalanche, Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV, and Cadillac Escalade EXT. I bet those models ate away at Suburban sales yet plummeted as time when on too.

  • John R John R on May 10, 2010

    The Acadia and her badge engineered sisters couldn't have helped matters. They're everywhere and I understand why after having driven one for a few days some months back. The Acadia is almost as quick; might as well be an Evo/WRX in the corners when you compare it to a GMT; and probably seats as many...while getting better mileage.

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