QOTD: Care to Rank 11 Generations of the Chevrolet Suburban? (Part II)

We started our ranking challenge for every generation of Chevrolet Suburban in last week’s QOTD. That post covered the first through sixth generations, which range from truck with wagon body format to nearly a modern Suburban. Some struggled with the first challenge installment, citing a lack of knowledge and experience with old trucks dating back to the 1930s (you youths!).

Today we’ll rank Suburban generations seven through eleven; undoubtedly these will be much more familiar to many of you.

1973-1991

Beginning with the 1973 model year, the Suburban entered what is essentially its present format. Four real passenger doors allowed entry for the family, and gasoline or diesel V8s of between 5.7 and 7.4 liters of displacement powered these broods around the globe. Based on the hugely successful C/K series of pickup trucks, this is the longest-lived generation of Suburban. Nineteen years, minimal changes. Scottsdale and Silverado trims debut here as well.

1992-1999

The follow-up to the C/K generation trucks is the series which will come to mind for many when they hear the word “Suburban.” The GMT400 brought Suburban into the 1990s, and with it more refinement and optional extras. Again, engines ranged between 5.7 and 7.4 liters, where the range topped out at the Vortec L29 V8 on the 2500-series Suburbans. For the first time, both the manual and automatic transmissions had four speeds from model introduction (they were added to the latter part of the C/K generation). This would be the final go for the GMC Suburban, which took the name Yukon XL for 2000.

2000-2006

The rugged square looks of the GMT400 were replaced by the more rounded GMT800 for 2000 (with limited edition 2000-only GMT400 exceptions). The old 5.7- and 7.4-liter engines went by the wayside, replaced by the 5.3 Vortec at the lower end, and Vortec 8100 (8.1L) for the 2500 versions. Listening to customer commentary, modernization was key for the GMT800. The spare tire moved underneath the vehicle so as not to take up cargo space, and there were new niceties like electronic climate control. For the first time, an Autoride load-leveling suspension was available for upper trims. Other new luxuries included Bose stereo, XM satellite, and power everything else.

2007-2014

For 2007, the GMT900 maintained a variation on the theme established by its GMT800 predecessor, with again more rounded styling. The 5.3-liter Vortec is joined by the 6-liter unit added late in the GMT800’s tenure. The upmarket Vortec 6.2-liter becomes available in this generation, as well. Trim variations offer capacity for between six and nine passengers. More power options and driver assists became standard throughout the years, though 2013 was the last model year for the 2500-series trucks.

2015-Present

2015 brings us to present times, as the eleventh-and-current generation Suburban debuted on the new K2XX platform. Sharper edges in design came back into focus. Assembly consolidated from three locations to a single factory: the Arlington, Texas plant that built your grandfather’s 1996 Buick Roadmaster. Engines consolidated here as well, with only 5.3- or 6.2-liter options. Six-speed transmissions found in the GMT900 era continue, and are joined by new automatics of eight or even ten speeds (2019+). Fuel economy and technological advancement were the order of the day.

Sound off — let’s hear your best to worst rankings for Suburban generations six through eleven.

[Images: GM]