Robert Duffer of the Chicago Tribune was on stealth
assignment this past week and took on the task of sharing his opinions on the
new Chevy
Suburban RST. A vehicle that many have asked us here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse about this
holiday season, his article title alone states that it can “haul so much more
than people.” Being in existence since 1935, this is the longest-running
nameplate in continual use. Robert also reflects with humor how the Suburban of
his past is “a high-school buddy's rusted-out powder blue on navy truck with
ripped vinyl seats and a busted shock,” providing a detailed visual of a
vehicle the teens loved to be carted around in on the weekends.
He remembers in detail how that Suburban
was “beat up, beloved, and running seemingly forever to its death,” describing
just how durable and tough the vehicle Is. The 2019 Suburban RST is a very
sleek prowler, capable of massive agility, and deriving power from a small
block V-8 engine similar to what is used in the legendary and track-commanding
Corvette. Sporting black wheels, black bumpers, black bow ties, and even black
lettering, it evokes a certain breed of hefty hauling machine while still
putting forth a sense of respectable and menacing charm.
When you visit us here at the Powerhouse to check out options for
trims, don't in any way skip over the Rally Sport: it appeared in the Tahoe as
well last year, and upgrades the engine to a 6.2-liter V-8 EcoTec, with a more
efficient 10-speed transmission capable of churning out 460 lb-ft of torque.
Known for seamlessly carrying its weight and feeling pleasantly light on the
throttle, this trim level also gets Magnetic Ride Control as well as incredibly
sensitive world-class shocks. These can react very quickly to road conditions
and driver input, and with 22-inch wheels, the Suburban
RST cruises on the highway with a distinct and noticeable smoothness.
The true test drive for the RST was given during a
very plausible scenario: transporting kids around town for a long week, then on
a camping excursion during the weekend. Plenty of goods and gear were packed
in, and Robert and co. immediately thought there was more space than the
closely-competing Cadillac Escalade. During the week in the city, there was an
overall light feel in the driving, and it was greatly appreciated that the
usual boat-like roll of a full-size SUV was not in place. 19 MPG was the
average number on the highway thanks to cylinder deactivation, which shuts down
half of the 8 cylinders during any cruise.
