As Chevy prepares for 2025, its full-size SUVs showcase subtle exterior updates along with an outstanding transformed and enhanced interior. The Suburban and Tahoe manage to seamlessly integrate a sleek cockpit design while maintaining accessible physical controls, striking a balance between modernity and functionality.
A noteworthy improvement lies in the turbocharged 3.0-liter Duramax diesel engine, which now delivers enhanced performance. While the interior revamp might grab the spotlight, this engine upgrade stands out as a crucial enhancement for these spacious family vehicles.
Both models are known for their substantial fuel consumption, whether equipped with a V-8 or a six-cylinder diesel. The Duramax engine provides the best chance of achieving over 20 miles per gallon, ensuring ample power for daily driving needs—even with the addition of new 24-inch wheels, the largest offered from the factory.
Chevrolet’s focus on superior interior quality is evident in the updates for 2025, aligning the Suburban and Tahoe with other models in their lineup. The centerpiece of the dashboard features an impressive 17.7-inch touchscreen, which integrates smoothly with an 11.0-inch driver display.
This layout comes standard across all trim levels, from the entry-level LS to the luxurious High Country. Beneath the main display, spacious climate control vents are flanked by an organized array of knobs and buttons, allowing for intuitive climate adjustments.
The updated cabin design radiates a contemporary feel, with screens prominently featured throughout the dashboard, even in the expansive Suburban RST I drove around Fort Worth, Texas. This interior strikes a perfect balance between a modern aesthetic and the practicality of tactile controls, ensuring easy access to frequently used features.
Chevrolet emphasizes the importance of physical buttons in this segment and has committed to keeping them in future models. This decision is commendable, as the thoughtful integration of analog and digital components in the interior elevates the driving experience. Currently, few manufacturers achieve such a harmonious blend as Chevy.
Passing through the various vehicle settings is straightforward, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remaining integral to the Tahoe and Suburban. While a Chevy spokesperson was noncommittal about the long-term future of these technologies—given General Motors’ plans to phase them out—both systems remain essential to the driving experience for the time being.
If you’re without your phone, Google serves as the default navigation system, consistently recognized as one of the best in the industry. However, the interior upgrades do come with a few quirks. For 2025, a new column-mounted shifter has been introduced, resembling the smaller stalks found in the Equinox and Traverse.
Unlike traditional mechanical systems, this digital shifter is user-friendly, requiring only a simple pull back and down for drive or back and up for reverse. The park function is engaged with a button at the end of the stalk, but this setup presents certain challenges.
The self-centering lever can unintentionally shift into reverse if it slips from your grip while transitioning into drive. I encountered this a few times during my initial drive, and I also mistakenly shifted into reverse while believing I was in park—a reminder that ingrained habits can be difficult to break, especially for those accustomed to traditional column shifters.
A more concerning aspect is the potential “bounce” effect when switching from drive to reverse. If drivers overlook the display or fail to notice the illuminated “R” on the stalk before moving, they might accidentally back into an object.
Given that drivers often pay less attention when shifting into drive, this could lead to safety risks that might require a redesign or a recall in the future. Once in the correct gear, the driving experience in the 2025 Suburban and Tahoe feels strikingly familiar, much like the previous models.
The unchanged 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V-8 engines, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and multi-link suspension, contribute to this sense of continuity. Few full-size SUVs offer the same amount of space for passengers and cargo, accommodating up to nine occupants if you opt for the LS trim with a split bench seat instead of front bucket seats.
Comfort remains a highlight, even with the new 24-inch Bridgestone wheels. I anticipated a rough ride due to the larger wheels, and while I did notice a bit more harshness on severely bumpy roads, it was still quite manageable.
For those who frequently pass unpaved routes, it may be advisable to stick with smaller wheels. Nevertheless, the visual impact of the 24-inch wheels on a substantial vehicle like the Suburban is undeniably striking.
When it comes to engine options, I strongly advocate for the 3.0-liter I-6 diesel over the V-8 choices. The updated Suburban and Tahoe feature a 305-horsepower version of this engine, which boasts 495 pound-feet of torque—an increase of 35 lb-ft that enhances everyday performance.
I had the opportunity to experience this engine in both the Tahoe Z71 and the high-end Suburban High Country, appreciating its capability to merge seamlessly with slower city traffic while still providing enough power for highway cruising at 80 mph.
Additionally, this engine choice proves to be efficient. After stepping out of the High Country diesel, I noted the onboard mileage display showed 21 mpg—an impressive figure considering the spirited driving that had taken place over several days.
Meanwhile, the RST with its 420-hp 6.2-liter V-8 recorded just 15.5 mpg, although these figures are not yet confirmed by the EPA. Official ratings will be released later, but I suspect they won’t differ much from my real-world experience.
Entering the world of full-size, body-on-frame SUVs is an investment. The base 2025 Tahoe LS with two-wheel drive starts at just over $60,000, providing a stylish tech-focused interior and a comprehensive array of standard driver-assistance features.
At the top end, a fully equipped Suburban High Country is priced at $86,195, placing it firmly in the luxury segment, only a few hundred dollars shy of an entry-level Cadillac Escalade ESV.
Chevrolet describes the Tahoe and Suburban LS models priced above $60,000 as “affordable” and crucial for buyers entering the large three-row SUV market. It remains to be seen how these refreshed models will be received when they hit dealerships by the end of the year.