Chevy Suburban has earned a strong reputation as North America’s premier full-size SUV for its unmatched comfort, capability and durability. With one of the highest loyalty rates in the industry, Suburban gets several noteworthy enhancements for 2005, keeping this Chevy workhorse in a class all its own.

For 2005, GM’s OnStar safety and security system is now standard in all equipment groups. All Suburban models also have a rear liftgate with flip-up glass, and side-sill assist steps have been redesigned for improved ergonomics.

Suburban’s tire pressure monitoring system has been revised to identify the specific tire and location, replacing the general warning system. The system is now available on 3/4-ton models. An engine oil cooler is now included and only available with 3/4-ton models equipped with the Vortec 8100 8.1L V-8 engine, while a transmission oil cooler is now included with the trailering equipment package or 3/4-ton models

Other functional changes include a more powerful 160-amp alternator standard on all half-ton models. Rear axle ratios are revised, resulting in a 3.42 ratio being standard on all half-ton models and a 3.73 ratio as standard on all 3/4-ton versions.

Equipment group revisions for 2005 include the availability of the Z71 off-road package for 2WD half-ton models; a new optional stereo system with touch-screen navigation system; and 17-inch, five-spoke aluminum wheels now included as part of the uplevel LT package.

Two new exterior colors are available: Sandstone Metallic and Bermuda Blue Metallic.

Power for every need

Suburban’s powertrain lineup includes a choice of three powerful V-8 engines to cover even the most extreme hauling and towing requirements. GM’s Vortec 5300 5.3L V-8 is standard on all half-ton models, delivering 295 horsepower (220 kw) and 330 lb.-ft. (447 Nm) of torque. This flexible-fuel engine is capable of running on either unleaded gasoline or a blend of up to 85 percent ethanol.

GM’s Vortec 6000 6.0L V-8 is standard on all 3/4-ton Suburban models, and generates 325 horsepower (243 kw) and 365 lb.-ft. (495 Nm) of torque. For those with exceptional requirements, GM’s Vortec 8100 8.1L V-8 is available on 2500 series 3/4-ton models, providing 320 horsepower (239 kw) and 440 lb.-ft. (597 Nm) of torque. Three transmissions, all four-speed automatics with electronic controls and tow/haul modes, are available, depending on engine choice.

Improved fuel economy

Already best in class in terms of fuel economy, the 2005 Suburban extends that leadership with enhancements that lead to a nearly one mpg fuel economy improvement.

The 2005 Suburban features an all-electric cooling system (compared to fan and fan clutch on 2004 models). The all-electric cooling system consists of two 200-watt electric fan packages and an improved dissipation radiator. The new cooling system provides a number of advantages:

A new voltage control system monitors the battery’s charge status and controls the vehicle’s generator to minimize parasitic voltage loss.

Aerodynamic changes also were made to improve fuel economy. For example, tow hook and fog light openings are now sealed when those items are not ordered on the vehicle. The center hole in the front air deflector also was sealed; an extension was added to the front air deflector; and the aerodynamics for the running boards were improved.

Stability and Quadrasteer control

In addition to a wide choice of powertrain options, Suburban can be equipped with either two- or four-wheel drive and several steering and stability enhancement systems. GM’s StabiliTrak system is available on half-ton 2WD or 4WD models with the Vortec 5300 5.3L V-8 engine (not available with Z71). In addition, 2WD Suburbans with a locking rear differential can be equipped with electronic traction assist.

StabiliTrak helps the driver maintain control in sudden maneuvers, particularly in low traction conditions, in emergency lane changes and during avoidance maneuvers.

StabiliTrak assists the vehicle in maintaining the driver’s intended path by applying a brake force at any corner of the vehicle independent of the driver’s use of the brake pedal.

StabiliTrak uses an accelerator pedal position sensor, a brake master cylinder pressure sensor and a steering wheel angle sensor as inputs to interpret the driver’s desired path and whether to accelerate or decelerate the vehicle. StabiliTrak also uses these sensors plus a lateral accelerometer and yaw rate sensor to determine the vehicle’s actual path.

If the difference between the driver’s desired path and the vehicle’s actual path becomes great enough, StabiliTrak takes appropriate action to assist the driver with maintaining the desired path. If the vehicle begins to “snowplow,” or understeer, StabiliTrak applies the inside rear brake to help turn the vehicle. If the vehicle begins to fishtail, or oversteer, StabiliTrak applies the outside front brake to straighten the vehicle. StabiliTrak is integrated with the traction control and ABS systems.

Suburban was the first full-size SUV to offer the revolutionary control and handling benefits of Quadrasteer – a four-wheel steering system available on 2500 series 2WD and 4WD models. Quadrasteer offers low-speed maneuverability and high-speed stability, handling and control ideal for pulling a trailer. At low speeds, Quadrasteer enables the rear wheels to turn in the opposite direction of the front wheels. That helps the vehicle make tighter turns such as when cornering or getting into a tight parking space.  Quadrasteer reduces Suburban’s turning circle by about 20 percent compared with models not equipped with this innovative steering system.

At higher speeds, the system reduces vehicle yaw, or rotational motion, for more control during lane changes and demanding conditions.

Interior flexibility, comfort 

Suburban has enough space to comfortably seat eight adults, or stack 4-foot by 8-foot (1.2-meter by 2.4-meter) panels on the load floor with the liftgate closed and rear seats removed. If extra hauling is required, Suburban can tow up to 12,000 pounds (5,443 kg) when properly equipped.

Besides a high degree of flexibility, every Suburban is equipped with a long list of comfort and convenience items that have helped give this vehicle such a loyal customer following. Standard items include power windows with driver express-down, power door locks, cruise control, tilt-adjustable steering wheel, multi-lingual driver information center, temperature and compass displays integrated in the inside rearview mirror, and deep-tint glass aft of the B-pillar.

A tri-zone, manually controlled heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is standard, enabling the driver and front passenger to adjust the temperature to their individual comfort levels, providing up to a 30-degree Fahrenheit (13.9-degree Celsius) difference between the two front zones. Manual rear air conditioning also is standard.

An available tri-zone automatic HVAC system with rear electronic climate control provides second-row passengers with automatically controlled temperature settings independent from those of the front passengers, for true tri-zone comfort.

Other available driver options include exterior mirrors with power-tilt glass and power folding for narrow spaces; heating elements that clear frost, snow or ice; left-side electrochromatic glass that automatically dims headlight glare; puddle lights; turn-signal indicators in the glass; and a memory feature. An available power-adjustable camper mirror can be extended to a vehicle width of as much as 106 inches (269 cm).

Comprehensive safety and security

Suburban has a full complement of safety and security features, starting with dual-stage frontal air bags for supplemental protection for front seat passengers. Dual-stage frontal air bags are designed to help reduce the risk of air bag-induced injury. When the air bag system’s control unit detects an impact, it determines whether the crash is severe enough to trigger a deployment and whether the primary amount of inflation is sufficient. The primary stage alone will deploy in most frontal impacts requiring the supplemental protection of an air bag, while a secondary stage is designed to deploy in more severe frontal collisions.

The Suburban also has GM’s Passenger Sensing System (PSS).  PSS uses the latest sensing technology to turn the front passenger air bag on or off. If the sensor system detects an unoccupied front passenger seat or the presence of a smaller occupant, the front passenger air bag is deigned to automatically turn off so it would not deploy in the event of a frontal collision. A status indicator on the instrument panel alerts occupants that the passenger air bag is on or off. Even with this system, GM strongly recommends to restrain child passengers in an appropriate child seat placed in the second or third row of the vehicle. Never install a rear-facing infant seat in front of an active air bag. GM also recommends that all children 12 and under ride in the rear seat when possible.

Other standard safety and security features include the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child-seat attachment system in the rear seats, and GM’s PASSLock II theft deterrent system. The LATCH system provides two lower anchors and a top tether anchor to be used to secure a child seat to the vehicle seat structure. These anchorages are designed to make it easier to properly install compatible child safety seats.

Also standard are four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with Hydroboost, a feature that provides more reserve power assist for braking under specific conditions.

Additional safety and convenience features include available driver and front-passenger side air bags, and power-adjustable brake and accelerator pedals optional on LS, and standard on LT and Z71 models.

Unlimited entertainment choices

Suburban can be equipped with an almost unlimited selection of entertainment systems to make any journey more enjoyable – from an available Bose sound system to a Panasonic DVD Passenger Entertainment System. These systems feature the next-generation Radio Data System and can interface with services such as the optional XM Satellite Radio (continental U.S. only). Available rear-seat audio controls allow second-row passengers to enjoy a separate audio source from front-seat occupants. An available custom-designed Bose audio system uses a high-powered six-channel amplifier and an eight-speaker sound system with sub-woofer.

OnStar-equipped Suburbans feature new sixth-generation hardware with digital and analog coverage. OnStar’s Gen 6 hardware also includes upgraded hands-free voice recognition capabilities including more intuitive continuous digit dialing and improved voice recognition accuracy. OnStar is the leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and information services in the United States and Canada. Using the GPS satellite network and wireless technology, OnStar features core safety services and OnStar Personal Calling that allows drivers to make and receive hands-free, voice-activated phone calls using a powerful three-watt digital/analog system and external antenna for greater reception.