I stumbled across these great photos on the GM media Web site, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Chevy Suburban. I just love seeing how cars (and giant trucks) evolve over the decades. The 1955-'59 generation is missing and there were obviously a few mid-cycle refreshes, but otherwise, this is the family tree. Enjoy.
1936 Suburban (1935-'40)
1946 Suburban (1941-'47)
1951 Suburban (1947-'55)
1966 Suburban (1960-'66)
1972 Suburban (1967-'72)
1990 Suburban (1973-'91 Geez, did they forget about or something?)
1999 Suburban (1992-'99)
2002 Suburban (2000-'06)
2010 Suburban Diamond Edition (2007-present)
Keep on truckin'
James Riswick, Automotive Editor
By andersendl
on August 27, 2010
02:47 PM
Nice pictorial!
Wife had a '96 Tahoe, followed by a '98 GMC Yukon XL (GMC 'Burb), followed by a 2000 Chevy 'Burb, followed by a 2002 Yukon Denali. The '96 and '98 were great trucks. Loved 'em.
The '00 and '02 were pieces o' crap. Hated 'em. Hear the '07s and up are much better, but the last two we had were so poorly made and wound up in the shop so often, we gave up and "went Japanese."
Maybe we'll come back to the 'Burb/Tahoe/Yukon fold someday, but the rock-solid reliability of our Acura MDX is very hard to argue with. Might buy a well kept '96-'99 Tahoe, though, for my next hunting beater vehicle.
By thomasbarker01
on August 27, 2010
02:47 PM
I remember being a kid in the 90's, every soccer mom had one of these. Sorry, the trendy soccer moms.
By billt9
on August 29, 2010
04:32 AM
This and the Ford Expedition are the best cars in America.
Every proud American should be driving one of these. It is a highly regarded national symbol.
By the_big_al
on August 29, 2010
08:41 PM
My favorite is the 1980's era Suburban. Ya they were basically the same from '73-91, but in the early 80's (81 I think) the dash and front end were revised and I like that style the best. It was, is, the perfect work truck, hunting rig, hauling rig, do anything and not worry rig. Get one made before it had any electronics and emissions vacuums that sucked the life out of the 350 or just yank all those off and you have one stout hard working, forever running vehicle.
By blackadder5639
on August 30, 2010
11:07 AM
Has anyone noticed how the latest Suburban/Tahoe has such a low ground clearance, especially because of the front bumper?
By technetium99
on August 31, 2010
05:45 AM
The missing '55 - '59 models were the best looking to me. I do love the velour seats in the '90. Velour seats are so much more comfortable than modern cloth or leather; please bring them back!
By firstwagon
on September 1, 2010
02:59 PM
My choice is the late 90's models. The 350 finally had enough electronics and technology to put out decent power but the bizzare craze of turning them into giant luxury cars had not yet taken hold.