Lots of space, lots of power, great on or off road, it's just that....

As a traveling salesperson who spends a significant amount of time in the car, having a comfortable vehicle is always important in deciding which one to buy. Since miles rack up quickly, we haven't historically gone into traditional luxury class vehicles. Further, I like to take my vehicles on hunting excursions around the country, and would prefer to muddy up a suburban versus some other high-end vehicle I wouldn't want scratched. So, as I moved out of the powerless Toyota I drove previously, I decided I was going to go after size, power and capability. For years I have ridden in vintage 60's and 70's era suburbans on logging roads and off road getting into the bush on different hunts. What I found most interesting about these vehicles is the chassis' and drivetrains never seem to fail, though the bodies had been replaced more than once. Moreover, I liked the idea of having a large vehicle around me as I travel along the highways either alone or with my wife and children. Specific to the kids, I liked the idea of having the captains chairs as well as the rear-seat-entertainment (DVD, rear audio controls, wireless headsets) so they could entertain themselves. We went ahead and got those features as well as leather and the Z71 option, which answered my requirement for off-road durability. Towing is not, and likely won't be a concern for me, so can't offer thoughts on that.

So, 12 months and 50,000+ miles into the vehicle, I have some thoughts. First, I returned to the dealer a couple of months after the purchase to complain of a hissing noise coming from just behind the dash on the drivers side. They asked me to come in a day later and they presented me with a "Tech Bulletin" they printed off the dealer repair website that GM provides the dealer service people. To paraphrase, it advised the technician that this is a known issue and advise customer there is nothing to be fixed. Call this- the closest GM will ever come to admitting a design error. As it turns out, the compressor for the AC is mounted there and the hissing is a result of the compressor. While I knew that before going to the dealer, dropping 58K+ on a vehicle should protect the buyer from these annoyances.

Next, the vehicle groans and whines which is loader than any other SUV I have been in. This is noticeable at lower speeds- pulling into and out of the driver way, accelerating away from a stop, etc. Again, an annoyance that shouldn't be part of this expense.

Next, the fit and finish on the inside, though nice initially, begins to fade quickly. For example, the leather does not wear nearly as well as a Toyota product. The paint on the dials and buttons began chipping and flaking- consistently- on the stereo, seat adjustment buttons, etc. Now, I expect this to happen, however, not six months into owning it. As I say, annoyances for an expensive vehicle.

BUT, do not think these outweigh what I like in the vehicle.

It rocks in the snow. You can modify the old adage- it will pass anything on the road but a gas station- to--> It will pass anything in a snowstorm or snow-buried city (but a gas station).

It rocks off road. I need to qualify this a bit. This isn't the crater course or gravel pit off road- though it would actually do well there too. I'm talking about the 50 MPH down 100 miles of rough logging road. Or 40 MPH down 60 miles of gravel road. Or 30 MPH around the side of a mountain. Real off road d-r-i-v-i-n-g. The suspension is very nice in these conditions. It is, still, a truck. But it handles these conditions extremely well and feels great. Never a question in the capability or comfort.

It rocks in the power category too. After driving the Toyota, this vehicle is a joy. When I need to punch it, it responds very well- with good torque, speed and power.

Overall, I love it. I spoke with several owners of Suburbans and Yukon/Tahoes before purchasing this vehicle. To a person, all of the Yukon/Tahoe owners said- I wish I had the extra room of the Suburban. And all of the Suburban owners said- don't get the Tahoe/Yukon, you will wish later that you had a Suburban. In fact, one of the Tahoe owners was trading it in (his wife's vehicle) to get the Suburban because they wanted to extra room.