America's longest-running nameplate still does what it's always done: move more people and cargo than almost anything else. Built on a full-size pickup frame since 1935, it's the original family hauler that never abandoned its truck roots. The sheer size means you'll pay at the pump, expect mid-teens fuel economy with the V8, and parking takes planning. Upper trims push into luxury SUV pricing where Navigator and Expedition become real alternatives. But if you need three rows, serious towing capacity, and that specific Suburban presence, nothing else quite fills the role. Just know you're buying capability over efficiency, and the size is both the point and the compromise.
This full-size SUV splits into two distinct stories. The first-generation trucks with the 4.6L V8 were unkillable, owners routinely hit 400k-500k miles with nothing but oil changes, but rust ate the bodies and air suspension failures totaled otherwise healthy trucks. The current generation (2018-2024) offers serious space, strong towing, and genuine family comfort, but the 10R80 transmission is a documented weak point: multiple owners report rebuilds or replacements before 100k miles at $7k-10k out of pocket. If you're buying used in the 60k-100k mile range, budget for transmission work or get an extended warranty that covers it. The 2025-2026 redesign brings a polarizing oblong steering wheel and touch-heavy controls that owners either adapt to or never stop resenting. Buy this if you need the space and towing capacity, can afford the warranty, and don't mind that it drives more like a truck than a luxury cruiser. Walk if you're stretching the budget or buying high-mileage without coverage.