It’s still called Suburban, but the truck-based 4-door wagon sold under the Chevrolet andGMC nameplates now shared its platform and appearance cues with GM’s contemporary C/K full-size pickups. Against the previous Suburban, which lasted 20 years, the 1992 was 2 inches longer in wheelbase but fractionally shorter overall. It was 3.2 inches lower and 2.8 inches narrower. Maximum cargo space increased 8.9 cubic feet.
GM Said the new body had 30 percent more glass area. A pair of side hinged back doors was again standard but a new lif-glass tailgate option replaced the previous power roll down glass.
Suburbans came in 1/2 ton “1500” and 3/4 ton “2500” form. The “C” prefix again denoted rear drive, “K” 4-wheel drive. A 210-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 was standard. A 4-speed overdrive automatic repeated as the only transmission. A low-compression 5.7 with 190 horsepower was optional for heavy-duty 2500-series models, as was a 230-horsepower 7.4-liter V8. 1991’s diesel V8 was dropped.
Payloads topped out at 3515 pounds on C2500s, down 273 pounds from 1991. However, 2500s now had a 10,000 pound towing capacity, up by 500 lbs on 2WDs and 1500 on 4×4’s; C1500s could again trailer up to 7000 pounds.
Inherited from C/K pickups was a standard 4-wheel anti-lock brake system that operated in both 2- and 4WD; Suburbans previous ABS was rear-wheel only. Also coming over form the pickups was “Insta-Trac” 4WD, which still was part-time (not for use on dry pavement), but now had automatic-locking front hubs and could be shifted in or out of 4WD at any speed.
Truck toughness and trailering ability combined with wagon utility and lots of available luxury had earned Suburban a cult following. And he redesigned 1992 pleased Suburban loyal buyers. Others would do well to look at a full-size van, which would deliver similar power, room and utility, plus easier entry/and exit. Even stretched compact vans like the Chevy Astro/GMC Safari came close to ‘burb in space, were also available in 4WD, and cost somewhat less. Still, if only a big truck-based wagon would do, GM had the only player. And a good one.
And the one the Secret Service loves using it!