The GMC Suburban was GMC’s version of the vehicle that has become the longest-produced automobile nameplate in the world. Chevrolet began building its all-steel carryall-suburban in 1934 and GMC brought out its own version in 1937; the name moved to Yukon XL for the 2000 model year.
GMC Suburban at a glance
| Type | full-size sport-utility vehicle |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet production began | 1934 |
| GMC production began | 1937 |
| Early names | Suburban Carryall, later shortened to Suburban |
| GMC name after 2000 | Yukon XL |
| Body | three rows of seats on a full pickup frame |
| Length versus Tahoe | 15 to 20 in longer |
| Half-ton and 3/4-ton | offered from 1973 to 2013 |
| Trademark | exclusive to GM from 1988 |
| Latest generation | twelfth, from the 2021 model year |
| Ten millionth built | 2015, at Arlington Assembly |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Chevrolet Suburban, which covers the GMC versions. The photograph shows a Chevrolet-badged Suburban.
History of the GMC Suburban
Carryall and Suburban
Several American makers used the Suburban designation for a windowed station-wagon body on a commercial frame, including DeSoto, Dodge, Plymouth, Studebaker and Nash as well as Chevrolet and GMC. The Westchester Suburban name was a trademark of the US Body and Forging Company of Tell City, Indiana, which built wooden station wagon bodies for all of these chassis. Chevrolet began production of its all-steel carryall-suburban in 1934 and GMC brought out its version in 1937. These vehicles were also known as the Suburban Carryall until GM shortened the name to Suburban. GMC’s version was originally called Suburban too, until it was rebranded Yukon XL for 2000.
The longest-lived nameplate
When production of the Plymouth Fury Suburban station wagon ended in 1978, only GM still built a vehicle branded Suburban, and in 1988 GM was awarded an exclusive trademark on the name. The Suburban has outlasted competitors such as the International Harvester Travelall, Jeep Wagoneer and Ford Excursion. It is one of the few station wagons offered with bench seating in every row, and it has the same height and width as the Chevrolet Tahoe but is 15 to 20 inches longer, which provides a full-sized cargo area behind the nine-passenger seating. The extra length dates from 1967, when the model was extended to make room for the K5 Blazer that arrived in 1969.
Engines and versions
The Suburban is a full-size SUV built on a pickup frame with a V8 engine and three rows of seating, positioned as the progenitor of the modern full-size sport utility vehicle. From 1973 to 2013 it was available in half-ton and three-quarter-ton versions; Chevrolet dropped the three-quarter-ton option for the public after 2013 because of slow sales. A one-ton model appeared for 2016 as a rental, fleet and government exclusive, but it was discontinued after 2019. In the late 1990s GM also built right-hand-drive Suburbans for Australia under the Holden badge, withdrawing the model from Holden’s range in 2000 after low sales.
In service and in the movies
The Suburban has long been used as a police truck, fire chief’s vehicle and ambulance, and as taxi and limousine livery. Black Suburbans are commonly used by federal intelligence services, and the Secret Service runs armoured versions for the President at less formal engagements. In 2015 the model marked its 80th anniversary at Arlington Assembly, where the ten millionth Suburban was built, and in December 2019 the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce gave the Suburban a star on the Walk of Fame, noting that it had appeared in 1,750 films and television shows since 1952.
Design and features
- Pickup-based body: a station wagon body on a full truck frame with a V8.
- Three rows of seats: one of the few wagons with bench seating in every row.
- Extra length: 15 to 20 inches longer than a Tahoe, giving a full-size cargo area.
- Long production: twelve generations, with the latest from the 2021 model year.
- GMC naming: sold as the Suburban or Carryall until it became the Yukon XL in 2000.
GMC Suburban versions
- GMC Suburban Carryall (from 1937): the early station-wagon body on a truck chassis.
- Half-ton Suburban: the standard civilian model.
- Three-quarter-ton Suburban (1973-2013): the heavier-duty version.
- One-ton fleet Suburban (2016-2019): a rental, fleet and government model.
- Yukon XL (from 2000): the name GMC uses for the model today.
The Suburban was the long-wheelbase stablemate of the GMC Jimmy and full-size Blazer, and its GMC successor is the Yukon XL. More trucks are in the GMC collection.
Sources
- Chevrolet Suburban, English Wikipedia: history, names, dimensions, versions, service use
