Is Your Full Size SUV Road Trip Ready? What We Learned in the 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

Our Chevrolet Suburban High Country model was packed with high-end features such as adaptive air ride suspension, heated and ventilated seats, and a 12.3-inch digital driver display. It had center row captains chairs and seating for seven, making it perfect for families or groups of friends planning a getaway. And with the 10.2-inch multimedia screen equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, staying connected on the road was easy. 

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The shining jewel of the Chevy Suburban as a full-size SUV road trip car is that it has so much versatile space. When I say the Suburban has storage space, I mean it LOTS of storage space. We brought along everything we thought we would need and everything fit without being piled to the ceiling.

We even brought along a small fridge to pack food to eat on the road so we don’t have to dine out in a restaurant every day. And since thereT are multiple plug options throughout the SUV, it was easy to plug in to keep things cool. We could also power up other gadgets and appliances.

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I will admit, we did fold down the 3rd row seats, creating enough space to pack swim gear, toys, luggage and filming equipment, and everything fit comfortably in the back. There is 144.7 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats folded for those days you need to use it just for hauling. There is 93.8 cubic feet behind the second row and 41.5 behind the 3rd row, enough for an extended trip even when there is a 5th or 6th passenger.

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If you’re like me and love a good garage sale, you’ll appreciate the flat load floor in the cargo area. The seats power-fold with the push of a button, providing a flat loading floor that’s perfect for garage sale treasures or larger items.

This is great for road trip packing, of course; that means that luggage, coolers and equipment will fit more neatly in the cargo area.

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This one really amazed me: The center console slides to open a cubby between the front seats, but that’s not all: There’s a tray underneath it AND the center console space isn’t compromised; it is deep and holds quite a lot. That’s because the console slides back, which also pushes the cup holders, USB ports and a small storage cubby closer to the rear seat passengers.

The hidden nature of this little space is perfect for storing valuables like small purses, wallets, or phones, ensuring they’re safe and out of sight.

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Even with my son’s car seat installed in the second row, getting into the third row was surprisingly easy. There’s enough leg room to easily pass by a child car seat to reach the pass-through to the 3rd row. Or, for SUVs with a center row bench, seats that slide forward and tilt, or as in the Suburban, fold and tumble, will let 3rd row passengers easily climb in.

I’m on the shorter side, so the automatic running boards (or fixed running boards for those who don’t want to pay the freight for automatic) were a fantastic addition for getting in and out of the Suburban without a struggle.

I have to admit, driving hands-free was a bit nerve-wracking for me. I’m the type who rarely even uses regular cruise control because I like to feel fully in control when I’m behind the wheel. However, the Chevy Suburban’s Super Cruise, which allows for hands-free driving on mapped highways, has changed my mind.

This system, which requires an initial purchase and includes 3 years of service and a subscription afterward, combines mapped information with road markings and tracking of other vehicles around you. It can operate on certain two-lane roads and the system will even change lanes for you. And if any of the required criteria is missing, such as in a construction zone or a snow storm, the system will signal the driver to take the wheel.

Hands-free driving is particularly useful for long stretches of road to reduce driver fatigue and make the journey more enjoyable. Even in remote areas like Big Bend National Park, we were able to use this feature, thanks to Chevrolet’s extensive road mapping.

Entertainment on a long trip is non-negotiable. We try to keep our little guy’s time screen-free as much as possible, but after hearing “Are we there yet?” for the millionth time, sometimes you just need to flip on a screen so everyone can relax.  

The Suburban’s available rear entertainment system is a good way to keep the kiddos happy with YouTube and Hulu on tap, as well as streaming or gaming. This built-in feature in the Chevy, unlike some of its competitors, does come with a subscription fee, but you can also sign into your own subscriptions, too.

A spacious, family-friendly SUV seems perfect for road trips But is it, really? Time in the 2024 Chevy Suburban opened my eyes to not just interior details that made it great for family travel, but its advanced features, including Super Cruise and the entertainment system made me think they might be worth the investment even if they are only used a few times a year.

It’s only been a few weeks, but I’m already planning where to take my family next.