Base suspension ride quality

[Tinbadtin]

I’ll just come out and say it, for all the praise this platform seems to be getting in the reviews, I’m absolutely not impressed with the ride quality. I thought IRS was supposed to improve ride quality and handling however I have yet to experience it after ~700 miles of ownership.

Overall, it rides slightly better than the bouncy Trail Boss I had a few years back. Mine is is a 2022 LS Suburban with the 20” wheels and running the recommended 34/35 psi. It definitely improves a bit when fully loaded but still, I didn’t expect it to ride pretty much like a pickup truck. The other comparison is an 07 Avalanche (GMT900) on 20” with standard suspension that felt much more planted and “luxury” ride.

Not only is the Suburban overly bouncy IMO (both at slow and high speeds) but when hitting expansion joints on freeways it feels unsettled and borderline scary at times (just like what I’ve experienced in my 1/2 ton Silverado trail boss). In the last 6 months our family has rented both a previous gen 20 Suburban and Expedition. As far as I can remember the previous gen Suburban didn’t ride much better than the T1, however the Expedition seemed a lot more comfortable and composed, with and without load. I do see many reviewers praise the expedition for its on road manners. I obviously should’ve test driven the Suburban before buying but there were literally 0 available when I ordered…

Our other vehicles are an X7 and a Sienna. The X7 is obviously in its own league and I didn’t expect anything near it from the Suburban (if anything expected it more couch-like) and really found disappointing how bouncy and unsettled it feels.

Anyone else feeling the same?

 

[Garth Knight]

I’ll just come out and say it, for all the praise this platform seems to be getting in the reviews, I’m absolutely not impressed with the ride quality. I thought IRS was supposed to improve ride quality and handling however I have yet to experience it after ~700 miles of ownership.

Overall, it rides slightly better than the bouncy Trail Boss I had a few years back. Mine is is a 2022 LS Suburban with the 20” wheels and running the recommended 34/35 psi. It definitely improves a bit when fully loaded but still, I didn’t expect it to ride pretty much like a pickup truck. The other comparison is an 07 Avalanche (GMT900) on 20” with standard suspension that felt much more planted and “luxury” ride.

Not only is the Suburban overly bouncy IMO (both at slow and high speeds) but when hitting expansion joints on freeways it feels unsettled and borderline scary at times (just like what I’ve experienced in my 1/2 ton Silverado trail boss). In the last 6 months our family has rented both a previous gen 20 Suburban and Expedition. As far as I can remember the previous gen Suburban didn’t ride much better than the T1, however the Expedition seemed a lot more comfortable and composed, with and without load. I do see many reviewers praise the expedition for its on road manners. I obviously should’ve test driven the Suburban before buying but there were literally 0 available when I ordered…

Our other vehicles are an X7 and a Sienna. The X7 is obviously in its own league and I didn’t expect anything near it from the Suburban (if anything expected it more couch-like) and really found disappointing how bouncy and unsettled it feels.

Anyone else feeling the same?

I totally agree about it being overly bouncy! I was originally looking at a Suburban until I test drove one. Reminded me of how bouncy driving a big long church van once felt. The Chevy dealership here gave it to me as a loaner while my Camaro was having warranty work done lol.

 

[Tinbadtin]

You have a Tahoe on order right? So I take it that rode better than the long wheelbase Suburban?

 

[Craigy]

Seems like all the review copies have air ride. Usually a Z71 or high country.

 

[Saltydog]

I will agree, that the ride is not as good as I would prefer, my biggest issue is the jitteriness when hitting small imperfections on the road. My 2020 Ram has a better ride and its a truck.

I think a lot of this could be fixed with a variable rate aftermarket shock or ordering one with magnetic ride shocks.

 

[Ungawa]

We have a 22 SLT and suspension a little choppy at times. My biggest disappointment is the bottom of the seat seem narrow and my rear tail lights have the mold injection point in the middle of tail light….looks cheap.

 

[Tinbadtin]

I will agree, that the ride is not as good as I would prefer, my biggest issue is the jitteriness when hitting small imperfections on the road. My 2020 Ram has a better ride and its a truck.

I think a lot of this could be fixed with a variable rate aftermarket shock or ordering one with magnetic ride shocks.

I read that the MRC (magnetic shocks) not necessarily make the ride better / more comfortable. I wish it was easier to test drive the different options. Not many dealers with inventory here (good luck finding all the suspension options on the same lot).

Definitely want to look into aftermarket options. If anyone has any experience with aftermarket shocks would love to hear which ones and how much better the ride is.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

As an owner of many of these platforms, actually all of them since 1996 except the 15-20 version...I can say, without a doubt that the MRC + Air suspensions makes this thing really comfy. Have a fishing buddy that has ridden in almost all my rides, he hopped in my Denali and we went for a 40 jaunt to the fishing hole and back, and unprompted, he said "Man, I thought your old Suburban (referring to the '13) rode nice, but this thing is in another league." Net, if the Denali bounces...it isn't felt in the cabin..Note, my '13 LTZ had MRC as well, and air shocks in the rear.