GM Has a Tougher New Suburban, but You Can’t Buy One

May 26, 2023

General Motors has a new full-size SUV on the way. The first customer to test one says it “had good acceleration, handled better in the turns, and the heavy-duty anti-lock braking system was far superior” to his prior vehicle – one modified heavily with aftermarket parts. “You could really feel the stability and performance in the redesigned chassis,” he said.

He didn’t take an AK-47 to it. But it’s built to handle that, too.

The customer? Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security Gentry Smith, testing the SUV on behalf of the U.S. State Department.

The vehicle? A 2023 Chevrolet Suburban if you don’t look too closely. But Clark Kent is just a journalist if you don’t look too closely. This is not a regular Suburban, and Clark’s not just on the city desk.

The State Department has taken delivery of a first-of-its-kind Chevrolet Heavy-Duty armored Sports Utility Vehicle (HD SUV).

It takes the place of the armored Suburban models used to transport State Department personnel worldwide.

Until recently, the State Department says, it had “fulfilled its Suburban armored vehicle requirement through small third party up-armoring vendors.” That involved purchasing commercially-available Suburbans, “disassembling a new vehicle, welding in armored panels, installing ballistic glass, and then reassembling the vehicle. These heavily modified vehicles never performed the same as an original model.”

The department says they were less maneuverable than standard commercial vehicles, and “systems that were designed for standard vehicles did not wear well with the additional weight in the harsh austere environments where U.S. diplomats serve.”

This time, State has worked with GM Defense to design a heavy-duty armored vehicle from the ground up.

It looks much like a traditional Suburban, though heavier window trim hints at the thick ballistic glass it conceals.

The exceptional SUV costs more than the Suburban you can buy on a Chevy dealer’s lot today. That one starts at $57,200 and climbs into the mid-$80,000-range fully equipped.

We don’t know how many GM will sell. Other federal agencies can buy the armored SUVs through the State Department’s contract, according to GM Defense.

Neither the State Department nor GM Defense has issued specifications for the trucks, though a photo of Smith examining the engine bay may show the 6.2-liter V8 found in the most potent versions of the Suburban you can buy from Chevy dealers today. In that form, it puts out 420 horsepower.

The only detail State will give on its new rides is the warranty. The department notes, “Long-term value is expected through a five-year-50,000-mile manufacturer’s warranty and extended vehicle lifespan.” That’s a significant step up from “the current two-year 2,000-mile warranty typical of the multi-stage aftermarket armoring process.”

See how the latest models measure up based on expert ratings from our Kelley Blue Book editors. See all Best SUV Rankings.

2024 Kia Seltos

2023 Kia Sorento

2024 Honda CR-V

2023 Chevrolet Tahoe

2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

2024 Kia Seltos

2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid

2023 Lexus RX

2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5

2024 Volvo XC40 Recharge

2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid

2024 Genesis GV70

2023 Jeep Wagoneer

2024 Genesis GV80

2023 BMW X1

2023 Dodge Durango

2023 Toyota Venza

The best cars and best deals delivered to your inbox

Price cars, trucks and SUVs on KBB.com

Recall Alert: Ford Escape, Super Duty

Toyota Reveals New 2024 Land Cruiser

Self-Driving Cars Get Renewed Attention of Legislators

Electric Mini Will Make Customizable Sounds

Recall Alert: Ford Transit Connect

Recall Alert: Ford Escape, Super Duty

Recall Alert: Jaguar XE

Your Future Car’s Taillights Could Communicate With Other Drivers

2024 Acura ZDX Electric SUV Gets Ready for Debut

Special Edition Celebrates 60 Years of Porsche 911

Acura and Bang & Olufsen to Collaborate on All Future Acura Models