2018 Chevrolet Suburban Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

Chevrolet’s biggest SUV, the Chevrolet Suburban is a fairly iconic vehicle that has been continuously produced for close to 90 years now. This large and powerful SUV saw a dip in its sales recently, but has bounced back following a 2015 full redesign of the vehicle.

Among the biggest cars currently sold in the United States, the Chevrolet Suburban is one of the few vehicles to hold eight people comfortably, and it comes with a strong V-8 power plant that makes it easily suitable for towing and hauling cargo. Few other vehicles offer the same utility and versatility, which is why the Chevrolet Suburban has been a top choice for many families, businesses, and government agencies for so many years.

The 2018 Chevrolet Suburban is mostly the same as the original 2015 redesign, with Chevrolet just adding a few extra standard features to the model every year. One major change in the last year’s model that may confuse some long-time Suburban fans is the replacement of the LTZ trim level with Premier, but it is mainly just a name change to bring the Suburban in line with some other Chevrolet vehicles. In total, there are three versions of the Suburban available: the LS, the LT, and the Premier.

This guide looks at each one, noting the major changes in equipment and options that each one brings, and giving potential buyers the key information they need to decide on which trim to purchase.

Compare the 2018 Suburban LS vs LT Trims. What is the difference?

In its basic form, the Chevrolet Suburban still offers a fairly decent collection of standard equipment. It comes with cloth seats, but the front seats have power adjustments and the second and third rows both fold flat to accommodate additional cargo. The three-zone automatic climate control adds to the comfort of the vehicle.

The Suburban LS also comes with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as both satellite and HD radio. Bluetooth, USB, and auxiliary inputs can all be used to connect to the system, and it is also possible for the car to create its own wireless hotspot using OnStar. A rearview camera and rear parking sensors are also standard equipment, as are LED running lights and a remote starter. It rides on 18-inch aluminum wheels.

Like most General Motors vehicles, there are several optional packages available for the Suburban, even on the LS level. It can be outfitted with a Trailering Package, which adds trailer brake controls, some performance improvements, and a suspension package with air leveling.

The Interior Protection Package adds all-weather floor mats and cargo mat, while the All-Season Package combines the Trailering Package and the Interior Protection Package with 20-inch wheels, roof rail cross bars, and body side mouldings.

The last available package is the Enhanced Driver Alert Package that adds low-speed automatic braking, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, smart headlights, power-adjustable pedals, and the safety alert seat. Other available upgrades include a choice of 20-inch and 22-inch wheels in various design, upgraded brakes with Brembo calipers and Duralife rotors, rear seat DVD entertainment, and a front bench seat for extra seating capacity.

The LT adds a number of nice features over the LS. The front and second-row seats are covered in leather in this model, and the front seats are heated and have a memory function. Other additions include a 9-speaker Bose sound system and a power liftgate. The LT also includes the Enhanced Driver Alert Package as standard equipment. It also sports a full range of its own package options.

The Trailering and the Interior Protection packages from the LS are also available on the LT. Beyond that, there are a number of new appearance and equipment options. The RST Edition adds a performance take on the Suburban, giving it 22-inch wheels, a black grille, and blackout badging. It also comes with the premium suspension.

The Midnight Edition is a more subdued version of the same, with no air suspension, 20-inch wheels, and less black badges. The Theft Protection Package makes the Suburban more difficult to steal by adding a self-powered horn and a theft deterrent system, shields for the door and liftgate locks, and sensors to detect inclination, interior movement, or glass breaking.

The Sun, Entertainment and Destinations Package adds a navigation system, a sunroof, and a rear seat DVD entertainment system. The Luxury Package is among the heaviest options packages for the LT, and it includes push-button start with keyless entry, a heated second row, heated power-folding side mirrors, a power-folding third row, a heated power-adjustable steering wheel with memory, fog lights, a hands-free liftgate, front and rear parking assist, and a blind spot monitoring system with rear cross traffic alert and lane change assist. It is also available as the Texas Edition, which has all of the same features as the Luxury Package as well as special Texas badging. The LT Signature Package is an appearance package that can be added in addition to the Luxury Package that gives the Suburban chrome wheels and chrome exterior accents.

The LS and the LT are both great trim levels, aiming at different types of consumers. The LS is aimed more at utility buyers who want a strong and reliable truck to carry lots of people, lots of stuff, or both. It comes with a fair bit of equipment, but not too many luxury amenities and options.

The LT, on the other hand, aims at a more premium demographic with its leather seating and high-end comfort and appearance options. Given the relatively small difference in price between the two models compared to the overall price of the Suburban, that gives the LT a slight advantage in terms of value. It can also be equipped with almost everything that the Suburban offers, which also makes it a strong contestant against the high-end Premier trim level.

Compare the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban LT vs Premier Trims. What is the difference?

The third, final, and most luxurious Chevrolet Suburban trim level, the Premier comes equipped with all of the standard features and most of the options from the Suburban LT. The blind spot monitors with rear cross traffic alert, push-button start with smart entry, parking assist, and a power-adjustable steering column with memory are all standard on the Premier.

It also adds a number of its own features. In addition to being heated, the front seats on the Premier are also ventilated and get more power adjustments. The second row has a special powered release mechanism, and the whole car rides on an adjustable magnetic suspension. The headlights are also upgraded to high-intensity discharge ones, and the power liftgate has a programmable height setting. Aside from the Luxury package that it includes, and the Signature, Midnight Edition, and Texas Edition styling packages, the Premier offers all of the same optional packages that the LT does. 

The Premier is slightly nicer than the LT Suburban, but that nice look and feel is accompanied by a price increase of nearly $10,000. Considering that the Premier offers only a few minor features not found on the lower grade models such as ventilated front seats and brighter headlights, simply purchasing an LT with a number of optional packages sounds like a much better option from the value point of view. It can still be appealing to high-end buyers who don’t want to move up to the dedicated luxury Cadillac Escalade version of the car, but otherwise most buyers should stick with the LT model.

Final Thoughts

From a style, equipment and value standpoint, most buyers shopping for a new 2018 Chevrolet Suburban are likely to end up looking at the LT model. For a decent price, it offers a huge improvement over the base LS and offers a full selection of impressive optional features.

The Premier offers all of the same options at a much higher price point, while the LS is fairly basic in both available equipment and the standard amenities, being the only Suburban without leather seating.

For almost everyone the LT is the best starting point. If it is too much equipment, then the LS might be better, while if it is missing something important an upgrade to the Premier might be in order. Otherwise, the LT has what it takes to satisfy most buyers. 

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