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2022 Chevrolet Suburban Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons.

2022 Chevrolet Suburban Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons: LS vs LT vs RST, Z71, Premier and High Country
Reviewed & fact checked by
James Murdoch

Compare the 2022 Chevrolet Suburban Trims - LS vs LT vs RST, Z71, Premier and High Country. What is the difference between them?

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban is a clear winner among its rivals. Even in the big car industry, it can be challenging to find a vehicle with tremendous power and generous spacing, but with the classy 2022 Chevrolet Suburban, that’s exactly what you're getting. A powerful car that is big enough to accommodate up to nine passengers, as well as various kinds of cargo.

This SUV isn’t just powerful and sporty, but also upscale, fashionable and well-equipped. It certainly offers a lot, therefore users should be prepared to pay big bucks for this beast of a machine.

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

These two trims are powered by either 5.3-liter V8 engines or 3.0-liter Duramax turbo diesel engines. They both come with a ten-speed automatic transmission. However, the difference would be that the V8 engine makes 355 horsepower and 38 pound-feet of torque and the diesel one makes 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.  Both these engines are available on a two and a four-wheeler.

The diesel engine that can tow 8,100 pounds slightly beats the V8 which has a towing capacity of 7800 pounds. Both these trims come with a rear camera that provides hitch guidance for reliability. Even then, the LT is better since it comes up with an additional zoomed-in view. Thanks to it, when the SUV is shifted to park from reverse, the system applies the parking brake automatically.

Even though the LS and LT both come with standard 18-inch bright silver painted aluminum wheels, they can be extended up to 20 or 22 inches wheels on both trims. The outside mirrors are heated but with the LT, the driver’s side mirror comes with an advanced auto-dimming function.

When it comes to their exterior differences, the LS has a manual liftgate whereas the LT comes with a hands-free power liftgate, which means the LT allows you to open and close your liftgate with a kick beneath the bumper when the key fob is nearby. The liftgate is AI-based, thus it can remember the right opening height if programmed and Chevy can be projected onto the ground near the bumper.

The LT features some exquisite upgrades, such as the Illumination and Signature package, which the LS does not have. The Illumination package on the LT lights up the mirror Chevrolet symbol, the cargo sill plate, and the door sill plates. The Signature package gives the LT a panoramic power sunroof.

Moving on to the cabins’ interior, there are differences to note. For example, the LT power-adjustable seats are more flexible than the LS seats. There are leather seats in the LT, and cloth seats in the LS. Unlike in the LS, you get a memory function on the LT's driver's seat.

Both trims come with classic bench seats in the middle row. The LS has no other options but with the LT, it’s available with a set of bucket seats as well. However, the LS comes with an option that no other trims have. Its front seats are available with bench seats as well. This ensures that nine people comfortably fit in the SUV.

The technology of these two trims is different as well. The digital information cluster behind the steering wheel on the LS measures only 4.2 inches as opposed to 12 inches on the LT. The LS has only six speakers, as opposed to the better nine Bose speakers on the LT.

Infotainment systems in new cars are only getting better with time, and these SUVs don’t fall short in that aspect as well. On the LS, the eight-inch touchscreen display comes with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. The LS can act as a WI-FI hotspot, letting your passengers stream content and enjoy a fast internet connection. The vehicle contains two USB ports in the front seats and two more in each seat of the second and third rows as well.

The LT offers wireless charging and a big 10.2 inch display screen. The charging station can be found right under the infotainment screen. The touchscreen has Google capability, allowing the driver to use Google Play, Google Apps, Google Assistant, and Google Maps.

We can all agree that safety is the most important aspect of any car. And thankfully, the Suburban doesn’t let us down in this aspect as well. The  is equipped with a wide set of high-tech systems such as lane keep assist, collision alert, and automatic emergency braking. These driver-assist systems are always ready to take action at any time. The LT is complete with HD surround vision as well as rear pedestrian alert.

Compare the LT vs RST Trim Levels. What is the difference?

A new engine option becomes available with the RST. Just like the LT, the RST has a 5.3 liter V8 engine and a turbo diesel beneath its hood that can be configured with a 6.2 liter V8 as well. Thus, the larger engine increases torque to 460 pound-feet and horsepower to 420. However, both the V8s have a maximum towing capacity of 7,800 pounds.

With the RST, there’s one option not available on the LT: the Sports Performance Package. This package includes a more advanced V8 engine, magnetic ride control, and dual twin-polished stainless-steel exhaust tips. Magnetic ride control is an improved suspension that makes minute changes within just under a millisecond, which results in a super-smooth ride. Instead of physical valves, it uses magnetism to adjust the damper fluid.

Due to its 22-inch high-gloss black painted wheels, the RST has a more aggressive appearance than the LT. The RST has specific badging as well as bold black side rails on its hood.

Compare the RST vs Z71 Trims. What is the difference?

The Z71 is a great trim that's built for uneven surfaces and its looks make it clear. It is only available on a four-wheeler unlike the other trims on the list. With the Z71, a diesel engine isn't an option.
Just as it looks, the Z71 is built for the rugged terrain. It only comes with four-wheel drive, and diesel engine isn't an option.

The RST and the lower trims have a single-speed 4WD transfer case. However, the Z71's 4WD has a two-speed transfer case. There also exists an automatic mode that allows the car to change between 2WD and 4WD at any speed. There’s also a neutral mode. The Z71 comes with an electronic limited-slip differential as well if you want a better traction.

The Z71 features include a four-corner adaptive air ride suspension - electronically-controlled air springs that help keep the drive smooth. Another notable hallmark of the Z71 is that its height can be optimized. For example, when going over bumpy terrain, the vehicle's height gives a higher clearance, and lowers when people are boarding and onboarding.

It comes with Hill Descent Control which limits the vehicle’s speed while going downhill for safety. The Z71 also gets a heavy-duty air filter along with a performance front skid that secures the vehicle. The look of the recovery hooks mounted on the front of the SUV’s frame is like no other.

The 20-inch machined aluminum wheels of the Z71 have technical gray pockets. It has no option to get 22-inch wheels while the wheels of the RST are 22-inch.

Both the Z71 and the RST have almost identical interiors. The only difference between them is that the Z71 has regular leather instead of perforated leather upholstery.

Compare the Z71 vs Premier Trim. What is the difference?

The premier has a diesel engine as an option, including the two V8s. However, the adaptive air ride suspension that comes with the Z71 is not available on the premier. It still has magnetic ride control, in any case.

The premier’s package lacks many components of the Z71, like red recovery hooks and a front skid plate. The premier still has a dual-outlet exhaust that comes with polished stainless-steel tips which comes as optional on the Z71. The single-outlet exhaust is standard on the Z71.

The premier to has 20-inch wheels like the Z71 but the Premier’s standard wheels have no notable outlook. The premier has many upgradable options, and it might even get 22-inch wheels.

The side mirrors on the Premiere are heated and the driver’s side dims whenever there are annoying bright lights. The trim has chrome for the door handles as well as bright side rails. It can be modified with power-retractable assist steps or chrome, as well as LED perimeter lighting.

Seats in the Premier return to having perforated leather. Notably, the second row consists of power-release bucket seats. Similar to the Z71A, a bench is available. The power-sliding center console is undoubtedly convenient, and we can't help but appreciate the power tilt and telescoping steering column, and power-folding third row. The memory system works with the driver's seat, steering column, and outside mirrors.

The seat in the Premier is made with perforated leather. The second row of the SUV consists of power-release bucket seats. As on the Z71, a bench is available as well in the Premiere. The power-sliding center console is a useful tool to have along with the power tilt and telescoping steering column and power-folding third row. There’s a memory system that works on the driver’s seat, steering column, and outside mirror.

The Premier has a lot of inbuilt safety systems.  The standard Premier comes with lane change alert, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert as well. It also comes with an auxiliary trailer camera that comes in handy for people who pull cargo. There are more camera views as well so the driver has the full understanding of their surroundings.

Unlike the Z71, adaptive cruise control is available on the Premiere. It’s rather interesting to see it isn’t a standard component on the Z71 like it’s on many other vehicles.

Compare the Premier vs High Country. What is the difference?

The High Country comes with either diesel or the 6.2-liter V8 engine. At this high-end level, the 5.3-liter engine no longer becomes an option. The SUV is standard with magnetic ride suspension and adaptive air-ride suspension is also available.

The silver premium painted wheels measure 22-inch with chrome inserts. It’s surprising to see, the panoramic power moon-roof is not made a standard component on this vehicle but it can be customized to add it like any other trims.

The High Country has more top end tech features than the Premier. Its head-up display along with the HD surround vision informs the driver about the surroundings.  The rearview mirror isn't just what it looks like. Not only it works as a standard mirror but it can also stream the video feed from the rear camera. When the cabin is filled with cargo or tall passengers, it works quite well.

The High Country comes with rear pedestrian alert which someday might save lives. It can be really hard to see pedestrians behind such a big vehicle. So, the rear pedestrian alert helps a lot while riding the SUV in crowded areas or on the parking lots.

Final Thoughts

All of the Chevrolet Suburban’s trims are a good choice because of their power, size, and technology. However, the customer’s budget often becomes the determining factor while choosing an ideal trim. Expensive features like big bold wheels, extravagant exterior designs, and better suspension become less important when cheaper options are more than enough for daily commute.

With that said, the LS does, however, fall back in technology. It has a smaller driver information cluster and a smaller touchscreen. Neither does it have the handy Google built-in system.

This is why the LT is considered to be the perfect trim. Compared to LS, the LT has far more advanced safety equipment and a better interior. It also has many choices for customization. Unlike the LS that’s standard with bench seats with no upgrades, The LT can be configured with bucket seats or a bench seat in the middle row. If money isn't a problem for you and you don't mind splurging on luxury, the LT can even be upgraded with a lot of more features.

Previous Year Trim Configurations:

2021 Chevrolet Suburban Trim Levels