Eleventh generation (2015)

GMT K2YC/G
Overview
Also called - GMC Yukon XL . Cadillac Escalade ESV
Production - December 2013-December 2019
Model years - 2015-2020
Assembly - Arlington, Texas, U.S. (Arlington Assembly)
Designer - Louis "Chip" Thole, Warrack Leach, Alexandre Henriques, Tyler Moffatt, Fawad Jamil
Body and chassis
Layout - Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Platform - GMT K2XX . Suburban: GMTK2YC . Yukon XL/Denali XL: GMTK2YG
Related - Cadillac Escalade . Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon
Powertrain
Engine - 5.3 L (325 cu in) EcoTec3 V8 FlexFuel . 6.2 L (376 cu in) EcoTec3 V8 FlexFuel (Yukon XL Denali 2015-present; RST Suburban package, 2019-)
Transmission - 6-speed GM 6L80 automatic . 8-speed GM 8L90 automatic (Yukon XL Denali) . 10-speed Hydra-Matic 10L90 automatic (RST Suburban package, 2019-)
Dimensions
Wheelbase - 130.0 in (3,302 mm)
Length - Suburban: 224.4 in (5,700 mm) . Yukon XL: 224.3 in (5,697 mm)
Width - 80.5 in (2,045 mm)
Height - 74.4 in (1,890 mm) . Denali: 77.1 in (1,958 mm)
Curb weight - 5,586-6,021 pounds (2,534-2,731 kg)

The eleventh generation Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon XL, and Yukon Denali XL were introduced to the public on September 12, 2013, and GM unveiled the vehicles in different locations (the Suburban in New York, Yukon XL in Los Angeles) on that date. Both vehicles are based on the GMT K2XX platform and carried specific model numbers, identified by platform (K2), brand (YC for Chevrolet, YG for GMC), drivetrain (C for 2WD; K for 4WD), tonnage (15 for half-ton, 25 for 3/4-ton, 35 for 1-ton), wheelbase (7 for short, 9 for long), and 06 for SUV, which means that a K2YC-K-15-9-06 would be identified as a Chevrolet Suburban 1500 4WD. The Suburban and Yukon XL went on sale in February 2014 as a 2015 model, with the vehicles built exclusively in Arlington, Texas.
Production details
The newly redesigned Suburban and Yukon XL were showcased to the public for the first time on September 27, 2013, at the State Fair of Texas. This move comes on the heels of the 80th anniversary of the first production of the Suburban in 1934.
The designs and concepts were created by GM's exterior design manager Chip Thole (before his transfer to GM's Buick design studio in 2013), who told Truck Trend "I start with what intuition tells me about the market and get the team going on that. You look at trends around the industry - fashion, culture, what people are buying, what they say they want now - and project that into the future. The fun part is putting those ideas to paper and going from there." He then added, "We wanted to take what was good about today's vehicles, bring that forward and make them new and different with that spark of freshness that people recognize, without making them gimmicky or overdone." Thole also challenged his design team to help bring ideas to the SUVs, which lead to the split headlamps and a more graphic feel for the Suburban design, while a more industrial but sculptured look was added to the Yukon XL to give it a unique identity of its own.
Production on the Suburban and Tahoe began in December 2013 with the first completed SUVs being used for testing purposes. GM then officially started shipping the vehicles to dealerships on February 5, 2014. It is estimated that it took 8-10 weeks to assemble the SUVs, save for the upgrades on the level trims and destination scheduling.
Features
The front fascia of the Chevy Suburban and GMC Yukon XL is distinct, but from the base of the A-pillars back, they share most of the same styling cues. This now includes inlaid doors that tuck into the door sills, instead of over them, improving aerodynamics, fuel economy, and lessens interior noise. The hoods and liftgate panels are made of aluminum to reduce vehicle weight, and the wiper blades that were located on the liftgate door were moved to the rear spoiler located on the top of the rear liftgate window. Also noticeable is the SUV's length, which expands from 222.4 to 224.4 in (5,649 to 5,700 mm) (the Yukon XL's length is shorter at 224.3 in (5,697 mm)) and its width from 79.1 to 80.5 in (2,009 to 2,045 mm), while the height decreases from 76.8 to 74.4 in (1,951 to 1,890 mm), thus allowing the vehicle to become slightly leaner, a little bit wider, more streamlined, and roomier.
A more efficient, direct-injected EcoTec3 V8 powertrain (5.3 for the Suburban, 6.2 for Yukon XL/Yukon Denali XL) coupled with improved aerodynamics, helped the SUVs offer greater estimated highway fuel economy and improving its fuel economy estimates to 16 mpg‑US (15 L/100 km; 19 mpg‑imp) (city), 23 mpg‑US (10 L/100 km; 28 mpg‑imp) (highway), and 18 mpg‑US (13 L/100 km; 22 mpg‑imp) (combined) for 2WD, and 15 mpg‑US (16 L/100 km; 18 mpg‑imp) (city), 22 mpg‑US (11 L/100 km; 26 mpg‑imp) (highway), and 18 mpg‑US (13 L/100 km; 22 mpg‑imp) (combined) for 4WD. The increased fuel economy also vaulted the Suburban/Yukon XL into the top spot among large SUVs with the most efficient fuel economy rating numbers for this segment. However, when Motor Trend (which placed the 2015 Suburban on the front cover of its June 2014 issue) did a road test review on the SUVs, it estimated the 4WD MPG on the Suburban LTZ to be slightly better at around 15.2 mpg‑US (15.5 L/100 km; 18.3 mpg‑imp) city and 22.3 mpg‑US (10.5 L/100 km; 26.8 mpg‑imp) highway, while the 4WD Yukon Denali XL, whose fuel economy (MPG) is rated at 14 mpg‑US (17 L/100 km; 17 mpg‑imp) city and 20 mpg‑US (12 L/100 km; 24 mpg‑imp) highway, was estimated lower at 12.4 mpg‑US (19.0 L/100 km; 14.9 mpg‑imp) city and 19.2 mpg‑US (12.3 L/100 km; 23.1 mpg‑imp) highway.
Like the 2007-14 version, both the Suburban and Yukon XL did not share a single piece of sheet metal or lighting element with the brands' full-size pickup trucks, and the front grilles of both vehicles were slightly altered to give it their own identity. The front headlights featured projector-beam headlamps flanking the Chevrolet-signature dual-port grille - chrome on all models, sweeping into the front fenders, while the Tahoe/Suburban LTZ and Yukon/XL Denali trims featured projector-beam high-intensity discharge headlamps and LED daytime running lamps. The Yukon and Yukon XL also featured projector-beam halogen headlamps on SLE and SLT trims. The improved safety features included a 360-degree radar detection for crash avoidance and occupant protection and a high-tech anti-theft system that now included vertical and interior sensors, in-glass and window breaking, a triggering alarm, and a shutdown device preventing the vehicle from moving. The latter was expected to address the issues regarding the constant thefts of the vehicles, especially with the previous generation's removable seats and items left in the cargo space, which has become a target for carjackers who see the third-row seats as valuable on the black market. According to General Motors' head of Global Vehicle Security Bill Biondo, "We have engineered a layered approach to vehicle security ... With new standard features and the available theft protection package, we are making the vehicles less attractive target to thieves and more secure for our customers."
Also new were the addition of fold-flat second and third-row seats (replacing the aforementioned removable third seats), which was now a standard feature but could be equipped with an optional power-folding feature for the upgraded trims, and an additional two inches of legroom for second-row passengers. HD radio became a standard feature on all trims. Multiple USB ports and power outlets were now spread throughout their interiors, including one 120 V three-prong outlet on both Suburban and Yukon XL, with the Suburban adding an available eight-inch color touch screen radio with next-generation MyLink connectivity along with an available rear-seat entertainment system with dual screens and Blu-ray DVD player, while the Yukon XL added a standard eight-inch-diagonal color touch screen radio with enhanced IntelliLink and available navigation. A 4G LTE WiFi access system, along with Siri Eyes Free and text messaging alerts, was included in all vehicles featuring the OnStar device around the second quarter of 2014.

Suburban HD

Suburban HD
With the change to the K2 platform, GM discontinued the 3⁄4-ton Suburban 2500; however, plans were revealed to offer a K2-based Suburban HD for fleet sales according to an updated VIN decoding document filed in March 2015. This version, identified as a Class 3 vehicle (around 10,000 to 14,000 pounds (4,500 to 6,400 kg) GVWR), was only available as a 4WD vehicle with the same design as the eleventh generation (K2XX), but was equipped with a different engine altogether. The Suburban HD was offered only in LS and LT trims, reserving the LTZ trim for a more luxurious offering (like limousine or taxi-related services). It also was not offered with 2WD or upgraded packages. In addition, there were no plans to offer a 3⁄4-ton GMC Yukon XL as GM made the design exclusive to Chevrolet.
The Suburban HD was officially named the "Suburban 3500HD", indicating a one-ton truck rating, and was introduced for the 2016 model year. This was available exclusively for fleet sales and equipped with the L96 6.0L V8 engine, 6L90 6-speed heavy-duty automatic transmission (RPO MYD), 17-inch machined aluminum wheels (8-lug), a high-capacity air cleaner, 220-amp alternator, external engine oil cooler, and auxiliary transmission cooler. The 3500HD did not include HD radio. Although the vehicle had a high GVWR of 11,000 lb (5,000 kg), it is intended to provide a larger payload but minimal towing capacity, as it primarily was intended for conversion to an armored transport.
The 2019 model year would be the last year for the K2-based Suburban HD; chassis production ceased in August 2018.
2015 mid-year update
The Suburban added a hands-free power liftgate feature that is standard on the LTZ but included on the LT with the optional Luxury Package. The added 4G LTE WiFi and Siri features became standard on both LT and LTZ trims, while the MyLink with Navigation feature was upgraded from optional to standard on the LTZ trim. The E85 capability feature is removed from retail orders.
The Yukon XL's 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8 engine was updated with the new 8L90E eight-speed automatic transmission for the interim model year, allowing it to improve fuel economy. The Yukon XL Denali, however, saw its MSRP bumped up by $1,300 (~$1,577 in 2022) in part because of the loaded features.
All GM full-sized SUVs received a body-colored painted Shark Fin antenna as part of the 2015 mid-year refresh.
This refresh is often referred to as the 2015i, "i" for interim processing code.
2016
For the 2016 model year (which commenced sales in July 2015), the Chevrolet Suburban received more upgraded changes and new features that included power-adjustable pedals, forward collision alert, IntelliBeam headlamps, lane keep assist, and a safety alert seat as part of the newly introduced enhanced driver alert package as an available option on the LS trim. The inside floor console with storage area-SD card reader was removed, while a new AM/FM audio integrated system with Sirius XM, HD Radio, and CD/MP3 capabilities was introduced as a standard feature on all trims; the 8-inch MyLink feature was expanded to the LS trim and became standard (replacing the 4-inch display), although the navigation feature remained as an option on LT and standard on LTZ. A new liftgate shield was added to the Theft Protection Package, along with the new lane keep assist which replaced the lane departure warning. The capless fuel fill tanks became standard on all trims. Siren Red Tintcoat and Iridescent Pearl Tricoat became the new color trims, replacing Crystal Red Tintcoat and White Diamond Tricoat. The instrument cluster was re-configured with a new multi-color enhancement and a heads-up display was introduced as a standard only on the LTZ trim. The 2016 models also saw a price hike as well.
The 2016 GMC Yukon XL also sees similar changes, with the new enhanced driver alert package as an available option on the SLE trim, liftgate, power, hands-free now packaged on SLT trims, a free-flow feature that replaced the Premium package, a lane keep assist added to all trims, and two new premium colors (Crimson Red Tintcoat and White Frost Tricoat) replacing Crystal Red Tintcoat and White Diamond Tricoat respectively.
Chevrolet added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Capability features to the Suburban starting with the 2016 models. However, only one of their phone brands at any one time can be used, while the Android Auto option was only available on LT and LTZ trims featuring 8-inch screens.
GM expanded newer 4G LTE features (like detecting battery failure and monitoring insurance discounts based on driver performance) to 2016 model year vehicles, including the Suburban, which GM cited as being the vehicle that is the most used among data subscribers.
2017
The 2017 model year Chevrolet Suburban received upgraded changes after it went on sale in August 2016. The level trims LS and LT are retained but the LTZ is renamed Premier, the latter serving as the equivalent to the Yukon XL Denali. The LS trims also saw the badged "LS" lettering removed. The new features include two new colors (Blue Velvet Metallic and Pepperdust Metallic), two new 22-inch wheel options (a 7-spoke Silver wheels with Chrome inserts for all trims; Ultra Bright machined aluminum wheels with Bright Silver finish for Premier trim only), black roof rack cross rails (as part of the Texas Edition Package and All-Season Package), front active aero shutters (all trims), and heated and vented seats (Premier trim only). The MyLink was updated to incorporate Teen Driver, App Shop, Rear Seat Reminder customization, and Low-Speed Forward Automatic Braking (as part of Enhanced Driver Alert Package on the LS trim, but standard on LT and Premier). The Rear Seat Entertainment System was overhauled to include a new video voiceover feature for the visually and hearing impaired, an HDMI/MHL connector, digital headphones, Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) technology incorporated into the Wi-Fi system, and a second USB port with the capability of charging up to a 2.1-amp at the back of the console.
The 2017 model year Yukon XL also received similar changes, but with a few exceptions. Two new colors, Dark Blue Sapphire Metallic and Mineral Metallic were introduced, the latter exclusive to the Denali, which also added a new 22-inch ultra-bright aluminum wheels with midnight silver premium paint and a head-up display to its features. The interior backlights changed from red to blue. The heated and vented driver and front passenger seats became standard on the SLT and Denali trims.
2018
The 2018 model year Suburban had a few upgrades and deletions. LED daytime running lights became standard on all trims, along with a new color, Havana Metallic and Satin Steel Metallic. The Cocoa/Mahogany interior that was combined with the Pepperdust Metallic exterior was dropped along with the wireless/inductive phone charging that was part of the Luxury and Texas Edition LT level trims. The fleet/commercial level trim, which had fewer features, was upgraded to include MyLink, HD Radio, multi-color driver information center, LED daytime running lights, and an optional driver alert package.
The 2018 Yukon Denali XL received a new grille with a layered appearance like the ones on its redesigned 2018 Acadia and Terrain brands, featuring high-intensity-discharge headlights and LED daytime running lights. The refreshed design provided better airflow to the radiator, and when less cooling air is needed, shutters behind the grille closed to improve aerodynamics and efficiency. The interior featured new ash wood trim that, according to GMC, gave the cabin a richer appearance. A new 10-speed automatic transmission was mated to its 420-horsepower (313 kW; 426 PS), 6.2-liter V8 engine, replacing the 8-speed transmission.
2019
The 2019 Suburban will have both Havana Metallic and Tungsten Metallic deleted in favor of a new Shadow Gray Metallic exterior color, while the top-of-the-line Premier now had the name displayed on the tailgate. The LS trim continued to make HD Radio a standard feature, but could be deleted if customers opted for the OnStar feature.
The 2019 model year GMC Yukon XL added three new exterior colors, Dark Sky Metallic, Pepperdust Metallic, and Smokey Quartz Metallic, while deleting two others, Mineral Metallic and Iridium Metallic. GMC also introduced two new package features, Graphite Edition and Graphite Performance Edition, which were available in the SLT trim only.
2020
The 2020 Chevrolet Suburban dropped the LT Signature Package and the LS All-Season Package, along with the Pepperdust Metallic color, while the 2020 GMC Yukon XL replaced its Pepperdust Metallic color with Carbon Black Metallic and made no additional changes.
Accolades
The 2015 Suburban was ranked third among the top affordable SUVs and fifth among affordable SUVs with 3-row seats by U.S. News & World Report, and was among the finalists in Motor Trend's SUV of the year for 2015. It also received a 2015 MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Award for best large SUV, while Consumer Reports ranked the Suburban as the best SUV with a third row seat, topping its competitors in this category.
The Chevrolet Suburban took third place behind the Tahoe and GMC Yukon in the 2016 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study among full-size SUVs, based on responses from owners of the vehicles.
Good Housekeeping named the 2018 Suburban the "Best New Car of Year 2018" in the Large SUV category. In its review of the vehicle from GH and its reason for the decision to award the SUV: "Whether you're bringing the whole soccer team home or moving kids into college, it's a larger-than-life workhorse that can handle your crew and all their stuff."
Consumer Reports added the 2018 Suburban to their recommended list due to high owner satisfaction scores.
The Suburban was given a Hollywood Walk of Fame star on December 5, 2019, one of two inanimate objects to be awarded such (Disneyland being the other), for its frequent appearances in film and television. Because city regulations prohibit placing corporate names on public sidewalks including the Walk of Fame, the star was instead placed in an area adjacent to the Walk of Fame.
Sales
The eleventh-generation Suburban saw an increase in sales; April 2014 brought a 109.8 percent spike, with most dealers reporting that the vehicles are being sold within 10 days after arriving on the lot, with customers opting for the fully loaded LTZ model, making it one of Chevrolet's fastest selling brands in 2014. The eleventh generation Suburban is also a hot seller in the Middle East, where in August 2014 posted a 37% increase in sales, with most of the purchases coming from Saudi Arabia (65%), the United Arab Emirates (15%) and Qatar (108%). By the end of September 2014, GM sold more than 4101 units of the Suburban (up 50.1%), while the Yukon XL posted 2165 units sold (up 64%), with GM boasting that 80% of the vehicles sold were its large SUVs.
In Canada, sales of the Suburban reached 966 units (up 43%) in 2014, although the Yukon XL was the best seller in that country with 1,760 vehicles sold (up 50.3%) that same year. Overall, they accounted for 70 percent of GM Canada's SUV sales for 2014.
On August 17, 2015, GM confirmed plans to increase production on its large SUVs, especially on the Suburban/Yukon XL, citing lower gas prices and a higher demand for the vehicles. The move also resulted in its Arlington Assembly adding more hours and increasing its production from 48,000 SUVs to 60,000 based on the expanding hours and added Saturday overtime shifts.
The 2017 MY Suburban saw its biggest sales increase in January 2017, when it posted a 72.3% gain (5,634 units), the most ever since January 2008 when it had the 2008 MY Suburban.

2015 Chevrolet Suburban LT
Rear view of Chevrolet Suburban
2015 GMC Yukon XL SLT
Interior (Chevrolet Suburban)
2018 Suburban K3500HD LS, distinguished by 8-bolt wheels; Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, police
Suburban K3500HD LT, fitted with armor

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