2012 Chevrolet Suburban: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2012 Chevrolet Suburban is a light-update model, not a redesign. Its most important change is a standard stability system that adds trailer sway control and hill start assist.
About the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban
11th generation (2007-2014), late-cycle year after the 2010 update.
Chevrolet positions the Suburban as the original full-size SUV: a long-wheelbase, truck-based vehicle built to move a lot of people, a lot of cargo, and heavy trailers in one package. Its core appeal is space and capability first, with up to three rows of seating, a huge cargo hold, and V8 towing strength. Compared with large crossovers, the Suburban gives up maneuverability and fuel economy in exchange for size, durability, and real towing muscle.
The LS is the practical eight-seat workhorse, with a 5.3-liter V8, a six-speed automatic, and a removable third-row seat. The LT adds family-friendly comforts such as leather, heated front seats, automatic climate control, and Bose audio, while the LTZ brings heated and cooled front seats, navigation, a rearview camera, blind-zone monitoring, and load-leveling rear suspension.
What changed, by category
2012 Chevrolet Suburban specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V8, Flex Fuel, 5.3 Liter | V8, Flex Fuel, 5.3 Liter | V8, Flex Fuel, 5.3 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 6-Spd HD w/Overdrive | Automatic, 6-Spd HD w/Overdrive | Automatic, 6-Spd HD w/Overdrive |
| Drivetrain | 2WD | 4WD | 4WD |
| Fuel Type | Flexible Fuel | Flexible Fuel | Flexible Fuel |
| MPG City | 15 mpg | 15 mpg | 15 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | 21 mpg |
| Horsepower | 320 hp | 320 hp | 320 hp |
| Torque | 335 lb-ft | 335 lb-ft | 335 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 8100 lb | 8100 lb | 8100 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 137.4 cu-ft | 137.4 cu-ft | 137.4 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 34.9 in | 34.9 in | 34.9 in |
| Seats | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Alarm System | |||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||
| Rear Parking Sensors | |||
| Rear View Camera | |||
| Alloy Wheels | |||
| Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors | |||
| Fog Lights | |||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | |||
| Power Moonroof | |||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | |||
| Power Liftgate/Trunk Release | |||
| Power Side Steps | |||
| Roof Rails | |||
| Bluetooth | |||
| Front DVD Entertainment System | |||
| Navigation System | |||
| Premium Audio | |||
| Subwoofer | |||
| USB Ports | |||
| Video Input | |||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||
| Cooled Seats | |||
| Heated Front Seats | |||
| Heated Rear Seats | |||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | |||
| Leather Seats | |||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||
| Memory Pedals | |||
| Power Adjustable Pedals | |||
| Remote Start | |||
| Third Row Seat | |||
| Tilt Wheel | |||
| Tri-Zone Automatic Air Conditioning | |||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban?
The biggest change is the upgraded standard stability system. It adds trailer sway control to help settle a swaying trailer and hill start assist to help keep the SUV from rolling backward when starting on a slope.
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban a redesigned model?
No, the 2012 Suburban is not a redesign. It is a lightly updated version of the 11th-generation model introduced for 2007, with its basic body, V8 layout, passenger space, and towing-focused design carried over.
What changed on the 2012 Suburban LT?
The 2012 Suburban LT makes navigation and heated front seats standard. It also receives the lineup-wide trailer sway control and hill start assist functions.
What changed on the 2012 Suburban LTZ?
The 2012 Suburban LTZ makes blind-zone monitoring standard and gains a heated steering wheel. It also receives the updated stability system with trailer sway control and hill start assist.
Is the 2012 Suburban meaningfully different from the 2011 model?
The differences are modest rather than transformative. The 2012 model is more appealing if trailer sway control, hill start assist, or its newly standard trim equipment matters to you, but its underlying design and basic capability remain much the same as in 2011.