The Chevy Suburban was named on a list of the Best Diesel Non-Pickups. So, this led us to wonder if you really need that massive diesel truck or if this SUV can handle all of your needs. See how the Chevrolet Suburban compares to diesel muscle. 

Consider the Chevy Suburban as a diesel truck alternative 

MotorTrend released a list of the best diesel non-pickup trucks, meaning diesel engines still power these vehicles. They just aren’t pickup trucks. Some options on the list are race cars or classic cars, so they don’t help with replacing a pickup truck. 

However, the 2000 Chevy Suburban made the list, and it is pretty capable of doing pickup truck stuff. But, unfortunately, MotorTrend didn’t include why each vehicle was picked—leaving us to put on our detective outfits to see precisely why the diesel Suburban is better than a truck. 

The 2000 Chevy Suburban 

If you want a deal on a massive SUV that can tow and more, then the 2000 Chevy Suburban is a steal. Depending on your area, pricing ranges from $700 to $3,000 based on which build you can find and its condition. 

With a 5.3-liter V8 engine, the 2000 Chevy Suburban pumps out 285-hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. This SUV beast can tow between 6,000 to 10,500 lbs. Also, it’s equipped with 4×4 to tackle off-roading challenges efficiently. 

$3,000 for a 10,500 lb hauler is a steal. However, the 2000 Suburban only gets up to 14 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway. But with a massive truck or SUV, a good fuel economy isn’t expected. 

Plus, the 2000 Suburban has up to 138.4 cubic feet of cargo space. Pop open the tailgate and fit a variety of items in the back. The seats fold down, allowing room for a maximum payload of 1,714 lb. 

Plus, when you aren’t hauling items around, the three-row seats provide room for everyone to travel on the family vacation. You can access up to 39.3 cubic feet of cargo storage for luggage behind the third row of seats. 

We know that the year 2,000 happened a long time ago. Are these Suburban models even worth buying? According to CarComplaints, yes, it is. The 2000 Chevy Suburban has racked up a significantly smaller amount of complaints compared to other model years. 

What about the 2021 Chevy Suburban? 

Again, the 2000 Chevy Suburban is old. In fact, it’s 21 years old! So, let’s switch gears and take a look at the all-new 2021 Chevy Suburban. It starts around $52,995, so that’s a lot more than $3,000. 

It offers a 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine that pumps out 277-hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The larger V8 gasoline engine provides the same amount of torque but probably has a lower fuel economy. The 2021 Suburban gets 16 mpg in the city and up to 20 mpg on the highway. 

You can access up to 145 cubic feet of cargo space in the 2021 Chevy Suburban. The loading floor is also lower to make loading more convenient, thanks to its new design and new independent suspension in the rear. The 2021 Chevy Suburban can tow up to 8,300 lb and carry a maximum payload of 1,750 lb.