The 2009 Chevrolet Suburban is roomy, powerful, and an excellent full-size SUV from top to bottom, but the ravages of time have done a number on the vehicle. Some models might last 300,000 miles while others will be lucky to hit 150,000. That’s not a bet you want to take at $10,000 for a 15+ year old SUV.
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Suburban a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – The Suburban is an excellent full-size SUV, it’s just a few years past its prime.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 9/10 – The lack of a fold-flat third row is the only reason the Suburban doesn’t get a perfect 10/10.
- Reliability 7/10 – It’s not unreliable, but standard maintenance is more expensive than average, there is risk of early breakdown if the previous owner was skipping oil changes.
- Safety 8/10 – Crash test ratings are decent, and standard safety equipment is generous.
- Gas Mileage 6/10 – 14/20 miles to the gallon, city/highway, is pretty lousy, even for a full-size SUV.
- Value 6/10 – If you get really lucky, you might find a used Suburban with no hidden issues under the hood, and it’ll last you a good five, ten years. If not, you’re spending ten thousand bucks on a cool looking piece of lawn art.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2009 Chevrolet Suburban?
Consumer Reports found the Suburban to be an impressive family-sized, off-road-capable SUV. They found the ride to be comfortable and the cabin to be roomy and quiet, but they report the handling to be unwieldy and fuel economy to be pretty lousy.
Kelley Blue Book report that the 2009 Suburban is an excellent choice for those looking to pull boats and trailers or take the whole family on long trips. They note that the SUV makes no sense for people with more modest needs, however, given its wide turns and poor fuel economy.
Edmunds praised the 2009 Suburban’s spacious nine-person cabin, class-leading cargo space, long list of standard features, and comfortable seating. They didn’t like that the third row doesn’t fold flat, and they found the SUV slow to accelerate given its “portly curb weight.”
What Common Problems Does the 2009 Chevrolet Suburban Have?
The 2009 Chevrolet Suburban has generated 156 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A third of these are for the airbags, with drivers reporting long wait periods for replacement parts following a series of recalls in 2021.
19 structure complaints point to cracks across the middle of the dashboard, which can be worrying when you consider that the SUV has been subject to three recalls for exploding airbags. One driver reports the whole dashboard coming loose and bouncing around while the vehicle is in motion.
Drivers are reporting sudden electrical power loss while in motion. In many instances the vehicle refuses to start again. One driver reports the issue persisting on and off for two years despite replacing batteries and alternators several times.
The 2009 Suburban has been recalled 5 times in total, which is average for a vehicle this old.
How Long Will the 2009 Chevrolet Suburban Last?
The Chevy Suburban has been reported clunking out after just 130,000 miles, or making it to 250,000, or even 300,000 with no major mechanical issues. The SUV can last a long time, but it’s finicky about lax maintenance. In other words, test driving before you buy is doubly important with a Suburban.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $833, which sounds a bit high, but is moderate for a full-size SUV. Timing chain tensioner replacements are the most expensive common fix, costing around $859 to $1,068.
2009 Chevrolet ltz is reliable car..I personally feel safe driving my car and it fits my family needs while I am driving in style.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2009 Suburban is very good for a family SUV for this model year. CD/MP3 players come standard, and you even get a DVD player in the entry level model.
Safety features are likewise impressive. You’ve got anti-lock brakes, StabiliTrak, and trailer brake controls as standard features.
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Suburban a Good Value?
The 2009 Suburban isn’t a great value. An entry-level model typically sells for around $9,494, while a high-end LTZ usually goes for around $12,221.
It’s not so much that these prices are outrageous (though they are a bit high for a vehicle this old), but that these models hit the Blue Book with 154,000 miles on the odometer, and so many drivers report their Suburbans failing to get anywhere near 200,000 before the engine gives out. You probably don’t want to spend five figures on a used SUV that might not last another month.
What are the Different Models of the 2009 Chevrolet Suburban?
The 2009 Suburban is offered in four trim levels, from the base LS to the high-end LTZ.
With the entry-level LS you’re getting:
- CD/MP3/DVD player
- Tri-zone manual air conditioning
- Remote keyless entry
- Heated mirrors
- Cloth seating
The mid-range LT1 adds:
- Fog lights
Next up is the LT2, which adds:
- Leather seating
- Dual zone automatic air conditioning
- UltraSonic parking assist
In a top-of-the-line LTZ you’re adding:
- Heated front seats
- Rainsense windshield wipers
What Engines Come In the 2009 Chevrolet Suburban?
- The base engine in the 2009 Chevy Suburban is a 5.3L V8 delivering 310 horsepower and 335 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission in rear/four wheel drive, and it averages 14/20 miles to the gallon, city/highway. The 5.3L can tow up to 7,000 pounds.
- A 6.0L Vortec V8 is available, and it delivers 352 horsepower and 382 lb.-ft. of torque. The 6.0L is paired to a 6-speed automatic in rear/four wheel drive, and it averages around 12/17 miles to the gallon. The 6.0L can tow up to 9,600 pounds.
What Colors Does the 2009 Chevrolet Suburban Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2009 Chevrolet Suburban?
The 2009 Chevy Suburban is very comfortable. It absorbs shocks and bumps like a big truck, but the cabin feels like a cushy family wagon, with 62 inches of hip room and seating for nine. That is, comfortable seating for nine. You won’t be banging knees and elbows trying to fit.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2009 Chevrolet Suburban Have?
The 2009 model Suburban offers 46 cubic feet of storage space with the seats up, or 137 with the seats down. This makes it one of the most generous vehicles on the market in terms of cargo space. You do need to take the third row all the way out to make the most of it, though, as only the second row folds flat.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
2009 was the third model year for the Chevrolet Suburban’s 10th Generation, which ran until 2014.
2007: The Suburban was relaunched with a sleek new look, better interior layout, and seating for nine.
2008: No big changes for 2008.
2009: The Suburban was made more fuel-efficient courtesy of a new 6-speed automatic transmission.
2010: Chevy finally got rid of the second LT trim for 2010, bringing the list down to the LS, LT, and LTZ.
2011: Bluetooth connectivity was made standard for 2011.
How Does the 2009 Chevrolet Suburban Compare to the Competition?
The 2009 Chevy Suburban was easily the best full-size SUV released in its model year. 15+ years down the line, and maybe two or three owners later, not so much.
If you’re looking for an excellent American-made full-size that’s stood the test of time, the 2009 Ford Expedition delivers 310 horsepower at 12/17 miles to the gallon, it’s proven very reliable, and an entry-level model sells for half the price of an LTZ Suburban.
The 2009 Toyota 4Runner lists for a couple grand more than the Suburban, from trim to trim, but it’s very likely to hit 300,000 miles on the original transmission.
There’s plenty to love about the 2009 Suburban, but the SUV is a bit of a crapshoot when it comes to longevity, and you might not feel comfortable spending ten, eleven, twelve thousand dollars on a car that might or might not make it another 50,000 miles.
Do Owners Recommend the 2009 Chevrolet Suburban?
Yes it is,I feel safe and in style driving my car..Plus it is a good size for a big family like mine. Chevrolet is my favorite kind of cars I would by another one.