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If you need more muscle for your three-row SUV, then the Chevrolet Suburban HD could deliver until it was discontinued in 2018. However, the new Chevy Suburban HD is about to hit the streets, but you can’t have one. 

The new Chevy Suburban HD isn’t for civilians 

Chevy Suburban HD rendering
Chevy Suburban HD rendering | General Motors

While we’re excited for the Chevy Suburban HD to make its return, we’re bummed that we can’t have one. GM Defense LLC, a subsidiary of General Motors, has a $36.4 development contract with the U.S. Department of State to develop purpose-built heavy-duty Suburban models. 

Only the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service will access the new heavy-duty Suburban. The contract will see GM build 10 examples of the new vehicle over the next two years. 

The Suburban HD models are expected to be delivered by the spring of 2023. The GM Defense could get a more significant contract to produce 200 models over the next nine years. 

Ramping up production could increase the chance of snagging one of these beasts, but they could come with a $3.5 million price tag. 

What to expect with the Suburban HD 

The new Chevy Suburban HD will ride on a new and unique body-on-frame chassis and suspension. It’s designed to support increased government performance requirements with a higher payload capacity and increased ground vehicle weight. 

Currently, the regular Suburban can tow up to 8,300 lbs and carry a payload of up to 1,884 lbs. It weighs about 6,016 lbs. The Government hasn’t specified how much extra muscle the Suburban HD needs. 

It’s possible that the vehicles will be equipped with all-wheel drive, so they’ll be capable of operating in icy conditions. It might not need an adaptive air suspension or off-roading upgrades, but at 3.5 million a pop, perhaps it will get all the bells and whistles. 

The most powerful Suburban engine is the 6.2-liter V8 engine with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 6.7 seconds. The Suburban HD might need more speed and power. 

GM Defense will build these beasts with advanced manufacturing tools and techniques such as fixtureless assembly and flexible fabrication. This supports increased efficiencies and quality in low production volume. It could also reduce costs. 

Will the Suburban HD be bulletproof? 

Black 2022 Chevy Suburban Z71 on the road
2022 Chevy Suburban Z71 | Chevrolet

We’re still waiting to learn more about the Chevy Suburban HD and its upgrades for government use. But it will have unique body panels that may offer protection from bullets and blasts. The armor could account for some of the extra weight. 

Protective equipment may include multi-layer bullet-resistant glass, reinforced door hinges and other crucial structure points, a reinforced suspension, run-flat tires or devices, and protection for the battery and electric modules. 

The Suburban HD could even get a fire suppressant system! Emergency lights, sirens, and a PA system will let you know when this beast is heading down the street. 

We hope we will learn more details about the new Chevy Suburban HD, but we probably have to wait until the first units are delivered.

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Allison Barfield

Allison Barfield joined MotorBiscuit in 2020 and covers all things trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. Having grown up on a farm in Rock Hill, South Carolina, she’s no stranger to the “Best in Class” truck and SUV debates; people in her hometown were always gathering to help work on vehicles together, and deliberation would naturally arise.

Allison graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Media Arts. She has helped bring awareness to issues Women In Trucking face and has promoted Truckers Against Trafficking, an anti-trafficking NGO.

A fan of creatively dark literature, Allison appreciates the works of Shirley Jackson and Emily Dickenson. She lives in a mountainous area of the country and enjoys off-roading and camping. Her dog, Bruce, often joins her in testing trucks and SUVs for our site.