What year did Chevy start making the Suburban?
Chevrolet started making the Suburban in 1935. Introduced as the Carryall Suburban, it was a wood-bodied wagon built on a Chevrolet truck chassis, designed to blend passenger space with cargo capability, and it would become one of the longest-running nameplates in American automotive history.
Origins of the Suburban
The Carryall Suburban made its debut in 1935 as Chevrolet’s answer to a growing demand for versatile, larger-capacity vehicles. The early Suburban used a wood-and-steel body built on a half-ton Chevrolet truck chassis, with Briggs Manufacturing Company contributing the body construction. This combination of wagon practicality and truck underpinnings created a vehicle that could carry families, groceries, and gear with equal ease.
Design and production details
During its initial years, the Suburban emphasized utility—two rows of seating and substantial cargo space, plus the option of rear doors to accommodate bulky loads. The model established a template that Chevrolet refined over decades, adapting to changing safety, comfort, and performance standards while preserving its core mission of versatility.
Evolution Through the Decades
Since its launch, the Suburban has evolved across numerous generations, transitioning from a wood-bodied carryall to a modern full-size SUV. Over time, it adopted newer chassis platforms, updated interiors, and advanced features, all while maintaining the generous space that has defined the nameplate. Today’s Suburban is built on a GM full-size SUV platform and shares engineering roots with related models, yet it remains recognizable for its capacity to move people and gear together.
From countryside utility to a modern flagship
The vehicle’s enduring popularity reflects shifts in consumer needs—from rural fleets and farms to large families and commercial work—while preserving the distinctive practicality that characterized the original Carryall Suburban. Its place in Chevrolet’s lineup has made it a benchmark for what a large, capable family utility vehicle can be.
Suburban Today
In the current era, the Suburban continues to be a staple in Chevrolet’s lineup, competing as a spacious, capable, and tech-enabled SUV for families, businesses, and adventurers. It remains a symbol of the full-size SUV era, with modern amenities, advanced safety systems, and ample cargo and seating options that reflect decades of evolution since its 1935 origin.
Summary
Chevrolet began making the Suburban in 1935 with the Carryall Suburban, and the model has remained in production ever since. From a wood-bodied wagon on a truck chassis to today’s full-size SUV, the Suburban has endured as a practical icon of American automotive design and utility.
