The new, 2007 Chevy Suburban has a square-jawed face that's smooth and rugged at the same time. It's a twin to the shorter Tahoe. The mesh grille is split by a gold Chevy bowtie, and the headlights are all business, nothing fancy, just good-looking function: big near-rectangles at the corners. They're halogen and do an excellent job of lighting up the road. The bumper fascia reveals a low license-plate holder sandwiched by openings for tow hooks, with small round fog lamps at the corners like single teardrops falling from the headlamp eyes. The seam between the fascia and fenders is very tight, and an indication that GM is improving its build quality.

Rake has been added to the windshield, improving the aerodynamics and looks. The hood has two long bulges at its sides, extending from almost the windshield to almost the grille; Chevy calls these twin bulges the power dome.

The rear liftgate is still vertical, and the rear window opens independently, with both the manual and power liftgate, which is aluminum, reducing the weight and thus the effort to raise and lower it. Our test model had the convenient power liftgate. Split doors are not available.

The Suburban LT looks clean and stylish from the side, without chrome trim. Too bad the thick five-spoke wheels are boring, costing the 'burb an opportunity to look real sharp. Seventeen-inchers are standard but 18-inchers are optional, as are 20-inchers that are too big for grown-ups and degrade the ride.

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