Chevrolet Suburban trim comparison

2024 Chevrolet Suburban LS vs Z71

The Suburban LS starts at $59,200 while the Z71 is $69,300. That $10,100 gap buys 5 meaningful differences.

The short answer

The Z71 adds 4WD instead of RWD. If you deal with winter roads or need traction off-pavement, that could be worth $10,100 by itself. If not, the LS saves you the money.

Stay with the LS if RWD already works for your weather and routine. Move to the Z71 only when 4WD changes the way you will actually use the vehicle.

If you are budgeting this move monthly, the jump from the LS to the Z71 is about $178/month on a 60-month loan at 6.5% APR with 10% down. That works out to roughly $10,680 more by the time interest is counted. So the call is less about the raw price gap and more about whether 4WD matters for where and how you drive versus RWD.

$10,100
Price Gap
Same
HP Diff
+1 MPG
MPG Diff
Trim navigation

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Compare another trim against Z71 Z71 stays locked on this side. Pick a different trim for the other slot without leaving the exact head-to-head route.
Fleet LS LT RST
Compare another trim against LS LS stays locked on this side. Use this row to test the next trim up or down while keeping the exact pair page intact.
Lower-price trim
Starts at $59,200
VS
Higher-price trim
Starts at $69,300
Practical Choice: LS
Daily Comfort: Z71

Who notices the difference

The higher trim starts to make more sense when extra traction matters for your weather, roads, or weekend use.

When both feel the same

Both the LS and Z71 share the same 10-speed shiftable automatic transmission and identical wheelbase and body dimensions.

The upgrade math

You are paying $10,100 for 4 measurable differences, which works out to about $2,525 per change.

Key Differences at a Glance

This is the fast read: price, power, efficiency, and the feature flips most likely to change the answer.

MSRP
$59,200
vs
$69,300
Drivetrain
RWD
vs
4WD
Fuel Economy
17 MPG combined
vs
16 MPG combined
Annual Fuel Cost
$2,600/yr
vs
$2,750/yr
All-weather floor mats for the 2024 Chevrolet Suburban Check prices on Amazon (paid link)

Every Difference, Side by Side

This is the full read behind the quick decision signals above: the complete hardware, comfort, and equipment story. 5 specification differences, 3 shared.

Drivetrain Biggest
LSRWD
Z714WD
Fuel Economy
LS17 MPG combined
Z7116 MPG combined
Annual Fuel Cost
LS$2,600/yr
Z71$2,750/yr
Curb Weight
LS5,616 lbs
Z715,824 lbs

Full Specification Comparison

Specifications reflect available data as of early 2024. Confirm details with an authorized dealer before purchasing.

Spec LS Z71
Pricing
MSRP$59,200$69,300
Powertrain
Engine5.3L V85.3L V8
Horsepower355 hp355 hp
Torque383 lb-ft383 lb-ft
Transmission10-speed shiftable automatic10-speed shiftable automatic
DrivetrainRWD4WD
Fuel Economy
City MPG1515
Highway MPG2018
Combined MPG1716
Fuel Tank28.0 gal28.0 gal
Annual Fuel Cost (EPA)$2,600/yr$2,750/yr
Dimensions
Curb Weight5,616 lbs5,824 lbs
Wheelbase134.0"134.0"
Length225.7"225.7"
Width81.1"81.1"
Height75.7"75.7"
Safety
NHTSA Overall4/5 stars4/5 stars
Warranty
Bumper-to-Bumper3yr/36k3yr/36k
Powertrain5yr/60k5yr/60k
Corrosion6yr/100k6yr/100k
Roadside Assistance5yr/60k5yr/60k

Data sources: licensed third-party automotive data, EPA fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA, and official manufacturer materials. Values marked est. are estimated.

2024 Chevrolet Suburban LS vs Z71 Questions Shoppers Ask

Use this page for the direct trim answer, then zoom back out to the Chevrolet Suburban lineup, the Chevrolet brand hub, the Full-Size SUVs, the how to pick a trim guide, or our mid-trim value research when you need the bigger shopping path behind this one matchup.

How much more does the 2024 Suburban Z71 cost than the LS?

The Z71 starts at $69,300 compared to $59,200 for the LS. That is a $10,100 difference, or approximately $178/month more on a 60-month loan.

Do the 2024 Chevrolet Suburban LS and Z71 have the same engine?

Yes. Both use the 5.3L V8 producing 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. The engine hardware does not change between these trims, so the real differences are in equipment and feature content.

Does the 2024 Suburban LS come with 4WD?

No. The LS comes standard with RWD while the Z71 has 4WD. This affects traction, fuel economy, and curb weight.

Is the 2024 Suburban LS or Z71 safer?

Both share the same Chevrolet Suburban platform with an overall 4-star NHTSA safety rating. Safety ratings are model-level and identical across trims. The trim choice affects comfort and features, not crash protection.

What warranty does the 2024 Chevrolet Suburban come with?

All 2024 Chevrolet Suburban trims, including both the LS and Z71, come with Chevrolet's standard warranty: 3yr/36k bumper-to-bumper and 5yr/60k powertrain coverage. Warranty does not vary by trim level.

Is the 2024 Chevrolet Suburban Z71 worth $10,100 more than the LS?

The $10,100 adds 4WD. Worth it if you need the traction. Not worth it if you drive on dry roads year-round.

Which 2024 Chevrolet Suburban trim gets better fuel economy, the LS or the Z71?

The LS is the more efficient of the two at 17 combined MPG, versus 16 for the other trim. That matters most if you are balancing running costs against the extra power, drivetrain, or comfort equipment tied to the pricier trim.

What $10,100 Gets You

The Suburban Z71 costs $10,100 more than the LS. Whether that is worth it depends on how much you value 4WD. These features matter to some buyers daily and barely at all to others. Weigh them against your priorities.

LS vs. Z71: Day-to-Day

The Z71 includes 4WD, which adds confidence in rain, snow, and light off-road conditions. It also increases curb weight and slightly reduces fuel economy.

Fuel Economy Comparison

The Suburban LS gets 1 more combined MPG. At $3.50/gallon and 12,000 miles/year, that saves roughly $154 per year or $770 over five years of ownership.

What Both Trims Share

Despite the differences above, the LS and Z71 share engine and transmission, keeping the core Suburban experience consistent across trims.

Summary

$10,100 more for the Suburban Z71 gets you 4 real differences. At $178/month more, the question is whether those specific changes are things you will use regularly.

Trim-Matched Accessories

These add-ons are split by trim intent so the recommendations follow the actual use case, not just the same repeated product block.

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Specifications shown combine licensed third-party automotive data with official manufacturer, EPA, and NHTSA source material for the 2024 model year. Actual pricing, features, and availability may vary by region and dealer. Always confirm details with an authorized dealer before making a purchase decision. TrimAtlas is not affiliated with Chevrolet or any dealership.

Page updated 2026-03-18. Verify equipment, pricing, and regional availability with the manufacturer or dealer.

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Official Sources & Methodology