The problem with the 6.2L diesel Suburban was never space, comfort, or highway fuel economy. It was response. In stock form, it took nearly 20 seconds to reach 60 mph. Add the Banks turbo system, and that dropped to just over 12 seconds. That kind of gain changes the truck. Instead of a diesel utility vehicle that feels slow and overloaded, you get a Suburban with the acceleration to better match its size, towing job, and long-haul use. The point is simple: keep the diesel’s efficiency, add the power it was missing, and make the Suburban far more versatile in the real world.
MotorWeek presents the Chevrolet Suburban as a vehicle the program relies on heavily because it is roomy, efficient, and comfortable. Its 6.2-liter diesel engine also provides the fuel economy needed for long highway trips, making it a practical choice for utility and towing use. The one notable weakness is acceleration. Compared with a gasoline engine, the diesel-powered Suburban is not especially quick.
To address that performance shortfall, the segment highlights an aftermarket turbocharging system for the diesel Suburban. The system is presented as a way to transform the vehicle's straight-line performance dramatically, turning it into a much quicker truck while retaining the diesel's core advantages.
The performance gain is quantified with a 0-to-60 mph comparison. In stock form, the 6.2-liter diesel Suburban requires nearly 20 seconds to reach 60 mph. With the turbo system installed, the same run drops to just over 12 seconds. That reduction represents a substantial improvement in acceleration and is the central technical claim of the segment.
The turbo system is available over the counter through Gale Banks dealers, with the report stating that there are 600 such dealers. For owners who want the added performance without replacing the vehicle, the system can be purchased as a retrofit package.
The report also notes that buyers do not need to perform the work themselves. For those who are not inclined to handle the installation as a weekend mechanical project, the conversion can be done for them. This makes the upgrade accessible both to hands-on owners and to customers who prefer a turnkey installation.
For shoppers considering a new Suburban, the turbo conversion is also available as a factory option through 2,500 GMC truck dealers. That gives the system a broader level of availability than a typical specialty aftermarket package and positions it as an option that can be selected at the time of vehicle purchase rather than added later.
MotorWeek gives two pricing paths. As a standalone over-the-counter turbo system, the price is listed at $11,995. On a new Suburban ordered with the conversion as a factory option, the turbo system adds $2,595 to the vehicle's price. The segment further states that choosing the factory-option conversion will not void the factory warranty. In addition, the turbocharger and related parts are covered by Gale Banks for 12 months with unlimited mileage.
The conclusion is that the turbocharged 6.2-liter diesel Suburban costs more than choosing the gasoline V8 model, but the added expense is framed as worthwhile for buyers who want a combination of utility, towing capability, efficiency, and much stronger acceleration. In that form, the Suburban is described as an especially versatile and efficient utility tow vehicle.