Anyone who's wrestled an 18 1/2-ft long 3/4-ton Suburban into a tight parking space has lamented the lack of side thrusters or tugs to swing the bow or stern around. For 2003, Chevrolet has borrowed Quadrasteer (an option on the 2002 GMC Denali) to transform the unwieldy (very) full-size Suburban into the SUV version of a PT boat.
Available only on the 2500 Series Suburban, Quadrasteer can be installed on either the 2WD or 4WD versions. When Truck Trend tested the Denali last year with this system, we were blown away by the significant improvement in driveability, both at low speed and on the freeway, especially when towing. As fitted on the Suburban, it reduces the turning diameter of the 2WD model from 44.5 ft to 35.2. Order a 4WD, and the circle changes from 44.3 ft to 35. That's less than 1-ft larger than a Honda Civic's circle.
On the road, the Quadrasteer system imparts a sense of cornering stability lacking in conventional Suburbans. Turn-in is crisper, and the suspension doesn't feel like it's working as hard to minimize body roll. In a low-speed situation, such as in a parking lot, the Quadrasteer Suburban is amazing, pivoting on its center to bring the ends about quickly. One drive, and you'll wonder why Quadrasteer isn't on everything.