If You Are On The Market For a Bulletproof American SUV, Soon You Will Be Able To Buy Retired FBI GM Suburbans At An Auction As They Are Being Replaced By Cheaper BMWs

I usually avoid talking about politics, but a recent change commissioned by FBI Director Kash Patel, is a hot topic that I feel needs to be expanded upon. The FBI has been using GM Suburbans for decades. The agency has become synonymous with the blacked-out American SUVs, powered by powerful V-8 engines. 

But all that is about to change. The bureau is constantly updating its fleet, and until then, it has always done so with locally-made models, mostly by GM. In 2026, all that will change, as the agency has gradually started replacing its GM Defense Suburban (Suburban Shield) in favor of BMWs.

But why change a familiar and proven, all-American platform for a German premium model from a brand known to have a mixed reputation for reliability? The choice actually makes a ton of sense, for more reasons than you might think, and here’s why you can benefit from this, if you are in the market for a used, bulletproof (literally) SUV.

The move away from GM may not seem patriotic on the surface, but it makes a ton of sense.

Yes, BMW is a German brand, but it has a production plant in the US, more specifically, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. This means that the FBI’s fleet will still be US-built. Moreover, the BMW X5 Protection VR6 that will gradually replace the Suburban Shield SUVs is actually more affordable than its GM predecessor, by a lot.

The cost of a single GM Defense Suburban is between $600,000 to $3.64 million, depending on the level of equipment, while the BMW X5 Protection VR6 starts at $230,000, but can go over $400,000, depending on what equipment options and armor level have been ticked off the box.

Why is the BMW so much more affordable than the GM Suburban?

Despite BMW being a premium carmaker, there are a few reasons why its bulletproof X5 Protection VR6 is more affordable than the American SUV it replaces. The GM model features custom-made, heavy-duty, military-grade armor plating and specially-reinforced chassis, suspension, and brakes. While both vehicles are manufactured in specially-dedicated facilities, the BMW X5 Protection VR6 is said to have a production process that is better-integrated. 

Another reason for the price difference is that the Bavarian SUV features lower-level ballistic armor. Customization aside, the GM Defense Suburban features much heavier armor and more overall plates due to it being significantly larger than the Bavarian model.

Trading heavy armor for agility and speed.

The GM Defense Suburban Shield can be had with two engines - a 6.2-liter V-8 producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet, or a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel, pumping out 305 horsepower and 495 pound-feet. The bulletproof Suburban exceeds 6,000 pounds, regardless of specs, although exact weight figures are kept confidential.

The BMW X5 Protection VR6 packs a 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V-8 dishing out 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet while tipping the scales at 7,220 pounds. It also comes with adaptive M suspension and brakes from the X5 M Competition.

Does this mean you can get a bulletproof SUV?

Well, yes and no. Retired FBI (or any service) vehicles are typically sold at government surplus auctions. While the GM Suburban can be bulletproof (in terms of reliability), especially when equipped with the 6.2-liter V-8, retired vehicles are stripped of their specialized equipment before being sold. This includes the armor plating, just in case you get any funny ideas. 

But aren’t government vehicles abused?

They often are, but the thing about FBI vehicles is that, unlike marked police cars, they aren’t constantly running. In fact, they are driven significantly less, and while they still have wear and tear, it isn’t as bad as what we have seen on some retired police cars. 

With the agency gradually replacing its fleet, it will be interesting to see how the market for retired FBI vehicles develops. If you want to snag one (or a few), keep an eye on the auctions. Actually, I am curious to hear if you would buy one of these American SUVs. Let’s discuss in the comments below.

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• I Traded In My BMW X5 M for a Ford Mustang Mach-E, and It Was Quite the Downgrade, I Think Ford Gave Up When It Came to the Rear Design

Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota and Nissan are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.

Image source: BMW X5 Protection VR6 , GM Defense Suburban