2021 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban brought a bold and polarizing front-end design, diverging from the traditionally conservative looks of prior generations. It seemed that Chevy designers drew inspiration from the Camaro, but when stretched over the Suburban's massive frame, the resulting small headlights and large grilles did little to favor its appeal. There was hope that the style might age gracefully, yet it appeared to face an uphill battle. Unlike some of Chevy's other models, which received early refreshes due to unpopularity, this updated Suburban was expected to maintain its new aesthetic for longer.

Thankfully, once inside the Suburban, the story changed. Interior controls remained familiar and user-friendly, with radio and climate controls intuitively placed and backed up by redundant physical buttons around the touchscreen. However, the chrome frame around the screen often caught sunlight and reflected it into the driver’s eyes, a potential design oversight.

Trim levels for the Suburban ranged from the base LS to the luxurious High Country. Standard features started with an infotainment system, alloy wheels, and power-adjustable seats on the LS. Higher trims like the LT added luxury touches such as leather upholstery and Bose premium audio. The Z71 offered rugged off-road features, while the RST focused on on-road performance with larger wheels and sporty accents. At the top, the High Country included upscale amenities like an adaptive air suspension and comprehensive driver assistance features. However, despite its premium price tag, it fell short of true luxury due to the use of hard plastics and less soft-touch material.

In contrast, the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse aimed for a more restrained exterior design, emphasizing trim-specific cosmetic changes. It bore the hallmarks of a traditional SUV: a tall roof, chunky wheel arches, and a prominent grille, which most buyers seemed to prefer for its clean and handsome appearance. While competitors like the Ford Explorer and Mazda CX-9 offered more distinctive looks, the Traverse's trim-specific styling cues, including blacked-out accents on the RS and chrome touches on the High Country, added character to each variant.

The Traverse's interior was similarly understated, with the standout feature being the optional Dual SkyScape sunroof. Materials in the RS model we tested were fairly good but didn't quite justify the $50,000 price tag. Overall, the Traverse had a tastefully designed cabin but didn't aspire to luxury as much as its platform-sharing siblings, like the Buick Enclave or Cadillac XT6.

Under the hood, the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban featured three engine choices. The base engine was a 5.3-liter V8, producing 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. For those seeking more power, a 6.2-liter V8 delivered 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Opting for the Max Trailering package with the 5.3-liter V8 allowed you to tow up to 8,300 pounds. Our test vehicle came with the freshly introduced Duramax turbodiesel 3.0-liter inline-six engine, generating 277 hp but matching the 6.2-liter V8 with 460 lb-ft of torque. Each engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and buyers could choose between rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD).

The diesel engine impressed with its pickup, providing robust torque for quick starts and highway merging. Despite its heft, the Suburban managed to offer a solid ride, owed partly to its newly adopted independent rear suspension. This setup improved ride comfort, although body roll and truck-like chatter over rough surfaces remained present. The braking performance stood out, with excellent stopping power and a confident pedal feel.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse, however, simplified the engine choice to a single 3.6-liter V6, delivering 310 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. The previously available 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder was discontinued. The V6 was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission that generally performed well, though it had occasional rough shifts.

Driving the Traverse revealed adequate power, especially for highway driving, although it didn’t feel as lively off the line. The ride was notably quiet and comfortable on the highway, with a suspension that absorbed bumps well and steering that provided good control. On twistier roads, the Traverse lacked agility compared to some competitors, partly due to its AWD system. This system, which required manual activation, could split torque significantly between wheels but didn’t translate noticeably into improved handling. The Traverse's towing capacity maxed out at 5,000 pounds, which was average for its class.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, making it a top choice for large families and road trips. With all seats folded, it offered a massive 144.7 cubic feet of cargo space. Even with the second-row seats in use, there were 93.8 cubic feet available, and 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row, more than many small crossovers. Passengers enjoyed ample headroom and legroom across all three rows, with second-row captain's chairs providing impressive comfort. Front seating was spacious without needing to adjust for rear passengers. However, issues like the complex button shifter and the slow, power-sliding center console detracted somewhat from the usability, despite plentiful space and well-placed controls.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse also offered flexible seating configurations for seven or eight passengers. While headroom and legroom were above average in all three rows, they were not class-leading. The Traverse's significant advantage lay in cargo space, offering 23.0 cubic feet with all seats in place, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 98.2 cubic feet with the second row stowed. These figures surpassed many competitors. Additional features like a power liftgate, gesture-activated liftgate, and power 60/40 split-folding third row added to convenience, though the Traverse fell short on interior storage solutions compared to minivans.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban came standard with a 10.2-inch touchscreen featuring GM’s intuitive infotainment system. The screen boasted clear graphics and a logical layout, supported by a helpful home button. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, combined with an optional wireless charging pad, made for a highly convenient setup. While a navigation system was optional, it became somewhat redundant given the integration of CarPlay and Android Auto. An available rear entertainment system and head-up display further enhanced the Suburban’s tech offering.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a Bose 10-speaker audio system was available on higher trims, the standard system proved user-friendly with large icons and analog controls for volume and climate. Despite newer competitors offering larger screens and digital instrument clusters, the Traverse’s approach felt practical and sufficient. Additional tech options included a rearview camera mirror and an HD surround-view camera, making parking easier. Standard USB ports for all rows enhanced passenger convenience, though wireless charging was limited to higher trims.

Safety features on the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, and rear parking sensors. The Teen Driver system, which allowed for speed and volume limitations for secondary drivers, was also standard. Optional features spanned adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic assist, front parking sensors, and a surround-view monitor. Unique options like the rear-view camera mirror and Safety Alert Seat added an extra layer of safety and intuitiveness.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse received top “Good” ratings in crash tests from the IIHS, along with a “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention. However, its headlight ratings ranged from “Acceptable” to “Poor,” and its LATCH system scored “Acceptable” for ease of use. The NHTSA awarded the Traverse a five-star overall safety rating, but it fell short on standard driver-assist tech. Features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring were optional, whereas many rivals offered these as standard.