2021 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban sported a design that sparked mixed reactions among consumers. The front-end styling polarized opinions, reminiscent of modern Chevrolet trucks and SUVs, which had a tendency to age gracefully only in their conservative design trims. The Suburban, like its counterparts, donned a Camaro-inspired design with small headlights and large, busy grilles that garnered more criticism than praise.

On the interior front, the Suburban kept most controls familiar despite a fresh look. The radio and climate controls remained intuitively placed, supplemented by redundant controls for the touchscreen. However, the chrome framing around the touchscreen posed a reflection hazard on sunny days. The Suburban offered a variety of trims—LS, LT, Z71, RST, Premier, and the top-tier High Country. The LS came well-equipped with an infotainment system, 18-inch alloy wheels, and more. Higher trims added upscale features like a hands-free power liftgate, leather upholstery, and heated seating. The Z71 trim catered to off-road enthusiasts with all-terrain tires and skid plates, whereas the RST focused on sporty, on-road performance with 22-inch wheels.

We drove the High Country trim, which included deluxe features like an adaptive air suspension, a panoramic sunroof, and an advanced rear-seat media system. Despite its upscale intentions, the High Country lacked some luxury SUV touches, such as soft-touch materials and a plush headliner, making it more comparable to an upscale pickup truck than a true luxury vehicle.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Explorer adhered to a cohesive design philosophy across Ford's SUV lineup, featuring a family resemblance that ranged from the Escape to the Expedition. This consistent design language was almost nostalgic, harking back to an era when brand loyalty was cultivated through a seamless product ladder.

The Explorer's exterior design was pleasing and sporty, with a raked beltline and distinct grille variations depending on the trim level. Its resemblance to the Edge was notable but distinct enough to stand apart from non-Ford SUVs. The Explorer came in six trims: base, XLT, Limited, Limited Hybrid, ST, and Platinum, with prices ranging from $32,925 to $52,730.

Inside, the Explorer offered three rows of seating as standard, featuring cloth upholstery initially, with the option to upgrade to leather in higher trims. The dashboard was clean, with an 8-inch touchscreen dominating the center stack, accompanied by large knobs and buttons for ease of use. The rotary gearshift in the center console freed up space for storage, contributing to a functional interior layout.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine choices, starting with the standard 5.3-liter V8, delivering 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The more powerful 6.2-liter V8 produced 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. For those looking at fuel efficiency, the newly available 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel engine offered 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, available in either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD).

Our test model with the Duramax diesel engine showcased impressive pickup and V8-level torque, making it a competent hauler and capable family vehicle. The independently suspended rear enhanced ride quality, though the Suburban still exhibited some truck-like traits, such as body roll and susceptibility to crosswinds. Its towing capacity, particularly with the Max Trailering package, reached up to 8,300 pounds.

The 2021 Ford Explorer presented a different set of powertrain options. Its base 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine produced 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, sufficient for a vehicle of its size. The Limited Hybrid trim included a V6 hybrid powertrain, upping the power to 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims featured a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, which produced 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer ST stood out with a potent 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque from the same V6 engine.

All trims shared a 10-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift. The Explorer's towing capacity varied by trim and options, ranging between 5,000 and 5,600 pounds. While its towing capability wasn't exceptional compared to larger SUVs like the Chevrolet Tahoe or Ford Expedition, it was respectable within its class.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, boasting a generous 144.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Even with the second-row seats up, it provided 93.8 cubic feet of space, and 41.5 cubic feet remained with all seats in use. This ample cargo room made it a favorite among those needing to haul large loads regularly. Passengers enjoyed a commanding view of the road, with ample head- and legroom across both the front and second rows. The control layout mirrored GM's pickup trucks, offering familiar, easy-to-use controls, though the button shifter and power-sliding center console added unnecessary complexity.

In comparison, the 2021 Ford Explorer provided seating for seven in its base trim, while other trims featured captain’s chairs in the second row, reducing capacity to six. The second-row legroom stood at 39 inches, competitive within its segment but surpassed by some rivals like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. With the third-row seats deployed, the Explorer offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space, which was decent but not class-leading. With the rear seats folded, the Explorer’s cargo volume totaled 81 cubic feet, falling short of the Suburban's cavernous capacity but sufficient for most family needs.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban came standard with a 10.2-inch touchscreen running GM’s user-friendly infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Combined with the available wireless charging pad, this setup offered convenience for tech-savvy users. Optional features included a navigation system, a rear entertainment system with large touchscreens, and a helpful head-up display.

The 2021 Ford Explorer's base trim also offered robust technology, including an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wired), a 4G WiFi hotspot, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims upgraded to a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Explorer provided multiple charging points, including USB ports and 12-volt power outlets, with the ST trim adding a 110-volt AC power outlet.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban came with a standard suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, and rear parking sensors. Optional features encompassed adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, front parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. Unique options included a rear-view camera mirror and the Safety Alert Seat, which vibrated to alert drivers of potential hazards.

The 2021 Ford Explorer garnered a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), performing well in crash tests and offering adaptive headlights as an option. Its standard Ford Co-Pilot360 suite featured auto high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist and alert, forward-collision warning, and pedestrian detection. Higher trims included adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and additional driver-assistance features.