2021 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban presented a bold and somewhat polarizing front-end design, borrowing elements from the Camaro's design language. This approach resulted in a combination of small headlights and large, busy grilles that did not favor the Suburban's massive frame. Despite the exterior's divisive appearance, the interior maintained a familiar layout with controls in their expected places, ensuring ease of use. The Suburban offered a range of trim levels, from the base LS to the luxurious High Country, each adding various features and enhancements. The High Country trim, in particular, provided upscale features like a panoramic sunroof and a rear-seat media system, though it lacked the soft-touch materials typical of true luxury SUVs.

In contrast, the 2022 Genesis GV70 showcased a unique and stylish design, incorporating elements from other Genesis models while maintaining its distinct appearance. The GV70 featured quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, a large shield-shaped grille, and a sloping roofline that added a sporty touch. The Sport Prestige model further enhanced the GV70's character with unique styling features, including 21-inch wheels and a dark chrome finish. Inside, the GV70 boasted an elliptical-themed interior inspired by an airplane's wing, with a minimalistic design and high-quality materials. The interior offered a variety of color options and luxurious features, such as Nappa leather upholstery and a rotary gear selector, creating a sophisticated and modern cabin environment.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban offered a range of powerful engine options, starting with a standard 5.3-liter V8 producing 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. For those seeking more power, a 6.2-liter V8 was available, delivering 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The Suburban also introduced a Duramax turbodiesel engine, a 3.0-liter inline-six generating 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive as standard and four-wheel drive available. The Suburban excelled in towing capacity, with the 5.3-liter V8 capable of towing up to 8,300 pounds. Its truck-based underpinnings provided a smooth ride, though it exhibited some body roll and truck-like tendencies.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and came with standard all-wheel drive. The GV70 featured a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty character. The Sport+ drive mode enhanced throttle response and transmission behavior for spirited driving. However, the GV70's chassis and steering lacked the sharpness of some competitors, and its ride was firm, especially with the 21-inch wheels. The GV70 felt more comfortable during highway cruising, though it didn't quite match the luxurious driving experience expected from a true luxury vehicle.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban impressed with its massive cargo space, offering 144.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, 93.8 cubic feet with the second row in use, and 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row. Passengers enjoyed a commanding view of the road and ample head- and legroom, with spacious second-row captain's chairs. The control layout was similar to GM's pickup trucks, though the button shifter design was less intuitive. The power-sliding center console was a unique feature, though its functionality was somewhat cumbersome. Overall, the Suburban provided an abundance of passenger and cargo space, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment, with front-seat headroom comparable to a Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and back-seat headroom similar to a BMW X3. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded. The GV70's daring interior design compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. However, it included a covered storage cubby with USB ports for convenience. The front seats in the Sport Prestige model were heavily bolstered, providing support for spirited driving but potentially feeling confining for some. The seats also featured heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were buried in touchscreen menus.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban came standard with a 10.2-inch touchscreen running GM's intuitive infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system's layout was sensible, with a helpful home button for easy navigation. Optional features included a navigation system, rear entertainment system, and a head-up display. The available wireless device charging pad added convenience, making the Suburban's tech offerings user-friendly and practical.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a 14.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, featuring a tile-based layout and crisp graphics. The infotainment system's glass rotary controller offered pinch-and-zoom functionality. Higher trim levels included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 also featured a digital-key system, allowing drivers to use a smartphone or fingerprint scanner to start the car. Genesis Connected Services provided additional features, such as remote camera activation and a radar-based rear-seat monitor, enhancing the GV70's tech appeal.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban came equipped with standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, and rear parking sensors. The Teen Driver system allowed owners to set speed and volume limitations for younger drivers. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system. Unique options like the rear-view camera mirror and Safety Alert Seat added to the Suburban's safety offerings.

The 2022 Genesis GV70, being a new model, lacked crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA. However, it came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and Highway Driving Assist. The GV70 also featured eight airbags, including a front-center airbag. Optional driver-assist features included Highway Driving Assist 2, which added lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. The GV70's safety systems impressed with smooth control inputs, though lane-centering struggled with sharp curves.