2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2021 Ford Expedition

Upon disembarking from our red-eye flight at Los Angeles International Airport, the 2021 Ford Expedition Platinum was a welcoming sight. Its plush and roomy interior promised relief after a week spent in a more basic Dodge Grand Caravan. However, we quickly discovered a major issue: cargo space. Despite the luxurious Platinum trim, the Expedition struggled to accommodate our six carry-on suitcases and backpacks. We had to stack luggage in the cabin area, with one unfortunate passenger holding a suitcase on her lap for the 40-mile trip to the suburbs. The Platinum trim represented the pinnacle of the Expedition lineup, with the base model XL STX starting at $50,595 and the Platinum at $74,375. Upgrading to the extended-length Expedition MAX cost an extra $2,000, a justified expense given our cargo struggles. Our test vehicle, with its Magnetic gray paint, 4WD, Heavy Duty Trailer Tow Package, electronic limited-slip differential, and second-row captain’s chairs, cost a total of $80,510, including the destination charge. As we approached the vehicle, power-deploying running boards and a power rear liftgate emphasized its premium nature. Unfortunately, the storage situation made it clear that a Grand Caravan-like minivan excelled more in practical utility. Design-wise, the Expedition Platinum was impressive, flaunting an intricately detailed chrome grille, massive 22-inch machined-face aluminum wheels, and tasteful brightwork throughout. The vehicle's exterior conveyed a bold and commanding presence, distinctly superior to that of a minivan. However, the lack of cargo space highlighted the need for either the longer MAX version or the standard 40/20/40 split-folding second-row bench seat, which would allow more flexibility. Inside, after arriving home and unloading the luggage, the Expedition's leather-lined cabin provided ample comfort for our six-person crew. Nevertheless, the extensive hard plastic in the interior reminded us of the Expedition’s roots. Considering a Lincoln Navigator, basically a more upscale version of the Expedition, would provide a much nicer interior experience. Redesigned for 2021, the Chevrolet Suburban’s new exterior styling shared design elements with the Tahoe SUV and Silverado 1500 pickup. The 2022 model continued with this design language, featuring a tall hood, long proportions, and large wheels that contributed to a supersized appearance. Grille, fascia, and wheel designs varied by trim level, offering reasonable customization within its single-body style. Our RST test vehicle, with a vibrant Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior and 22-inch bright-machined black-painted wheels, stood out. The monochromatic black grille with Black Ice accents and RST-specific badging provided a sporty look, making it one of the more visually appealing full-size SUVs on the market. Inside, the Suburban offered a spacious cabin varying from economically comfortable in the base LS trim to luxurious in the top-spec High Country trim. Standard leather seats began with the LT trim, with material quality improving as price increased. Our RST tester featured 10-way power driver and front passenger seats, bright sill plates, and Jet Black perforated leather seats with distinctive Victory Red stitching. The optional Luxury package added heated second-row outboard seats, contributing to a comfortable cabin environment. The Suburban’s interior felt open and airy, yet the predominantly black interior in the RST trim made it feel somewhat dark. While accents like chrome sill plates and red stitching provided some contrast, they weren't enough to lift the overall dark ambiance. Nevertheless, the spacious and comfortable interior made long journeys enjoyable.

Every 2021 Ford Expedition came equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This engine, which delivered 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque in most trims, received a boost in the Platinum trim, producing 400 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) was standard, with 4WD available. Towing capacity varied from 9,000 to 9,300 pounds, depending on the model. The Pro Trailer Backup Assist technology allowed drivers to steer trailers using a dashboard knob, with the SUV managing actual steering. Acceleration was impressive, even with a full load, and the twin-turbo V6, although not as resonant as a V8, produced a pleasant sound. The 10-speed transmission operated smoothly without drawing undue attention. Riding on 22-inch wheels, the Platinum’s adaptive damping suspension struggled to fully absorb road shocks, transmitting some of them into the cabin. However, the four-wheel independent suspension ensured stability and a smooth ride over bumps. Fuel economy was a typical concern for large SUVs. During our test, the Expedition Platinum averaged 17.1 miles per gallon, slightly lower than the EPA’s combined rating of 19 mpg for the 4WD model. The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine choices: a 5.3-liter V8, a 6.2-liter V8, and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-six, each paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission with electronic shift control. The base 5.3-liter V8 produced 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, while the 6.2-liter V8, standard on the High Country and optional on other trims, generated 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both V8 engines featured direct injection and cylinder-deactivation technology for improved fuel efficiency. The new 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel engine, with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, provided both strong hauling capabilities and excellent fuel economy. Our RST test vehicle came with the 6.2-liter V8, part of the $3,815 Sport Performance package. This engine delivered effortless power and acceleration, making driving the nearly three-ton SUV feel more agile. During an 80-mile tow test, the Suburban easily handled towing a Chevrolet Impala on a trailer, proving its impressive towing capabilities. The maximum towing capacity for the Suburban was 8,300 pounds. The 2021 redesign's introduction of an independent rear suspension significantly improved ride and handling, reduced load floor height, and increased third-row passenger and cargo space. Our RST’s Magnetic Ride Control made the drive comfortable even during challenging conditions.

The regular-length 2021 Ford Expedition faced a significant limitation in cargo capacity, fitting five passengers and their luggage proved challenging. The extended-length Expedition MAX offered a better solution with 34.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 73.3 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and a maximum of 121.5 cubic feet with all seats down. Inside the standard Expedition, comfort and utility shined through with power-deploying running boards and generously sized seats. The front seats featured a massage function, a luxurious touch absent in the rear seats, sparking minor envy among passengers. The cabin design provided plenty of storage for odds and ends. Still, the high liftover height made loading heavy items into the cargo area less convenient. The 2022 Suburban excelled in space, offering seating for up to nine passengers with the optional front-row bench (available only on the LS), and seven or eight passengers with captain’s chairs. Unlike previous generations, the third row was hospitable for adults, thanks to increased headroom, knee room, and legroom. Access to the third row was also excellent. Boasting 41.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, the Suburban led in cargo capacity among large SUVs. This space expanded to 144.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded flat. The second-row seats could slide forward or backward up to 5.5 inches, and both the second and third rows could fold flat with ease. The optional power-sliding center console provided additional storage options, albeit moving slowly. While the Suburban displayed excellent form and function, its size hindered maneuverability in tight spaces. Urban drivers needed to plan parking carefully, and its height might be a limiting factor for some garages. The switch to electronic push-button transmission controls also required some adjustment for seasoned drivers accustomed to traditional column shifters.

Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system in the 2021 Expedition, despite showing its age, remained user-friendly but featured an 8-inch touchscreen that felt small and was sometimes slow to respond. However, it provided modern features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, FordPass Connect services, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and navigation. Amazon Alexa compatibility and a slightly improved voice recognition system were also part of the package. Our test vehicle included a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging but lacked the dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system available on other trims. Chevrolet equipped the 2022 Suburban with advanced technology, further upgrading from the previous model year. New for 2022 was a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (starting with the LT trim) and Google built-in, featuring Google Maps, Google Assistant, and third-party apps. The number of available camera views increased to 13, including the innovative "transparent trailer" view. The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System with an 8-inch touchscreen came standard on the LS, including Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and voice recognition for smartphone integration. Upper trims like the LT and higher featured a 10.2-inch Infotainment 3 Premium System. Wireless device charging and a WiFi hotspot were standard across all trims. The Suburban LS came with a six-speaker audio system, while the LT featured a nine-speaker Bose system. The Premier and High Country trims offered a 10-speaker Bose Surround with CenterPoint audio system, delivering superior sound quality. Our RST’s nine-speaker system was adequate but didn't match the premium sound systems in higher trims.

The 2021 Ford Expedition, with a minimum curb weight of 5,368 pounds, provided a safety advantage through sheer mass. While the IIHS had not crash-tested the Expedition, the NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall crash-test rating. The RWD model received a three-star rollover-resistance rating, which improved to four stars with 4WD. Safety features included Ford Co-Pilot360, providing forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, semi-autonomous parking assistance, and a 360-degree camera system. Ford's lane-keeping technology proved useful in narrow lanes but lacked more advanced adaptive features. The 2022 Suburban, benefitting from the Chevy Safety Assist suite since its redesign, included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, rear park assist, following distance indicator, automatic high beams, and an HD rear-vision camera. New for 2022 were front park assist, lane-keeping assistance, and lane-departure warning, with options like adaptive cruise control, HD surround vision, rear pedestrian alert, and lane-changing assistance. The Suburban also featured hill-start assist, Teen Driver settings, Buckle to Drive, and GM's Safety Alert Seat, which provided tactile warnings through seat vibrations. The NHTSA awarded the Suburban a four-star overall rating, with a five-star rating for side crash protection and a three-star rating for rollover resistance. The IIHS had not yet tested the current-generation Suburban.