2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Honda CR-V had a design that blended into the crowded compact crossover market. Its styling was nearly identical to its competitors, with only minor details like the grille and some chromed plastic features setting it apart. The CR-V was available in eight colors, but most were shades of gray, black, or white, with vibrant colors like Aegean Blue Metallic and Radiant Red Metallic being rare and limited to higher trims. Inside, the CR-V offered black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather, with higher trims featuring wood panels and more chrome for a more upscale appearance. The seats had a modern, angular design, but overall, the CR-V's look was less distinctive compared to rivals like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Suburban sported a bold, full-size truck design language, sharing its exterior styling with the Tahoe SUV and Silverado 1500 pickup. The Suburban's tall hood, long proportions, and large wheels gave it a supersized appearance. Trim levels varied the grille, fascia, and wheel designs, offering customization options. The RST trim, for example, featured a Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior, 22-inch wheels, and a monochromatic black grille with Black Ice accents, giving it a sporty look. Inside, the Suburban ranged from economically comfortable on the base LS trim to plush on the High Country, with leather seats standard from the LT trim upwards. The RST trim had 10-way power seats, Jet Black perforated leather with Victory Red stitching, and optional Luxury package features, though the predominantly black interior felt a bit dark.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was not built for high performance but for smooth, steady acceleration and predictable cornering. All nine trims (excluding the Hybrid) featured a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with a 0-60 mph time of about 7.8 seconds. The CR-V's continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided a less engaging driving experience compared to competitors with conventional transmissions. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive as an option. The CR-V's suspension setup included a MacPherson strut in the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear, offering decent handling and ride quality.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine choices: a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower, and a new 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-six with 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Suburban's independent rear suspension improved ride and handling, and the 6.2-liter V8 provided effortless power and acceleration, especially noticeable during towing. The Suburban's maximum towing capacity was 8,300 pounds, making it a capable hauler.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was designed to fit five people comfortably and carry their gear. It offered 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. Depending on the trim, the CR-V featured manual, power, or hands-free power tailgates. Roof rails were standard only on the top Touring trim.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in space, accommodating up to nine occupants with the optional front-row bench seat. Most configurations offered seven or eight-passenger seating. The third row was spacious enough for adults, and access was easy. The Suburban boasted 41.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 144.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded flat. The second-row seats slid forward or backward, and the power-sliding center console provided additional storage. However, the Suburban's size made it challenging to maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The 2021 Honda CR-V's base LX trim had a 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity, while other trims featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The audio system ranged from a 180-watt system with six speakers on the Special Edition and EX trims to a 300-watt system with a subwoofer on the Touring trim. Charging ports were plentiful, with the Touring trim adding a wireless phone charger.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered advanced technology, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and Google built-in on LT trims and above. The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System with an 8-inch touchscreen was standard on the LS, while the LT and above had a 10.2-inch system with Google built-in and satellite radio. Wireless device charging and a WiFi hotspot were standard on the LT and above. The audio system ranged from a basic six-speaker system on the LS to a premium Bose 10-speaker system on the Premier and High Country.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. Standard safety features included a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. Blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard from the EX trim upwards.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban came with Chevy Safety Assist, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, rear park assist, following distance indicator, automatic high-beam headlights, and an HD rear-vision camera. For 2022, front park assist, lane-keeping assistance, and lane-departure warning were added as standard. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, HD surround vision, rear pedestrian alert, reverse automatic braking, lane-changing assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and a head-up display. The Suburban received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA.