2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2021 INFINITI QX80

Reflecting its origins, the 2021 INFINITI QX80 showcased a blend of Nissan Armada and Infiniti styling elements. The basic body shell was similar to the Armada, evident in the roofline's profile and the distinctive curve of the rear windows. Vents on the front fenders were a shared feature with its Nissan counterpart. Unlike many SUVs that transitioned to unibody construction for added rigidity, the QX80 and Armada stayed traditional with body-on-frame construction, combining separate bodies and chassis.

The front end of the QX80 was all Infiniti, an assertive but not overly flashy design introduced in the 2018 model year with the same grille and headlight design as its smaller SUV siblings. This styling set the QX80 apart from the Armada in a visually appealing way. Standard exterior features included LED headlights, taillights, and fog lights. The headlights boasted automatic high beams, a windshield-wiper interlock, and the option for auto-leveling. The base Luxe trim rode on 20-inch wheels, while the Premium Select and Sensory trims upgraded to 22-inch wheels.

Inside, the QX80’s design closely resembled that of the Armada, save for some upscale touches like wood trim, contrast stitching, and standard leather upholstery, with Sensory models featuring perforated semi-aniline leather. The dashboard's shape, switchgear, and even a foot-operated parking brake were carried over from the Armada. Despite these similarities, the interior felt properly luxurious, though anyone seeking a unique experience might have been disappointed.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Suburban benefitted from Chevrolet's current full-size truck design language with its 2021 model year redesign. Sharing stylistic cues with the shorter Tahoe SUV and Silverado 1500 pickup, the Suburban exhibited a tall hood, long proportions, and large wheels, contributing to its supersized appearance. Grilles, fascias, and wheel designs varied by trim level, providing buyers with customization options despite the single body style.

Chevrolet offered the 2022 Suburban in LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premier, and High Country trims. The RST test vehicle was particularly striking with its Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior and 22-inch bright-machined black-painted wheels. The monochromatic black grille with Black Ice accents, combined with dark red paint and RST-specific badging, lent the Suburban a sporty aesthetic, making it one of the more attractive options in the full-size SUV segment.

Inside, the Suburban offered a spacious and versatile cabin, running from economically comfortable in the base LS trim to plush in the top-spec High Country. Leather seats were standard starting from the LT trim, with material quality improving as the trims progressed.

The RST's interior was equipped with 10-way power driver and front passenger seats, bright sill plates, and Jet Black perforated leather seats with Victory Red stitching in the first and second rows. Optional features like the Luxury package included heated second-row outboard seats. However, the cabin had a predominantly black interior, which could feel a bit dark despite chrome sill plates and red seat stitching.

All 2021 INFINITI QX80 models featured a 5.6-liter V8 engine paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) was standard, with four-wheel drive (4WD) available as a $3,100 option. The naturally aspirated V8 generated 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque, which was slightly less than the V8 Cadillac Escalade or the twin-turbo V6 Lincoln Navigator but still sufficient for this large SUV. The engine's responsiveness made highway overtaking stress-free, though the transmission shifts felt more crumpled than smooth.

Thanks to independent front and rear suspension, the QX80 offered a very comfortable ride, bolstered by the standard rear auto-leveling feature and the Hydraulic Body Motion Control available on Sensory models. This system aimed to limit body roll during cornering. Despite the suspension’s benefits, detectable shudders over bumps were typical of body-on-frame vehicles, yet the interior remained quiet. However, aggressive cornering was not the QX80’s strong suit, as even minor exuberance led to significant body roll. The speed-sensitive power steering promoted a relaxed driving style with enough precision for confident road placement.

Body-on-frame construction suited the QX80's towing and off-road capabilities. The 4WD drivetrain came with a low range and a forward skid plate, making this SUV fairly competent off-road, though its size and factory wheel-and-tire combinations were more conducive to style and on-road performance than off-road traction. The QX80 also fell behind competitors like the Lexus LX and Land Rover Range Rover in terms of off-road driver aids. Its maximum towing capacity stood at 8,500 pounds, competitive but trailing the Lincoln Navigator's 8,700-pound maximum.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered a choice of three engines: a 5.3-liter V8, a 6.2-liter V8, and a new-for-2022 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-six, all paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The 5.3-liter V8, standard on all but the Premier trim, produced 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. Standard on the High Country and available on other trims, the 6.2-liter V8 generated 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. Both V8 engines featured direct injection and cylinder-deactivation technology for fuel saving.

The 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel, though smaller in displacement, provided 460 lb-ft of torque and 277 hp. This engine not only delivered ample towing and trailering capability but also offered excellent fuel economy with a robust five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The Suburban, except the Z71 trim, came with standard rear-wheel drive (RWD), with 4WD optional (Z71 had standard 4WD). A single-speed transfer case was standard on most trims, with a two-speed transfer case standard on the Z71 and optional elsewhere. The independent rear suspension, introduced in the 2021 redesign, improved ride and handling, enhanced third-row passenger space, and increased cargo capacity.

Our RST test vehicle, equipped with the 6.2-liter V8 and the $3,815 Sport Performance package (including Magnetic Ride Control and dual exhaust tips), showed the notable performance difference compared to the 5.3-liter V8. The additional 65 hp and 77 lb-ft made acceleration effortless, particularly noticeable during an 80-mile tow test where it hauled a Chevrolet Impala sedan and trailer seamlessly. The maximum towing capacity stood at 8,300 pounds, just shy of the QX80’s.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 was a three-row SUV available in a seven-seat configuration with standard second-row captain’s chairs and a center console. An optional eight-seat configuration swapped the captain’s chairs for a 60/40 split-folding bench. A 10-way-adjustable driver's seat and an eight-way front passenger seat, with heating and cooling on Sensory models, came standard. However, the bottom cushions lacked thigh support, potentially uncomfortable on long trips.

Passenger space in all three rows was competitive but not class-leading, with enough room for adults even in the third row. Second-row captain’s chairs included a large console with storage, climate controls, and USB ports, though third-row passengers lacked charging ports. The cargo capacity was 16.6 cubic feet with all seats up, 49.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.1 cubic feet with both second and third rows folded, trailing the Cadillac Escalade and the Lincoln Navigator. Standard features like the power liftgate and power 60/40-split-folding third row made switching between passenger and cargo configurations easier.

In the 2022 Chevrolet Suburban, space was abundant. The Suburban could accommodate up to nine occupants with the optional front-row bench seat offered only in the LS trim. Most configurations, however, provided seating for seven or eight passengers. Notably, the third row was spacious and accessible, suitable even for adults.

The Suburban boasted an impressive 41.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 144.7 cubic feet with second and third rows folded flat, outclassing the QX80 and other large SUVs. Second-row seats slid up to 5.5 inches and both rows folded flat with ease, providing a versatile cargo area. Features like an optional power-sliding center console, hidden storage drawer, and numerous storage cubbies enhanced practicality.

One drawback was the Suburban’s size, making it challenging to maneuver and park in tight spaces, though familiarity with its dimensions helped. Chevrolet switched to electronic push-button transmission controls from the column-mounted shifter, requiring drivers to adjust to this new system.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80’s standard Infiniti InTouch dual-screen infotainment system included an 8.0-inch upper and 7.0-inch lower touchscreens with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, built-in WiFi hotspot, and navigation. Standard features also included Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 13-speaker Bose audio system, with an option for a 17-speaker system. The optional Theater Package added dual 8-inch monitors, wireless headphones, auxiliary jacks, and 120-volt outlets for the second row.

The user interface, however, was not user-friendly, with small screens difficult to reach from the driver’s seat and controls requiring trial and error to operate. Helpful features like the Smart Rearview Mirror offered streaming-video display to eliminate blind spots, and the Around View Monitor 360-degree camera system provided comprehensive views.

In the 2022 Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet enhanced its technology offerings. The LT trim and above included a larger 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and Google built-in features, including Google Maps, Google Assistant, Google Play Store access, third-party apps, and vehicle data sharing. Thirteen camera views, including a "transparent trailer" view, increased visibility options.

The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System, standard on the LS, included an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth audio streaming, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and voice recognition. LT trims and above had a 10.2-inch Infotainment 3 Premium System with Google built-in. Wireless device charging and a WiFi hotspot were also standard on the LT and above. The LS came with a basic six-speaker audio system, while the LT and upwards included a nine-speaker Bose audio system or, higher trims, a Bose 10-speaker Surround with CenterPoint audio system.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 received a four-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars for side crash tests, four stars for frontal crash tests, and three stars for rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not yet tested the QX80.

Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and Backup Collision Intervention.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban, redesigned for 2021, included the Chevy Safety Assist suite as standard. Features included 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 became standard. Optional safety 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's NHTSA ratings were identical to the QX80 with an overall rating of four stars, four stars for front crash protection, five stars for side crashes, and three stars for rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not tested the Suburban either.