2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2021 Land Rover Defender

The 2021 Land Rover Defender carried a rich legacy dating back to 1948, with its design inspired by the Willys Jeep. Over the decades, the Defender evolved through various iterations, maintaining its distinctive look and character. The new Defender aimed to echo the vibe of its predecessors while incorporating modern elements. It featured half-round LED headlights, a structural-looking grille, and flat-topped fenders with diamond-plate patterns. The interior emphasized exposed structure, with a dash held between horizontal beams and beefy controls. The leather-upholstered seating combined toughness with luxury, and the digital instrument panel and center touchscreen interface added a modern touch.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban, redesigned for the 2021 model year, shared its exterior styling with the shorter Tahoe SUV and Silverado 1500 pickup. The Suburban's tall hood, long proportions, and large wheels gave it a supersized appearance. Available in six trims, the Suburban offered a fair degree of customization. Inside, the Suburban provided a spacious cabin with varying levels of comfort and luxury depending on the trim. Our RST test vehicle featured Jet Black perforated leather seats with Victory Red stitching and a host of optional features, including heated second-row seats. However, the predominantly black interior made the cabin feel a bit dark.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender offered two powertrains in the U.S.: a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid setup producing 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. All Defender models used an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD with low range and Terrain Response. The Defender's off-road capabilities were impressive, with a 30.1-degree approach angle, 37.6-degree departure angle, and a maximum wading depth of 35.4 inches. On the road, the Defender was quick, with the 2.0-liter model reaching 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds and the 3.0-liter model in 5.8 seconds. The Defender also had a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds and a payload capacity of over 1,700 pounds.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine choices: a 5.3-liter V8 producing 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, a 6.2-liter V8 producing 420 hp and 460 lb-ft, and a new 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-six producing 277 hp and 460 lb-ft. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Suburban's maximum towing capacity was 8,300 pounds. Our RST test vehicle featured the 6.2-liter V8, which provided noticeable power and acceleration. The Suburban's independent rear suspension improved ride and handling, and the vehicle performed well during an 80-mile tow test, pulling a Chevrolet Impala sedan on a trailer with ease.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender rode on a unibody platform, making extensive use of aluminum for weight reduction and strength. The Defender's four-wheel independent multi-link air suspension enhanced both on-road and off-road performance. The Defender offered a jump seat between the front seats for three-across seating and a third-row seat for two in the long-wheelbase 110. Luggage space behind the second row on the 110 was 34-34.6 cubic feet, and the three-door model had 58.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats. The 110 had a maximum cargo capacity of 78.8 cubic feet.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in interior space, with the ability to hold up to nine occupants with the optional front-row bench seat. Most Suburbans offered seven- or eight-passenger seating. The third row was quite livable, with adequate headroom, knee room, and legroom. The Suburban had 41.5 cubic feet of space behind the third row, expanding 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 folded flat with ease. The Suburban's size and mass made it challenging to maneuver and park in tight spaces, but the electronic push-button transmission controls were a modern touch.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender featured Land Rover's Electronic Vehicle Architecture 2.0, allowing for remote software updates. The Defender used the Pivi Pro system with a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, USB and 12-volt outlets, and multiple camera views. The audio system could be upgraded to a Meridian sound system with up to 14 speakers. A full-color head-up display and a ClearSight rear-view mirror were also available.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered a surprising level of tech, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster standard on LT and above. Google built-in, including Google Maps and Google Assistant, was also standard on LT and above. The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System with an 8-inch touchscreen was standard on the LS, while the LT and above featured a 10.2-inch system with Google built-in. Wireless device charging and a WiFi hotspot were standard on LT and above. The Suburban LS had a six-speaker audio system, while the LT featured a nine-speaker Bose system. The Premier and High Country trims had a Bose 10-speaker Surround with CenterPoint audio system.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS. However, it came with an extensive list of standard safety features, including a perimeter alarm, front airbags, tire pressure monitoring, electronic traction control, dynamic stability control, roll stability control, emergency braking, anti-lock braking, emergency brake assist, cruise control speed limiter, blind spot assist, lane-keep assist, driver condition monitor, traffic sign recognition, rear traffic monitor, clear exit monitor, and a 360-degree parking aid. The Defender underwent extensive durability testing during its development.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban received an overall rating of four out of five stars from NHTSA. It scored four stars for front crash protection, five stars for side crash protection, and three stars for rollover resistance. The Suburban came with standard safety features, 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. 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 Safety Alert Seat was also available.