2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2021 Lexus NX

The 2021 Lexus NX was available in three versions: the NX 300, NX 300 F Sport, and the NX 300h hybrid. This review focused on the gasoline models, specifically the performance-oriented F Sport version. The NX carried over Lexus's familial design and styling attributes, featuring sharp design lines and a sculpted exterior similar to the smaller Lexus UX and larger Lexus RX. Standard features included power-folding outside mirrors and 17-inch wheels. The F Sport variant added a sportier appearance with a honeycomb grille, triple-beam LED headlights, and 18-inch F Sport wheels.

Inside, the NX F Sport boasted quilted NuLuxe sport seats, with options for a Circuit Red interior color scheme. The material fit and finish were excellent, with a familiar gauge cluster featuring a sculpted metal-faced four-dial setup. However, the design seemed outdated compared to newer models like the 2022 Hyundai Tucson. The center stack, featuring a rare CD player and elevated climate-control buttons, also showed its age. Despite these quirks, the NX remained functional, though it lacked open small-item storage between the driver and passenger.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban shared its exterior styling with the shorter Tahoe SUV and the Silverado 1500 pickup, giving it a supersized appearance with a tall hood, long proportions, and large wheels. The Suburban was available in six trims, offering a fair degree of customization. Our RST test vehicle featured a Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior and 22-inch bright-machined black-painted wheels, giving it a sporty look.

Inside, the Suburban offered a spacious cabin, ranging from economically comfortable on the base LS trim to plush on the top-spec High Country. Our RST tester had 10-way power driver and front passenger seats, Jet Black perforated leather seats with Victory Red stitching, and the optional Luxury package, which included heated second-row outboard seats. However, the predominantly black interior made the cabin feel a bit dark, despite the chrome sill plates and red seat stitching.

The 2021 Lexus NX was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The standard six-speed automatic transmission was adequate but lagged behind newer eight-, nine-, and ten-speed transmissions. The NX accelerated from zero to 60 mph in around seven seconds, with the powertrain becoming noisy under hard acceleration. The F Sport model featured Active Sound Control, which electronically enhanced the engine note through the car's speakers.

Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on every trim level. The AWD system allowed up to 50 percent of the car's available torque to be transferred to the rear axle. Fuel economy for the FWD model was 22 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined. The AWD model had similar city/highway numbers but a combined rating of 24 mpg. The NX 300 had a 2,000-pound towing capacity and a top speed electronically limited to 124 mph.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine choices: a 5.3-liter V8, a 6.2-liter V8, and a new 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-six. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The 5.3-liter V8 produced 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, while the 6.2-liter V8 delivered 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. The 3.0-liter diesel engine provided 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, offering excellent fuel economy and a five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Our RST test vehicle featured the 6.2-liter V8, part of the $3,815 Sport Performance package, which included Magnetic Ride Control and dual exhaust tips. The extra power was noticeable and appreciated, especially during an 80-mile tow test where the Suburban pulled a Chevrolet Impala sedan on a trailer with ease. The Suburban's maximum towing capacity was 8,300 pounds.

The 2021 Lexus NX featured an upscale interior with comfortable front seats and adequate legroom for two adults in the second row. Heated and ventilated seats were available, and the rear seats offered a 60/40 split-folding configuration. However, the NX's cargo space was limited, with 17.7 cubic feet behind the second-row seats and 54.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down. A power liftgate with kick sensor technology and power-folding rear seats were available options.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in interior space, accommodating up to nine occupants with the optional front-row bench seat. Most Suburbans offered seven- or eight-passenger seating, with the third row providing adequate headroom, knee room, and legroom for adults. 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 could slide forward or backward up to 5.5 inches, and both rows folded flat with a lever or button.

The Suburban's cabin featured an optional power-sliding center console, a hidden storage drawer, and various storage cubbies. However, its size made it challenging to maneuver and park in tight spaces, and it might not fit in some garages due to its height. The Suburban also switched to electronic push-button transmission controls, replacing the traditional column-mounted shifter.

The 2021 Lexus NX featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a 10.3-inch screen available as part of the Navigation package. The system included predictive traffic information, detour preview, ETA calculation, and fuel station guidance. New for 2021, the Navigation package added HomeLink and Lexus Enform Destination Assist. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but the Lexus infotainment system was considered one of the least user-friendly.

Standard features included keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, a USB port, HD Radio, and a WiFi hotspot. The Lexus Premium Audio system had eight speakers, with an upgrade to a 14-speaker Mark Levinson audio system available. The NX was compatible with the Lexus Enform Remote mobile app, offering a free three-year trial subscription. Lexus Enform Services Connect provided maintenance alerts and a 10-year subscription.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered a surprising level of technology, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster standard on LT and above. Google built-in, including Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Play Store access, was also standard on LT and above. The number of available camera views increased to 13, including the "transparent trailer" view.

The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System with an 8-inch touchscreen was standard on the LS, featuring Bluetooth audio streaming, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and voice recognition. The LT and above had a 10.2-inch Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Premium System with Google built-in and satellite radio. 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 audio system. The Premier and High Country trims had a Bose 10-speaker Surround with CenterPoint audio system. Our test vehicle had the nine-speaker Bose system, which provided decent sound quality but was inferior to the premium Bose CenterPoint system.

The 2021 Lexus NX came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which included a rearview camera, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, automatic high beams, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. Optional features included park assist, a surround-view camera system, and adaptive headlights.

Lexus Enform Safety Connect provided an emergency-assistance button, roadside assistance, automatic collision notification, and stolen-vehicle notification. The NX received top "Good" scores in all crash tests from the IIHS, with "Superior" front crash-prevention technology and an "Acceptable" LATCH system rating. The NHTSA gave the NX a five-star overall safety rating. Lexus backed the NX with a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban featured Chevy Safety Assist, which 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 were added as standard features. 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.

Other standard safety items included hill-start assist, Teen Driver settings, and Buckle to Drive. Our test vehicle had GM's Safety Alert Seat, which vibrated to alert the driver of potential dangers. The NHTSA gave the Suburban an overall rating of four out of five stars, with four stars for front crash protection, five stars for side crash protection, and three stars for rollover resistance. The IIHS had not tested the current-generation Suburban.