2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator stood out by not mimicking its competitors' styles. Instead, it adopted the successful design language of the larger Navigator, resulting in a sharp-looking vehicle with crisp lines and tasteful chrome accents. Inside, the Aviator's cabin was a blend of comfort and warmth, featuring soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen that dominated the dash. The piano button shifter and soothing chimes added to the luxurious feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Suburban shared its exterior styling with the Tahoe SUV and Silverado 1500 pickup, giving it a supersized appearance. The RST trim, with its Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior and 22-inch wheels, offered a sporty look. Inside, the Suburban provided a spacious cabin with varying levels of luxury depending on the trim. Our RST test vehicle featured Jet Black perforated leather seats with Victory Red stitching, but the predominantly black interior felt a bit dark despite the chrome sill plates and red stitching.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine on the Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration, although the Aviator's heft was noticeable in corners and tight spaces. The drive mode selector offered options like "Excite" and "Conserve," making it suitable for highways and cul-de-sacs but less composed in city driving.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine choices: a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft, and a new 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-six with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Our RST test vehicle featured the 6.2-liter V8, which provided effortless power and acceleration, especially noticeable during an 80-mile tow test. The Suburban's maximum towing capacity was 8,300 pounds, making it a capable hauler.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expandable to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The second row, especially in the Grand Touring trim with captain's chairs and a digital control panel, was the most comfortable. However, the power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality if the battery died.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in space, offering up to nine-passenger seating with the optional front-row bench seat. The third row was livable for adults, and access was excellent. With 41.5 cubic feet of space behind the third row, expandable to 144.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded, the Suburban had the largest cargo area among large SUVs. The optional power-sliding center console and various storage cubbies added to its practicality, although its size made it challenging to maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the intuitive Sync 3 infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display added to the tech-savvy interior. The layout was user-friendly, and the large icons made navigation easy.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban upped its tech game with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster on LT trims and above, along with Google built-in features. The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System with an 8-inch touchscreen was standard on the LS, while a 10.2-inch system was standard on LT and above. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot were standard across the board. The Suburban also offered a range of camera views, including a "transparent trailer" view, enhancing its tech appeal.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came well-equipped with the Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added features like reverse automatic braking and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top marks from NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban featured the Chevy Safety Assist suite, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and front pedestrian braking. For 2022, additional features like front park assist and lane-keeping assistance became standard. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and HD surround vision. The Suburban received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA but had not been tested by IIHS.