2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design language, moving away from its traditionally conservative styling. The XC90 retained Volvo's recognizable boxy profile and blunt front end but introduced softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription trim, with its extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more understated looks, respectively. The XC90's interior embraced "Swedish minimalism," featuring matte-finish wood trim and an option for wool upholstery, creating a refined yet restrained cabin atmosphere.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Suburban adopted Chevrolet's 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. The RST trim, with its Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior, 22-inch wheels, and monochromatic black grille, exuded a sporty look. Inside, the Suburban offered a spacious cabin with varying levels of luxury, from economically comfortable in the base LS trim to plush in the top-spec High Country. The RST trim featured 10-way power seats, Jet Black perforated leather seats with Victory Red stitching, and an optional Luxury package, though the predominantly black interior felt a bit dark.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all centered around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 engine was turbocharged, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 engine added a supercharger, increasing output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid combined the T6 engine with electric assist, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. The T5 came standard with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive was optional on the T5 and standard on the T6 and T8. Despite the impressive power figures, the XC90's small engine struggled with flexibility, and the plug-in hybrid's electric-only mode was limited to low speeds. The XC90 excelled in ride quality and old-school luxury, with an optional air-suspension system and a quiet cabin. It had a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, except for the base FWD T5, which was rated at 4,000 pounds.

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 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, while the 6.2-liter V8 delivered 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. The 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine provided 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, offering excellent fuel economy and a five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Suburban's independent rear suspension improved ride and handling, and the 6.2-liter V8 in the RST trim provided effortless power and acceleration. The Suburban's maximum towing capacity was 8,300 pounds, making it a capable hauler.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. Headroom and legroom in all three rows were average for the segment, with the third row being tight for adults. The interior featured a power moonroof, four-zone climate control, and optional filtration for fine particulate matter. The Inscription trim offered 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage, but the steering wheel was not power-adjustable. Cargo space was limited, with 11.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. A hands-free power tailgate was standard.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in interior space, offering seating for up to nine occupants with the optional front-row bench seat. Most Suburbans had seven- or eight-passenger seating, with captain's chairs in the middle row. The third row was spacious enough for adults, with excellent access. 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 the second and third rows folded flat with ease. The Suburban also featured an optional power-sliding center console with hidden storage, though its large size made it challenging to maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which included a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The system was user-friendly, with a portrait-oriented touchscreen that allowed for easy navigation. However, the amount of text and typeface used made reading some menus difficult while driving. The wireless charging pad was too small for most phones, and the XC90 only had second-row USB-C ports.

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

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver aid. Pilot Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, providing smooth and quick reactions to other vehicles.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban came with the Chevy Safety Assist suite, 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 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 received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for front crash protection, five stars for side crash protection, and three stars for rollover resistance.