2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban carried forward the brand's full-size truck design language, which was introduced with the 2021 model year redesign. Its exterior styling was shared 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, each offering different grille, fascia, and wheel designs, allowing for a degree of customization. The RST trim, in particular, stood out with its Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior, 22-inch bright-machined black-painted wheels, and sporty monochromatic black grille with Black Ice accents. Inside, the Suburban offered a spacious cabin with varying levels of comfort and luxury, from the economically comfortable base LS trim to the plush High Country. The RST trim featured 10-way power seats, Jet Black perforated leather with Victory Red stitching, and an optional Luxury package, though the predominantly black interior felt a bit dark despite the chrome and red accents.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, redesigned for the model year, was introduced in Santa Barbara, California, with a focus on the RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance hybrid versions. The RX 350h Luxury test vehicle, with its Iridium silver exterior and 21-inch wheels, looked identical to the standard RX 350, lacking any hybrid-specific badges or design elements. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, however, distinguished itself with a Copper paint job, blacked-out grille, matte-black wheels, and aggressive styling. The RX models maintained their blunt-nosed appearance, with a visual imbalance due to the wheelbase stretch and signature rear roof pillar design. Inside, the RX adopted a cleaner, minimalistic look with fewer switches and a new Lexus Interface infotainment system. The RX 350h Luxury featured Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had a black interior with artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim, with an option for Rioja Red upholstery.

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 paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The base 5.3-liter V8 produced 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, while the 6.2-liter V8, standard on the High Country and available on other trims, delivered 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. The new 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. The Suburban's maximum towing capacity was 8,300 pounds. Our RST test vehicle featured the 6.2-liter V8, part of the Sport Performance package, which included Magnetic Ride Control and dual exhaust tips. The additional power was appreciated during an 80-mile tow test, where the Suburban performed admirably, making for a stress-free experience.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new powertrain lineup. The RX 350h, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, produced 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, achieving an estimated 36 mpg in combined driving. It accelerated to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and Direct4 AWD system, delivered 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. It featured an adaptive damping suspension, Dynamic Rear Steering, and Active Sound Control. However, it averaged only 20.9 mpg, falling short of its estimated 27 mpg. The RX 350h, on the other hand, averaged 32 mpg, offering better fuel economy and a more secure driving experience due to its lower center of gravity and electric motor torque.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in space, accommodating up to nine occupants with the optional front-row bench seat. Most models offered seven- or eight-passenger seating, with a livable third row providing adequate headroom, knee room, and legroom. 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 slid forward or backward up to 5.5 inches, and both rows folded flat with ease. The optional power-sliding center console added storage space, while the large glove box and storage cubbies provided ample room for belongings. However, the Suburban's size made it challenging to maneuver and park in tight spaces, and its height could be an issue for some garages. The switch to electronic push-button transmission controls required some adjustment for those accustomed to a column-mounted shifter.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a comfortable and fuel-efficient experience. The RX 350h Luxury featured ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and three-zone automatic climate control. The RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way power seats with larger bolsters and standard-grade leather. The hybrids' battery packs were located under the rear seat, providing excellent leg support and good legroom, though rear headroom was tight. The RX offered 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the back seat folded down, matching the standard RX 350. This was a significant improvement over the previous model but still fell short compared to some rivals.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban featured a surprising level of technology, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and Google built-in on LT trims 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 Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless device charging, and a WiFi hotspot were available. The Suburban offered a range of camera views, including a "transparent trailer" view. The audio system ranged from a basic six-speaker setup on the LS to a nine-speaker Bose system on the LT and a 10-speaker Bose Surround system on the Premier and High Country.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring a subscription for connected services after the trial period. The Lexus Interface offered Drive Connect with a cloud-based navigation system and Intelligent Assistant. The system worked reasonably well, though it had some limitations, such as only displaying one screen menu at a time and suffering from reflections. The available head-up display had dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel, which could be distracting, especially with polarized sunglasses. The RX also offered a Traffic Jam Assist system and Advanced Park technology, though the latter was not tested.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban came with Chevy Safety Assist, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and more. For 2022, front park assist, lane-keeping assistance, and lane-departure warning were added. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, HD surround vision, 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. The IIHS had not tested the current-generation Suburban.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, with new motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and more. Proactive Driving Assist was available, slowing the RX when the accelerator was released. The system had some irritations, such as the front cross-traffic alert system and curve-speed reduction tech. A driver monitoring system was also included, with warnings if the system was blocked. The RX offered Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park technology, though the latter was not tested.