2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2023 Lexus RX

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban, with its 2021 redesign, adopted Chevrolet's full-size truck design language, giving it a commanding presence on the road. Its tall hood, long proportions, and large wheels contributed to its supersized appearance, shared with the Tahoe SUV and Silverado 1500 pickup. The Suburban offered a range of six trims, allowing for customization in grille, fascia, and wheel designs. The RST trim, in particular, stood out with its Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior, 22-inch black-painted wheels, and sporty monochromatic black grille. Inside, the Suburban provided a spacious cabin, with the RST trim featuring Jet Black perforated leather seats with Victory Red stitching. However, the predominantly black interior made the cabin feel somewhat dark despite its open and airy design.

The 2023 Lexus RX presented a modern and sophisticated look with its shorter height, broader width, and longer wheelbase, maintaining the same overall length as its predecessor. The reduction in rear overhang and softer design lines gave it a smaller appearance, enhanced by the floating roof effect. The signature spindle-style grille was better integrated, flowing into an elevated hood and upswept body sides. The RX's interior was thoroughly modern, with fewer buttons and a focus on digital instrumentation. The cabin offered high-quality materials, with options for NuLuxe artificial leather or genuine leather. The RX 350 was available in various trims, including the Luxury and F Sport Handling, each offering distinct interior features and comfort levels.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine choices: a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower, and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-six with 277 horsepower. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The 6.2-liter V8, available on higher trims, provided effortless power and acceleration, making it ideal for towing, with a maximum capacity of 8,300 pounds. The Suburban's independent rear suspension improved ride quality and increased cargo space. Our RST test vehicle, equipped with the 6.2-liter V8, demonstrated impressive towing capabilities during an 80-mile test, handling the extra weight with ease.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine offered better torque and fuel economy than the previous V6, though it lacked the same smoothness. The RX 350 Luxury trim displayed occasional torque steer and body motion over uneven surfaces, while the F Sport Handling trim, with its adaptive suspension, provided a more secure and composed ride. The RX 350 AWD accelerated to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, with fuel economy estimates of 24 mpg combined. Our test results showed slightly lower fuel efficiency, with 22.5 mpg for the FWD and 21.8 mpg for the AWD.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in interior space, accommodating up to nine passengers with the optional front-row bench seat. The third row was notably spacious, with ample headroom and legroom. Cargo space was a highlight, offering 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row and expanding to 144.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded flat. The Suburban's size, however, made it challenging to maneuver and park in tight spaces. The switch to electronic push-button transmission controls was a notable change from the traditional column-mounted shifter.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350 provided a comfortable interior, with the Luxury trim offering semi-aniline leather upholstery and ten-way power-adjustable front seats. The F Sport Handling trim featured sportier seats with NuLuxe simulated leather. The back seat was roomy, though taller passengers might find headroom limited. Cargo space improved over the previous generation, with 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 46.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. The RX offered useful storage areas, though its cargo capacity was not as generous as some competitors.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban featured a range of technology options, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster standard on LT trims and above. Google built-in, including Google Maps and Assistant, was also standard on these trims. The Infotainment 3 System with an 8-inch touchscreen was standard on the LS, while a 10.2-inch system was available on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, along with a WiFi hotspot. The audio system ranged from a basic six-speaker setup to a premium Bose 10-speaker system on higher trims.

The 2023 Lexus RX introduced the new Lexus Interface infotainment system, available with a 9.8-inch or 14-inch touchscreen. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and various connected services. The Drive Connect plan offered Intelligent Assistant voice recognition, though it occasionally provided inaccurate results. The system allowed for user profiles and music streaming through embedded apps. The RX also featured a 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, digital instrumentation, and optional digital rearview mirror and key technology. A color head-up display was available, though it was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban came with the Chevy Safety Assist suite, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Additional features like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were optional. The Suburban received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars for side crash protection but only three stars for rollover resistance.

The 2023 Lexus RX was equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, offering advanced driving assistance systems like motorcycle detection and evasive steering assistance. New semi-autonomous features included Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist. The system was generally impressive, though some features, like curve-speed reduction, were less effective. The RX's adaptive cruise controls were unmarked, requiring reference to the HUD, which was not visible with polarized sunglasses.