2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2023 Volvo XC90

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, reminiscent of its shorter sibling, the Tahoe, and the Silverado 1500 pickup. The Suburban offered a variety of grille, fascia, and wheel designs across its six trims, allowing for a degree of customization despite its single body style. The RST trim, in particular, stood out with its Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior, 22-inch black-painted wheels, and sporty monochromatic black grille with Black Ice accents. Inside, the Suburban provided a spacious cabin, ranging from comfortable in the base LS trim to luxurious in the High Country. The RST trim featured Jet Black perforated leather seats with Victory Red stitching, though the predominantly black interior made the cabin feel somewhat dark.

In contrast, the 2023 Volvo XC90 showcased a significant evolution in Volvo's design philosophy, moving away from the boxy aesthetics of the past. The XC90's purposeful yet understated design featured a stout front end, assertive grille, and the distinctive "Thor’s Hammer" headlights, adding a modern flair. The test vehicle, in the AWD Ultimate trim, sported 21-inch wheels and a Platinum Gray paint with brown undertones, offering a touch of richness. Inside, the XC90 exuded elegance with its two-tone leather steering wheel, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, Orrefors crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist interior design, complemented by wood deco inlays, provided a clean and beautiful look, though the limited physical controls could be a point of frustration for some.

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 pound-feet of torque, while the 6.2-liter V8 delivered 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. The new 3.0-liter diesel engine, with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, provided excellent fuel economy and towing capability. The Suburban's maximum towing capacity was 8,300 pounds. The RST test vehicle featured the 6.2-liter V8, part of the Sport Performance package, which included Magnetic Ride Control and dual exhaust tips. This engine offered effortless power and acceleration, making it well-suited for towing tasks.

For the 2023 Volvo XC90, Volvo introduced the B5 and B6 engines, both featuring mild-hybrid technology. The B5, with a turbocharger, produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the B6, with a supercharger and turbo, delivered 295 hp and 310 lb-ft. The mild-hybrid system improved fuel efficiency and smoothness, though the gains were minimal. The XC90's driving experience was enjoyable, with quick acceleration and a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle's insulation kept road and wind noise at bay, and the brakes provided a confident pedal feel. The XC90's simplicity in driving dynamics, with limited customizable modes, might appeal to some drivers.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in space, offering seating for up to nine occupants with the optional front-row bench seat. Most configurations provided seven- or eight-passenger seating, with a livable third row offering adequate headroom 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 optional power-sliding center console added storage flexibility. However, the Suburban's size made it challenging to maneuver and park in tight spaces, and the switch to electronic push-button transmission controls required some adjustment.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's interior was characterized by Scandinavian minimalism, which, while elegant, led to some space and storage frustrations. The front seats were comfortable, but the lack of dedicated cubby space for smaller items was noticeable. The second row was reasonably spacious, but accessing the third row was challenging with the standard bench seat. The XC90 offered 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row in place, expanding to 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. Despite its smaller size, the XC90 drove like a smaller car, offering a more compact feel than typical three-row SUVs.

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 higher trims. The Suburban offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and 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 premium Bose 10-speaker system on the Premier and High Country.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's tech offering was centered around a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display running Google OS. This system integrated Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant, with natural-language recognition enhancing the user experience. The XC90 also allowed for voice commands via Google Home devices. However, the reliance on the touchscreen for many functions could be frustrating, as more physical buttons and redundant controls would have been appreciated. Despite this, the minimalist design and advanced tech made the XC90's interior feel modern and sophisticated.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban came equipped with the Chevy Safety Assist suite, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, HD surround vision, and blind-spot monitoring. 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 2023 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety, carrying a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. The XC90 featured adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology, which maintained distance from the car ahead and provided gentle steering assistance. These safety features were standard on the XC90, reinforcing Volvo's reputation for prioritizing safety.