2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2022 Toyota 4Runner

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner retained its rugged roots, tracing back to the SUV craze of the 1980s. Unlike many modern SUVs that evolved into car-based platforms, the 4Runner stayed true to its pickup truck lineage, sharing underpinnings with the Toyota Tacoma. This decision wasn't out of stubbornness; Toyota had the Highlander for family duties, allowing the 4Runner to cater to off-road enthusiasts. Its high ride height, boxy proportions, and sharply angled front bumper showcased its adventurous spirit. Inside, the 4Runner's design felt dated, reminiscent of its last full redesign in 2009, but it prioritized function over form.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban, redesigned in 2021, adopted Chevrolet's full-size truck design language, sharing its exterior styling with the Tahoe SUV and Silverado 1500 pickup. Its tall hood, long proportions, and large wheels gave it a commanding presence. The Suburban offered a range of trims, each with distinct grille, fascia, and wheel designs, allowing for customization. Inside, the Suburban's cabin ranged from comfortable on the base LS trim to luxurious on the High Country. Our RST test vehicle featured a Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior, 22-inch wheels, and a sporty look with black grille accents and RST-specific badging.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner came with a single engine option: a 4.0-liter V6 producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, powered either the rear wheels or an available 4WD system. While reliable, the V6 felt underwhelming in most driving situations, except for a decent jump off the line. The 4Runner's ride was harsh and cumbersome, with significant body roll and jostling over bumps. However, off-road, the 4Runner excelled, with its suspension effortlessly absorbing rocks and bumps. The TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road models included Crawl Control and a locking differential. The 4Runner could tow up to 5,000 pounds, more than most car-based crossovers.

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 paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The 5.3-liter V8, standard on most trims, produced 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The 6.2-liter V8, standard on the High Country and available on other trims, delivered 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The new 3.0-liter turbodiesel provided 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet 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 maximum towing capacity was 8,300 pounds.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner offered a maximum of 89.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity in the two-row version, slightly more than the three-row model's 88.8 cubic feet. With the second-row seats in use, the two-row 4Runner provided 47.2 cubic feet of cargo space. The three-row model had 46.3 cubic feet behind the second row and just 9 cubic feet behind the rear seats. The third row was optional on select trims, increasing seating capacity from five to seven. The 4Runner lacked a power rear liftgate but featured a power-open/close rear window for easy access.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in space, accommodating up to nine occupants with the optional front-row bench seat. Most Suburbans offered seven- or eight-passenger seating. The third row was spacious, with adequate headroom, knee room, and legroom for adults. 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 provided additional storage space. However, the Suburban's size made it challenging to maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth connectivity, Satellite Radio, and multiple USB ports. While the system lacked advanced features like a head-up display, it offered a straightforward layout with tactile controls, suitable for off-road driving.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered advanced 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, including Bluetooth audio streaming, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and voice recognition. The LT and above featured a 10.2-inch infotainment system with Google built-in and satellite radio. Wireless device charging and a WiFi hotspot were standard across the board. The Suburban LS had a six-speaker audio system, while higher trims offered Bose audio systems, with the Premier and High Country featuring a premium Bose CenterPoint system.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner included the Toyota Safety Sense suite, with forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera system. The 4Runner earned four out of five stars in NHTSA frontal and side-impact testing and three stars for rollover testing.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban featured the Chevy Safety Assist suite, with automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, 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 became standard. Optional 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 an overall rating of four out of five stars from NHTSA.