2023 Dodge Durango vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2023 Dodge Durango, entering its 12th model year without a redesign, maintained a familiar yet attractive appearance. It eschewed the faux ruggedness of other brands, opting for clean, car-like styling with slim lines and forward-leaning headlights. The Durango avoided the trend of oversized grilles, instead featuring a large lower air intake that provided presence without excess. At the rear, Dodge's signature "racetrack" taillights offered a distinctive look. The muscular SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models had unique styling features, such as a Viper-like hood with a functional air inlet and heat extractors, but these were subtle. The SRT models also sported unique wheels and a different front fascia, maintaining a similar shape to the standard version. Various appearance packages allowed for customization, including the Blacktop Package and Hemi Orange appearance package, while the interior offered a comfortable space with options for luxurious features like Nappa leather upholstery and heated seats.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban, with its long-standing history, blended into traffic despite its massive size. At nearly 19 feet long and over six feet tall, it was a common sight on the roads, catering to those needing ample cargo and passenger space. The Suburban was available in six trims, each offering increasing levels of luxury. Standard features included automatic windshield wipers and LED lights, with higher trims offering larger alloy wheels. However, some features expected at higher trim levels, like power running-board steps and a panoramic moonroof, were optional extras. Inside, the Suburban provided a spacious cabin with leather upholstery on most trims and options for luxurious interiors. The driver and front passenger enjoyed 12-way power adjustments, though the overall interior felt somewhat pedestrian for a top-spec model.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains, starting with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, producing 293 horsepower (295 hp with dual exhaust) and 260 pound-feet of torque. This engine was standard on the SXT, GT, and Citadel trims. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8, standard on the R/T and optional on the Citadel, delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The SRT 392 model featured a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 475 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The SRT Hellcat took performance to another level with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8, producing 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The Durango's size didn't hinder its acceleration, providing a thrilling experience, especially on highways. The adaptive-damping suspension, Pirelli P Zero tires, and Brembo brakes ensured the power was manageable.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine options: a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The 5.3-liter V8 was standard on most trims, providing a towing capacity of up to 8,300 pounds with the Max Trailering Package. The 6.2-liter V8, available on higher trims, offered smoother acceleration. The diesel engine, available on the High Country trim, provided better fuel economy and cost savings. The Suburban's 10-speed automatic transmission was well-tuned, and the vehicle's size was manageable, thanks to its steering and brakes. The height-adjustable air suspension handled rough roads well, though drivers needed to account for the vehicle's weight.

The 2023 Dodge Durango was available in seven-seat or six-seat configurations, with standard front bucket seats, a second-row bench, and a third-row bench on lower trims. Higher trims offered second-row captain's chairs. The Durango's interior space was competitive with other midsize SUVs, though it offered less cargo space than some rivals, with 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 43.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.1 cubic feet behind the first row. Small-item storage was generous, with a large wireless charging pad and USB ports. Towing capacity was a strong point, with V6 models towing up to 6,200 pounds and V8 models up to 8,700 pounds.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, offering 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 93.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 144.7 cubic feet. This made it ideal for families needing ample space for road trips. The Suburban also featured a 28-gallon fuel tank, allowing for long distances between fill-ups, especially with the diesel engine's fuel efficiency.

The 2023 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on SXT and GT models, with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Higher trims had a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity and the Uconnect 5 system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with unique features for SRT models, such as performance information and a burnout-themed animation. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available on the SRT Hellcat.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban came with a 10.2-inch touchscreen on most trims, featuring Google Built-in for seamless access to apps like Google Maps and Assistant. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were included, and a rear-seat entertainment system was available. The 10-speaker Bose audio system, while good, lacked the richness of higher-end systems.

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed safety ratings, with a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It had limited standard driver-assist features, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert standard on all trims. Higher trims offered additional features like forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It included a range of standard safety features, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims offered Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving system, as an option.