2023 Honda Pilot vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2023 Honda Pilot underwent a complete redesign, presenting a more rugged and substantial appearance. Its upright grille and boxier styling not only made it look larger but also increased its dimensions, being 3.4 inches longer, up to 1.5 inches wider, and 0.8 inches taller than its predecessor. These changes complemented the all-terrain-capable TrailSport model, which featured a one-inch taller ride height, unique 18-inch wheels, chunky all-terrain tires, and underbody skid plates. The interior adopted a more conventional styling, maintaining attractiveness and functionality, with materials quality meeting elevated class standards. Overall, the new Pilot emphasized function over form, offering a tidy and utilitarian aesthetic.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban, a long-standing automotive institution, continued to blend into traffic despite its massive size. Measuring 18 feet 10 inches in length and over six feet in height, it was not for everyone, especially urban drivers. However, it catered to those needing ample cargo and passenger space, along with towing capacity. Available in six trims, the Suburban offered basic niceties like automatic windshield wipers and LED lights, with more luxurious features as you climbed the trim ladder. Inside, it provided a comfortable cabin with leather upholstery on most trims, though even the top-spec High Country felt somewhat pedestrian. The Suburban's size was undeniable, but it offered a comfortable ride with its height-adjustable air suspension.

The 2023 Honda Pilot was powered by a new 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all models and standard on the Elite and TrailSport trims. The Pilot offered quick initial acceleration and adequate power, with a soft brake pedal suitable for a family SUV. It cornered well for a three-row SUV, prioritizing comfort over sporty driving. The TrailSport model added an inch of ground clearance and all-terrain tires, enhancing its off-road capabilities without sacrificing on-road comfort.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine options: a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The diesel engine provided better fuel economy and was less expensive than the V8 on the High Country trim. The Suburban's 10-speed automatic transmission was well-tuned, and the vehicle's size was manageable with its responsive steering and brakes. The Suburban's air suspension handled rough roads well, though its large size meant some body roll was inevitable.

The 2023 Honda Pilot's interior was more conventional compared to other new Honda models, offering a handy dash shelf for the front passenger. The entry-level trims featured a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen, while higher trims upgraded to a nine-inch display. The Pilot provided ample storage and convenience features, including a stowable second-row center seat and a spacious second row for adults. The third row was less inviting but suitable for short trips. Cargo space was generous, with up to 114.3 cubic feet available when the second row was folded flat.

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

The 2023 Honda Pilot's EX-L trim and above offered a larger infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, and USB ports in every row. Higher trims included a multi-view camera system, head-up display, and a fully digital instrument panel. The infotainment system was functional with quick responses, and features like Honda's CabinTalk and a Wi-Fi hotspot were available on higher trims.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen on all but the base LS trim, which had an 8-inch screen. The infotainment system included Google Built-in, wireless Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. A rear-seat entertainment system was available as an option. The 10-speaker Bose audio system was decent but lacked the richness of higher speaker count systems found in competitors.

The 2023 Honda Pilot had not yet been rated by the NHTSA, but it received a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims added low-speed automatic braking and parking sensors, with the TrailSport and Elite trims offering surround-view and multi-view camera systems.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban received a four-star overall crash safety rating from the NHTSA, with four stars in frontal crash tests, five in side-crash tests, and three in rollover tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Premier and High Country trims could be equipped with Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving system.