2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was characterized by its modernist and reductive design, which translated to a clean and simple aesthetic. This approach might not have appealed to those seeking a flashy luxury SUV, as Land Rover offered limited options for making the vehicle stand out, such as a Firenze Red paint color and diamond-turned, multi-spoke 23-inch wheels. The test vehicle, finished in Eiger Gray with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, exuded understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, complemented by aluminum and shiny black trim, created a high-tech and luxurious atmosphere. The Range Rover Sport was available in SE P360, SE Dynamic P400, and Autobiography P440e specifications, with the SE Dynamic P400 test vehicle priced at $98,420, including destination charges. Notable design features included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology taillights, contributing to its excellent aerodynamics.

In contrast, the 2024 Chevrolet Suburban, with its long-standing history, blended into traffic despite its massive size. Measuring 18 feet 10 inches in length and over six feet in height, the Suburban was not for everyone, especially those navigating urban areas. However, it catered to a specific market seeking cargo space, passenger capacity, and towing capability. Chevrolet offered the Suburban in six trims, with features improving as one ascended the trim ladder. The test vehicle, a High Country trim, featured a heated steering wheel, tri-zone automatic climate control, and leather upholstery. Despite these amenities, the interior felt somewhat pedestrian, with supportive but not exceptionally comfortable seats. The Suburban's size was both a blessing and a challenge, offering ample space but requiring careful handling due to its weight and dimensions.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement and driver-focused engagement, though it only partially succeeded. It featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque in the SE Dynamic model. The SE P360 offered 355 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was available in the Autobiography P440e, delivering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft with an estimated 51 miles of electric range. A 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine was available for early-build 2023 models but was temporarily unavailable. The Range Rover Sport's 395-hp engine provided ample power, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.4 seconds and a towing capacity of 7,716 pounds. It achieved 21 mpg in combined driving, with the test vehicle averaging 22.3 mpg. The SUV's new architecture increased torsional stiffness by 35%, and its adaptive damping air suspension enhanced ride comfort and handling. However, it struggled to match the agility of sport-tuned SUVs from competitors like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.

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, and a Duramax 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft. The 5.3-liter V8 was standard on most trims, while the 6.2-liter V8 was available on higher trims. The diesel engine provided better fuel economy and was $1,500 cheaper than the V8 on the High Country trim. The Suburban's 10-speed automatic transmission was well-tuned, and the electronic button-style shift mechanism freed up center console space. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with four-wheel drive available on most trims. The Suburban's steering and brakes were up to the task, and the height-adjustable air suspension handled rough roads well. However, its size and weight resulted in some body roll, requiring drivers to brake earlier than in smaller vehicles.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport retained its Command Driving Position, offering a tall and airy feel. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit, and the front seats were comfortable with 20-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat, however, was less accommodating, with limited legroom and hard front seatback panels. The cargo area offered 31.9 cubic feet of space, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The test vehicle's full-size spare tire limited underfloor storage, but Land Rover provided a contraption to secure smaller items.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, with 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 capacity surpassed competitors like the Ford Expedition Max and Jeep Wagoneer L. The Suburban's 28-gallon fuel tank allowed for long highway drives, especially with the diesel engine's 26-mpg highway rating. The Suburban's interior was spacious, accommodating a family of seven and their gear for road trips.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system was often confusing and frustrating to use. The SUV's native digital assistant struggled with basic tasks, such as finding a nearby Starbucks. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems and a next-generation Active Noise Cancellation system. A wireless smartphone charging pad was included but difficult to access.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban's infotainment system featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen, standard on all but the base LS trim. The system was user-friendly, with Google Built-in providing access to Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play Store. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were included, and a rear-seat entertainment system was available as an option. The 10-speaker Bose audio system offered good fidelity but lacked the richness of higher speaker count systems found in competitors.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, and a surround-view camera system. Remote Park Assist was available, allowing the SUV to park itself while the driver directed it via a smartphone app. However, the adaptive cruise control and steering assist systems were not as smooth or reliable as expected.

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, lane-keeping assist, and Chevy's Teen Driver feature. The Premier and High Country trims could be equipped with Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving system that managed speed, steering, and lane changes on pre-mapped roads.