2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, with its redesigned models, was presented in Santa Barbara, California, where the RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance versions were highlighted. The RX 350h Luxury model, despite its hybrid nature, maintained a subtle appearance, closely resembling the standard RX 350, with no overt hybrid indicators. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, however, stood out with its performance-oriented design, featuring a blacked-out grille, matte-black wheels, and a distinctive Copper paint job. The RX's design, while not traditionally beautiful, was functional, with a minimalistic interior that incorporated modern technology and ambient lighting. The RX 350h Luxury's interior boasted Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance offered a more subdued black interior with artificial suede and dark gray aluminum accents.

In contrast, the 2024 Chevrolet Suburban, a long-standing name in the automotive world, was known for its massive size and practicality. Measuring nearly 19 feet in length, the Suburban was a familiar sight on the roads, offering substantial cargo and passenger space. Available in six trims, the Suburban's features improved with each level, from the basic LS with 18-inch wheels to the High Country with 22-inch alloys. Despite its size, the Suburban's interior was comfortable, with leather upholstery standard on most trims and options for luxurious brown leather in higher trims. The High Country model, tested for this review, included features like a heated steering wheel and tri-zone climate control, though it felt somewhat ordinary inside despite its premium positioning.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a range of powertrains, with the RX 350h featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, achieving 36 mpg in combined driving. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, delivered 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, though it averaged only 20.9 mpg. The RX 500h's adaptive damping suspension and Dynamic Rear Steering system enhanced its driving dynamics, making it more engaging than the RX 350h, which was preferred for its fuel efficiency and quieter operation.

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 with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The diesel engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided excellent fuel economy and towing capabilities, making it a preferred choice for its balance of power and efficiency. The Suburban's size was managed well by its steering and brakes, and the height-adjustable air suspension improved ride comfort.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a comfortable interior with ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and effective climate control. The RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way power seats with larger bolsters and standard-grade leather. The hybrid's battery placement under the rear seat improved leg support but reduced headroom. Cargo space was increased to 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, a significant improvement over the previous model.

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 seats 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, combined with the diesel engine's efficiency, allowed for long-distance travel without frequent refueling.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring subscription services for full functionality. The system included cloud-based navigation and an Intelligent Assistant, though it had some usability issues, such as limited screen views and distracting control pads. The available head-up display had visibility problems with polarized sunglasses.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban's infotainment system featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen with Google Built-in, providing access to essential apps without phone pairing. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were included, and a rear-seat entertainment system was available. The 10-speaker Bose audio system, while decent, lacked the richness of higher-end systems.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, offering advanced driving assistance features like motorcycle detection and evasive steering assistance. Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist were also included, though some features had usability issues, such as the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with standard safety features like forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving system, for an additional cost, providing hands-free driving on pre-mapped roads.