2024 Acura MDX vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

Acura had truly nailed the look of the 2024 MDX. The front was dominated by a large shield grille flanked by rakish headlights and accented with a pair of intake vents below. The lower bumper curved subtly, presenting a modern and refined front profile. Inside, the MDX showcased a high-tech yet busy interior. The center console was filled with controls that, although functional, required some getting used to.

The MDX was available in various trims, or "packages," including the Technology Package, A-Spec Package, and Advance Package, plus the sportier Type-S and Type-S Advance. Standard features in the MDX encompassed tri-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, synthetic leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable front seats, and heated front seats. Moving up to higher trim levels, additional amenities such as ambient cabin lighting, a premium audio system, and genuine leather upholstery came into play. For instance, the A-Spec trim added a sportier look, ventilated front seats, and a sophisticated intercom system for easy communication within the cabin. The Advance package introduced a heated steering wheel, more USB ports, remote start, and heated second-row seats.

Our test vehicle, the Type-S Advance, included standout features such as a 26-speaker ELS sound system and massaging front seats. The perforated leather upholstery was incredibly comfortable, and the firmness of the massaging seats made long drives refreshing.

In contrast, the 2024 Chevrolet Suburban, with its nearly 90-year heritage, carried a different, yet equally established aesthetic. Despite its mammoth size of nearly 19 feet in length and over six feet in height, the Suburban’s design made it a familiar sight on the road rather than a novelty. Its imposing size was a double-edged sword — practical for those needing excessive cargo and passenger space but cumbersome for maneuvering through tight urban spaces.

Available in six trims—LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premier, and High Country—the Suburban advanced in luxury as you climbed the trim ladder. Even the base LS trim was fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels, while the High Country stood out on 22-inch wheels. Higher trims, like the High Country, demanded additional costs for certain features like a power moonroof and power running-board steps, which felt less generous given its luxury positioning.

Inside the Suburban, space and comfort reigned supreme. Leather upholstery was standard fare except for the base trim, and higher trims could be outfitted with luxurious brown leather interiors. While the seats offered decent support, particularly with the added heating and ventilation, they lacked the cushiness desired for long-distance travel. The front seats offered multiple power adjustments, but still fell short in comparison to other luxury SUVs.

The 2024 Acura MDX standard model came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. However, the Type S variant boasted a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine yielding 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. Both models channeled power through a 10-speed automatic transmission, with an option for Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (AWD).

Driving the Type-S Advance felt exhilarating thanks to its strong acceleration. While it didn’t offer head-jerking speeds, it provided solid performance for everyday driving scenarios, from starting at a stoplight to merging onto highways. The Brembo performance brakes and adaptive air suspension contributed to a light yet commanding drive. This system, combined with various drive modes accessible via the Integrated Dynamics System, made the MDX adaptable for different driving conditions, including an extra ground clearance mode for light off-roading. Despite its weight, the MDX handled corners adeptly and maintained a firm but comfortable ride across rough pavements.

On the other hand, the 2024 Chevrolet Suburban entertained three engine choices: a standard 5.3-liter V8, an optional 6.2-liter V8, and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-six. The 5.3-liter V8, with its 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, was the workhorse for most trims, sporting impressive towing capabilities up to 8,300 pounds with the Max Trailering Package. The 6.2-liter V8 packed 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, making for easier acceleration and handling but slightly less towing capacity compared to its smaller sibling.

The 3.0-liter turbodiesel, delivering 277 horsepower and a robust 460 pound-feet of torque, shone the brightest with its fuel efficiency and significant power. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, it offered a smooth and responsive drive. The provision of rear-wheel drive (RWD) as standard and optional four-wheel drive (4WD) on most trims added to the Suburban’s adaptability. The height-adjustable air suspension in our test vehicle managed bumps effectively, although the Suburban's substantial 6,000-pound heft meant some body roll and longer braking distances.

The 2024 Acura MDX offered a standard three-row seating arrangement. The first two rows provided ample comfort and support, but the third row was somewhat limited in space, making it more suitable for children. The cargo capacity behind the third row was 16.3 cubic feet, expanding to 39.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. Maximum cargo space reached 71.4 cubic feet when both the second and third rows were folded, with added storage under the cargo floor. The convenience of a power liftgate came standard, with a hands-free version on upper trims.

In contrast, the 2024 Chevrolet Suburban boasted exceptional cargo capacities, befitting its colossal dimensions. With 41.5 cubic feet of space behind the third row, it surpassed most competitors, and folding the third row expanded this to 93.8 cubic feet. Total cargo space hit a whopping 144.7 cubic feet, nearly corresponding to the volume of two eight-person hot tubs. This immense capacity surpassed rivals like the Ford Expedition Max and Jeep Wagoneer L, making it ideal for sizeable family trips or heavy-duty hauling scenarios. The addition of a 28-gallon fuel tank further enhanced its functionality for long journeys.

In terms of technology, the Acura MDX lagged behind due to its cumbersome infotainment system. Although its 12.3-inch display looked promising, it turned out to be non-touchscreen, necessitating the use of an awkward touchpad located below the shifter for navigation. This control scheme proved highly unintuitive. Despite integrating features like wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and multiple USB ports, the overall user experience suffered due to the challenging interface.

Conversely, the Chevrolet Suburban’s 10.2-inch touchscreen (or 8-inch on the base trim) appeared modest against its expansive cabin but functioned effectively with Google Built-in. This feature allowed seamless access to Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Play Store without requiring smartphone pairing. It also included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, enhancing the user experience. Additionally, a $1,995 rear-seat entertainment system with twin touchscreens could be added, making long trips more enjoyable for passengers.

However, our disappointment lay with the 10-speaker Bose audio system in the Suburban. Despite its decent fidelity, it lacked the rich and full sound expected from a premium system, particularly compared to offerings from Ford and Jeep.

Safety-wise, the Acura MDX came packed with advanced driver-assist features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and more. Higher trims added features such as front and rear parking sensors, reverse automatic emergency braking, a 360-degree camera system, and a head-up display. Though the 2024 MDX lacked current crash test ratings, its identical structure to the 2022 model, which had favorable NHTSA and IIHS scores, should inspire confidence.

The Chevrolet Suburban, while large and seemingly robust, received a four-star crash rating from NHTSA. It earned five stars in side-crash tests but only three in rollover tests. However, the Suburban came with a comprehensive suite of ADAS, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and pedestrian detection as standard. Super Cruise, Chevrolet’s advanced semi-autonomous driving system, was available on higher trims, providing impressive hands-free driving on pre-mapped roads.