2024 Land Rover Defender vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2024 Land Rover Defender presented a unique blend of classic and modern design elements. Its boxy profile was reminiscent of older models, yet it featured angular headlights that tied it to the contemporary Land Rover lineup. Inside, the Defender felt robust and adventure-ready, with a cabin that leaned more towards durability than luxury, akin to a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, but with softer materials. The Defender was available in three body styles: the two-door 90, the four-door 110, and the extended-wheelbase four-door 130, each offering various trims like S, X-Dynamic SE, X, Carpathian Edition, and Outbound. The Defender 110 S, which we tested, came with the County visual package, adding vintage graphics and white wheels, enhancing its nostalgic appeal. Standard features included 19-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, and a panoramic glass roof, with options for premium leather and additional climate control features.

In contrast, the 2024 Chevrolet Suburban maintained its status as an automotive institution with its long-standing presence in the market. Despite its massive size, the Suburban blended seamlessly into traffic, thanks to its familiar silhouette. Measuring nearly 19 feet in length and over six feet in height, it was not for everyone, especially those in urban areas. However, for those needing ample cargo and passenger space, the Suburban was a top choice. Available in six trims—LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premier, and High Country—the Suburban offered a range of features, from basic niceties like LED headlights to luxurious options like leather interiors and power running-board steps. Our test vehicle, the High Country trim, featured a heated steering wheel, tri-zone climate control, and leather upholstery, though it felt somewhat pedestrian inside despite its high-end features.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a variety of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the P300, producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Our P400 test model was equipped with a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The Defender also offered two supercharged 5.0-liter V8 options: the P500 with 493 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque, and the P525 with 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time active four-wheel drive. The Defender's towing capacity varied, with the six-cylinder and eight-cylinder models capable of towing up to 7,716 pounds, while the four-cylinder could tow up to 5,500 pounds. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, particularly with features like the adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2 system, making it a formidable choice for rugged terrains.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine options: a standard 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, an upgraded 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, and a Duramax 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The 5.3-liter V8, paired with the Max Trailering Package, allowed for a towing capacity of up to 8,300 pounds. The 6.2-liter V8 provided smoother acceleration, while the diesel engine offered 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 features like the electronic button-style shift mechanism and height-adjustable air suspension. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with four-wheel drive available on most trims, ensuring the Suburban handled various driving conditions with ease.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender balanced luxury and functionality with soft-touch materials, grip handles, rubberized floors, and ample cargo compartments. Seating capacity varied from five to eight passengers, depending on the configuration. The Defender 110 offered an optional third row, while the Defender 130 provided three seats in the third row, though space was limited. Cargo capacity differed by model, with the Defender 130 offering up to 76.1 cubic feet with seats folded, and the Defender 110 providing up to 78.8 cubic feet in the two-row version. The Defender 90, a two-door model, offered up to 58.3 cubic feet of cargo space. The interior featured practical elements like hard plastic surfaces, making it easy to clean.

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 with all seats down. This made it a top choice for those needing extensive cargo capacity, surpassing competitors like the Ford Expedition Max and Jeep Wagoneer L. The Suburban's 28-gallon fuel tank, combined with the diesel engine's 26-mpg highway rating, allowed for long-distance travel without frequent refueling.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen, which, while smaller than some competitors, suited the Defender's utilitarian nature. The system included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo system. The straightforward setup and home buttons made it user-friendly, providing essential features without overwhelming the driver.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban's infotainment system included a 10.2-inch touchscreen on all but the base LS trim, which had an 8-inch screen. The system featured Google Built-in, allowing access to Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play Store without phone pairing. 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, while decent, lacked the richness of higher-end systems found in competitors.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came with a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional safety tech included traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a 360-degree parking camera system. However, the lane-departure and lane-keeping assist systems were overly sensitive, which could be disconcerting.

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 with pedestrian detection, front and rear park assist, lane-keeping assist with lane-departure warning, and Chevy’s Teen Driver feature. Higher trims offered additional ADAS and the option for Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving system.