2025 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2025 Land Rover Defender

The 2025 Land Rover Defender presented a rugged yet customizable aesthetic, with the Defender 110 four-door model striking a balance between the stubby 90 and the visually heavy 130. Base prices ranged from $58,525 to $120,525, with the new Defender OCTA priced at $153,625. Our test vehicle, a Defender 130 X trim, was priced at $106,092, featuring the Extended Black Exterior Pack and upgraded interior materials. The test model, painted in Gondwana Stone, lacked the new matte paint protection film and had 20-inch wheels with Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires. Inside, the Defender X boasted premium Windsor hides and Kvadrat fabric, with an industrial-themed cabin that emphasized quality materials over traditional luxury.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban maintained its iconic profile with subtle updates to the front fascia and lighting, preserving its brand equity. The trim lineup remained consistent, with the LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premier, and High Country trims. The Suburban's interior saw significant upgrades, including a modernized lower dash and a 17.7-inch touchscreen display. The steering wheel and shifter were updated for a more contemporary feel, though some controls proved less intuitive. Despite these changes, the Suburban retained its spacious and functional interior, offering a massive cargo capacity and improved technology features.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, paired with a mild-hybrid system and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Defender 130 X accelerated to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds and had a maximum tow rating of 8,200 pounds. Its adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2 driving modes enhanced off-road capability, while the 11.4 inches of ground clearance and 35.4-inch wading depth added to its ruggedness. However, the Defender's on-road performance was less impressive, with a heavy curb weight and slow steering detracting from driving enjoyment. Fuel economy was lower than expected, with an observed 16.2 mpg.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban offered a choice of three engines: a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower, and a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six Duramax diesel with 305 horsepower. The diesel engine, with its improved torque and fuel efficiency, was a standout option. A 10-speed automatic transmission paired with each engine, and the Suburban's steering was surprisingly light for its size. The Magnetic Ride Control suspension, standard on higher trims, provided a smoother ride, while the optional 24-inch wheels were deemed too harsh for rough roads. The Suburban's towing capacity reached up to 8,300 pounds with the right configuration.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 offered three rows of seating with excellent visibility and a spacious, airy feel. The front seats were 12-way power-adjustable with effective heating and ventilation, while the second-row captain's chairs added comfort. The third row was accessible and comfortable, though cargo space was limited to 15.3 cubic feet behind it. The side-hinged cargo door was cumbersome, but the air suspension could be lowered for easier loading. Maximum cargo capacity reached 89 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in interior space, with 41.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and a maximum of 144.7 cubic feet with all seats folded. It offered seating for up to nine passengers with the right configuration. The Suburban's towing capacity was impressive, and the diesel engine provided excellent fuel economy, allowing for long highway drives without frequent refueling.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system with an 11.4-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system's improved responsiveness and accuracy were notable, though voice command response remained slow. The Defender also included a head-up display, ClearSight digital rearview mirror, and a surround-view camera system, enhancing visibility and ease of parking.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban introduced a 17.7-inch touchscreen with Google Built-in, offering seamless integration of Google Maps and other apps. The user interface was attractive, though some controls were less intuitive. The Suburban retained physical buttons for essential functions, and the Bose stereo system was adequate but not exceptional. Overall, the new technology represented a significant improvement over the previous model.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender came equipped with a suite of driver aids, including automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. The lane-keep assist was assertive, and the adaptive cruise control operated smoothly, though it occasionally struggled in heavy traffic. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review, but the 2024 model received four out of five stars from NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera. GM's Super Cruise hands-free driving technology was available on higher trims, though not immediately at launch.